Rep. Peters, Hospital, Community Health Center Staff Call on Senate to Extend ACA Premium Tax Credits as Covered California Deadline Nears

San Diego, CA – Today, Rep. Peters and local healthcare professionals gathered at Scripps Mercy Hospital to discuss how healthcare providers and San Diegans are hurt by two recent events: drastic cuts to Medicaid made in the Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill and the January 1 expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies.

“If decimating Medicaid last year wasn’t enough of a hit, the expiration of ACA tax credits will now force tens of thousands of San Diegans to delay care or go without health insurance altogether,” said Rep. Peters. “Open enrollment for Covered California – our state’s health insurance marketplace created by the ACA - ends on January 31. Right now, San Diegans are shopping for health insurance, and many are worried about how to afford it.”

Rep. Peters brought together hospital and community health center staff who spoke about what our communities are experiencing and bracing for in the midst of this healthcare affordability crisis.

“The Affordable Care Act has made heath care insurance available to millions who might otherwise go without health insurance risking themselves, society, and our healthcare system,” said Chris Van Gorder, President and CEO of Scripps Health. “We encourage our federal legislators to extend the current subsidies until such time as a reasonable and effective replacement can be developed.”

"When coverage lapses, people do not stop needing healthcare. We anticipate that San Diegans who can no longer afford their plans will rely on sliding-scale fee options at community health centers, or delay treatment until preventable conditions become emergencies requiring hospital-level care,” said Pauline Lucatero MSN, RN, Vice President of Community Affairs at Family Health Centers of San Diego. “This places additional pressure on the healthcare safety net at a time when more Medi-Cal patients are expected to lose coverage due to federal changes under H.R.1. With the January 31 deadline to enroll in Covered California approaching, our certified enrollment staff are available to provide free, confidential assistance to help patients understand their coverage options.”

“The expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits is a devastating setback for the families we serve,” said Dr. Jorge Otañez, Associate Chief Medical Officer at TrueCare. “At TrueCare, we care for working families who maintain health coverage only with the assistance of these credits, allowing them to see a doctor, manage chronic conditions, and seek preventive care for themselves and their children without fear of financial ruin. Without congressional action, many of our patients will be forced to choose between paying rent or paying for health insurance, and too many will become uninsured altogether. This is a real and immediate threat to people’s health and stability.”

On January 8, Rep. Peters voted to extend ACA tax credits for three years to make health care coverage more affordable. The measure passed in the House and Rep. Peters continues to urge his Senate colleagues to support this extension as well. Nearly 150,000 San Diegans rely on the ACA tax credits to afford coverage, and more than 125,000 are already seeing their health care costs surge, including 28,000 people in CA-50 alone.

A livestreamed recording of the event can be viewed here.

Additional photos from the event, courtesy of the office of Rep. Scott Peters, can be viewed here.

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Congressman Brad Sherman Statement on Today’s Gas Leak at Aliso Canyon

SHERMAN OAKS, CA – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman issued the following statement in response to yet another gas leak at Aliso Canyon (Porter Ranch), the site of the largest natural gas blowout in history:

"I have been fighting to close this natural gas storage facility down. Southern California Gas Company has refused to even try to develop a natural gas delivery system that is not dependent upon Aliso Canyon.

The California Public Utilities Commission has refused to require the development of a plan to shut Aliso Canyon down while continuing to provide natural gas service to the residents of Los Angeles County.

We have no idea whether today’s gas leak was more significant than described by Southern California Gas Company. But we know that today’s gas leak shows that it is long past time to shut it down."

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Congressman Brad Sherman Statement on Trump’s New Palisades Fire Executive Order

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA – Today, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32), who represents Pacific Palisades, issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s Executive Order, regarding rebuilding after the Palisades wildfire:

“Pursuant to action taken by President Biden and at least not rescinded by President Trump, the federal government is providing $7 billion to California, including well over half the cost of rebuilding Palisades High School.

But Trump is doing everything to avoid spending a penny. Under Biden, there were supplemental appropriations to help the people hurt by Hurricane Ida, Hurricane Ian, the Maui fires, Hurricane Helene, and Hurricane Milton.

Under Trump, there has been no supplemental appropriation to help the victims of Texas, Florida, the Eaton Fire, or the Palisades Fire, or any of the disasters that occurred in 2025. Not one penny.

The President issues an executive order which is clearly unconstitutional and a nullity as an excuse for not providing a supplemental appropriation, which would put money in the pockets of uninsured disaster victims.

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Rep. Simpson Secures Funding for Reconstructing US-30 in Soda Springs

WASHINGTON—Today, Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson highlighted the inclusion of $9,367,000 in funding for the Soda Springs US-30 Reconstruction Project in Soda Springs, Idaho, at his request through Community Project Funding (CPF) in H.R.7148 - the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026.

“Reconstructing the pavement of US Highway 30 through Soda Springs has long been a priority for the state of Idaho,” said Rep. Simpson. “This project will provide essential infrastructure improvements, enhancing public safety. Additionally, it will attract more visitors, which will help keep Soda Springs' economy thriving. Since this has been a concern, I am proud to advocate for this project that will bring necessary improvements and benefit the people of Soda Springs and throughout the state.”

“ITD is grateful for Congressman Simpson's assistance in securing funding for this important project in the heart of Soda Springs. This is a great example of coordinating transportation improvements that benefit the city, county, and the state in a single project,” said Zak Johnson, ITD District 5 Planning and Scoping Engineer.

This funding would be used to reconstruct the base and surface pavement of US-30, which is showing deterioration as it runs through the town of Soda Springs, Idaho. The project will overlay thin spots and widen the road to accommodate a center lane to address safety concerns with an eastbound left turn into the Caribou County Sheriff’s Office. This project will also replace old and failing water pipe connectors during construction that are located within the roadway section. This project is included in Idaho’s fiscal year 2025 to fiscal year 2031 approved State Transportation Improvement Plan

Despite claims that CPF projects are "wasteful earmarks," Community Project Funding gives Members of Congress like Congressman Simpson the opportunity to bring Idaho tax dollars back home for Idaho priorities. These projects fill a clear and present need in communities across Idaho and enjoy broad community support. The federal dollars designated for CPF projects exist within existing budget limits. Rather than that money going to fund projects in different states, CPF projects give Idahoans a critical voice in determining where budgeted funding goes.

As Idaho’s only appropriator, Rep. Simpson has a unique opportunity to fight for Idaho’s priorities and ensure Idahoans’ hard-earned tax dollars return to Idaho.

The Soda Springs US-30 Reconstruction Project is a part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026. The United States House of Representatives approved this measure with a vote of 341 to 88.


Stanton: Congress Must Impeach DHS Secretary Kristi Noem

PHOENIX—Today, U.S. Congressman Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) issued the following statement:

“After yet another death at the hands of federal immigration agents, Secretary Kristi Noem’s response has been as reckless and disqualifying as her broader incompetence and mismanagement at DHS.

Last year, I presented evidence of her mismanagement and corruption at FEMA and called for her removal. Since then, Kristi Noem has defied Congress and court orders, and lied repeatedly about the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good at the hands of federal agents. President Trump has refused to fire her, so Congress must impeach her.

This isn't about policy. It's about whether officials can ignore the Constitution and place themselves above the law. Impeachment exists for exactly this reason, and I will vote for it.

We also need real reform—immigration enforcement subject to the same accountability as local police, and genuine oversight of DHS. If my Republican colleagues won't provide it, Democrats will use every constitutional means available to hold those who break the law accountable.”


Stefanik Celebrates U.S. Mint's Commemoration of Oneida Indian Nation War Heroine Polly Cooper with 2026 Native American $1 Coin

SARATOGA, N.Y. - Today, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Chairwoman of House Republican Leadership, celebrated the U.S. Mint's release of its 2026 Native American $1 Coin in commemoration of Oneida Indian Nation's Revolutionary War heroine Polly Cooper.

"I am proud to see the U.S. Mint honoring the remarkable patriot Polly Cooper of the Oneida Indian Nation with this year’s Native American $1 Coin. As a born and raised Upstate New Yorker, it is especially meaningful to see our shared history celebrated in this way. The Oneida Indian Nation bravely fought alongside the Continental Army and provided critical support for the patriots throughout the Revolutionary War—including the food and supplies Polly Cooper carried to Valley Forge—making the Oneida people among America’s very first allies," said Stefanik.

"The Oneida people became America’s First Allies on some of the bloodiest battlefields of the Revolutionary War," said Oneida Indian Nation Representative Ray Halbritter. "One-third of our ancestors at that time were lost to these conflicts, yet their lives were given proudly for the right of all to sovereignty and self-determination. As we look ahead to the 250th anniversary of the United States, the recognition of this legacy and of Polly Cooper’s contributions to serves as a great source of pride for our people, as well as for all Upstate New Yorkers and all Americans who strive to uphold these principles."

Stefanik is proudly ushering in America’s 250th anniversary as New York and communities nationwide prepare for patriotic celebrations this July.


