Murkowski on Greenland: “Focus on continued partnership rather than possession.”

Washington, DC — U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), co-chair of the Senate Arctic Caucus, today spoke on the Senate floor in support of Greenland’s autonomy and long-standing partnership with the United States.

Watch Senator Murkowski’s full remarks here.

The rough transcript of Senator Murkowki’s remarks can be found below.

Rough Transcript

Mr. President, as we begin this new year, there is certainly no shortage of issues before us. You and I have been engaged in productive discussions about how we address health coverage for millions of Americans who are facing dramatically higher costs in many cases. We recognize that there is a very short window in front of us, and for many, it already feels as though that window has closed. Still, there is important work left to do on that front.

We also have significant work ahead on the appropriations bills for fiscal year 2026. A looming deadline of January 30 is fast approaching. It is good news that we will be able to begin advancing the next minibus—three bills, including my Interior Subcommittee appropriations, as well as CJS and Energy and Water. From there, we must move quickly into the FY 2027 cycle, where we are already technically behind.

Beyond that, we clearly need to do more to address the situation around the world. We just had a vote on a motion to discharge a War Powers resolution related to Venezuela. We need to strengthen sanctions on Russia, which continues to prosecute its horrific war against Ukraine. We must work together to reach a bipartisan agreement on permitting reform. We make progress, then take a few steps back, but this reform is essential to building the infrastructure our country needs. And we all know we must tackle affordability issues that affect every American—whether related to the cost of goods or housing.

There is a great deal we need to be doing. But there is one thing we should not be doing—one thing we should not be spending our time on—and that is any effort to annex Greenland. That includes taking it by force, coercion, pressure, threat, or any related method. This is not an issue I ever expected to raise on the floor of the Senate.

In my more than two decades here, I have immersed myself in Arctic issues. I have strong relationships across the Arctic, including in Greenland. I have served as co-chair of the Arctic Parliamentarian Conference for years, alongside a strong Greenlandic woman whom I spoke with just this morning about the rhetoric coming out of Washington, D.C., directed toward her country.

The United States’ interest in Greenland is not entirely new. There were discussions as far back as 1867, when the United States purchased Alaska from Russia. At that time, Secretary Seward made inquiries about Greenland, but Congress showed no interest. During the Taft administration, a land swap was proposed in 1910 and rejected by Denmark. In 1946, at the outset of the Cold War, the Truman administration reportedly made a formal offer—$100 million in gold—to purchase Greenland. That, too, was rejected.

What followed was a shift away from acquisition toward partnership, based on shared national security interests. That cooperation allowed U.S. military assets to be based at what was then Thule, now Pituffik Space Base. These discussions belong to the distant past—until recently. In the past week, we have seen increasingly aggressive rhetoric from the Trump administration and some members of Congress.

There is a difference between discussion and conversation on the one hand, and what we are hearing now on the other. The statements being made suggest that taking Greenland—by force or coercion—is not only an option, but perhaps a priority, with military action on the table. That is profoundly troubling.

Many of us would like to quiet this rhetoric and make clear that such an option is not only unacceptable, but off the table entirely. Unfortunately, we have not received that assurance. While the Secretary of State has suggested that the focus is on purchase rather than military intervention, purchasing requires a willing buyer and a willing seller. Greenland and Denmark have made it abundantly clear that Greenland is not for sale.

As I speak with colleagues and friends across the Arctic, particularly in Greenland, they express deep concern and anxiety. They ask: What is the United States seeking? Greenland has a population of just 57,000 people—57,000 people living on a vast island who constitute an autonomous country striving for control over their own future. Greenland’s Prime Minister recently said that threats, pressure, and talk of annexation have no place between friends, and that Greenland’s future must be decided by its own people. We must take that message seriously.

This is also deeply unsettling for the people of Denmark, which administers defense and foreign policy for Greenland. It should unsettle anyone who understands the immense value of NATO. One founding member taking land from another would shatter this critical alliance, and we have already heard concern from our NATO allies. Frankly, this should unsettle all of us.

There is no reason to treat long-standing allies with such a profound lack of respect. We are talking about the people of Greenland, not to them. The people of Greenland are watching us, and we are not winning them over by treating them as if they were subjects rather than partners. This approach alienates Greenland, Denmark, and many of our allies in Europe, while setting a dangerous example for Russia and China.

Greenland is not Venezuela. It is not a narco-state run by an illegitimate dictator. It is a peaceful democracy and a faithful ally of the United States, dating back to World War II, when it played a pivotal role in the Allied victory. To this day, Greenland continues to host critical U.S. assets at Pituffik, providing invaluable strategic cooperation.

I was in Greenland just a few months ago and met with the new Prime Minister and President. He asked a simple question: What does the United States want? If the interest is national security or critical minerals, Greenland is eager to talk. They want dialogue with a friend and ally—not coercion.

Denmark’s Prime Minister has even suggested that if the United States seeks a larger military presence in Greenland, that is a conversation worth having, along with discussions on trade, tourism, and economic cooperation. Every one of our strategic goals can be accomplished with Greenland as a partner rather than a possession.

The idea of taking control of Greenland—especially by military force—would cause enormous harm to our national security and our international relationships. This is the 21st century. The United States should be setting the example for a rules-based global order, not undermining it by disregarding the sovereignty of others.

If we lose Greenland, we risk losing Denmark, our European partners, and NATO itself—delivering exactly what Russia and China want. There may be new partnership models worth discussing, such as a Compact of Free Association, but any such arrangement must be voluntary, respectful, and chosen freely by Greenland and Denmark, with congressional involvement.

How we talk to our friends and allies matters. Greenland’s Arctic strategy is titled “Greenland in the World: Nothing About Us Without Us.” That principle should guide us. Real people live in Greenland, and they are watching how the United States conducts itself.

Greenland is an extraordinary place—beautiful, resource-rich, and strategically vital, much like my home state of Alaska. We share cultural ties through the Inuit people and deep economic and social connections. But unlike Alaska, Greenland is not part of the United States. Taking it would be a colossal mistake—one that would end NATO and embolden autocratic regimes around the world.

Instead, we should continue building relationships—through trade, tourism, cultural exchange, and indigenous governance—rather than sending provocative messages that undo decades of trust.

Mr. President, we have much ahead of us in 2026. Taking—or buying—Greenland should not be on that list. I urge a reset in how these discussions are conducted. Let us choose respect, dialogue, cooperation, and partnership, and recognize Greenland as an ally—not an asset—and reject any notion of forced annexation or coercive action.

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In Floor Speech on War Powers Vote, Senator Murray Condemns Trump’s Brazen & Unconstitutional Act of War in Venezuela, Calls on Congress to Restrain Trump’s War-Mongering: “No American Boots on the Ground”

Murray: “It is unquestionably an act of war to invade a foreign nation, kidnap a foreign leader, even a dictator, and leave dozens of bodies—including civilians—behind…This is the United States Congress. And we have a constitutional role to be a check on the President. Only Congress can declare war. And Congress did not authorize the use of force against Venezuela.”

ICYMI: Senator Murray Responds to Trump’s Illegal Military Operation, Address to the Nation

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

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, took to the Senate floor to denounce President Trump’s brazen act of war in Venezuela and slam the Trump administration for instigating regime change and military strikes in Venezuela without any legitimate justification, consultation with Congress, or any kind of long-term strategy to deal with the fallout.

Following her vote to advance a War Powers Resolution she cosponsored, S.J.Res.98—that would block the use of the U.S. Armed Forces to engage in hostilities within or against Venezuela unless authorized by Congress—Senator Murray urged her colleagues in Congress to assert their Constitutional role over the power to declare war and press forward to restrain Trump’s war-mongering and make sure he cannot put American boots on the ground without the approval of the American people and their representatives in Congress.

Today’s successful vote to advance this War Powers Resolution sets up further debate and amendments ahead of a vote on final passage, likely next week.

Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered on the Senate floor today, are below:

“I am beyond outraged that President Trump would commit such a brazen act of war as he has done in Venezuela—with absolutely no notice—except to the oil companies they told and newspapers they leaked it to, no consultation with Congress, no legitimate justification for these unauthorized strikes, nor any kind of serious long-term strategy.

“It is unquestionably an act of war to invade a foreign nation, kidnap a foreign leader, even a dictator, and leave dozens of bodies—including civilians—behind.

“Would my colleagues still nod their heads and go along with it if a country tried to do this to American leaders? Of course not. So, we should stop playing dumb.

“Trump can’t just say magic words and pretend this wasn’t a major military operation.

“This is the United States Congress. And we have a constitutional role to be a check on the President. Only Congress can declare war. And Congress did not authorize the use of force against Venezuela.

“Now, I opposed the war in Iraq from the outset—and the parallels to what President Trump has kicked off in Venezuela are glaring. And I absolutely will not support any large-scale military conflict in Venezuela or a dangerous and expensive occupation.

“We have a President ignoring the problems he has caused in our own country, all to start a war no one asked for, with no legitimate justification, no concern for the servicemembers who are being put in harm’s way, and absolutely no long-term strategy.

