Shaheen Discusses Legislative Wins, Priorities for Final Year in Congress During New England Council’s Capitol Hill Report

(Manchester, NH) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) spoke at the New England Council’s Capitol Hill Report to discuss her legislative wins for New Hampshire, work as the Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and ongoing priorities for her final year in Congress, including lowering health care costs, addressing New Hampshire’s affordable housing crisis and strengthening U.S. national security. The fireside chat was moderated by James T. Brett, President of the New England Council, which is the nation’s oldest regional business organization, comprised of businesses and organizations across the six New England states. You can find photos from the event here and watch the discussion in full here.

“During my final year in Congress, I will continue fighting for legislation that will make a real difference in the lives of Granite Staters. With families across the country struggling to afford health care or a home, I remain hopeful about finding opportunities to lower costs for Americans burdened by the rising prices of everyday essentials,” said Senator Shaheen. “In the face of increased economic and global uncertainty, it was great to join the New England Council to discuss these priorities and highlight the work ahead to ensure continued support for New Hampshire businesses and the region’s economy.”

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

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Sullivan Applauds IPHC Decision to Defer Review of Proposal Targeting Alaska Halibut Limits to Appropriate Agency

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) welcomed the decision by the International Pacific Halibut Commission (IPHC) to defer review of a regulatory proposal that sought to alter Alaska’s unguided recreational Pacific halibut limits. The proposal, which was submitted by a Seattle, Washington-based trade association, would have reduced the daily bag limit of Alaska’s unguided recreational halibut limit from two fish to one fish. Senator Sullivan previously sent a letter of concern to Dr. Neil Jacobs, the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, regarding his concerns for the suggested allocation change especially as the IPHC was not the appropriate management body for such a proposal.

“I am relieved by the International Pacific Halibut Commission’s decision to defer review of a regulatory proposal submitted by a Seattle-based trade association that targets Alaska’s unguided recreational Pacific halibut limits to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council,” Senator Sullivan said. “I recently sent a letter to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Dr. Neil Jacobs voicing my concern about this request, including the IPHC’s lack of jurisdiction, which would have directly infringed on the livelihoods of Alaska’s halibut fishermen, especially recreational and subsistence harvesters. This decision reaffirms that the IPHC does not have the authority to make this change, which I agree with. Pacific halibut harvested off Alaska’s coast is a shared resource that goes through extensive management review to ensure careful conservation. Alaskan families and coastal communities have done this hard work of sustainable stewardship for generations. I will continue to fight for resource and fisheries management systems that follow the law, respect local knowledge, and keep Alaska’s fisheries strong, sustainable, and thriving.”

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PHOTO RELEASE: Tuberville Visits “The Port City”

MOBILE – This week, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) visited Mobile, where he spoke to the Mobile Chamber of Commerce, inspected the I-10 Bridge, and toured the Port of Mobile.

Sen. Tuberville touted the economic growth the city is experiencing and its emergence on the world stage as a national leader in maritime and aviation innovation. Sen. Tuberville also spoke on the importance of finalizing contracts and completing the construction of the I-10 Bridge, which is the gateway between the East and the West, as quickly as possible. Additionally, Sen. Tuberville visited the Port of Mobile to meet with the new Alabama Port Authority CEO, Doug Otto, and to check out the ongoing massive modernization projects that will continue to allow the port to be one of the most versatile ports in the country. The Port of Mobile is the lifeblood of the Yellowhammer State, and Sen. Tuberville helped secure half a million dollars for the Alabama Port Authority to study sediment management in the latest appropriations bill to ensure smooth port operations without being affected by increased sediment buildup in the Mobile River.

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

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Senate Foreign Relations Democrats Statement on Trump Administration’s Expanded Global Gag Rule

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Chris Coons (D-Del.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s decision to dramatically expand the Global Gag Rule to ban U.S. foreign assistance to American and foreign NGOs, other countries and multilateral organizations that do not adopt the Administration’s prohibitions on reproductive care, “gender ideology” and diversity, equity and inclusion principles, even when using their own funds.