Rep. Summer Lee Joins PA House Democrats Urging Fetterman, McCormick to Oppose DHS Funding

PITTSBURGH, PA – JANUARY 27, 2026 — Today, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) joined her fellow Pennsylvania Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives to urge Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senators to oppose a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill that fails to include critical, enforceable reforms. The letter, sent to Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Dave McCormick (R-PA), comes as the Senate is set to vote on the spending bill that currently includes DHS funding this week.

In the letter, the Pennsylvania House members write, “We urge you to oppose any legislation that provides funding to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) without first securing meaningful, enforceable reforms to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and related DHS agency activity. The DHS Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations bill in front of the Senate for consideration this week does not include such reforms, and we urge you to oppose it. We voted against this bill last week and ask that you do the same.”

The members continue: “Funding without adequate reform risks endorsing current approaches that undermine public safety and due process, erode American liberties, and weaken public trust.”

Last week, the entire Pennsylvania Democratic delegation in the U.S. House of Representatives voted against an appropriations bill that included funding for DHS. The final vote was 220–207, passing the House chamber with only seven Democratic votes.

Ahead of the vote, Congresswoman Lee joined her colleagues to unveil legislation to end ICE detention and redirect funding toward community-based support services, underscoring the urgent need for structural reforms rather than continued blank-check funding for DHS. She has consistently called to abolish ICE and end detention-based immigration enforcement altogether, advocating instead for investments in community-based support, legal services, and humanitarian processing.

The delegation letter, led by Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) and co-led by Representatives Brendan Boyle (PA-02) and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), was also signed by Representatives Dwight Evans (PA-03), Madeline Dean (PA-04), and Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05).

The full text of the delegation letter is available here. A related Philadelphia Inquirer article on the Pennsylvania Democratic delegation’s action is available here.


Rep. Sykes Marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Sykes (OH-13) issued the following statement honoring the victims of the Holocaust and reaffirming the need to confront antisemitism and hatred wherever it appears.

“On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, we honor the six million Jewish lives murdered in the Holocaust and recommit ourselves to the promise of never again,” said Rep Sykes. “Never again is now. That promise is not only about remembering history, it is a call to action today. As antisemitism rises at home and abroad, we must remain vigilant in speaking out against hate and defending the dignity and humanity of all people.

“This day is especially solemn as Israel receives the remains of the last hostage taken during the October 7th Hamas terrorist attacks, a painful reminder that hatred and violence still persist.


Statement from Rep. Sykes Condemning the Attack on Rep. Omar and Denouncing Political Violence

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) released a statement from regarding the attack on U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-05) during a town hall event.


Takano, Blumenthal, and Jacobs Reintroduce the Commission on Equity and Reconciliation in the Uniformed Services Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus Mark Takano (CA-39), Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Representative Sara Jacobs (CA-51) reintroduced the Commission on Equity and Reconciliation in the Uniformed Services Act. The bill would establish a commission to investigate the historic and ongoing impacts of discriminatory military policies on LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans.

Today also marks the one-year anniversary of the Trump Administration’s Executive Order banning transgender servicemembers from openly serving in the Armed Forces, forcing the separation of thousands of capable and dedicated servicemembers.

Approximately 114,000 servicemembers were discharged on the basis of their sexual orientation between WWII and 2011, while an estimated 870,000 LGBTQ servicemembers have been impacted by hostility, harassment, assault, and law enforcement targeting due to the military policies in place. These separations are devastating and have long-reaching impacts. Veterans who were discharged on discriminatory grounds are unable to access their benefits, and under the Trump Administration LGBTQ+ veterans and servicemembers have been openly persecuted.

It should not be so difficult for all servicemembers to abide by the uncompromising code of integrity to themselves, their families, and their units when they join the United States Uniformed Services—and they should be honored for their service, regardless of who they are. The commission established through this bill is modeled after the Congressional commission that investigated and secured redress for Japanese Americans interned during World War II, from which Congressman Takano’s family received an official apology and redress payment. That history and model inspired him to craft this bill.

“Qualified servicemembers were hunted down and forced to leave the military at the direction of our government,” said Representative Takano. “These practices have continued, now with our government targeting transgender servicemembers. The forced separation and dishonorable discharges LGBTQ+ people received must be rectified, benefits fully granted, and dignity restored to those who have protected our freedoms.”

“LGBTQ+ servicemembers have long been the target of dangerous and discriminatory policies—resulting in harassment, involuntary discharge, and barriers to their earned benefits,” said Senator Blumenthal. “Establishing this commission is an important step to understand the full scope of harm and address the damage caused by policies like ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’ As LGBTQ+ servicemembers and veterans face repugnant and blatant bigotry under the Trump Administration, we will keep fighting to secure a more equitable future for all who serve our country in uniform.”

“Instead of righting wrongs and making amends to our LGBTQ+ service members and veterans who’ve suffered injustices for decades, I’m ashamed that the Trump Administration has doubled down: kicking trans folks out of the military and banning their enlistment,” said Rep. Jacobs. “We know that LGBTQ+ service members and veterans have faced so much ugliness – discrimination, harassment, professional setbacks, and even violence – that has led to unjust discharges and disparities in benefits, but we still don’t have a full picture of all the harm caused. That needs to change. That’s why I’m proud to co-lead this bill to investigate these harms, address the impacts of discriminatory official policies like ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ and the transgender military ban, and ensure equity and justice for our LGBTQ+ service members and veterans.”

Reps. Takano and Jacobs are leading the bill in the House, while Senator Blumenthal is introducing companion legislation in the Senate.

Congressman Takano’s office has profiled and interviewed LGBTQ+ servicemembers who were harmed by discriminatory policies in the uniformed services.

The Commission on Equity and Reconciliation in the Uniformed Services Act is supported by: Minority Veterans of America, Human Rights Campaign, Equality California, SPARTA, Transgender Americans Veteran Association

A one pager can be found here.

The bill text can be found here.

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Congresswoman Tenney Announces $1 Million in Community Project Funding for Lockport’s Historic “Flight of Five”

Lockport, NY — Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today held a press conference in Lockport to announce $1 million in Community Project Funding for Phase III of the Erie Canal Flight of Five Locks Rehabilitation Project. This funding advances the next stage of a long-term effort to restore one of the most significant engineering landmarks in American history. The $1 million was included in legislation advanced by the House as part of the annual appropriations process.

The Flight of Five is the largest remaining intact section of the historic Erie Canal and features a unique series of five parallel locks. After serving as an inactive spillway for nearly a century, local leaders began rehabilitation efforts more than twenty years ago to restore the site and support community revitalization. Economic analysis estimates that a fully restored Flight of Five could attract up to 230,000 visitors annually, generate nearly $17 million in economic activity, support more than 300 jobs, and add approximately $600,000 in new tax revenue to Niagara County. The project has been designated a Regional Priority Project by Empire State Development.

“The Flight of Five tells the story of Lockport’s role in building New York and the nation, and this investment helps ensure that story continues to be told for generations to come,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “This $1 million in Community Project Funding moves the next phase of restoration forward, strengthens local economic development, and preserves an irreplaceable piece of our history. Community Project Funding allows communities to set their own priorities and advance projects through the regular legislative process, and this project reflects years of local leadership, planning, and collaboration. Supporting investments like this remains a priority because they protect our heritage, create opportunity, and deliver lasting benefits for Lockport and Western New York. While the House has passed this funding, I urge Senator Schumer and Senator Gillibrand to support the commonsense appropriations package to codify this project into law and join me in delivering for the City of Lockport.”

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Congresswoman Tenney Announces $10 Million in Community Project Funding for Batavia Water Tower

Batavia, NY — Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today held a press conference in Batavia to announce $10 million in Community Project Funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to support critical water and wastewater infrastructure improvements across Genesee County, including upgrades to the Batavia Water Tower and the countywide water system.

The funding supports Genesee County’s federally authorized Section 219 environmental infrastructure project and advances the next phase of a countywide water initiative focused on improving water security and system resiliency in a drought-challenged region. A central component of the project is the VA Water Storage Tank, which supplies approximately 40% of the county’s drinking water. The planned expansion will increase storage capacity by one million gallons, providing relief to the Batavia Water Treatment Plant, strengthening public health safeguards, and reducing constraints on economic activity. The county’s water system is relied upon by major employers and agricultural operations.

“Genesee County recognized the strain on its water system and acted before it became a crisis,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “This $10 million investment moves a long-term plan forward that protects public health, supports local jobs, and ensures our community has the infrastructure needed to grow. By strengthening water storage and reliability, we’re giving families, farmers, and employers the confidence that Genesee County can meet today’s needs and plan responsibly for the future. I will continue working to deliver targeted investments like this to bring taxpayer dollars back home and strengthen communities across NY-24.”

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Ranking Member Congressman Shri Thanedar demands Secretary Noem, directors of ICE and CBP, testify immediately before the Committee on Homeland Security

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Shri Thanedar issued the following statement after ICE’s killings in Minnesota.

“The killings in Minnesota are barbaric and unacceptable,” said Congressman Thanedar. “ICE is acting like a group of untrained thugs, not a professional law enforcement agency. They must leave Minnesota immediately.