“Seriously—the only thing that was clear after the briefing yesterday is that Trump has no serious plan. First, Trump was ‘just bombing alleged drug boats.’ Then, Trump was ‘just seizing oil shipments.’ And the next thing you know, this Administration is sending the military to abduct a foreign leader.

“So, I have to ask—what is next? And where is next? How far is this going to go? Because it is clear that this is not over.

“Not when Trump keeps saying we will run the country. What is Trump’s plan to ‘run’ Venezuela exactly? How long are we going to be there? How many of our people is he going to send? Who is even in charge? And how are we paying for this?

“There are no serious answers. The only thing we do know is why Trump is doing this—for oil. Because this clearly is not about ending tyranny and establishing a democracy, since Trump outright dismissed any possibility of helping the opposition party to build a true democracy.

“And it’s clearly not about drug trafficking—after all, not even a month before this, President Trump pardoned the former President of Honduras who was convicted of the same crime.

“But the real reason, it’s so painfully obvious this was always about the oil, why? Well, it’s pretty simple: Trump keeps saying it! He literally said, and I quote, ‘the difference between Iraq and this is that Bush didn’t keep the oil. We’re going to keep the oil.’ That was the President.

“Is this America First? Of course not! It’s Big Oil barons first. It is billionaires first. It is Trump first. First to rake in profits mind you—not first to put themselves in harm’s way.

“You can bet, when Trump says he’s not worried about boots on the ground—it’s because he’s not talking about his boots. He’s not talking about his kids—he is talking about yours.

“Congress cannot stand by and shrug our shoulders. We have a Constitutional responsibility here.

“It is important that a majority of Senators voted to rein in this President’s reckless actions. But if we want to put an end to this war-mongering—we need to keep pressing until we have a veto proof majority.

“Today’s vote is not the end of the line. So, I urge all my colleagues to join us in asserting our authority and continuing to send President Trump a simple message: no American boots on the ground. No trading blood for oil. No war.”

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Padilla, Schiff, Gallego, Colleagues Demand Answers on Diversion of Federal Law Enforcement Agents to Immigration Enforcement

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) joined Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and 27 other Senators in blasting President Trump, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, and Attorney General Pam Bondi for the Administration’s decision to pull thousands of federal law enforcement agents away from their work protecting communities from dangerous criminals and reassign them to arrest, detain, and indiscriminately deport noncitizens without criminal records.

Though the majority of immigrants arrested have no criminal background, many agents across the federal government have been pulled off of cases involving child exploitation, drug trafficking, sanctions evasion, cyberattacks, domestic extremism, and foreign adversaries in the middle of active investigations.

“You have pulled agents away from some of the federal government’s most critical criminal investigations, weakening the very work that ensures public safety. In a world in which we must prioritize the use of limited resources, an agent arresting non-violent immigrants necessarily means one less agent available to catch child predators and drug traffickers,” wrote the Senators. “This diversion represents a deliberate choice: a stunning abdication of the basic responsibilities of the executive branch to the American people, and a direct threat to the security of communities across the country.”

“Redirecting these investigators to pad deportation statistics is not simply irresponsible — it is a dereliction of duty with life-or-death consequences that puts the safety of our children in jeopardy,” continued the Senators. “… No modern administration has ever attempted a reallocation of this scale or recklessness.”

Reports across the federal government detail that nearly 25% of agents at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and 80% of agents at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have been reassigned. These diversions are especially devastating at Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) — one of the nation’s frontline agencies combating child exploitation, human trafficking, fentanyl smuggling, and cartel activity. HSI personnel themselves have warned that these reassignments are dismantling one of the country’s most effective child protection and national security forces. To mitigate the damage, some investigators have even tried to continue their work at night or on weekends.

The Senators also called out the dangerous national security implications of the Administration’s directives, including damage to cyber and critical infrastructure defenses that protect the systems Americans rely on every day for necessities like clean water, air conditioning, and electricity.

“Taken together, these actions are more than just a routine shift in administration priorities; they represent a systematic dismantling of the very institutions that protect Americans in their homes, online, and in their communities,” added the Senators. “The fact that the majority of individuals arrested during immigration enforcement operations to date have had no criminal history belies the administration’s claim that it is targeting the ‘worst of the worst.’ Instead, it suggests that federal law enforcement capacity is being sacrificed to fuel a politically orchestrated deportation drive. That tradeoff is indefensible, and it puts Americans at risk to serve a political narrative, not a security strategy.”

Specifically, the Senators requested:

A full accounting of personnel diverted to immigration enforcement from all federal agencies since January 20, 2025, including numbers, assignment duration, and mission details;

A list of every investigation paused, terminated, or reassigned as a result of, in whole or in part, these diversions, including those related to child exploitation, cyber intrusions, human trafficking, drug smuggling, domestic extremism, terrorism financing, and violent crime;

Any threat, risk, or operational assessments informing the decision to divert personnel;

All formal taskings or communications directing agencies to provide personnel for immigration enforcement surge operations;

Any internal objections raised by agency leadership or career investigators regarding the diversions, and how these objections were addressed; and

Any internal assessments completed to gauge the impacts of these diversions, including on investigations into child exploitation, human trafficking, cybercrime, counter narcotics, and national security investigations.

In addition to Padilla, Schiff, and Gallego, the letter was also signed by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

Last month, Padilla and Schiff joined Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative John Garamendi (D-Calif.-08) in releasing a new report detailing the Trump Administration’s diversion of funds and resources from the Department of Defense to the Department of Homeland Security to support immigration enforcement, and highlighting its impact on readiness and morale.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear President Trump, Secretary Noem, and Attorney General Bondi:

We write to express profound alarm at your administration’s decision to strip federal law enforcement agencies of thousands of personnel that keep Americans safe and redeploy them to arrest, detain, and deport immigrants. The fact that the majority of those arrested have no criminal background confirms that this mass diversion is not grounded in threat assessments, operational necessity, or any coherent security strategy. You have pulled agents away from some of the federal government’s most critical criminal investigations, weakening the very work that ensures public safety. In a world in which we must prioritize the use of limited resources, an agent arresting primarily non-violent immigrants necessarily means one less agent available to catch child predators and drug traffickers. This diversion represents a deliberate choice: a stunning abdication of the basic responsibilities of the executive branch to the American people, and a direct threat to the security of communities across the country.

Your administration has reassigned agents from across the federal government to fuel a politically motivated deportation agenda that bears little relationship to actual security or safety priorities. These agencies range from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Department of Defense to the Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Internal Revenue Service, Department of State, U.S. Secret Service, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Department of Energy, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Agents have been pulled off complex cases mid-investigation— cases involving child exploitation, drug trafficking, sanctions evasion, cyberattacks, domestic extremism, and foreign adversary activity—allowing dangerous criminals to roam free on our streets.

The effects are especially devastating at HSI—an agency the U.S. relies on to combat child exploitation, dismantle human trafficking networks, stop fentanyl pipelines, and combat cartels and other criminal organizations. Over the past decade, HSI has rescued nearly 10,000 children from exploitation, abuse, and trafficking, including through its Cyber Crimes Center, Child Exploitation Investigations Unit. These rescues rely on highly specialized agents, forensic interviewers, digital-evidence teams, and long-term partnerships with state, local, and international law enforcement entities. Yet, entire HSI units have reportedly been reassigned en masse to immigration enforcement, primarily sweeping up immigrants who present no security threat to the U.S. This is not an abstract concern—according to reports of one investigation into a violent sexual child abuse case, the agents working the case were redeployed to immigration enforcement, causing the case to stall. Each day agents fail to arrest the perpetrator is another day this child must suffer heinous exploitation. In diverting these agents, children who would have been identified and rescued are now left in harm’s way.

Compounding these harms, technology companies that submit tens of millions of suspected child abuse files each year have already reported a collapse in follow-up from federal investigators. Leads are not being pursued, evidence is aging out, and perpetrators are exploiting the vacuum. Meanwhile, HSI personnel themselves have warned that these reassignments are dismantling one of the country’s most effective child protection and national security forces. To mitigate the damage, these employees have, at times, tried to advance cases at nights or on weekends to keep them from being abandoned. Redirecting these investigators to pad deportation statistics is not simply irresponsible—it is a dereliction of duty with life-or-death consequences that puts the safety of our children in jeopardy.

The damage is not limited to HSI but reverberates across the entire federal law enforcement apparatus. At the FBI, nearly one quarter of all agents have been pulled off mission to focus on immigration enforcement—an extraordinary contraction of investigative capacity at a time of rising cyber, counterintelligence, and violent crime threats. At ATF, you have eviscerated firearms trafficking enforcement by reassigning 80 percent of special agents to immigration cases. This has left the agency on pace for a 90 percent decline in dealer-license revocations, its most effective tool for shutting down corrupt gun dealers who funnel weapons into criminal networks. No modern administration has ever attempted a reallocation of this scale or recklessness.

The national security implications are dire. According to one report, a major joint FBI-HSI investigation into illicit Iranian oil shipments—a scheme believed to fund designated terrorist organizations—has suffered from the redeployment, to the point where ships and cash have “disappeared” before they could be seized. Moreover, redirection of employees at DHS’ intelligence office has reduced the amount of critical information shared with local law enforcement authorities, impairing their ability to protect Americans from terrorist attacks. Not only is the administration letting terrorists off the hook, but you are doing so to chase publicity-oriented deportation quotas, separating families and sowing chaos in the process.