“President Trump’s decision to radically expand the Global Gag Rule is a direct assault on all forms of foreign assistance and U.S. global leadership. By blocking U.S. funding to any entity that does not conform to his extreme ideological agenda, the Administration is exporting MAGA culture wars overseas and turning lifesaving aid into a political tool. This order goes far beyond anything we’ve seen before. It will shrink global resources to fight disease, respond to humanitarian crises and protect women and girls from violence, while forcing many of our trusted partners to shut their doors or betray their missions. In doing so, it also leaves Americans more vulnerable to infectious diseases and health threats that do not respect borders. Let us be clear: this rule tells the world to toe their line or lose aid.

"Already, the Trump Administration’s decimation of USAID, including development, humanitarian and global health programs has led to 600,000 deaths and is expected to lead to the deaths of 14 million people over the next five years. Even more troubling, the Trump Administration is attempting to rush these changes through without the public notice-and-comment process laid out by Congress. U.S. foreign assistance should be guided by evidence, informed through consultation with our partners and aligned with our values and national security interests—not dictated by partisan ideology.”


Warner, Kaine Applaud Senate Passage of Three Funding Bills

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) applaud the Senate passage last week of legislation to fund a number of major priorities, including the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Park Service, the Appalachian Regional Commission, the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, and the Department of Energy Office of Science, for Fiscal Year 2026.

“I’m glad to have worked with my colleagues in a bipartisan manner to pass three funding bills that deliver federal dollars for important projects across Virginia,” said Sen. Warner. “This federal funding will promote public safety, improve water systems, support conservation efforts, and boost science research for communities across the Commonwealth.”

“This bipartisan legislation includes more than $63 million for projects and priorities across the Commonwealth,” said Sen. Kaine. “I am pleased to have worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to secure this important funding, which will support our national parks, expand conservation efforts, accelerate scientific research, and much more.”

As part of the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process, members of Congress are able to work with the communities they represent to request funding for local community projects, otherwise known as congressionally directed spending, in a manner that promotes transparency and accountability. This process allows Congress to dedicate federal funding for specific projects in Virginia. This package contains $63.49 million for 47 specific projects in Virginia.

Through strong advocacy, the senators secured funding in the relevant spending bills for the following Virginia projects:

For projects in Central Virginia, click here.

For projects in Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore, click here.

For projects in Northern Virginia, click here.

For projects in the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

For projects in Southwest Virginia and Southside, click here.

For statewide projects, click here.

In addition to community-specific projects, this $183.86-billion legislation includes funding for the following Warner and Kaine priorities:

Supporting NASA: Provides $24.4 billion to NASA, including $7.3 billion for NASA Science.

Supporting advancements in science: Provides $8.8 billion for the National Science Foundation.

Preserving historical artifacts: Provides $5 million for the conservation and preservation of federally-owned artifacts and sanctuary resources for the USS Monitor at the Mariner’s Museum.

Investing in the Appalachian region: Provides $200 million for the Appalachian Regional Commission, which invests in communities and economic growth in Appalachia.

Investing in the Southeast region: Provides $20 million for the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission, which builds sustainable communities and strengthens economic growth across the Southeast region.

Boosting nuclear energy: Provides $1.8 billion for the Office of Nuclear Energy. Also provides an additional $3.1 billion in repurposed funding for small modular reactors and Advanced Reactor Demonstration projects.

Supporting data infrastructure: Provides $16 million to continue development of Jefferson Lab’s High Performance Data Facility, which will be a state-of-the-art resource for data science and research once complete.

Supporting scientific research: Provides $155 million to operate Jefferson Lab’s Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF), which will allow researchers to utilize the facility for several more weeks than the previous fiscal year. It also includes $26 million for the CEBAF Renovation and Expansion project, which will modernize and expand this critical facility.

Protecting the great outdoors: Provides an additional $1 million for the expansion of the Rappahannock River Valley National Wildlife Refuge to protect significant habitats and expand recreation access.

Boosting conservation efforts: Provides $1.839 million for the expansion of the Cherokee National Forest near South Holston Lake in Washington County, Virginia that will improve access for wildlife openings, forest restoration, and other management activities.

Supporting national parks: Provides $3.27 billion for National Park Service operations.