As the Ranking Member of the Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Subcommittee on the Committee on Homeland Security, I am calling for a full investigation into these incidents. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and the directors of ICE and CBP must testify before the committee immediately so we can hold them accountable. The 7-week delay proposed by Chairman Garbarino is unacceptable when ICE is harming our communities every day.

"The Senate must reject the DHS funding bill and do everything possible to stop ICE from terrorizing our cities.”

Congressman Shri Thanedar proudly represents Michigan's 13th Congressional District, which includes Detroit, Downriver, and the Grosse Pointes. As a champion for working families, Shri is committed to advancing economic opportunities, education, healthcare access, and entrepreneurship for underserved communities. Drawing from his journey from poverty to success, he works tirelessly to uplift Metro Detroit, ensuring every resident has the resources and support they need to thrive.

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Rep. Gabe Vasquez Cracks Down on Greedy Landlords to Make Housing More Affordable for New Mexicans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On January 27, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) co-sponsored two bills to address New Mexico’s housing affordability crisis by cracking down on greedy, corporate landlords to ensure hardworking New Mexicans have a fair shot at homeownership.

“Owning or renting a home is out of reach for more and more New Mexicans each day, as private equity and multi-millionaire investors buy up our housing stock and raise the prices,” said Rep. Vasquez. “That’s why I support serious and bipartisan bills to ensure single family homes stay within the reach of everyday workers and families.”

Rep. Vasquez co-sponsored the Bipartisan Families First Housing Act, which gives families, nonprofits, local governments, and community land trusts the first opportunity to purchase federally-connected single-family homes before institutional investors can swoop in. The bill creates a standardized 180-day “first look” period and establishes an online public clearinghouse for eligible properties, increasing transparency and helping families achieve homeownership.

He also co-sponsored theStop Wall Street Landlords Act, which limits the ability of large investor-owned entities to benefit from tax breaks reserved for individual homeowners, prohibits them from purchasing or securitizing mortgages on single-family homes, and directs revenues from new transfer taxes to fund the Housing Trust Fund to support affordable housing construction and preservation.

These bills align with the President’s recent Executive Order, “Stopping Wall Street from Competing with Main Street Homebuyers,” which directs federal agencies to prevent institutional investors from monopolizing the single-family home market. Rep. Vasquez praises this executive order as a step in the right direction for housing affordability and continues to champion his solutions to ensure all New Mexican home owners and renters — including those living in mobile homes — are protected from predatory price gouging. Mobile homes account for one in six homes in New Mexico.

The Congressman’s long-standing record of fighting for affordable housing in New Mexico includes:

Cracking down on predatory out‑of‑state investors to keep housing costs low with his Keep Mobile Homes Affordable Act, which prevents greedy landlords from price gouging mobile home residents and failing to provide basic utilities

Supporting the Affordable HOMES Actto cut red tape and lower manufactured home costs for New Mexicans, helping those who rely on mobile and manufactured housing keep their homes affordable

Supporting the HOME Act to make it illegal for institutional investors to rent or sell a housing at an unreasonable rate during an affordable housing crisis, ensuring that rents and housing costs stay within reach for working families

Backing the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act to incentivize developers to build and preserve single-family homes in qualifying low-income areas to bolster construction of new homes and the revitalization of vacant homes in need of repair.

Cosponsoring the SUPPLY Act to provide government-backed, flexible financing options to expand access to finance Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to provide additional housing options

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Vasquez Presses USPS to Reverse Harmful Postmark Policy Change, Protect Seniors & Rural New Mexicans as Tax Season Starts

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On January 27, 2026 — one day into the 2025 tax filing season — U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) sent a letter to Postmaster General David P. Steiner raising serious concerns about a recent U.S. Postal Service policy change that could unfairly penalize New Mexicans who rely on USPS to send time-sensitive mail such as tax returns, rent payments, and Social Security or Medicare documents.

In December, USPS changed its long-standing practice of postmarking mail on the date it is dropped off by customers. Under the new policy, mail is postmarked only once it is processed at a regional sorting facility, a shift that could delay postmarks by days and cause critical documents to be considered late through no fault of the sender. This new USPS policy will disproportionately harm rural communities, seniors, and folks with limited broadband access.

“This change puts New Mexicans at risk of facing late fees, delayed refunds, or even interruptions to essential benefits, simply because of where they live,” said Rep. Vasquez. “For decades, Americans have been able to trust that if they dropped their mail off on time, it would be postmarked on time. USPS must reverse this decision and restore that basic guarantee to American taxpayers.”

Rep. Vasquez emphasized that the policy change is especially harmful to rural communities, seniors, and individuals with limited broadband access who depend on USPS to submit tax returns, rent payments, and Social Security or Medicare documents. As the 2026 tax filing season begins, the change could mean that a New Mexican who mails their return by April 15 could still face penalties if their mail is postmarked days later at a distant processing center.

New Mexicans who need assistance navigating the federal bureaucracy — from Social Security and the VA, to assistance with passports or tax refunds — can contact Vasquez’s office at https://vasquez.house.gov/services/help-federal-agency.

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Vindman Joins More Than 110 House Democrats Demanding ICE Accountability and Secretary Kristi Noem’s Impeachment

Vindman Calls on Secretary Hegseth to Resign After Hearing From More Than 3,000 Virginians Concerned About War with Iran

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Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today announced that his office has now returned more than...

Vindman Delivers Whopping $1 Million Federal Investment to Build Pedestrian Bridge in Prince William County

Washington, D.C. — On Tuesday, March 10, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) joined local leaders in Prince William...

Vindman Celebrates Funding Secured for the Northern Virginia Community College Woodbridge Campus HVAC Program

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ICYMI: Vindman Delivers $1,200,000 in Federal Funding for Quantico Creek Flood Mitigation project

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Walberg, Moolenaar, Owens, and Scott Introduce National School Choice Week Resolution

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January 27, 2026
Press Release
Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI), Congressional School Choice Caucus Co-Chair John Moolenaar (R-MI), and Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee Chairman Burgess Owens (R-UT) introduced a resolution to recognize January 25 to January 31 as National School Choice Week. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) will introduce the resolution in the U.S. Senate.
"When parents have access to a wide range of educational options—traditional public, charter, private, magnet, or homeschooling—students are more likely to thrive both in and out of the classroom. School choice recognizes this reality by empowering families to select learning environments that best match their children’s unique needs and talents. School Choice Week affirms our shared commitment to helping every child succeed,"
said Chairman Walberg.
"Students deserve to have the chance to pursue the best education available to them, one that provides the best environment for learning, and one that provides them the opportunity to reach their highest potential. Parents must have a role in their child's education. I am grateful for the support of my colleagues as we introduce this resolution to recognize parents' rights in their children's education,"
said Chairman Moolenaar.
"Our most important national resource is our children, and ensuring that they are the best educated in the world should be our foremost priority. Where you live should not limit you to the quality or type of education your children can receive. There are more options out there for students and their families than they may realize and good schools across the education spectrum,"
said Rep. Owens.
"I encourage parents everywhere to seek out opportunities that help their children achieve their potential."
"National School Choice Week is a celebration of opportunity and a reminder that education is not one-size-fits-all. When families have a choice, kids have a chance!"
said Senator Tim Scott.
"
My life’s experience attending schools with fewer resources as well as schools offering greater opportunities has shown me the importance of empowering parents to choose quality education for their kids. Having more good teachers and mentors can change the direction of one’s life. It certainly did for me!"
Issues
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Education


Baldwin, Shaheen, Moore Lead Effort to Support Pregnant and Postpartum Mothers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined Representative Gwen Moore (D-WI-04) in introducing the Mental Health and Making Access More Affordable (MAMA) Act, legislation to make mental health and addiction services for pregnant and postpartum women more affordable. The bill would ensure that private and public health care plans that cover mental health care and addiction treatment provide that care without a copay.

“We know pregnancy and postpartum can be extremely difficult, but too many expecting and new mothers still do not have access to the mental health care and support for addiction they need during these critical months,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m proud to support this commonsense legislation which will unlock sometimes lifesaving mental health and addiction care for millions of Americans, so mothers and babies are set up for success.”

“In recent years, we’ve seen that pregnant women and new moms across the country face an escalating and deeply worrying mental health crisis. At the federal level, there’s much more we can do to make sure that expectant and new mothers have the resources and support services they need as they navigate life with a newborn,” said Senator Shaheen. “I’m proud to be introducing this bicameral bill alongside a group of my colleagues who understand the urgent need for more women to access a full range of mental health and substance use disorder services so that they—and their families—can thrive.”

“Maternal mental health conditions — including depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders — are among the most common complications of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period affecting hundreds of thousands of families every year. Yet cost remains one of the biggest barriers to treatment, particularly for low-income individuals and people of color,” said Representative Moore. “The Mental Health and MAMA Act will help break down those barriers, so that mothers, parents, and caregivers can get the support they need, when they need it most.”

The Mental Health and MAMA Act would:

Require commercial, Federal Employee Health Benefits, and state/local government health plans that provide mental health or substance use disorder services to cover those services with no cost-sharing from the onset of regular pregnancy care through one year postpartum.

Extend continuity of care protections to ensure that individuals do not lose coverage or access to providers when plan networks change during pregnancy or the postpartum period.