The dangerous consequences even extend to America’s cyber and critical infrastructure defenses. CISA specialists who protect hospitals, water systems, pipelines, energy grids, and election infrastructure from foreign cyberattacks have been transferred to support immigration and deportation operations. Days after reports of the redeployment were released, CISA itself issued a directive warning that federal systems are under siege from a nation-state-affiliated cyber threat. On top of these reductions, reports indicate that the FBI has or plans to cut its Cyber Division staff by half. In an environment of escalating cyber risk, this redirection of expertise is not merely shortsighted—it puts Americans directly in harm’s way. Weakening U.S. cyber defenses at this moment creates avoidable national security vulnerabilities—openings that sophisticated foreign actors are already probing and prepared to exploit.

Taken together, these actions are more than just a routine shift in administration priorities; they represent a systematic dismantling of the very institutions that protect Americans in their homes, online, and in their communities. The fact that the majority of individuals arrested during immigration enforcement operations to date have had no criminal history belies the administration’s claim that it is targeting the “worst of the worst.” Instead, it suggests that federal law enforcement capacity is being sacrificed to fuel a politically orchestrated deportation drive. That tradeoff is indefensible, and it puts Americans at risk to serve a political narrative, not a security strategy.

Given these significant concerns, we request that you provide the following documents and information, as well as a briefing to our staff, by January 19th, 2026:

1. A full accounting of personnel diverted to immigration enforcement from all federal agencies since January 20, 2025, including numbers, assignment duration, and mission details.

2. A list of all investigations paused, terminated, or reassigned as a result of, in whole or in part, these diversions, including those related to child exploitation, cyber intrusions, human trafficking, drug smuggling, domestic extremism, terrorism financing, and violent crime.

3. Any threat, risk, or operational assessments informing the decision to divert personnel. If there are no such assessments, please explain what information was used to make the decision.

4. All formal taskings or communications directing agencies to provide personnel for immigration enforcement surge operations.

5. Any internal objections raised by agency leadership or career investigators regarding the diversions, and how these objections were addressed.

6. Any internal assessments completed to gauge the impacts of these diversions, including on investigations into child exploitation, human trafficking, cybercrime, counter narcotics, and national security investigations.

Federal law enforcement agencies exist to protect the American people—to dismantle criminal networks, safeguard children, secure critical infrastructure, and counter foreign threats. Diverting these experts from their missions without strategic justification or operational need endangers public safety and undermines national security. We urge your administration to provide the requested information promptly and to reassess these reckless decisions.

Sincerely,

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Senate Unanimously Passes Padilla, Schiff Resolution Honoring Palisades and Eaton Wildfire Survivors

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff’s (both D-Calif.) resolution to observe the one-year anniversary of the Palisades and Eaton wildfires and honor the survivors, the lives lost, and the first responders who risked their lives to protect those Los Angeles communities. The resolution also emphasizes the importance of continued cooperation between federal, state, and local authorities to ensure that impacted communities obtain the relief and support they need to rebuild.

“1 year later, the rebuilding process in the Pacific Palisades, Altadena, and other communities across Southern California continues,” and that “continued coordination between Federal, State, and local authorities is required to ensure that those affected by the fires obtain the relief and support they need,” states the resolution text.

“[The Senate] honors and remembers those who lost their lives in the wildfires; recognizes and commends the bravery and selflessness of the first responders who risked their lives to respond and extinguish the wildfires; and affirms its commitment to helping Southern California communities continue to rebuild,” concludes the resolution text.

Senator Padilla has fought relentlessly to secure and protect access to desperately needed disaster relief aid following the Southern California fires. In the immediate aftermath of the fires, Padilla and Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) led 47 bipartisan members of the California Congressional delegation in successfully urging President Biden to grant Governor Newsom’s request for a major disaster declaration to expedite timely relief to Los Angeles County residents impacted by these disasters.

Padilla and Schiff, along with Representatives Calvert (R-Calif.-41) and Lofgren (D-Calif.-18), have led the entire bipartisan California Congressional delegation in urging President Trump and Senior Congressional leadership to provide additional disaster relief funding and resources to help Los Angeles County communities rebuild. Padilla previously delivered remarks on the Senate floor and on the six-month anniversary of the fires urging his Republican colleagues and President Trump to provide essential disaster recovery aid to California without conditioning it on the passage of partisan legislation.

Full text of the resolution is available here.

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U.S. Senate Advances Bipartisan Bill to Limit Trump’s War Powers

WASHINGTON, DC – To reassert Congress’s Article I powers to declare war and prevent President Trump from engaging in further unauthorized military action in Venezuela, the U.S. Senate voted 52-47 today to advance a bipartisan war powers resolution.

U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, voted to advance the resolution and reaffirm Congress’s role in determining when America goes to war. Prior to the vote, Reed delivered a floor speech urging the Senate to restore constitutional oversight of President Trump’s military operations.

Reed warned that the President’s military raid in Caracas—conducted without congressional approval and apparently driven by the ultimate goal of seizing Venezuelan oil reserves—represents a dangerous expansion of executive power and a profound failure of strategic planning.

“The Constitution is clear: Congress—not the president—declares war. No individual, not even the president, has the authority to drag our country into an unnecessary conflict against the will of the American people,” said Senator Reed. “President Trump has failed to articulate any credible strategy for Venezuela, but has admitted the U.S. could be there for ‘years’ and may require a significant military presence on the ground. That’s not what the American people want, and they certainly don’t want to risk our servicemembers lives and billions in taxpayer funds in Venezuela. They want us to focus on the cost of living, not foreign misadventures. Today the Senate voted to curtail President Trump’s ability to unilaterally wage war.”

Senator Reed, who spent months warning that the Administration’s boat strike campaign in the Caribbean was a prelude to military action in Venezuela, emphasized that while Nicolás Maduro’s removal from power is welcome, the Trump Administration has presented no credible plan for what comes next. He called on Congress to fulfill its constitutional duty to authorize military action and demand answers about the operation’s objectives, costs, and exit strategy.

Today’s 52-47 vote means the Senate moves forward with debate on a bipartisan war powers resolution from Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Rand Paul (R-KY). If the measure is ultimately approved by the upper chamber it must also be passed by the full U.S. House of Representatives.

A transcript of Senator Reed’s floor speech prior to the vote follows:

SEN. REED: Mr. President, for four months, my Democratic colleagues and I have come to the floor to warn against President Trump’s military operations in South and Central America. We have pointed out that his boat strike campaign was strategically incoherent, legally questionable, and – ultimately – not about narcotrafficking at all. We have argued that the Administration’s shifting legal justifications, refusal to give Congress straight answers and information required by law, and a massive military buildup pointed toward something larger than narcotrafficking.

Indeed, we warned that these actions were always directed at the government and economy of Venezuela.

That campaign has now culminated in a military raid on Caracas, the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, and President Trump’s extraordinary declaration that the United States will “run” Venezuela and seize control of its oil reserves.

Let me be clear about something at the outset: Nicolás Maduro is a brutal dictator who has destroyed Venezuela’s economy, crushed democratic opposition, and fostered widespread corruption. He will not be missed. But, this operation was not designed to restore peace in Venezuela or protect America from the ravages of drugs.

Indeed, Mr. President, this operation is not about democracy. It is not about the suffering of the Venezuelan people. It is not even about narcotrafficking, despite the Administration killing more than 100 people in its strikes on alleged drug boats. In the President’s own words, this campaign is simply about seizing Venezuela’s oil and profiting from it.

The people of Venezuela have suffered extraordinary hardship under the Maduro regime. They have voted in multiple elections for new leadership, and have been denied their choice through fraud and repression. After everything they have endured, the people of Venezuela deserve to choose what happens next in their country. They do not deserve to have their future dictated by President Trump, Secretary Rubio, or anyone else in Washington.

Yet that is precisely what this administration intends to do. The plan presented by the White House is to simply force the remnants of the Maduro regime to grant the United States exclusive access to Venezuelan oil, or face the consequences of a blockade. That’s it; that’s the plan.

Not in the plan? Positive change for the people of Venezuela. There is no framework for elections or democratic transition. No serious assessment of the rival political factions inside Venezuela – factions that have been waiting for precisely this moment to seize power. I have seen no contingency plan for what happens when China, Russia, Iran, or Cuba – nations with deep economic interests in Venezuela – decide to back proxy groups in a country we have just destabilized. Nor have I heard any proposal for the next steps for countering narcotrafficking.

The Administration’s goals are aspirational at best. And aspirations are not enough when the stakes involve war and the futures of millions of people.

Mr. President, one of the first lessons I learned as an Army officer is that ‘hope’ is not a plan. Over my career – both in uniform and in Congress – I have seen the United States hope that its military interventions abroad would succeed. I have seen regime changes, nation-building efforts, and elaborate reconstruction schemes launched with confident predictions of success, only to collapse when encountered with reality on the ground.