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* High-quality photographs of Sen. Mark R. Warner are available for downloadhere*


ICYMI: Warnock Memorializes Gospel Music Legend Richard Smallwood with Resolution and Choir Celebration on Capitol Steps

Last week, Senator Warnock honored the late gospel music icon Reverend Richard Smallwood steps away from the United States Capitol

Warnock joined the choirs of Howard University and Metropolitan Baptist Church in singing one of Smallwood’s most famous songs, “Total Praise”

The Senator also introduced a bipartisan resolution honoring the life and legacy of Smallwood

ICYMI from Complex: Reverend Raphael Warnock Joins HBCU Choirs to Honor Richard Smallwood With ‘Total Praise’

Above: Senator Warnock and the choirs

Washington, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) commemorated the life and legacy of the late Reverend Richard Smallwood. Senators Warnock and Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced a bipartisan resolution honoring Smallwood. Following the introduction of the resolution, Senator Warnock joined the Howard University and Metropolitan Baptist Church choirs in singing one of Smallwood’s most popular songs, “Total Praise”.

Smallwood was born in 1948 in Atlanta and raised in Washington, D.C., he learned piano by ear as a child, studied at Howard University, and later founded the Richard Smallwood Singers (1977). Smallwood was a respected figure in the faith community. He earned multiple honors during a career that included eight Grammy nominations, Dove and Stellar awards, and induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. He is widely credited with helping bridge traditional church music, classical influences, and contemporary R&B textures, crafting arrangements that choirs and soloists still sing today.

See the Resolution text honoring Smallwood HERE.

More coverage of Senator Reverend Warnock’s commemoration of Reverend Smallwood below:

Blavity: U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock led a public ceremony on Capitol Hill to honor iconic gospel singer Richard Smallwood, who died in late December. Warnock honored the legendary artist as he stood alongside Senator Tim Scott, the Howard University Gospel Choir, and the Metropolitan Baptist Church Choir, Complex reported.

Clutch Points: Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock led a moving and spirit-filled ceremony honoring the life and legacy of legendary gospel composer Richard Smallwood, uniting faith, music, and cultural remembrance on Capitol Hill.

The Grio: That legacy echoed through Capitol Hill on Wednesday (Jan. 14), when U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock honored gospel icon Richard Smallwood in a public ceremony that blended faith, music, and history.

Complex: U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock paid tribute to gospel icon Richard Smallwood with a public ceremony that blended faith, music, and history on Capitol Hill.

AJC: U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., joined the choir members from Howard University and Metropolitan Baptist Church to sing “Total Praise,” written by the late gospel artist Richard Smallwood, outside of the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday. Smallwood, who was born in Atlanta, died Dec. 30.

Roll Call: Sen. Raphael Warnock, center, joins gospel choirs from Howard University and the Metropolitan Baptist Church in singing gospel musician Rev. Richard Smallwood’s “Total Praise” outside the Capitol on Wednesday. The Senate on Thursday approved a resolution by the Georgia Democrat honoring Smallwood, who died on Dec. 30, 2025.

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Warnock, Colleagues Slam Administration for Gutting Gun Safety Investments and Demand Policy Reversals to Save Lives

Senator Reverend Warnock is leading a new bicameral oversight effort demanding the Department of Justice (DOJ) to reverse policy changes that are weakening gun violence prevention efforts and leaving Americans less safe

According to the latest available data, Georgia has the 9th highest gun homicide rate in the country

Georgia has been affected by cuts of $3 million in DOJ grant funding, nearly $1 million of which was dedicated to youth violence intervention

The Trump Administration halted $1 billion in federal funding for school districts to hire mental health professionals less than two years after the Apalachee High School shooting

Latest oversight efforts follows Senator Warnock’s panel focused on gun violence solutions that have been under threat by the Trump Administration

Oversight push comes amid news the DOJ is considering loosening more gun regulations to appease special interest groups

Congresswoman Nikema Williams (D-GA-05) is co-leading the bicameral oversight effort in the House of Representatives

Senator Warnock and lawmakers: “By weakening programs that protect our communities from illegal firearms and stripping federal funding for violence intervention and prevention programs, the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) policies risk undoing crucial progress in mitigating the root causes of gun violence”

Senator Warnock and lawmakers: “These actions will make Americans less safe and more vulnerable to gun violence. […] We demand you reverse these cuts and rollback these policy changes that threaten the safety of the American people that we all serve”