This legislation is supported by the National Partnership for Women & Families, MomsRising, The Association of Maternal & Child Health Program, Shades of You, Shades of Me, African American Breast Feeding Network, Meta House, Dartmouth Health, National Alliance on Mental Illness, Black Child Development Institute, Institute for Women's Policy Research, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, ZERO TO THREE, Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance, and NHeLP.

Full text of the bill is available here.

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NEW: Senator Baldwin Calls on Kristi Noem to Resign Immediately

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) called for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign in light of lawless Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, the killing of two U.S. citizens on her watch, and her subsequent lies in response to the Americans’ deaths. In a virtual press conference, Senator Baldwin also demanded thousands of masked, armed ICE agents withdraw from Minnesota and called for an independent investigation into ICE officers killing of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. Senator Baldwin announced over the weekend she would not support funding for ICE without clear accountability and stronger controls over the agency that continues to violate Americans’ rights, endanger American communities, and ignore the law.

“ICE is simply out of control, and Americans are demanding accountability at the Department of Homeland Security – and that starts with Kristi Noem. Kristi Noem has overseen the killing of two Americans in Minneapolis. She blatantly lied to the American people, telling them not to believe their eyes,” said Senator Baldwin. “Secretary Noem is overseeing total and utter chaos in our country, putting more American lives at risk every day. That is why I’m calling on Secretary Kristi Noem to resign, immediately. President Trump needs to put an end to this chaos and pull these armed, masked agents out of Minnesota before someone else gets hurt.”

This week, the U.S. Senate will consider a package of funding bills for Fiscal Year 2026, including funding for the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) which oversees ICE. After the killing of Alex Pretti, Senator Baldwin announced over the weekend that she would not support any additional funding for DHS without increased transparency, accountability, and stronger guardrails to rein in ICE.

A full recording of the press conference is available here.

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Bennet Announces Legislation to Rein in DHS, ICE, and CBP

Washington, D.C. – Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet announced that he is developing legislation to impose new guardrails and accountability measures for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).

“President Trump has unleashed his federal forces on American cities with no accountability and no regard for the rule of law. Under the auspices of investigating fraud, Trump has sent thousands of immigration agents to Minneapolis alone. These officers swore an oath to uphold the Constitution as they enforce our immigration laws, not patrol our streets in masks and unmarked vehicles, snatch people from their homes, destroy private property, or leave people dead in the street,” said Bennet. “We must rein in Trump, Kristi Noem, and Stephen Miller’s DHS. We must defend the Constitution, the rule of law, and the dignity of human life.”

This legislation, currently under development, would:

Prohibit the use of DHS funds to detain children and strengthen protections for minors;

Require warrants to enter homes;

Preserve and uphold Constitutional protections for detainees – including access to legal counsel – and ensure accountability for those who break the law;

Restrict DHS operations to the enforcement of immigration law;

Enhance hiring, training, and performance standards and requirements for federal immigration agents;

Reinstate policies to ensure Members of Congress have access to detention facilities without advanced notice; and

Limit DHS’s ability to unilaterally expand detention facilities.

In an effort to ensure Colorado’s voice is central to the national discussion, Bennet’s office has launched a statewide listening tour to gather feedback on immigration policy priorities. These discussions are aimed at engaging local leaders, immigration service providers, advocates, and others to share ideas about how to push back on the Trump Administration’s inhumane policies and tactics.

Bennet has consistently fought the Trump Administration’s punitive immigration policies. Bennet continues to call on Secretary Noem to resign. In February 2025, Bennet joined his Senate colleagues to introduce the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which would reinstate DHS’s long-standing policies to prevent ICE from making arrests at sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and places of worship. In August 2025, he joined the Immigration Enforcement Identification Safety (IEIS) Act to prohibit immigration enforcement officials from wearing masks and to require them to wear visible identification. In November 2025, Bennet joined his colleagues in introducing the bicameral Restoring Access to Detainees Act, legislation to ensure DHS allows noncitizens who have been detained to contact their legal counsel and families. Earlier this month, Bennet joined his colleagues in introducing the Providing Useful Budgets for Localities to Invest in Cops by Substituting Appropriations from Federal Enforcement To Yield Results (PUBLIC SAFETY) Act, legislation to redirect nearly $75 billion in funding passed in the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) from ICE and send it instead to local law enforcement programs to help hire and train 200,000 local police officers in communities across the country.

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PHOTO: Blackburn Hosts Tele-Town Hall with Middle and East Tennesseans as Volunteer State Recovers from Winter Storm

“Tonight, I spoke with Tennesseans in 16 counties about how they’ve been impacted by the winter storms. We are grateful to President Trump for swiftly approving Governor Lee’s emergency declaration request as well as the Tennessee National Guard and Tennessee Emergency Management Agency for working around the clock to keep Tennesseans safe,” said Senator Blackburn. “We also discussed the ongoing success of the Memphis Safe Task Force and what Republicans are doing to make life more affordable, improve access to health care, combat fraud, and strengthen election integrity as we kick off a new year.”

Click here to download this photo of Senator Blackburn.


Blackburn Introduces Bill to Allow Working Americans with Disabilities to Receive Medicaid Coverage After Age 65

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-in Programs Act, which would ensure working Americans with disabilities are not forced to retire to keep their Medicaid coverage and benefits. The Senate will soon vote on this legislation as part of the three-bill minibus appropriations package that passed the House last week and funds the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services along with other federal agencies.

“Americans with disabilities should be able to continue working without losing coverage or care through Medicaid when they turn 65,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-in Programs Act would allow adults with disabilities to continue receiving Medicaid coverage and benefits after they turn 65 instead of being forced to retire.”

BACKGROUND

People with disabilities who have health care coverage through Medicaid lose that benefit when they turn 65 years of age because of a restriction that prohibits them from buying in to Medicaid services. For working Americans with disabilities, being able to buy in to Medicaid means they can get the support they need to live independently and work.

The Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-in Programs Act would allow people with disabilities to continue to work as long as they wish while receiving Medicaid to support their independence. This bill would ensure Americans with disabilities aren’t forced into retirement just to keep their Medicaid coverage.

This bill is endorsed by the Bipartisan Policy Center.

Click here for bill text.

RELATED

Blackburn Introduces Bills to Support and Expand Tennessee’s Medicaid Innovation


Blumenthal, Murray, Schumer & Committee Democrats Introduce CRA to Overturn Trump Administration Rule Ending Life-Saving Abortion Care for Veterans

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Committee Democrats today introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the Trump Administration’s new rule ending abortion counseling entirely and abortion care for veterans who have been raped or whose pregnancy is threatening their health.

“The Trump VA’s new policy’s primary purpose is to prevent women who are victims of rape or incest or whose health is at risk from receiving abortion care. We cannot let the Trump Administration deprive women veterans of essential health care so they can score cheap political points. Our Congressional Review Act resolution aims to overturn this cruel, misguided action. If my Republican colleagues really believe in protecting women veterans who have been raped or whose health is at risk, they can prove it— simply support this resolution,” said Ranking Member Blumenthal.

“Trump’s VA abortion ban is a profound betrayal of women who put their lives on the line for our country—ripping away access to abortion care even when a woman is raped or her pregnancy endangers her health. If the Trump administration thought they could quietly implement this extreme abortion ban and get away with it, they thought wrong—we won’t stop being loud about this. Trump’s policy not only rips away VA’s already-limited ability to provide abortion care, but it gags VA providers from even talking to their veteran patients about their health care options. It does not get more extreme than this. I hope every Senator will join me in fighting to overturn Trump’s abortion ban at VA and restore essential health care for our veterans,” said Senator Murray.

“The Trump administration seems hellbent on abandoning our veterans by withholding lifesaving health care. But Senate Democrats will not let this happen without a fight,” said Leader Schumer. “The rule by the Trump administration is just another cruel step toward their clear, extreme goal of a national abortion ban, an idea that is way out of step with the American people. This CRA gives senators the opportunity to support the health and safety of the servicemembers who sacrifice to keep our country safe,” said Leader Schumer.

The joint resolution is cosponsored by Committee members U.S. Senators Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Angus King (I-ME), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI).

The CRA is also endorsed by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Vet Voice Foundation, Minority Veterans of America, Common Defense and twelve other organizations dedicated to protecting the rights and freedoms of our nation's veterans, including Modern Military Association of America, Service Women’s Action Network, Reproductive Freedom for All, National Partnership for Women & Families, American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproductive Rights, Guttmacher Institute, National Council of Jewish Women, National Women's Law Center Action Fund, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and Power to Decide.

“The VA exists to serve all who served, including women in need of abortion counseling in extenuating circumstance. With nearly 70% of our members overwhelmingly supporting women veterans’ access to care post-Dobbs, IAVA applauds the CRA action taken in both the House and Senate, which would ensure that timely and necessary care is continued,” said Dr. Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of IAVA.

“After all that veterans have sacrificed to defend our freedoms, it is appalling to strip them of the right to make their own health care decisions. We applaud every lawmaker who signed onto this resolution condemning the rule to ban abortion care and counseling at the VA, including in cases of rape or incest, and we urge both chambers to act swiftly to overturn this extreme policy that puts veterans’ health and safety at risk,” said the group of twelve organizations.