And the reality is this: when we rely on the United States military as our primary tool of foreign engagement, we set ourselves up for failure. We have persistently misunderstood and misjudged the cultures, histories, and politics of the nations in which we have intervened, because we assume military might is enough. We imagine outcomes that align with our military and economic objectives, but are surprised when those outcomes fail. We consistently fail to plan for the “day after.”

Unless the Trump Administration gets serious, Venezuela will be no exception.

This isn’t about our military capabilities. We have the most formidable fighting force the world has ever seen. I am proud – and frankly, not surprised – that all elements of our military worked together to successfully execute such a dangerous and difficult mission in Caracas. Their skill, professionalism, and courage are beyond question.

But military capability is not the same as strategic wisdom. The ability to achieve tactical objectives does not guarantee beneficial long-term outcomes. And executing a successful raid does not constitute a plan for governing a nation of 28 million people.

Congress exists to provide oversight and scrutiny of the Executive Branch, not to cheer from the sidelines. I commend our servicemembers for their performance last weekend, but I am deeply concerned by the Trump Administration’s lack of serious planning for what comes next.

That is why this War Powers Resolution is necessary.

The Constitution vests the power to authorize war in Congress – not the President. President Trump has claimed this was just a ‘law enforcement’ mission. That is absurd. No matter how he describes it, the President waged war on a foreign nation without authorization, without notification to Congress, and without any explanation to the American people about what this operation will cost or what success will look like. That is a profound constitutional failure, and it must be corrected.

Mr. President, I hope I am wrong about the dangers ahead. I hope this administration is right, and the transition in Venezuela proceeds smoothly. I hope the Venezuelan people embrace this outcome and see their lives improve quickly. I hope the violent factions in Venezuela choose peace over conflict. I hope the economic recovery for the people of Venezuela justifies this enormous gamble.

But hope is not enough. And history suggests we should prepare for a far more difficult reality.

The question before us is whether Congress will fulfill its constitutional duty, or whether we will abdicate responsibility—again—and allow this

President to commit American military resources, credibility, and potentially American lives to an open-ended entanglement without authorization or accountability.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution. I yield the floor.


Sen. Rick Scott Introduces Resolution Honoring New Day of Freedom for Venezuela After Trump Admin’s Successful Operation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott introduced a resolution commending the United States military for its recent action in Venezuela with the arrest of indicted narco-terrorist dictator Nicolás Maduro. The resolution praises the operation’s precision and the Trump administration’s leadership in the fight for a more free and secure Western Hemisphere paving the way for a democratic Venezuela. Senators Tommy Tuberville, Cynthia Lummis, John Curtis, Eric Schmitt, Ted Budd, Katie Britt, Mike Rounds, Tom Cotton, Marsha Blackburn, Kevin Cramer, Markwayne Mullin, and Ted Cruz are cosponsors of the resolution.

Senator Rick Scott said, “This decisive mission demonstrated American strength and resolve, arrested an indicted narco-terrorist who has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans, and sent a clear message that the United States will no longer tolerate criminal regimes that endanger American families, especially in our hemisphere. A Latin America free of socialist and communist rule is in the best interest of the United States, and that’s why for years, I have fought alongside the people of Venezuela to restore their God-given freedom and liberty. It’s incredible to see the community come together with such gracious excitement for the future of their nation. Thank you, President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and Secretary Hegseth, for fighting for the Venezuelan people. I am proud to stand with them and all of Latin America in celebrating this incredible occasion.”

Senator Tommy Tuberville said, “Nicolás Maduro is the leader of a terrorist gang, and has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans through illegal drugs. Thank you to the brave service members who have apprehended this criminal and sacrifice every day to keep America safe. This is what AMERICA FIRST national security looks like. Let this be a warning to anyone who threatens our country.”

Senator Cynthia Lummis said, “I'm so proud of the men and women of the United States military who executed such a complex mission to arrest an indicted narco-terrorist. The strategic preparation, intelligence coordination, skill, and courage it took to pull off this mission so seamlessly is truly remarkable and worthy of the highest recognition. Their efforts guarantee that Nicolás Maduro faces justice for his criminal actions and allows the Venezuelan people to begin a new chapter toward a brighter tomorrow.”

Senator John Curtis said, “Operation Absolute Resolve demonstrated the unmatched strength and precision of the United States Armed Forces. I commend President Trump, along with our law enforcement, military, and intelligence professionals, for bringing Nicolás Maduro to justice. Now, we must turn our attention to securing peace and prosperity in the Western Hemisphere by supporting the stabilization of Venezuela. The path forward is clear—María Corina Machado has laid the groundwork for a democratic transition that upholds liberty and self-governance for the Venezuelan people.”

Senator Eric Schmitt said, “The flawless execution of Operation Absolute Resolve is a testament to the unparalleled capability, capacity, and unmatched excellence of our Armed Forces and federal law enforcement. The United States is the only power on Earth capable of carrying out an operation of this precision, scale, and speed, and our adversaries should take notice. This operation brought a brutal narcoterrorist who poisoned countless Americans and invited China and Russia into our hemisphere to justice. I applaud President Trump and his administration for their strategic vision and unwavering commitment to justice and protecting American lives and interests.”

Senator Ted Budd said, “Operation Absolute Resolve was a successful use of U.S. military strength to hold Maduro accountable for years of rampant narco-terrorism, violent oppression of the Venezuelan people, and threats to America’s security in the Western Hemisphere. I stand firmly with my colleagues in applauding the Trump administration’s flawless operation, led by special operations forces from Fort Bragg, to remove Venezuela’s illegitimate dictator and send a clear message to hostile nations that jeopardizing the safety of the American people will not go without consequences.”

Senator Katie Britt said, “The United States military has once again proven it is second to none. Only our forces could execute a mission of this complexity, speed, and precision. I commend all of the courageous servicemembers involved in Operation Absolute Resolve, which was an undeniable success. Because of President Trump’s bold action and courage—doing what many of his predecessors did not have the backbone to do—the people of Venezuela now have the opportunity for a prosperous future, and America is safer knowing that an illegitimate, narco-terrorist dictator will be brought to justice in an American court of law.”

Senator Mike Rounds said, “No other military in the world could have carried out the exceptional joint operation our troops conducted in Venezuela. Venezuela has been a nation of anti-American activity for years, working with and harboring our enemies and chief geopolitical rivals. Thanks to the technical and tactical excellence of the U.S. military, our law enforcement officials were able to extract the Maduros and bring them to the United States for prosecution under our justice system. Thank you to all involved in carrying out this historic mission.”

Senator Tom Cotton said, “No other country in the world could have carried out an operation as complex and dangerous as the one in Venezuela last weekend. I commend our military, as well as our entire intelligence community for tremendously executing this mission.”

Senator Kevin Cramer said, “For years, the Trump administration has outlined the legal crimes Maduro has committed against Americans. The President put words into action by bringing this indicted narco-terrorist to face justice. Venezuelans overwhelmingly voted for peace and democracy, not a brutal dictator. When America leads, the world is safer.”

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Senate Democrats Launch Investigation into Trump Administration’s Dealings with Big Oil Surrounding
U.S. Military Action in Venezuela

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee joined Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW); Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Finance; Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), senior member of EPW; and Peter Welch (D-Vt.), member of the Finance Committee, in launching an investigation into communications between major U.S. oil and oilfield services companies and the Trump Administration surrounding last week’s military action in Venezuela and efforts to exploit Venezuelan oil resources. The Senators are requesting documents and information regarding the companies’ knowledge of the strikes, discussions with Trump Administration officials before and since the operation, and plans to invest in Venezuela from the CEOs of BP America Inc., Baker Hughes, Chevron, Citgo Petroleum Corporation, ConocoPhillips, Continental Resources, ExxonMobil, Halliburton, SLB, Shell USA, Inc., and Weatherford International.

The Trump Administration has explicitly linked its military efforts in Venezuela to the economic interests of the American fossil fuel industry. Although Members of Congress received no advance notice of the military action, Trump “confirmed that administration officials had engaged with ‘all’ major U.S. oil companies on Venezuela policy both ‘before and after’” last week’s operation. According to public reports, the Trump Administration “briefed oil companies a full 10 days before the U.S. land strikes and within a day after the strikes.”

Just hours after the strikes, Trump announced that U.S. oil companies would “‘have a presence in Venezuela as it pertains to oil’” and would “‘get the oil flowing.’” Today, Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced the United States will control Venezuelan oil sales “indefinitely.” To help companies cover their costs to rebuild Venezuelan oil infrastructure, Trump has said the federal government may provide reimbursements. That would cost American taxpayers billions more in the form of subsidies for the fossil fuel industry, which already benefits from over $700 billion annually in subsidies according to the International Monetary Fund.

“President Trump’s own statements justifying the operation in terms of access to foreign energy resources and benefits to the U.S. oil industry, reported repeated engagement between industry and government, and the suggestion that taxpayers could pay the cost of rebuilding Venezuela’s oil infrastructure raise serious concerns about how the Trump Administration engaged with the oil companies prior to his decision to use military force in Venezuela,” wrote the Senators. “We would like to know the extent to which U.S. oil and gas companies such as yours had either advance knowledge of or the ability to shape American foreign policy decisions—especially given that Congress was kept in the dark concerning the use of force until after the strikes occurred.”

The Senators are requesting documents and information by January 21, 2026.