ICYMI from The Atlanta Voice: Warnock to DOJ: Stop the gun violence prevention funding cuts

ICYMI from The Trace: Lawmakers Blast Federal Funding Cuts to Gun Violence Prevention

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) led a group of lawmakers in slamming Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Department of Justice (DOJ) for gutting investments and weakening programs meant to curb gun violence and save lives. Georgia has been affected by cuts of $3 million in DOJ grant funding, nearly $1 million of which was dedicated to youth violence intervention. Senator Warnock and the lawmakers are demanding the DOJ reverse their policy changes that are weakening gun violence prevention efforts and leaving Americans less safe. Congresswoman Nikema Williams (D-GA-05) is co-leading the effort in the House of Representatives.

“We write in service of our shared duty to keep all Americans safe from gun violence. By weakening programs that protect our communities from illegal firearms and stripping federal funding for violence intervention and prevention programs, the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) policies risk undoing crucial progress in mitigating the root causes of gun violence. We urgently request that you reverse course and instead support proven strategies that increase public safety, curb the spread of illicit guns, and empower local governments as well as community-based organizations to tackle the scourge of gun violence,” the lawmakers said.

In the past year, the DOJ has undermined proven methods for reducing gun violence by eliminating efforts by federal agencies that tackle illicit firearms as well as defunding the very programs intended to address the root causes of gun violence. Harmful actions taken by the Administration include:

Cutting millions in federal funding local law enforcement and nonprofits supporting violence reduction, victims’ services, and other public safety functions;

Halting payments for $1 billion in federal grant funding for school districts to hire mental health professionals;

Terminating staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) responsible for researching violence prevention;

Proposing defunding the federal law enforcement entity that combats the illegal proliferation of firearms and moved to dismantle their tools for doing so;

Diverting 80% of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents to take on immigration enforcement activities;

Revoking the ATF’s “Zero Tolerance” policy and allowed gun dealers who violated federal regulations to apply to reobtain their licenses;

Reportedly ending a program to identify and monitor gun dealers whose guns have been linked to crimes;

Permitting the sale of devices that enable semiautomatic firearms to operate like machine guns.

“Americans of all political beliefs agree that we have lost too many lives to mass shootings and violent crimes in our country,” the lawmakers added.

The oversight effort comes amid news the DOJ is considering loosening more gun regulations to appease special interest groups and follows a September 2025 panel hosted by Senator Warnock that highlighted successful gun violence prevention efforts employed by local governments. During the panel, local leaders discussed how federal policies have helped decrease gun violence and deaths, including federal funding for intervention programs and regulations addressing illegal gun trafficking. These gains are at risk under the gun safety rollbacks being implemented by the administration.

“These actions will make Americans less safe and more vulnerable to gun violence. They worsen the issues underlying gun violence and threaten our nation’s progress in curbing it. As such, we demand you reverse these cuts and rollback these policy changes that threaten the safety of the American people that we all serve,” the lawmakers said.

The oversight letter closes with a series of questions for Attorney General Bondi seeking clarity on why funding for gun violence intervention and prevention programs was removed, how weakening gun industry oversight helps improve public safety, how reassigning ATF agents to handle immigration-related duties impacts pending firearms trafficking investigations, and more.

Senator Warnock is leading the charge in demanding these answers. Congresswoman Nikema Williams (D-GA-05) is co-leading the bicameral oversight effort in the House of Representatives. Additional lawmakers signing onto the effort include U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), as well as Representatives Wesley Bell (D-MO-01), Troy Carter (D-LA-02), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-05), Valerie Foushee (D-NC-04), and Lucy McBath (D-GA-06).

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

Dear Attorney General Bondi,

We write in service of our shared duty to keep all Americans safe from gun violence. By weakening programs that protect our communities from illegal firearms and stripping federal funding for violence intervention and prevention programs, the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) policies risk undoing crucial progress in mitigating the root causes of gun violence. We urgently request that you reverse course and instead support proven strategies that increase public safety, curb the spread of illicit guns, and empower local governments as well as community-based organizations to tackle the scourge of gun violence.