“Veterans were promised care, dignity, and respect when they raised their right hand to serve. This decision breaks that promise. Stripping veterans of access to abortion care and even basic medical counseling is cruel, medically dangerous, and fundamentally dishonest. Veterans, especially women veterans, face higher rates of complicated and high-risk pregnancies because of their service. Denying them full, evidence-based reproductive healthcare is not about protecting life, it is about imposing ideology at the expense of veterans’ health and autonomy. The VA exists to serve veterans, not to make their most personal medical decisions for them,” said Janessa Goldbeck, CEO, Vet Voice Foundation.

“With the stroke of a pen, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) increased the risk of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity by reducing veterans’ access to basic, necessary, and life-saving reproductive health care. The removal of abortion care and counseling places veterans at further risk, particularly women and gender-diverse veterans who have already sacrificed their health in service to this country. These actions are not merely administrative or ideological policy shifts; they are dangerous barriers to essential medical care. To uphold its mission to serve those who have served, the VA must withdraw this policy. Abortion care and counseling are not simply about choice, they are matters of health, human rights, and survival. Preserving access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care is essential to honoring the service, sacrifices, and dignity of women and minority veterans,” said Lindsay Church, Executive Director of Minority Veterans of America.

“The Department of Veterans Affairs banning reproductive healthcare is a profound betrayal of those who have sacrificed for our country. By eliminating comprehensive healthcare access, that veterans have earned, this ban disregards the overwhelming public opposition demonstrated by thousands of comments, many made by Common Defense members. It’s essential that Congress overturn this ban and prioritize the health and well-being of our veterans. Our service members deserve better than this callous erosion of their rights,” said Naveed Shah, Political Director of Common Defense.

This CRA follows a new final rule filed by the Trump Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to end VA’s ability to provide these services to veterans. A CRA resolution is an oversight tool Congress can use to overturn final rules issues by federal agencies with a simple majority vote. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Health Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) also introduced a companion CRA resolution in the House to overturn this rule.

In September 2022, VA began to offer abortion counseling to all pregnant veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries, and abortion in cases of rape, incest, or life or health endangerment of the veteran or CHAMPVA beneficiary. This was in response to the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling, which created urgent risks to the lives and health of pregnant veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries in states that banned or otherwise severely restricted access to abortion.

Prior to the publication of the final rule, the Trump Department of Justice issued a memo banning this abortion care and counseling at VA, and the Trump VA issued its own internal memo implementing this new policy immediately. This follows the Trump VA’s announcement in August of its intent to issue this change in a proposed rule.

More than 462,000 women veterans of reproductive age are enrolled in VA health care, and more than 112,000 women of reproductive age are enrolled in CHAMPVA. More than half of these women live in states that have enacted abortion bans or restrictions.

The full text of the CRA resolution can be found HERE.

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Booker Joins Welch, Every Senate Judiciary Democrat in Call to Open Civil Rights Investigation into Death of Renee Good

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Senator Peter Welch (D-VT), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, along with every Senate Judiciary Democrat in sending a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) urging the Department to heed the calls of career prosecutors and open a civil rights investigation into the death of Ms. Renee Good, who was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis earlier this month. In their letter to Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, the Senators emphasize that DOJ's decision not to investigate Ms. Good’s killing represents a pattern of the Department’s dereliction of its duty to enforce civil rights laws in favor of carrying out President Trump’s political agenda.

The Senators’ letter comes as Assistant Attorney General Dhillon announced that DOJ’s Civil Rights Division would not investigate Ms. Good’s killing, reportedly overruling the recommendation of career prosecutors that an investigation be opened. Several senior attorneys reportedly resigned over the decision, which departs from the Civil Rights Division’s longstanding practice of investigating potential civil rights violations after such incidents. The letter was sent before U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis on January 24.

Joining U.S. Senators Booker and Welch on the letter to Assistant Attorney General Dhillon are Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).

“Your decision not to investigate the ICE agent’s conduct is a marked departure from past administrations of both parties, which historically have taken swift action to open civil rights reviews of many fatal interactions with law enforcement. These investigations have been conducted even when criminal charges were considered unlikely,” wrote the Senators. “After you informed Division personnel that you would not consider opening an investigation into whether the ICE agent violated federal law, several career prosecutors —including the head of the Criminal Section, which is responsible for these investigations—accelerated planned departures from the Division.”

According to public reporting, multiple career prosecutors in the Civil Rights Division offered to lead an inquiry into the shooting, which at the federal level is usually led by the Division’s Criminal Section. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, second-in command at the Department of Justice, reinforced Assistant AG Dhillon’s decision to take an investigation off the table when he publicly claimed there was “no basis” for a civil rights probe into Ms. Good’s death. Deputy AG Blanche’s assertion is contradicted by an FBI agent’s determination—after an initial review—that sufficient grounds existed to open a civil rights investigation into the ICE agent who shot Ms. Good.

“Instead of investigating Ms. Good’s killing, DOJ has announced the U.S. Attorney’s office in Minnesota would investigate alleged connections between Ms. Good and her widow and groups that have been monitoring ICE activity in Minneapolis. DOJ ordered federal agents to conduct its investigation without Minnesota’s local authorities,” the Senators continued. “Refusing to share investigative materials or permit a joint investigation is highly unusual. Six lawyers from the U.S. Attorney’s office in Minnesota have also resigned in protest of this investigation.”

The Senators conclude: “Your decision not to investigate Ms. Good’s killing reflects a trend in the Division under your leadership of ignoring the enforcement of civil rights laws in favor of carrying out President Trump’s political agenda. This trend, combined with apparent political interference in investigative and prosecutorial decisions, undermines public trust, the legitimacy of our institutions, and the rule of law. We urge you to listen to career prosecutors and open a civil rights investigation into the death of Ms. Good.”


Cassidy Delivers for Louisiana: Senator Releases List of 2025 Accomplishments

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today released a list of top accomplishments in 2025 including the passage of the Working Families Tax Cuts bill, eliminating taxes on tips, Social Security, and overtime pay. Additionally, Cassidy successfully secured over $669 million in retroactive payments to Louisianans as a result of his Social Security Fairness Act to repeal the Windfall Elimination Program (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO) which was signed into law in 2025. In the fight against the fentanyl crisis, Cassidy passed into law the HALT Fentanyl Act to crackdown on fentanyl dealers, and the SUPPORT Act to boost treatment and recovery services. Cassidy secured over $1.6 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) for Louisiana roads, bridges, airports, and broadband expansion, and continued to call for a long-term extension of the National Flood Insurance Program. Cassidy also helped introduce and pass the Laken Riley Act to require the detention of illegal immigrants who commit theft or burglary.

“We had several major wins this year, including tax cuts for working families, cracking down on fentanyl dealers, and securing billions for Louisiana,” said Dr. Cassidy. “In 2026, I’ll keep working with my Republican colleagues to lower costs for families, make our communities safer, and secure American energy independence – starting right here in our state.”

As Chairman of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Cassidy, led 36 hearings to advance his and President Trump’s pro-patient, pro-family, pro-worker agenda. Under Cassidy’s leadership, the Committee voted to advance 32 of Trump’s nominees, all of whom have been confirmed by the Senate.

Cassidy led multiple efforts to fix America’s broken education system, including introducing bills to make education more accessible, effective, and affordable. The Chairman served a pivotal role in President Trump’s historic Working Families Tax Cuts, including Cassidy’s Educational Choice for Children Act, the first federal school choice legislation in American history, and addressing the root causes of the student debt crisis.

As the first physician to chair the HELP Committee, Cassidy spearheaded work to lower health care costs, including leading efforts to deliver President Trump’s vision to give power to the patients instead of giant insurance companies.

A full list of Cassidy’s top accomplishments in 2025 is below:

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Bipartisan Emissions Intensity Study Signed Into Law

Language Reflects Senators Cramer and Coons PROVE IT Act

***Click here for audio***

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate passed three appropriations bills on Jan. 15 and President Trump signed them into law. Imbedded in the bill is language directing the Department of Energy (DOE) in consultation with the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) to conduct a comprehensive study comparing the emissions intensity of certain goods produced in the United States to the emissions of those same goods produced in other countries. Last Congress, U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced the Providing Reliable Objective Verifiable Emissions Intensity and Transparency (PROVE IT)Act to highlight America’s carbon advantage and push back against discriminatory foreign tariffs on American products. The PROVE IT Act passedthe Senate EPW Committee with strong bipartisan support in January 2024.

The report mandated by the language sets the groundwork for successfully leveling the playing field for domestic producers and manufacturers who have lower emissions than dirtier products from foreign producers. Cramer has described the PROVE IT Act as the “low-hanging fruit” of promoting American standards.

The DOE NETL study must encompass all items implicated by the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), providing a data-driven rebuttal to any potential trade discrimination against American producers. On Jan. 1, the EU’s CBAM went into effect, placing a tariff on imported products like steel, cement, aluminum, iron, fertilizers and electricity if they are deemed dirtier than European standards. The EU has already opened the door expanding the tariff to appliances and other manufactured goods.