The full letters are available here: BP America Inc., Baker Hughes, Chevron, Citgo Petroleum Corporation, ConocoPhillips, Continental Resources, ExxonMobil, Halliburton, SLB, Shell USA, Inc., and Weatherford International.

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SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $10 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR GENESEE COUNTY TO UPGRADE DRINKING WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

Schumer And Gillibrand Say This Funding Will Build a New Expanded Water Storage Tank In Batavia To Replace Old & Undersized Tank, Increasing Safe Drinking Water Capacity Throughout Genesee County Which Is Impacted By Severe Drought

Schumer Secured Funding Authorization Three Years Ago And Together With Gillibrand Has Pushed To Clear Final Hurdle To Secure $$ For Genesee County

Schumer, Gillibrand: Fed $$ Is Secured For Clean Water Across Genesee County

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced they have secured $10,000,000 in federal funding in the pending fiscal year (FY) 2026 spending bill currently being voted on in the House of Representatives and expected to come to a vote in the Senate later this month for Genesee County to build a new larger water storage tank in Batavia and increase badly needed drinking water capacity for residents, farms, and businesses throughout Genesee County.

In 2024, the United States Department of Agriculture declared Genesee County a drought disaster area, as numerous towns across Genesee County have had to endure low groundwater conditions in their wells alongside challenging water quality conditions. Over the last four years, emergency water restrictions have been placed on residents and businesses in an attempt to close the supply and demand gap. The senators explained that the federal funding they secured will enable Genesee County to help alleviate these water supply issues for residents by replacing its aged and deteriorating current 1.5-million-gallon elevated storage tank with a new and expanded 2.5-million-gallon tank.

“For decades, Genesee County has faced real concerns about whether its aging water infrastructure could meet the needs of residents, farms, and businesses while protecting public health and local jobs,” said Senator Schumer. “After years of working with the county, I’m proud to announce that I have secured $10 million so Genesee County can upgrade its drinking water system. This critical investment will support the design and construction of a new water storage tank in Batavia, helping deliver clean, reliable drinking water flow to tens of thousands of New Yorkers. Access to safe water and modernized water infrastructure systems is fundamental, which is why I fought to authorize this funding three years ago and ensure its inclusion in this year’s budget bill. I will always fight to keep New York’s drinking water clean and our communities safe and healthy.”

“I’m proud to have secured $10 million in federal funding to upgrade water infrastructure in Genesee County,” said Senator Gillibrand, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “All New Yorkers deserve access to safe, reliable, and clean drinking water, but for far too long, Genesee County’s aging water infrastructure has struggled to meet the needs of residents, farms, and businesses. This funding will go directly toward building a new, expanded water storage tank in Batavia, increasing capacity and helping ensure communities across the county have the dependable water supply they need now and in the future.”

Marianne Clattenburg Genesee County Legislature Vice Chair said, “This $10 million investment is a meaningful step forward for Genesee County’s water infrastructure and long-term needs. We appreciate Senator Schumer and Gillibrand’s continued involvement, along with our federal partners, in advancing this Section 219 project toward construction. This funding reflects the importance of steady collaboration to deliver infrastructure improvements that support our communities and local economy.”

Genesee County’s Water Storage Tank project will upgrade the entire county-wide water infrastructure system. The county will use this federal funding to design and construct a new water storage tank in Batavia, which assists in supplying approximately 40 percent of Genesee County’s drinking water. The new tank will be upsized to reduce stress on the county’s water infrastructure during periods of high usage and to safeguard residents and industries from drought conditions, water main breaks, and fire flow events.

Genesee County has long been dealing with a persistent drought situation and the need to increase safe drinking water capacity throughout the county, and the existing tank suffers from a deteriorating paint system and numerous structural concerns. Genesee County has business, agriculture, retail, and healthcare jobs that all depend on having a reliable, clean water source and will benefit from this new and improved water storage tank.

Schumer and Gillibrand helped secure authorization for this federal funding three years ago in the Water Resources Development Act of 2022 which they led to passage in the Senate. With the funding authorization in hand, Schumer and Gillibrand pushed for this funding to be included in the final Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill currently being voted on in the House of Representatives and expected to come to a vote in the Senate later this month. The federal funding, if enacted into law, will be delivered through the Army Corps of Engineers.

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SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $3.6 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR WESTERN NEW YORK TO REPLACE LEAD PIPES & UPGRADE WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

Pending Legislation Includes Critical Fed Funding For Western NY To Replace Lead Pipes, Increase Access To Clean Drinking Water, And Make Wastewater Infrastructure Safer

Schumer Stood At Active Lead Pipe Site In Erie County Calling For More Federal Funding To Ensure Drinking Water Is Safe For Western NYers

Schumer, Gillibrand: Fed $$ Is Secured For Western NY For Improved Water Systems!

Today, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that they secured $3,600,000 in federal funding for critical local water infrastructure projects across Western New York in the fiscal year (FY) 2026 Interior spending bill that is expected to pass in the House of Representatives later today and sent to the Senate. The senators personally secured funding for these projects as congressionally directed spending requests. Schumer in 2024 stood at an active lead pipe site in Erie County to push for this federal funding so Erie County can accelerate their efforts to remove thousands of service lines and ensure the region’s families have the safe, reliable drinking water they deserve.

“No amount of lead is safe for children and families in Western NY, which is why I stood at an active lead pipe site in Erie County two years ago to push for more federal investment. Today, I am proud to announce that I have secured $3.6 million in federal funding so communities across Western New York can upgrade their drinking water and wastewater systems, so families and local businesses have access to the water they need and deserve,” said Senator Schumer. “From extending public water service in the Town of Ellicott to replacing lead service lines across Erie County, these projects will support communities throughout Western New York. I will always fight to keep New York’s drinking water clean and our communities safe and healthy.”

“I am thrilled to bring home $3.6 million in federal funding to upgrade water infrastructure in Western New York,” said Senator Gillibrand, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “These projects will increase access to safe drinking water, improve wastewater infrastructure, and remove lead pipes that pose a threat to the health and safety of our communities. I am proud to deliver these funds, and I will continue working to ensure that New Yorkers’ water is safe and clean.”

A full list of funded projects is below:

$1,600,000 for Erie County Water Authority to Replace Lead Service Lines

The supported project will involve the replacement of lead service lines and galvanized service lines requiring replacement throughout the Erie County Water Authority's direct service area. Grant funding will help offset the high cost of replacement and allow the ECWA to prioritize homes with vulnerable populations. This project is part of Erie County Water Authority’s systemwide Lead Service Line Replacement Program and supports compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions and Improvements.

$1,000,000 for the Town of Ellicott for Fluvanna Water Service Area Extension

The project will include construction of water main to extend public water service to the Fluvanna area of the Town of Ellicott providing the area with a safe and abundant water supply from the City of Jamestown BPU. Currently many Fluvanna residents rely on private groundwater wells, a significant number of which do not meet current health standards. This project will eliminate health risks by installing new water mains, hydrants, and meters to deliver clean, regulated public water to the community.

$1,000,000 for the Town of Elma for Consolidated Wastewater Treatment Plant

The project will consolidate two aged wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), ensuring safety for residents and school occupants while safeguarding water quality in Buffalo Creek and nearby areas. In partnership with Iroquois Central School District, the Town of Elma will utilize these funds to replace aging facilities that serve 147 parcels and discharge into Buffalo Creek, to ensure safer, more reliable wastewater treatment. Design work is underway, and this funding will help advance construction of this critical infrastructure upgrade.

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SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $4.5+ MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR LOCAL CAPITAL REGION PROJECTS

Senators Say Pending Legislation Contains Funding That Will Support Water Infrastructure Improvements & Semiconductor Research At University At Albany

Schumer, Gillibrand: Fed $$ Secured For Communities Across The Capital Region!

Today, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that they secured $4,521,000 in federal funding for critical Capital Region projects in the pending fiscal year (FY) 2026 spending bill currently being voted on in the House of Representatives and expected to come to a vote in the Senate later this month. The senators personally secured funding for these projects as congressionally directed spending.

“These projects will boost communities throughout the Capital Region, from supporting cutting-edge semiconductor research and workforce development at two of our world class universities to making critical improvements in water and sewer systems,” said Senator Schumer. “I am proud to have secured over $4.5 million in federal investment that will help lay the foundation for a more resilient future in the Capital Region.”

“I’m proud to have secured these federal dollars that will drive real growth across the Capital Region by creating jobs and delivering the services New Yorkers rely on,” said Senator Gillibrand, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “From advancing the critical research at RPI to ensuring communities have access to modern, reliable water systems, this funding will support projects that help communities across the region grow and thrive. I’ll keep working to bring home resources that strengthen our communities and make a real difference for working families.”

The federal funding comes from the FY 2026 spending bill that is expected to pass in the House of Representatives later today and sent over to the Senate and includes the Commerce, Justice, and Science spending bill, the Energy and Water Development spending bill, and the Interior spending bill.