Americans of all political beliefs agree that we have lost too many lives to mass shootings and violent crimes in our country. In September 2025, Senator Warnock hosted a panel at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference to draw attention to the nation’s commendable decline in gun violence between 2021 and 2023 and to discuss successful violence reduction tactics employed by local governments. The panel featured Mayor Brandon Scott of Baltimore, Maryland; Mayor Randall Woodfin of Birmingham, Alabama; and Greg Jackson, President of the Rocket Foundation and former Deputy Director of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The panel discussed federal and local programs that played a critical role in decreasing gun violence in their communities, including various ways that federal policies have helped support these successes.

For example, the city of Baltimore has taken a comprehensive approach to public safety, implementing a Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS) that focuses on changing the behavior of individuals involved with violent groups—those who are at the highest risk of being involved in violence—and uplifting community-based programs such as Safe Streets. Through GVRS, the city offers social services to those likely to become victims or perpetrators of gun violence and then prosecutes those who continue to repeatedly engage in criminal activity; as of January 2025, about 200 people were receiving support services from the program. Birmingham saw victories using a similar approach, including by using federal funding to support programs like its hospital-based violence intervention program. Beyond intervention programs, they also relied on regulation and litigation to address illicit gun trafficking. Just this past August, a jury awarded Baltimore $62 million in damages from a gun dealer that had facilitated the flow of illegal firearms into the city.

These programs have contributed to significant improvements in public safety. Baltimore saw a 23% drop in recorded homicides between 2023 and 2024 alone, and the first half of 2025 closed with the fewest killings recorded in the city for a 6-month period. Meanwhile, Birmingham’s Police Department reported a 52% reduction in homicides compared to 2024.

Given the success of these programs, and of similar programs across the country, we were alarmed to see that the DOJ has undermined these proven methods for reducing gun violence by working to eliminate efforts by federal agencies that tackle illicit firearms as well as defund the very programs intended to address the root causes of gun violence.

In April 2025, under your leadership, the DOJ cut millions in grants to law enforcement and nonprofit entities that support violence reduction, victims’ services, and other public safety functions at the state and local level. This included eliminating the remaining balances of grants initially worth about $145 million for community violence intervention, which support evidence-based programs that help prevent gun violence in cities and local communities. Roca, a nationally-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) program for at-risk young men, saw a $2 million DOJ grant award for their Baltimore office slashed in half, with $1 million in funding pulled back in 2025. Georgia has been affected by cuts of $3 million in DOJ grant funding, nearly $1 million of which was dedicated to youth violence intervention.

Beyond the DOJ, the administration has also abruptly halted payments for $1 billion in federal grant funding for school districts to hire mental health professionals, which was part of the 2022 Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Senators Cornyn, Collins, and Tillis noted the importance of funding for these resources in November of 2024. The administration has also terminated staff at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention responsible for researching violence prevention.

The DOJ has also proposed defunding the federal law enforcement entity that combats the illegal proliferation of firearms and moved to dismantle their tools for doing so. Since taking office, the DOJ has reportedly diverted 80% of Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) agents to take on immigration enforcement activities. The DOJ’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Budget Proposal proposed even more dramatic cuts, including reducing the ATF’s funding by nearly one-fourth, or $418 million, and dismissing two-thirds of ATF Industry Operations Investigators (IOI), who are responsible for ensuring Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) are following the law. This proposal also suggested merging the ATF with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which could threaten resources for both agencies.

Beyond these funding and personnel cuts, the DOJ has revoked the ATF’s “Zero Tolerance” policy and allowed gun dealers who had willfully violated federal regulations to apply to reobtain their licenses, reportedly ended a program to identify and monitor gun dealers whose guns have been linked to crimes, and permitted the sale of devices that enable semiautomatic firearms to operate like machine guns. The DOJ is also reportedly planning to soften ATF regulations on the private sale and shipping of firearms, modify the types of firearms that can be imported into the United States, and make federal firearms licensing fees refundable.