“We’ve known for a long time that manufacturers here in the United States make some of the cleanest products in the world,” said Cramer. “We can actually prove it, and we should. We should use that excellence as an advantage to ensure that our producers aren’t discriminated against by our trade partners or worse, undercut by polluting countries like China. It’s really an America First approach, and I look forward to working with Secretary Wright and the administration to get this report done, to make it a tradition, and make it a part of our trade policy going forward.”


CURTIS, CORTEZ MASTO WORK TO EXTEND WATER RECYCLING DROUGHT MITIGATION PROGRAM

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-Utah) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced bipartisan legislation to extend the Large-Scale Water Recycling Project Grant Program through 2032

“For the millions that rely upon the Colorado River Basin, water scarcity is a daily reality,” said Curtis. “Large-scale water recycling is one of the most effective, forward-looking tools we have to stretch limited supplies, support growing communities, and protect our environment. Extending this bipartisan program will help states like Utah and our neighbors in the West invest in reliable, innovative water solutions that strengthen our economy and secure our water future.”

“In the Colorado River Basin, we know all too well that water conservation is critically important,” said Cortez Masto. “My Large-Scale Water Recycling Project Grant Program has been a vital tool for saving water, mitigating drought, and reducing strain on Lake Mead. It’s time to extend this program so it can continue providing water to homes and businesses throughout the Southwest.”

The bill text can be found here.

Background:

The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act established a competitive Large-Scale Water Recycling Project Grant Program with $450 million in direct spending to support large-scale water recycling and reuse projects that strengthen long-term water supply reliability. As of June 2025, approximately $300 million has been expended, with about $150 million remaining. The Large-Scale Water Recycling Reauthorization Act extends the program’s authorization period from five years to ten years to allow continued investment in large-scale water reuse infrastructure.

This legislation is supported by the Washington County Water Conservancy District, Southern Nevada Water Authority, the WateReuse Association, and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House in of Representatives by Congresswoman Susie Lee (D-Nev.-03) and Congressman Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.-06).

What they are saying:

“As one of the fastest-growing and driest regions, our district’s investment in Washington County’s Regional Reuse Purification System is fundamental to our 20-year water supply plan,” said Zach Renstrom, General Manager of the Washington County Water Conservancy District. “We thank Senator Curtis and Senator Cortez Masto for their efforts to extend the Bureau of Reclamation’s Large-Scale Water Recycling program to ensure that important federal funding resources remain available to help communities advance and build these large, innovative water supply projects.”

“Large-scale water recycling projects require a level of investment that exceeds the capacity of any single community,” said John Entsminger, Southern Nevada Water Authority General Manager. “These federal grants provide critical funding to enable sustainable solutions that strengthen water security and build resiliency, helping ensure reliable water resources for millions of Americans.”

“We are all looking for ways to reduce our reliance on the Colorado River, and Reclamation’s Large-Scale Water Recycling Grant Program helps advance projects that do just that. With a required local funding match of $3 for every $1 of Reclamation funds, this federal investment can go a long way toward building a sustainable water supply for the Western United States. Metropolitan appreciates Senators Cortez Masto and Curtis for introducing this bill to help ensure communities have the water they need for decades to come,” said Shivaji Deshmukh, General Manager, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.


Daines on Fox Business: Our Nation is Safer Thanks to Federal Law Enforcement

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Fox Business to voice his support for federal law enforcement agents and the need to prevent another government shutdown.

Watch the full interview HERE.

Daines on supporting federal law enforcement:

This bill that we want to vote on the U.S. Senate was passed with an overwhelming bipartisan fashion last week. It came to the Senate. It’s our turn now to pass what the House passed, get it on the President’s desk, and keep the government open. We have till Friday at midnight. The American people do not want to see another shutdown. I was going through the airport today flying back from Montana to Washington, D.C. One of the TSA agents said, sir, is there going to be another government shutdown? They’ve been through it once before, 43 days. This is what the Democrats are asking for, another shutdown. Look, credit President Trump and credit his team for de-escalating the situation in Minnesota. He sent [Border Czar] Tom Homan in, made changes there in the leadership structure. He reached out personally, President Trump did, to Governor Walz. Tom Homan, the Border Czar, met with Governor Walz today and with the mayor of Minneapolis. They are working to de-escalate it. But think about what ICE does for our country. There are 22,000 agents that show up every day to protect us. They’ve removed 150,000 criminal illegal aliens in our country and deported them. Our nation is much safer because of their actions. And what are have received in response to that? An 8,000 percent increase in death threats since the year began. Look, they’ve got a tough job. I think we all agree what happened in Minnesota needs to be carefully investigated and reviewed. But let’s not take 22,000 agents that come in every day and do their jobs and throw them under the bus because the Democrats want to shut down the government.

Daines on Trump’s efforts to de-escalate in Minnesota:

Remember, in the Working Families Tax Cuts bill that we passed, the President signed in July, we allocated $150 billion for DHS. So the part that the Democrats are most angry about is going to get funded, and it’s going to be FEMA, TSA, Secret Service that would be defunded right now with a shutdown. And so as we remember what happened the last time the Democrats shut down the government, they saw no policy outcome. These shutdowns begin with a great big bang and they end with a whimper. Let’s not inflict this pain on the American people by shutting down the government. Let’s work this out. I credit President Trump for de-escalating the situation, but it’s a two-way street. We need some cooperation. We need the folks there in Minnesota say it’s okay to take the criminal aliens off the street, but we can change the tactics. Tom Homan’s doing that. President Trump made a change in leadership. He’s doing the right things to de-escalate it. Now let’s de-escalate the temperature here in Washington and get the government funded.

Daines on another possible shutdown:

It’s a sad fact that you’ve got mayors and governors who are openly opposed to the rule of law. President Trump’s trying to restore law and order. Why does he want to do that? Because it restores safety in our communities where you’ve got scared moms that don’t want their kids on the street. Got scared dads as well. But there is no plan B right now, Larry. Either the Democrats will take what the House passed in an overwhelming bipartisan fashion and pass it in the Senate, or there will be a shutdown. There’s no plan B. If you don’t go with Plan A, there will be a shutdown on Friday night.

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Durbin, Pingree, Buchanan Introduce Bicameral, Bipartisan Legislation To Establish ‘Produce Prescription’ Program For Veterans

The Produce Prescription for Veterans Act would give the VA the authority to help veterans purchase fresh fruits and vegetables

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01) and Vern Buchanan (R-FL-16) today introduced the Produce Prescription for Veterans Act, new legislation that would authorize the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide produce prescriptions to veterans. These produce prescription programs would allow veterans who have diet-related chronic conditions to be “prescribed” vouchers or debit cards that allow them to purchase free or discounted fruits and vegetables.

“As food costs climb and food deserts make grocery stores inaccessible, Americans—especially our veterans—are struggling to eat enough fruits and vegetables, contributing to high rates of chronic illness in the U.S.,” Durbin said. “With the Produce Prescription for Veterans Act, we can put fresh foods within reach by implementing a ‘produce prescription’ program so that our veterans have the means to put fruits and vegetables on their plates.”

“For their service and sacrifice, our veterans deserve the best health care possible—including access to fresh, healthy food,” Pingree said. “Study after study has shown that eating more fruits and vegetables can be enormously beneficial to people suffering from chronic health conditions. This commonsense, bipartisan legislation is an important step towards improving veterans’ health, reducing long-term health care costs, and ensuring that nutritious foods are available to any veteran who needs it.”

“I’ve long believed that prevention should be at the heart of our health care system, especially when it comes to those who’ve served our country,” Buchanan said. “The Produce Prescription for Veterans Act puts the ‘food is medicine’ approach into action by helping veterans manage diet-related chronic conditions before they worsen. Making sure veterans have access to fresh, nutritious whole fruits and vegetables is a simple way to improve health outcomes and strengthen their quality of life.”

“When a doctor prescribes eating more fruits and vegetables to manage chronic illness, veterans should have access to those nutritious foods just as they would have access to a medication. We applaud Senator Durbin and Reps. Pingree and Buchanan for introducing this language, which establishes produce prescriptions as a medical service within the Veterans Health Administration and opens the door for veterans to receive the full breadth of healthcare services they deserve,” said Sam Hoeffler, Director of the National Produce Prescription Collaborative.

“Today’s legislation takes a pivotal step forward in integrating fruits and vegetables into healthcare at scale. After years of successful pilots, we know produce prescriptions work. IFPA and our members are deeply grateful to Representatives Buchanan and Pingree and Senator Durbin for their leadership in bringing this bill forward and for recognizing of the critical role fruits and vegetables play in addressing chronic disease. By incorporating this program into the standards of clinical care for the Veterans Health Administration, the results could be transformational for the health of those who have served our nation,” said Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association.

Currently, less than 13 percent of Americans consume their recommended daily serving of fruits and vegetables. Inaccessible produce, due to rising grocery costs or Americans living in food deserts, contribute to the high rate of diet-related chronic conditions – heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, and certain cancers – in the U.S. Veterans experience a disproportionally high rate of chronic disease as compared to non-veterans, and nearly 25 percent of post-9/11 veterans report being food insecure—almost double the rate of the general population.