A full list of funded projects is below:

$1,521,000 for University at Albany for CNSE 200mm Wafer Cleanroom Equipment Upgrade

The project will upgrade equipment for the College of Nanotechnology, Science and Engineering to reestablish the College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering (CNSE)'s cleanrooms as state-of-the-art, industry compliant, desirable by NY companies, strengthen education programs, workforce development and community outreach expansion. The lab could achieve optimal performance with upgrades.

$1,000,000 for Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for Biomanufacturing Equipment to Advance Innovation & Workforce Development in New York State

The project will establish an inter-institutional facility within RPI's Center for Biotechnology & Interdisciplinary Studies, enabling research, development, workforce training, & STEM education in biomanufacturing, bolstering our region & state economically.

$1,000,000 for Town of Richmondville for Richmondville Sewer District #1

The project will lower the amount of debt service that the residents and businesses of the hamlet of Warnerville and those residents and businesses west of Warnerville to the Village of Richmondville would have to shoulder.

$1,000,000 for City of Glens Falls for City of Glens Falls – Wastewater Treatment Plant Electrical System Upgrades

This project will upgrade failing, antiquated, and obsolete electrical systems, provide a new source of emergency backup power, improve reliability and energy efficiency at the City's wastewater treatment plant, a regional facility providing resource recovery for 22,000 people and businesses.

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SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE $5 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR LOCAL NORTH COUNTRY PROJECTS

Senators Say Pending Legislation Includes Funding For Preserving Fort Ticonderoga, Boosting Trudeau Institute’s Research And Improving Water Infrastructure

Schumer, Gillibrand: Fed $$ Secured For North Country Communities!

Today, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that they secured $5,000,000 in federal funding for critical North Country projects in the pending fiscal year (FY) 2026 spending bill currently being voted on in the House of Representatives and expected to come to a vote in the Senate later this month. The senators personally secured funding for these projects as congressionally directed spending.

“From helping to restore the iconic Fort Ticonderoga, in America’s 250th birthday, to supporting research at the Trudeau Institute to upgrading water infrastructure, I am proud to announce $5 million in federal funding to support projects throughout the North Country,” said Senator Schumer. “These major federal investments will help preserve the North Country’s rich history and support cutting-edge scientific research. I will always fight to deliver more federal resources to help the North Country thrive.”

“I’m proud to have secured these federal dollars that will drive real growth across the North Country by creating jobs and delivering the services New Yorkers rely on,” said Senator Gillibrand, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “From advancing the critical research at Trudeau Institute to ensuring communities have access to modern, reliable water systems, this funding will support projects that help communities across the region grow and thrive. I’ll keep working to bring home resources that strengthen our communities and make a real difference for working families.”

The federal funding comes from the FY 2026 spending bill that is expected to pass in the House of Representatives later today and sent over to the Senate and includes the Commerce, Justice, and Science spending bill, the Energy and Water Development spending bill, and the Interior spending bill.

A full list of funded projects is below:

$2,500,000 for Trudeau Institute Inc. for Modernization of Instrumentation and Analytical Capabilities

The project will modernize instrumentation to improve disease research, strengthen U.S. biodefense, and support biotechnology innovation at Trudeau Institute while equipping individuals with the skills and training needed to meet the job demands of advanced instrumentation.

$2,000,000 for Village of Port Leyden for the Water System Improvements Project

The project includes replacement of deteriorated water mains, fire hydrants, water meters, and master meters, as well as upgrades to the water treatment building and storage tank.

$500,000 for The Fort Ticonderoga Association for Stabilization and Restoration of Fort Ticonderoga’s Barracks

The project will support the stabilization and restoration of the iconic Fort Ticonderoga, as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday.

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SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE NEARLY $4 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR CENTRAL NEW YORK PROJECTS

Senators Say Pending Legislation Includes Critical Fed Funding For Water Infrastructure Improvements From Syracuse To Throop And Cutting-Edge Semiconductor & Quantum Research At Syracuse University

Schumer, Gillibrand: Fed $$ Secured For Central NY Communities!

Today, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand announced that they secured $3,973,000 in federal funding for critical Central NY projects in the fiscal year (FY) 2026 spending bill currently being voted on in the House of Representatives and expected to come to a vote in the Senate later this month. The senators personally secured funding for these projects as congressionally directed spending.

“I’m proud to have secured millions in federal funding to help our Central New York community. From supporting Syracuse University’s cutting-edge semiconductor manufacturing and quantum computing research to fast-tracking water infrastructure priorities like Syracuse’s lead pipe replacement and Throop’s new water district, millions in federal investment will flow to help communities improve quality of life, public safety and innovation all while creating good-paying jobs,” said Senator Schumer. “I will always fight to deliver funding to help lay the foundation for Central New York to thrive.”

“I’m proud to have secured these federal dollars that will drive real growth across Central New York by creating jobs and delivering the services New Yorkers rely on,” said Senator Gillibrand, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “From advancing the critical research at Syracuse University to removing dangerous lead pipes from local water systems, this funding will support projects that help communities across the region grow and thrive. I’ll keep working to bring home resources that strengthen our communities and make a real difference for working families.”

The federal funding comes from the FY 2026 spending bill that is being voted on in the House of Representatives later today and will be sent over to the Senate later this month and includes the Commerce, Justice, and Science spending bill, the Energy and Water Development spending bill, and the Interior spending bill.

A full list of funded projects is below:

$1,092,000 for City of Syracuse for Lead Service Replacements

As the city plans to engage contractors to replace thousands of lead service lines, this investment will help cover the cost of hundreds of water service line replacements. Each lead service line will be completely replaced by new copper water service lines from water main to water meter, helping safeguard hundreds of Syracuse children and families from the risks associated with lead pipes.

$1,092,000 for Onondaga County Water Authority (OCWA) for Lead Service Line Replacements

OCWA will use federal funds to replace customer-owned lead service lines and improve drinking water quality throughout its service area.

$1,039,000 for Syracuse University for Semiconductor Thermal Noise Testbed

This investment will help Syracuse University build a new semiconductor thermal noise testbed to explore the manufacturing and testing of extremely low thermal noise materials for applications in quantum sensing and computing, gravitational wave physics, precision metrology and semiconductor manufacturing. The testbed will include optics and laser infrastructure to measure the performance of new semiconductor and amorphous glass materials, contain critical equipment to manufacture coatings at scale for industrial and scientific applications, and train expert researchers for the next generation of New York’s high-tech workforce.

$750,000 for Town of Throop for The Town of Throop Creation of Water District #3

This investment will help fund the creation of a new water district in the Town of Throop, bringing high-quality drinking water access to residents along Centerport, Reyer, and Sine Roads who are unable to access either of the town’s existing water districts, and preparing the town’s critical infrastructure to support new growth. The new water district will also significantly improve public safety by allowing the town to install new fire hydrants in the area.

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SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, MORELLE ANNOUNCE NEARLY $7 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR LOCAL ROCHESTER-FINGER LAKES PROJECTS

Lawmakers Say Pending Legislation Includes Critical Fed Funding For University of Rochester’s Cutting-Edge Quantum Research & Water Infrastructure Improvements Throughout Rochester-Finger Lakes Region

Schumer, Gillibrand, Morelle: Fed $$ Is Secured For Rochester-Finger Lakes Communities!

Today, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and U.S. Congressman Joe Morelle announced that they secured $6,934,000 in federal funding for critical local projects across the Rochester-Finger Lakes region in the pending fiscal year (FY) 2026 spending bill currently being voted on in the House of Representatives and expected to come to a vote in the Senate later this month. The lawmakers personally secured funding for these projects as congressionally directed spending.

“These projects stretch to every corner of the Rochester-Finger Lakes region, from boosting the University of Rochester’s cutting-edge quantum research to ensuring Rochester-Finger Lakes residents have access to clean drinking water and new and improved sewer infrastructure. With this funding, we’re breathing new life into the region, all while creating good-paying jobs,” said Senator Schumer. “This major federal investment will provide families and businesses they need with the upgraded infrastructure they need to help the region thrive. I am proud to have secured nearly $7 million in federal investment that will help lay the foundation for a more resilient future in the Rochester-Finger Lakes region.”

“I’m proud to have secured these federal dollars that will drive real growth across the Finger Lakes by creating jobs and delivering the services New Yorkers rely on,” said Senator Gillibrand, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “From advancing critical research at the Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester to ensuring communities have access to modern, reliable water systems, this funding will support projects that help communities across the region grow and thrive. I’ll keep working to bring home resources that strengthen our communities and make a real difference for working families.”

“This is exactly how the federal government is supposed to function, by providing direct support to companies, organizations, and local communities to help create jobs, keep our streets safe, and give every family the opportunity to thrive,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “As Vice Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud to help secure this critical funding for Rochester. I’m grateful to Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand for their continued support of our region, and I look forward to our continued work together to help uplift families in our community.”

The federal funding comes from the FY 2026 spending bill that is expected to pass in the House of Representatives later today and sent over to the Senate and includes the Commerce, Justice, and Science spending bill, the Energy and Water Development spending bill, and the Interior spending bill.

A full list of funded projects is below:

$2,000,000 for Rochester Institute of Technology & University of Rochester for Rochester Quantum Network (RoQNET)

The project will enable the purchase and installation of equipment to help develop an Upstate quantum network that benefits national security, economic development and technological innovation by enabling the Rochester region to connect into similar quantum communications networks now under development across New York. This will position NYS to be a domestic and international leader in quantum communication and networking. RoQNET will stimulate quantum workforce development for K-12 and college-age students and offer learning opportunities for students enrolled in the Monroe Community College Optical Technology program.