These actions will make Americans less safe and more vulnerable to gun violence. They worsen the issues underlying gun violence and threaten our nation’s progress in curbing it. As such, we demand you reverse these cuts and roll back these policy changes that threaten the safety of the American people that we all serve. Furthermore, we request that you provide the following information concerning these policy decisions by February 23, 2026:

1. Community violence intervention and prevention programs unexpectedly suffered over a $150 million loss in federal grants due to the DOJ program cuts. The DOJ has since released its FY2025 Notice of Funding of Opportunity for the Community Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI).

a. Why were grants related to community violence intervention and prevention programs initially rescinded? Has the DOJ provided any cost-benefit analysis regarding the efficacy of these programs and the implications of reducing their funding?

i. How many organizations that had their funds rescinded have applied to have their funds reinstated?

ii. How many of the rescinded grants have been reinstated?

b. Why are community-based organizations and nonprofit organizations no longer eligible to apply directly for funding from CVIPI?

c. How can potential grantees be sure their funding will not be subject to sudden cuts in the future?

2. In June 2025, the National Shooting Sports Foundation announced that ATF ended the Demand 2 Program, a program that identified and monitored FFLs who sold guns that were later traced to criminal activity. However, there has been no statement from the ATF on the matter.

a. Please provide confirmation of whether the Demand 2 Program is operational.

b. Please provide a list of all programs ATF has terminated since the beginning of your administration.

3. In its FY2026 Budget and Performance Summary, the DOJ proposed a $418 million cut to the ATF. This included a cut of $82 million for industry regulation, corresponding to a 40% decrease in the ATF’s capacity to regulate the firearms and explosives industries.

a. How does weakening the ATF’s industry oversight capabilities help to address gun violence and improve public safety in our communities?

b. What specific studies, analyses, or estimates did the DOJ rely on in making these proposals?

c. Did the DOJ consult with any state or local governments in developing this proposal? If so, which ones?

4. The DOJ’s FY2026 Budget and Performance Summary also included the DOJ’s plans to merge the ATF with the DEA. How would merging the ATF with the DEA better serve public safety?

5. According to press reports, 80% of ATF’s roughly 2,500 agents have been assigned some immigration-related duties.

a. How many ATF agents have been assigned immigration-related duties?

b. What percentage of their time, on average, is expected to be devoted to immigration-related duties?

c. When did these reassignments begin? When will they be completed?

d. How many pending investigations were these officers working on prior to their reassignment? Specifically, how many pending firearms trafficking investigations were these officers working under the following statutes: trafficking investigations under 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(1), 18 U.S.C. § 932, and 18 U.S.C. § 933?

e. How many ATF investigations were paused or terminated to assist with immigration enforcement?

f. What specific steps has ATF taken to ensure that current investigations are completed?

g. Has ATF revised oversight plans given the reduction in agents and potential limited oversight capacity over FFLs?

6. In its FY2026 Budget and Performance Summary, the DOJ noted it planned to dismiss around two-thirds of ATF IOIs from their duty.

a. In eliminating these roles, what criteria did the DOJ use to determine whether the investigators were no longer necessary?

b. Has the ATF developed a plan for meeting its industry regulatory responsibilities with decreased staff? Please submit this plan to Congress.

7. The DOJ has reversed the ATF’s prior “Zero Tolerance” policy, which revoked the licenses of gun dealers who willfully violated firearm regulations. The ATF has also invited individuals who have had their federal firearms licenses revoked to reapply for a new license.

a. What has the DOJ done to modify the reapplication process to ensure gun dealers who lost their licenses under the ATF’s “Zero Tolerance” policy will not violate federal law in the future? What criteria did your agency use to make such determinations?

b. Will the individuals that lost their licenses who then reapplied and received new licenses be subject to additional oversight or inspections to ensure they follow the law?

c. Is the ATF prepared to respond or does the bureau have a plan in place if former violators whose licenses have been reinstated continue to violate the law? Does this plan include coordination with local law enforcement?

d. How many FFLs that lost their licenses under the “Zero Tolerance” policy have reapplied and been approved for new licenses?

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Warnock Scores Highest Anti-Corruption Grade by End Citizens United

End Citizens United awarded Senator Warnock with an anti-corruption grade of A+, the highest possible grade

Senator Warnock was among a select few lawmakers who achieved this top honor, all 535 House and Senate lawmakers were graded

End Citizens United bases its scoring on several criteria, including cosponsoring specific legislation, protecting American families from historic attempts to weaken the consumer and environmental protections, and opposing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act

Senator Warnock was also ranked as the 14thmost bipartisan Senator by the Lugar Center

Senator Warnock: “When I was elected to the Senate, I entered into an inviolable trust with the people of Georgia. I promised that I would always center the people, and I take that commitment seriously.”