The American Heart Association (AHA) has found that adults who participate in produce prescription programs consume 30 percent more fruit and vegetables a day. AHA also found that all participants in a produce prescription program saw a measurable decrease in blood pressure and blood sugar.

The Produce Prescription for Veterans Act would seek to improve health outcomes for veterans by establishing new authority for the VA to provide veterans with vouchers or debit cards to purchase fruits and vegetables. The legislation would build upon the success of the pilot program launched at Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities in Houston and Salt Lake City in 2023. These pilot programs have been expanded to New York, North Carolina, and Maryland.

In April 2024, Durbin and Pingree wrote to then-Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough to request information about the implementation of produce prescriptions in the VA. The VA responded that it does not have the existing authorities to “provide direct support (i.e., food or money to purchase food) to veterans to address food insecurity.” The VA’s lack of authorities prevent veterans across the nation from accessing produce prescriptions to improve their diet-related chronic conditions.

The Produce Prescriptions for Veterans Act has earned the endorsement of the National Produce Prescription Collaborative.

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Fetterman Calls on President Trump to Fire DHS Secretary Noem

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, following the tragedies in Minnesota and the incompetence of the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Noem, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) released the following statement:

“President Trump: I make a direct appeal to immediately fire Secretary Noem.

“Americans have died.

“She is betraying DHS’s core mission and trashing your border security legacy.


Following Pressure from Gallego, Frontier Communications Addresses Pay Disparity for Navajo Workers

WASHINGTON – Following pressure from Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Frontier Communications agreed to a fair union contract with the Communications Workers of America (CWA), the union representing its Navajo workers. The new three-year contract includes pay increases for workers on the Navajo nation and ensures they are paid fairly for the essential services they provide.

“Back in September, I called out Frontier Communications for paying Navajo Nation workers less for the same skilled work and urged them to negotiate in good faith with CWA. These workers keep families, schools, and hospitals connected, often under tougher conditions than in the rest of Arizona. I’m glad to see they’re now getting a raise. Accountability works,” said Senator Gallego.

“Senator Gallego’s letter to CEO Nick Jeffery turned the tide on the company’s slow-walking of our wage parity proposal. This agreement takes an important step to close the wage gap our Native American employees faced, and we appreciate the Senator’s continued partnership,” said Fernando Roman, Campaign Lead with CWA.

In September, Senator Gallego called on Frontier Communications CEO Nick Jeffery to negotiate in good faith with CWA and close the company’s longstanding wage gap for workers on Navajo Nation.

Frontier employees on the Navajo Nation deliver essential telecom services that keep families, schools, healthcare providers, and businesses connected—often under more difficult conditions than in other parts of the state due to the Nation’s geography, weather, and limited resources. Despite performing the same highly skilled work as their counterparts elsewhere in Arizona, these workers were paid less than Frontier employees in other parts of the state.

Frontier’s original contract with the CWA expired at the end of last March.


Gallego in Fox: ‘ICE cannot exist as we know it now’

WASHINGTON – In an op-ed published on Fox News this morning, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) argues that Trump has turned ICE and Border Patrol into his own private army, and that ICE’s resources should be refocused back toward keeping communities safe. This comes as the Senate prepares to debate the Department of Homeland Security spending bill.

Read more below:

Fox News: I won’t fund a rogue ICE that shoots first and calls it law enforcement

President Trump’s ICE agents are actively harming Americans instead of protecting us

On Saturday, I saw the video that millions of Americans have now seen. In Minnesota, federal immigration officers shot and killed another civilian point-blank. From the start, the officers immediately escalated the situation. Before they fired, the man was lying on the ground, unarmed, and posed no threat. The officers shot over 10 times in five seconds.

I was in high-pressure combat situations in Iraq, where I didn’t always know if civilians were a threat or not. But I was trained to de-escalate situations first — not to get drunk on power and shoot first. What the agents in Minnesota did was murder.

Violent officers have no place in our law enforcement agencies. When the people who are supposed to keep us safe are shooting Americans in cold blood, something is deeply wrong.

This isn’t the first killing we’ve seen since Bovino’s forces and other federal agents descended on Minnesota.

On Jan. 7, in Minneapolis, an ICE officer shot and killed Renee Good, a mother of three. She was shot point-blank in the face three times. It was a disgusting, pointless killing that has horrified Americans across the country. What’s so disturbing is if this is how ICE treats people when the cameras are on, you can imagine how they behave when no one’s watching.

There is a clear pattern: when government treats whole communities as suspects and measures success by arrest totals, innocent people get caught in the crossfire.

These are not the only cases of abuse. Stephen Miller’s agents are stopping anyone who looks Hispanic or speaks Spanish, including U.S. citizens. In Arizona, ICE picked up a Navajo man, who had identification, just because of the color of his skin. In Minnesota, federal immigration agents forced entry and detained a U.S. citizen at gunpoint, then led him outside in freezing conditions in his underwear. And a Minnesota resident and U.S. passport holder was detained after an agent said it was “because of his accent.”

Trump and Stephen Miller have turned ICE into what once was an agency designed to keep Americans safe into his own private army. Instead of protecting us, Trump’s ICE agents are actively harming Americans. By removing guardrails and rewarding aggression, the administration has created a climate where reckless force is more likely and where accountability is treated as an obstacle.

I cannot vote to give this rogue agency a single penny while they continue these abuses.

This is not what people voted for.

When I talked to Arizonans on the campaign trail — Democrats, moderates and Republicans — the message was consistent: secure the border, enforce the law and do it in a way that protects families. They wanted people with criminal records deported. So, when Trump ran on going after “the worst of the worst,” people voted for him. It turns out, that was a lie.

I supported Trump’s decision to designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations. I applauded him when border crossings fell. But instead of doing what he said — targeting criminals who pose real threats —he has deployed masked agents into our communities to sweep up any immigrants they can find, including people without criminal records who have been here for decades.

This comes after Republican-appointed justices on the Supreme Court ruled to effectively green light ICE’s racial profiling in day-to-day enforcement.

To make matters worse, the Trump administration’s obsession with meeting arbitrary quotas is making Americans less safe.

Thousands of federal law enforcement agents have been pulled away from their work fighting violent crime, drug trafficking, and child exploitation and reassigned to arrest, detain, and deport immigrants. Every day an agent spends going after our neighbors — students, families and construction workers — is another day when fentanyl traffickers, fraudsters and child predators have more room to operate.

The economic fallout is real, too. When workers vanish from job sites overnight, local businesses lose employees, projects stall and costs rise. When families fear driving to school, showing up to a clinic or reporting a crime, the whole community pays the price. That is not “order.” That is chaos, manufactured by Washington and absorbed by working Americans.

People should not live in fear of the very people who are supposed to protect them. First and foremost, ICE cannot exist as we know it now.

What Immigration Enforcement Should Be

We need to refocus ICE’s resources away from Trump’s PR stunts and back toward actually keeping communities safe.

The Homeland Security funding bill heading to the Senate does not go far enough to restrain the agency’s unchecked authority. I will not vote to give ICE more taxpayer money to terrorize our communities.

Instead, we need reform that makes ICE targeted, professional and focused on actual security threats — not political quotas and news soundbites. That means clear use-of-force standards that prioritize de-escalation, limits on dangerous tactics, mandatory body cameras and meaningful reporting and oversight.

That’s why Senator Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and I introduced the Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act of 2026, which would bring much-needed accountability and restraint to Trump’s ICE. It establishes new accountability, professionalism, and conduct requirements, like use-of-force standards and other common-sense measures. It’s a simple principle: enforce the law, but do it lawfully — and do it in a way that makes America safer, not angrier.

The truth is, it does not have to be this way. We can secure the border without treating entire communities like suspects. We can enforce immigration laws without terrorizing communities or putting innocent people in danger. Back in May, I laid out a plan to fix our broken immigration system. We can finally modernize a system that has been broken for too long — strengthening border security, speeding up legal processing and building workable, legal pathways that support American businesses and workers.

America’s immigration system is broken. But Trump’s heavy-handed immigration tactics are not the answer. They will only make things worse: less trust, less safety and more chaos. We can do better, and we must.


Gillibrand Statement On Imminent Construction Pause Of Gateway Project

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, released the following statement regarding reports that the Trump administration’s continued withholding of federal funding could imminently halt construction of the Hudson Tunnel Gateway Project. The $16 billion project is expected to create approximately 95,000 direct and indirect jobs and would construct a new rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River connecting New Jersey and New York City, which over 200,000 people rely upon every day.

“New Yorkers will not tolerate the Trump administration playing political games with our workers or our economy. The Hudson Tunnel Gateway Project is already supporting thousands of good-paying union jobs, generating billions of dollars in regional economic activity, and sustaining domestic suppliers and manufacturers.

Further delays in completing what the administration previously characterized as a ‘quick administrative review’ and the continued withholding of federal funding are inexcusable. These actions put union workers and families across New York and New Jersey at risk and threaten the most critical infrastructure project in the nation.

As ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, I am demanding that President Trump, Secretary Duffy, and OMB Director Russ Vought immediately release the federal funding for the Hudson Tunnel project. New Yorkers will not be treated as political pawns in this administration’s twisted game of chess.”

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Upcoming Senate Judiciary Hearing Hailed as Historic Opportunity to Safeguard Truth and Uncover Swiss Bank’s Hidden Role in Nazi Crimes

WASHINGTON – Today, on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, descendants of Holocaust survivors, Jewish faith leaders and global advocates are applauding Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley’s (R-Iowa) efforts to shine light on Credit Suisse’s financial servicing of Nazis and their enablers. Grassley next week will chair a bipartisan Judiciary Committee hearing titled, “The Truth Revealed: Hidden Facts Regarding Nazis and Swiss Banks.”

Grassley opened a congressional investigation into Credit Suisse in 2023 as then-Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, in response to whistleblower allegations from the Simon Wiesenthal Center that the bank had wrongfully terminated Neil Barofsky, who was tasked with overseeing an independent investigation into the extent of Nazi-linked accounts at Credit Suisse and related matters. Credit Suisse reinstated Barofsky following Grassley’s oversight, and Barofsky’s investigation remains ongoing. He intends to issue a final report on his findings later this year.

Additionally, Grassley has successfully commissioned Argentine President Javier Milei’s cooperation to search Argentina’s archival records for evidence of Nazi “ratlines.” Ratlines were monetary and logistic pathways Nazis used to escape justice and flee to Latin America, including Argentina, following World War II.

Read praise for Grassley’s Credit Suisse investigation below:

“Your efforts to expose the role Swiss banks played in collaborating with the Nazis, and the decades of deception that followed, matter profoundly… I approach this issue not only as a descendant of the Holocaust, but also as someone who has spent more than twenty-five years in the financial services industry and who continues to work in the industry today. I am acutely aware of how deeply financial institutions shape moral outcomes… By insisting on documented truth and public accountability, the Committee sends a clear and necessary message. History will not be rewritten to serve hatred, and institutions that participated in or concealed great evil will not be shielded by time or silence. I am deeply grateful for your leadership and moral clarity.” – Elisha Wiesel, son of Elie Wiesel (Nobel Laureate).

“For families like mine, the harm did not end in 1945. For decades, Holocaust survivors and their descendants were met with falsehoods, obstruction, and denial as Swiss banks concealed their collaboration with the Nazi regime and withheld assets stole from Jewish victims. Bringing these facts to light through a congressional hearing is a historic opportunity to clarify the record and confront a long-standing injustice.” – Michael Igel, Chair of Wiesel Archive and Legacy Council and grandson of Holocaust survivors.

“Since I was a youngster growing up in Terre Haute, [Indiana,] in a household where I learned the names of concentration camps well before nursery rhymes, I have been very aware of my parents' past… The American people and mankind need to be aware of what happened when evil and hate worked synergistically under the direction of Hitler and his [henchmen]. Your efforts to enlighten the world and educate future generations in this era of alarming antisemitism is courageous, truly appreciated, and greatly needed… I would like to personally thank you for your leadership over the last few years. My parents are smiling down upon you.” – Dr. Alex Kor, son of Eva Mozes Kor (a Mengele twin) and Mickey Kor (Holocaust survivor).

“A congressional hearing that brings to light - after decades of concealment - the full historical record of Swiss banks’ complicity in Nazi crimes against the Jewish people represents more than an act of investigation; it is an act of moral responsibility. This process has the power to document history accurately and to correct the longstanding distortions that have denied survivors and their family’s [the] truth and dignity they deserve. By ensuring that the findings of this inquiry are preserved in a public repository, the Committee is safeguarding truth for future generations.” – Troy Fears, Executive Director of the CANDLES Holocaust Museum and Education Center.

“Those who took what was not theirs and profited from this suffering must be held accountable—not only for justice for the victims and their families, but for the integrity of the historical record. Accountability does not expire. Even more than 80 years later, justice still matters. You cannot hide from history. Switzerland, long portrayed as neutral, must have its wartime actions fully examined and permanently recorded for the public—now and for future generations.” – Elizabeth Bettina Nicolosi, President of Be the Difference – Never Again.

“As a rabbi, educator, and community leader, I have dedicated much of my life to ensuring that historical truth is not treated as a closed chapter, but as a living guidebook. The deliberate concealment of facts surrounding the Holocaust and its enablers did not merely obscure history—it compounded the suffering of victims and their families and undermined trust across generations. Bringing these facts into the public record through a congressional hearing is therefore not only historic; it is corrective. It ensures that future generations can access documented truth, free from distortion or denial, and it affirms that institutions—no matter how powerful—are not beyond accountability when deception has occurred.” – Rabbi Yossi Eilfort, Founder and President of Magen Am USA, Inc.

“As the son of a Holocaust survivor…I am deeply grateful for the work of your committee and for its continued inquiry into Swiss collaboration with the Nazis and the persistent denial of the role they played. Your mission…ensures historical accuracy and directly confronts the blatant attempts to deny the immense evil directed at the Jewish people, both in the past and today… At a time of an unprecedented surge in antisemitism, your work sends a clear and necessary message about where America stands.” – Rabbi Zvi Teitelbaum

“My father served as a soldier in the Engineering Corps of the U.S. Ninth Army, fighting directly against Nazi forces in Europe. My great-uncle was a bombardier shot down over Germany… To learn that, even as America’s Greatest Generation fought and died to stop the Nazis, major Swiss banks such as Credit Suisse were quietly enabling, protecting, and profiting from the perpetrators of genocide is an insult to that sacrifice and a stain on history that demands full exposure and accountability. The Committee’s efforts to bring these long-hidden facts into the public record are nothing less than remarkable.” – Dr. Philip Werthman

“As a Jewish American with family living in Israel, these past two years have been difficult… As denial mounts throughout the world of Hamas’s present-day crimes of mass murder, rape, mutilation, and hostage-taking of innocent civilians simply because they were Jews, it is even more important that those complicit with the past crimes of Nazis are brought to light and that they are held accountable. It is for this reason that your planned [hearing] I believe is so timely.” – Dr. Deborah Soffen

“As an artist and creator with a large online platform that includes more than 14 million followers, I have chosen to speak directly to younger generations about the Holocaust, antisemitism, and what happens when lies are allowed to replace facts. I have seen how quickly misinformation spreads and how easily history can be distorted when there is no clear record to point to. That is why your efforts to expose the role Swiss banks played in collaborating with the Nazis, and the decades spent concealing that truth, feel so important. When institutions hide their actions, it does lasting damage not only to victims, but to public understanding itself.” – Montana Tucker, artist, social media activist and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors.

Grassley’s efforts were also endorsed by the American Muslim & Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC), the Iraqi Christian Relief Council and the Israel Economic Forum. Click HERE to see a full list of letters of support.


During Town Hall, Senator Hassan Discusses Need to Lower Costs, Tackle the Fentanyl Crisis, and Support Veterans

NEW HAMPSHIRE – Last week, Senator Maggie Hassan participated in WMUR’s Conversation with the Community town hall, during which she took questions from Granite Staters on a range of issues important to them, including affordability, tax cuts for working families, the fentanyl crisis, and veterans’ health care.

Click here to watch Senator Hassan’s town hall with Granite Staters.

“At the end of the day, what I hear from my constituents, regardless of what political party they belong to or if they belong to a political party – here in New Hampshire, we’re mostly independents – is that they want to be able to work hard and build a better life for themselves and for their kids,” Senator Hassan said while emphasizing how affordability remains a major challenge for Granite Staters.

Senator Hassan criticized President Trump’s reckless and chaotic tariffs for raising costs on families and for threatening our relationship with allies, including New Hampshire’s top trade partner and neighbor, Canada. Senator Hassan said that her work on the Joint Economic Committee found that in 2025, inflation cost the average New Hampshire family thousands of dollars. “The average cost of inflation, driven mostly by the President’s tariffs, has been an additional $2,100 in expenses. It’s about $310 in groceries,” said Senator Hassan. “Those tariffs are a choice that Donald Trump made. And we need to repeal those tariffs.”

When asked about efforts to address the fentanyl crisis, Senator Hassan heard a deeply personal story from a Granite Stater who thanked Senator Hassan for her work as a “recovery champion.” Senator Hassan highlighted the bipartisan reauthorization of the SUPPORT Act, which she led the charge to get passed into law last year. “This is a piece of legislation that makes sure that we are funding our first responders so that they know how to respond to an overdose and save a life. It also provides support and funding for recovery centers to provide more treatment, so people when they decide they’re ready to enter recovery, they can get into a treatment program right away and then have the support they need to tailor a treatment program to support them.”

On veterans’ health care, Senator Hassan reaffirmed her commitment to building a full-service VA hospital in New Hampshire while also supporting community care options so that Granite State veterans can access care that is best for them. “What I hear overwhelmingly from veterans in the community is that they wish New Hampshire had a full-service hospital. We are the only state in the lower 48 that doesn’t have our own veterans hospital,” Senator Hassan said. “I continue to believe that we should have a full-service hospital. I also want to make sure that in appropriate circumstances community care is available.”

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