$1,092,000 for Monroe County Water Authority (MCWA) for Monroe County Water Authority (MCWA) Cybersecurity improvements

The project will support a system-wide upgrade of cybersecurity equipment (hardware) and software for Monroe County Water Authority (MCWA). This system-wide approach will benefit all the MCWA rate payers by preventing a ‘worst case scenario’ and the economic after-effects of a disruption in service.

$1,092,000 for Monroe County, NY for Northwest Quadrant Water Resource Recovery Facility Upgrades

The project will allow for more efficient removal of larger objects including foreign objects, branches, and other large obstructions at the beginning of the wastewater treatment process. This project will be a key part of the County’s focus to improve its wastewater treatment plants’ efficiency by reducing energy usages and lowering their impact on the power grid. Improvement to preliminary treatment methods is needed to more efficiently remove larger objects from the waste water collection.

$1,000,000 for Town of Phelps for Town of Phelps Joint Sanitary Sewer Distribution System Project with the Town of Geneva along NYS Route 14

The project will construct a low-pressure sanitary sewer distribution system along the 4.3-mile stretch of NYS Route 14 in the Towns of Geneva and Phelps. Currently, all residences and businesses in the project area are served by individual septic systems, many of which are aged and in disrepair and are likely leaching dangerous bacterial contaminants like coliform and E. coli into residents drinking water, as revealed by recent testing. This project will help protect public health and the environment by eliminating septic systems and reduce costs to taxpayers in the long run. The project will also reduce the amount of contaminants being leaked into shared local waterbodies including Seneca Lake and its tributaries that can contribute to toxic algae growth. Additionally, the development of this sewer infrastructure will help attract new economic development and commercial activity along the Rt 14 corridor which has been limited by this lack of sewer infrastructure.

$1,000,000 for the Village of Geneseo to Upgrade Water Infrastructure

The project will reconstruct Second Street and Oak Street to replace 1,850 linear feet of undersized, deteriorated water lines and 5,640 linear feet of aging sanitary and storm sewer lines in a residential downtown neighborhood.

$750,000 for Village of Waterloo for Village & Town of Waterloo WWTP & Collection System Improvements Joint Project

This is a joint project between the Village and Town of Waterloo which proposes making improvements to the sewage collection system in the Village and Town and to make improvements to the Village’s wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). This will benefit residents of the Village and the Town by improving its ability to treat water, increasing water quality in the entire area, which is especially vital as the region’s canal is a center of business, recreation, and tourism. Improvements will also increase the WWTP’s treatment capacity, ensuring it can support future development and increased population.

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SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND SECURE $2.2+ MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR SOUTHERN TIER WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

Pending Legislation Includes Critical Fed Funding For Southern Tier To Increase Access To Clean Drinking Water And Make Sewer Infrastructure Safer

Schumer, Gillibrand: Fed $$ Is Secured For Southern Tier For Improved Water Systems!

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced they have secured $2,250,000 in federal funding for critical Southern Tier water infrastructure projects in the pending Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Interior spending bill currently being voted on in the House of Representatives and expected to come to a vote in the Senate later this month. The senators personally secured funding for these projects through congressionally directed spending.

“These water infrastructure projects will support communities across the Southern Tier, expanding access to water lines for rural homes and small businesses in Allegany and Schuyler Counties. Access to clean drinking water and safe modern sewer infrastructure is fundamental to helping our communities grow,” said Senator Schumer. “I am proud to have secured more than $2.2 million in federal funding in this bill so communities across the Southern Tier can upgrade their water infrastructure systems. I will always fight to keep New York’s drinking water clean and our communities safe and healthy.”

“I am thrilled to have secured more than $2.2 million in federal funding to upgrade water infrastructure in the Southern Tier,” said Senator Gillibrand, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “The funded projects will improve access to clean drinking water and help connect more land to municipal water and sewer systems, incentivizing further investment in the region. I am proud to bring these funds back home to New York, and I will continue working to ensure that people across the state have access to safe and clean water.”

A full list of funded projects is below:

$1,250,000 for Allegany County for Water Infrastructure

The project will install a water tan and water line extension which will provide potable water to arsenic contaminated communities while preparing water infrastructure to support the Gateway Center.

$1,000,000 for Town of Dix for Water and Sewer Extension

The project will connect more than 350 acres to municipal water and sewer for the development of housing and expansion of businesses, lowering taxes over time while supporting New York State by providing incentives for developers to build more housing in Schuyler County.

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Shaheen, Collins, Dexter, Lawler Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Help Clinicians Provide Care for Patients Exposed to PFAS

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) and Representatives Maxine Dexter, M.D. (D-OR-03) and Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) are introducing bipartisan, bicameral legislation to better protect the health of Americans who have been exposed to toxic per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The Better Care for PFAS Patients Act would ensure the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Research (ATSDR) regularly assesses and updates clinical guidance regarding the health effects from exposure to PFAS.

“As we learn more about the health effects of PFAS, it’s imperative that we take steps to help protect Americans who have high exposure to these toxic chemicals,” said Senator Shaheen. “I have long fought to address PFAS contamination in New Hampshire so I’m proud to build on those efforts by introducing bipartisan legislation that would ensure health care providers have the most up-to-date information and guidance in order to best care for their patients. Finding new ways to support those impacted by PFAS will continue to be one of my top bipartisan priorities in Congress.”

“PFAS and other harmful contaminants have been discovered in private water systems in Maine and across the country, and contamination will only become more evident as testing becomes more readily available,” said Senator Collins. “This bipartisan bill would require the CDC to continuously update clinical guidance on the health effects of PFAS, helping to ensure that medical professionals and citizens have access to the latest information on these substances.”

“The government’s responsibility is to promote the health and safety of our people. As a physician who has cared for people who struggle with disease and disability due to exposures, I am honored to help bring this policy forward,” said Dexter. “This bipartisan legislation is an important step to toward that goal by ensuring communities across the country have the best available data and guidance on PFAS health exposure risks.”

“Communities across the country deserve clear, science-based answers about PFAS health exposure risks. This bipartisan bill ensures doctors and public health officials have up-to-date guidance through regular assessments and research-based recommendations, helping patients get better care and families protect their health,” said Congressman Lawler (NY-17).

Specifically, the Better Care for PFAS Patients Act would:

Require the ATSDR to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) to assess the health effects of PFAS and formulate clinical recommendations within two years of enactment;

Direct NASEM to update its assessment of PFAS health effects and clinical guidance every five years or more frequently as determined by ATSDR; and

Ensure ATSDR issues its own clinical guidance on addressing the health effects of PFAS within five years of enactment and update that guidance every five years or more frequently as determined by ATSDR.

The legislation has been endorsed by the Environmental Working Group, Southern Environmental Law Center, Merrimack Citizens for Clean Water, Testing for Pease and the National PFAS Contamination Coalition.

The Better Care for PFAS Patients Act can be read HERE.

Shaheen leads efforts in the Senate to uncover the health effects related to PFAS contamination and has long worked to get clinicians guidance on testing and protocols based on recommendations made by NASEM in a 2022 report. Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and ATSDR provided clinicians with the first updated guidance since 2019. Shaheen also introduced bipartisan legislation in 2020, the Physician Education for PFAS Health Impacts Act, to establish a grant program within the Department of Health and Human Services to fund the creation of training materials for physicians on the health effects of PFAS and best practices for caring for patients who have been exposed to PFAS. Key provisions of Shaheen’s legislation were included in the fiscal year (FY) 2021 government funding legislation that was signed into law. Shaheen also recently responded to the release of the first Pease Health Study Report – a first-in-the-nation study she helped establish to better understand the impacts of PFAS in drinking water. Shaheen also secured funding in the committee-passed National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2025 for the PFAS health impact study.

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Shaheen Statement on Bipartisan House Vote to Extend ACA Tax Credits

(Washinton, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), author of bicameral legislation to permanently extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits, released the following statement following a successful bipartisan vote in the U.S. House of Representatives on a discharge petition that would extend the recently expired ACA enhanced premium tax credits for three years:

“Today’s vote in the House represents an important step towards lowering the cost of health care for tens of millions of Americans. It also signals a growing bipartisan willingness to find a solution to extend the ACA tax credits that could earn broad bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. This vote, coupled with recent comments from the President urging flexibility from Republicans, is welcome progress, especially as positive bipartisan conversations accelerate in the Senate.

“As we enter the new year, rising costs will continue to be top of mind for families everywhere, and Americans are looking to Congress to take tangible actions to help ease the affordability crisis. Restoring the ACA tax credits remains one of the best ways that we can do that.”

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Slotkin Introduces Bill to Declare National Housing Emergency and Use Full Force of the Government to Build 4 million Homes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) introduced her National Housing Emergency Act of 2026. This bill requires the President to declare a national housing emergency and invoke the Defense Production Act to incentivizing housing production and build 4 million homes. To achieve this, the legislation will boost domestically produced materials to support the construction and rehabilitation of housing push states and localities to cut red tape currently standing in the way of building middle class housing.