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) announced an “A+” anti-corruption rating from End Citizens United, an organization that focuses on driving dark money out of politics.

“When I was elected to the Senate, I entered into an inviolable trust with the people of Georgia. I promised that I would always center the people, and I take that commitment seriously.” said Senator Warnock. “We can’t truly address any of the big challenges we face until we reckon with the fact that special interests have an outsized influence in our politics. I will keep fighting to end corruption in Washington.”

End Citizens United bases its scoring on several criteria, including cosponsoring specific legislation, protecting American families from historic attempts to weaken the consumer and environmental protections, and opposing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Senator Warnock has fought for a constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court’s Citizens United v. FEC decision, which removed campaign finance restrictions and opened the door for foreign and domestic entities to spend unlimited money to influence elections. He was also a champion of the For the People Act—a sweeping package of comprehensive reforms that would end special interest corruption in our politics and make government work for the people. Senator Warnock has also been a longtime champion supporting voting rights efforts and defending the sacred right to vote. Since coming to the Senate, Senator Warnock has co-led the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the Freedom to Vote Act, two vital pieces of voting rights legislation that expand on the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and help secure voting rights for future generations.


Warren, Blumenthal, Goldman, and 27 Members of Congress Urge Agency Watchdogs to Investigate Trump Administration’s Retreat from White-Collar Crime Enforcement

“The safety of American families and the integrity of our financial system depend on restoring law enforcement’s capacity to investigate and prosecute white-collar crime rather than simply turning the federal government into an immigration enforcement machine.”

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), along with Representative Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) led 27 lawmakers in writing to the Inspectors General for the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of State (State), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Postal Service (USPS), and the Office of Tax Administration (TIGTA), asking the watchdogs to investigate the impact of the Trump administration’s diversion of law enforcement resources away from white collar and corporate crime and in favor of immigration enforcement.

“The Trump Administration is letting white collar criminals off the hook for all kinds of wrongdoing. Instead of protecting American families from fraud and predatory behavior, the Administration is diverting resources to pursue its inhumane immigration agenda,” said Senator Warren. “Nobody is above the law, and the Trump Administration needs to stop treating white collar criminals with kid gloves.”

“The Trump Administration’s diversion of critical resources and personnel away from white-collar crime undermines our country’s ability to combat fraud schemes, market manipulation, and corruption—seriously threatening the security of American families and leaving them vulnerable to predatory practices. These staff and resource diversions exemplify this Administration’s reckless decision-making in service of Trump’s brutal, ruthless immigration enforcement agenda. I call on the Inspectors General to fulfill their duty as nonpartisan watchdogs and illuminate this Administration’s abuse of power,” said Senator Blumenthal.

“Trump is letting white collar criminals run rampant without consequences so he can shift law enforcement to violently attack immigrants - the overwhelming majority of whom have no criminal record,” said Representative Goldman. “Having 25,000 fewer law enforcement personnel investigating and prosecuting white collar crime enables fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, and other crimes that hurt the American people. Federal Inspectors General must conduct a thorough investigation of the impact of these diversions.”

Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) joined in signing the letter, as did Representatives Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Lou Correa (D-Calif.), Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Henry Johnson (D-Ga.), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.), Dave Min (D-Calif.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), and Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.).

“When white-collar criminal enforcement is neglected, the American public pays the price. Ordinary people are left more vulnerable to fraud schemes, market manipulation, predatory financial practices, and corruption…while the wealthiest bend the rules and exploit a weakened enforcement system that no longer holds them accountable,” said the lawmakers.

Since January 2025, the Trump administration has reportedly diverted over 25,000 law enforcement personnel to immigration enforcement. Many of those agents had been dedicated to combating white-collar crimes—including fraud, tax evasion, money laundering, and more.

Those diversions include:

Nearly one quarter of FBI agents nationwide;

More than 1,700 IRS Criminal Investigation employees;

Around 300 State Department Diplomatic Security Service agents;

More than 90 percent of the Homeland Security Investigations workforce;

Dozens of career prosecutors from DOJ’s Public Integrity Section and National Security Division; and

Even members of the US Postal Inspection Service.