In June 2025, Senator Slotkin called for a national housing emergency in her Economic War Plan speech. This legislation is a concrete follow up to that call.

“There is nothing more fundamental to the American Dream than owning your own home, and it has become increasingly difficult for middle class Americans to do this,” said Senator Slotkin. “The United States is in a housing crisis, and we need to act now. That’s why my bill declares a national housing emergency, cuts regulations that get in the way and uses the full weight of the U.S. government to increase our housing supply by 4 million homes.”

The National Housing Emergency Act of 2026 declares a housing emergency that will continue until 4 million homes are built. The bill does the following:

Uses the full strength of the U.S government through the Defense Production Act to direct domestic industries to produce essential materials (lumber, steel, manufactured housing) and services to speed up housing development and rehabilitation.

Creates a new housing standard by choosing how the federal government gives out money. No one gets a blank check: It rewards pro-growth communities with federal dollars and holds accountable communities that refuse to grow.

Pushes states and localities to cut red tape and make way for more housing. It compels state and local governments to change local laws like allowing commercial properties to get turned into housing, eliminating single-family zoning or allowing for accessory dwelling units (“in-law suites” or “granny flats”).

During the emergency, the bill institutes a freeze for states or localities from passing laws, rules or regulations that imposes a burden on the construction or rehabilitation of housing

The National Housing Emergency Act of 2026 is endorsed by the National Housing Conference, the National Leased Housing Association and the National Housing & Rehabilitation Association.

Summary of the bill is available here. Full text of the bill is available here.

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Slotkin Secures Medicare Card Win for Woman in Pontiac

Beth, from Pontiac, became eligible for Medicare on January 1st, 2026. She expected possible delays, given the health care crisis during the government shutdown in 2025, so she applied for her Medicare number as early as possible — early October 2025. The Social Security Administration’s website said there was a technical issue on their end and asked her to make an appointment in-person. Following her appointment, she was told she should hear something back in 30 days. After a 30-day stint, she hadn’t heard anything, so she decided to give our office a call, and we were able to get her card, and she was able to successfully enroll.


Thune Joins America’s Newsroom on Fox News

Clickhere to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today joined America’s Newsroom on Fox News.

On Venezuela oil sales:

“It’s the Chinese and the Russians … who are stealing Venezuelan oil. What the president is attempting to do is to get this country to where … it benefits from Venezuelan energy production. And the United States … can play an important role because of the economic leverage we have there to lessen this reliance and dependence that Venezuela has on Russia and China and the malign influence that they’re creating in this hemisphere – which creates a national security threat to the United States – but also liberates the people of Venezuela.

“[Venezuela has] been held hostage … by Maduro, and they aren’t getting the benefit, their economy there or the people, from these vast resources that they have available to them. So I think the president, Secretary Rubio, the plan that they’ve laid out makes a lot of sense, not only for … the security of the hemisphere and particularly the United States, but also the people of Venezuela who desperately need to be liberated from this regime they’ve had to live under for the past many years.”

On the Trump administration’s successful operation in Venezuela:

“What the president did [in Venezuela] is something that’s supported broadly, not just by folks here in Washington, D.C., but across the country, because Maduro was leading a drug cartel that was poisoning literally thousands of Americans every single year.

“So bringing [Maduro] to justice is a worthwhile goal. And [I] congratulate the men and women in uniform, and of course, in our intelligence community, and the president of the United States for taking the kind of action that was necessary to get him here in this country where he’s going to have to stand up for himself in court.”

On supporting law enforcement:

“What happened [in Minnesota] is an indication of the uptick that we’re seeing across the country in these protesters starting to attack ICE officers, law enforcement officers who are trying to lawfully enforce immigration law. And so political leaders, mayors, governors, in some of these cities – red or blue – need to make sure that they are sending a message out there that protests and protesters need to act in accordance with our laws.

“When you cross lines, there’s obviously going to be consequence. And clearly, in a situation like this, you’ve got people who are trying to do a job … We support, respect these law enforcement officers – ICE, Border Patrol – all across the country.

“Law Enforcement Day is tomorrow, and they need to know that the people of this country and their elected leaders are going to stand with them as they do a job that they're being asked to do, and frankly, a job that the American president, President Trump, was elected to deliver for the American people.”


Thune: Republicans’ Focus on Appropriations Delivers Results

Clickhereto watch the video.

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

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, at the start of this week I said that the Senate would be focusing on government funding this month.

“We have a January 30 deadline to get the job done and avoid another government shutdown.

“We’ve already passed one package of three appropriations bills that was signed into law in November.

“And now we need to finish our work.

“Later today, the House is expected to consider another package of three bills: Commerce, Justice, and Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment appropriations.

“These three bills were crafted with bipartisan input from both the House and Senate.

“The Trump administration supports this package.

“And I expect we’ll see robust bipartisan support for these bills in today’s House vote.

“Mr. President, this three-bill package advances some important priorities.

“It funds programs that support law enforcement and promote public safety in communities across America.

“It invests in critical infrastructure projects.

“And it supports efforts to unleash American energy to provide a reliable and affordable energy supply to the American people.

“And Mr. President, there’s one more thing about this package that’s significant.

“It spends less money than a continuing resolution.

“That’s right.

“This bill spends less taxpayer money than if we passed another CR, or continuing resolution, to fund these agencies.

“And that’s not an accident.

“That’s what we can accomplish when we make appropriations a priority.

“When we put in the work, make tough choices, and put it up for a vote.

“Mr. President, appropriations is one of our core responsibilities, but it hasn’t always been treated like the priority that it is.

“And in too many cases in the past, massive omnibus bills were being written behind closed doors.

“That is not how I want to do things.

“When I became majority leader, I made it clear that I wanted appropriations to get the attention that it deserves.

“And we’ve made some solid progress on that front in this Congress.

“We’ve considered appropriations bills through regular order and passed three Senate appropriations bills before the August work period – something that hadn’t been done going back to 2018.

“We should, Mr. President, be considering bills through regular order: a process that allows all senators an opportunity to make their voice – and the voices of their constituents – heard.

“It’s not just a better process, it creates a better product too.

“Mr. President, when we receive this next package from the House, there’s no reason that we can’t take it up and pass it quickly here in the Senate.

“As I said, this bill was written with input from both parties and from both the House and the Senate.

“It has the backing of the Trump administration.

“It advances a number of important priorities, and it actually spends less than if we just extended Biden-era spending levels for these same agencies.

“And once we finish this package, we have more work to do.

“[Appropriators] are working to finish the remaining bills for fiscal year 2026.

“One of those is the defense appropriations bill, which is an especially important priority, to ensure that our military has the funding and certainty it needs to maintain and modernize its capabilities, support Americans serving in uniform, and protect our national security.

“Mr. President, we don’t have time to waste.

“And it will require cooperation to ensure that we can keep making progress as the end of the month approaches.

“Because I want to be clear that January 30 means January 30.

“We can’t afford another extension.

“And as soon as we finish, work will begin on the next appropriations cycle, starting with the president’s budget request for fiscal year 2027.

“Mr. President, we’ve done a lot of good work on appropriations … this past year.

“I want to thank our colleagues on the Appropriations Committee – and especially Chair Collins – for their hard work throughout the year.

“This work isn’t easy, but it’s important, and it’s a responsibility we need to take seriously.

“And I know they all do.

“So let’s get fiscal year 2026 funding done and keep up the progress as we begin the process for fiscal year 2027.”


Van Hollen Statement on Rep. Hoyer Retirement Announcement

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement on Rep. Steny Hoyer’s announcement that he will retire from Congress:

“Listening to Steny Hoyer's remarks on the floor of the House this morning was a reminder of how much we will miss his voice in Congress after he retires. Steny has been both a leader of our party and a leader of our federal delegation. He is one of our state’s staunchest defenders and our party’s strongest fighters. It’s been an honor to serve with him, to work together for Marylanders and our nation.

“During our time in House leadership, I saw firsthand how his tireless dedication helped make it possible for the House to pass landmark Democratic priorities, including the Affordable Care Act, for the good of our country – even with the tightest of margins. I’ve also witnessed his commitment to racial and social justice both here in Maryland and across the nation and his work to create opportunity for all, through his leadership of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“Even as he fought on these national priorities – and led foreign policy initiatives through his role on the Helsinki Commission – he never wavered in his focus on delivering results for his district and our state. From his efforts to secure federal support for important military bases like Naval Air Station Patuxent River to our institutions of higher learning, like the University of Maryland, to so much more – Steny is Team Maryland through and through. Fortunately for us, I know Steny will keep running through the tape, and even today, we discussed the work that remains to be done before he departs.

“While I’ve served alongside Steny for many years, never has our resolve been as tested – or as critical – as it has during Trump’s Administrations. Together we’ve stood up to their lawless attacks on our federal workers, on our Maryland-based federal institutions, and on our democracy. I’m grateful to Steny’s family and loved ones – especially Elaine, Susan, Stefany, and Anne – for their steadfast support. And I’m grateful to Steny for his tenacity and unrelenting commitment to justice and equality, especially during these tough times – our nation and our state are better for it.”