“Taken together, these moves represent a massive diversion of specialized law-enforcement talent away from criminal financial investigations and prosecutions and toward civil immigration enforcement,” wrote the lawmakers.

Several agencies are experiencing the consequences of these diversions. For example, the mass reassignment of HSI agents to immigration removal operations means that “critical threats could go uninvestigated.” Diverting State Department resources to ICE weakens cross-border investigations into corruption, fraud, and international financial crimes. The diversion of FBI and DOJ personnel from white-collar units has caused delays and the deprioritization of complex financial crime cases such as public corruption, corporate fraud, and Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) prosecutions.

These diversions “undermin[e] the federal government’s ability to hold powerful actors accountable,” said the lawmakers.

In 2024 alone, for example, the IRS Criminal Investigations team helped recover more than $9 billion in fraudulent proceedings—acting on a budget of just $800 million. It’s unclear how the diversions are affecting agencies’ ability to investigate fraud, but the moves remove the federal government’s dedicated team to tackle white-collar crime.

“In practice, these diversions also undermine deterrence: when white-collar criminals believe that federal enforcement units lack the resources or continuity to pursue long-term cases, they may become more emboldened to take risks that endanger markets, taxpayers, and public institutions,” wrote the lawmakers.

“The safety of American families and the integrity of our financial system depend on restoring law enforcement’s capacity to investigate and prosecute white-collar crime rather than simply turning the federal government into an immigration enforcement machine,” the lawmakers concluded.

The lawmakers asked the IGs to provide the information below as a part of their investigation:

A breakdown of how many law enforcement personnel have been reassigned from each agency for immigration enforcement;

A breakdown of how many white-collar crimes cases (including but not limited to financial fraud, corruption, FCPA, and money-laundering cases) have been opened, closed, or suspended since the start of the second Trump administration;

Any internal assessments conducted by agencies to determine the impacts of diverting law enforcement resources; and

An accounting of complaints or whistleblower disclosures received about these diversions;

A list of the safeguards that exist to ensure each agency still meets its statutory white-collar criminal investigative obligations despite these diversions.

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Warren, Blumenthal, Kim Sound Alarm on Potential for Donald Trump Jr.-Linked Companies to Profit Off Department of Defense Contract Awards, Loans

Trump Jr.’s firm getting largest Defense Department loan ever

“[This] could mean that the Trump family is profiting from funds appropriated by Congress to keep Americans safe, raising both ethics and national security concerns.

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Andy Kim (D-N.J.), pressed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on potential conflicts of interest surrounding the awarding of multiple lucrative Department of Defense (DoD) contracts and loans to companies associated with President Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr.

“We write to obtain information on whether DoD’s decisions to hand out lucrative contracts and loans to companies associated with the President’s son may have been affected by conflicts of interest. If this is the case, it could mean that the Trump family is profiting from funds appropriated by Congress to keep Americans safe, raising both ethics and national security concerns,” wrote the lawmakers.

Shortly after President Trump was elected to his second term, his son, Donald Trump Jr., announced he was joining venture capital firm 1789 Capital. After Trump Jr. joined the firm, the firm’s portfolio companies reportedly won more than $70 million worth of contracts from the Trump Administration, including:

$45 million awarded to Cerebras Systems in April 2025 to improve artificial intelligence

chip connections;

$10.8 million awarded to PsiQuantum in April 2025 for quantum chips;

$4.9 million awarded to Firehawk Aerospace in August 2025 to develop rocket engines;

$10 million to Vulcan Elements for magnets in 2025.

A separate Trump Jr.-affiliated company received a $12.8 million DoD contract last year — and another 1789 Capital-backed start-up that produces magnets in drone systems reportedly received DoD’s Office of Strategic Capital’s largest loan ever, at $620 million. Several of the Trump Jr.-connected companies had never received such large DoD contracts prior to 2025.

Trump Jr. reportedly helped screen candidates for top Pentagon jobs after his father won the 2024 election. During the process, he apparently checked whether candidates supported his own personal investment priorities, including those who wanted to “spend more on drones.”

Trump Jr. himself has alluded to possible conflicts between 1789 Capital and the Trump administration, saying that the firm “understand[s] what the administration wants to do, because [they] helped craft some of the messaging.”

“We are concerned about the conflicts of interest of President Trump, his family, other administration officials, and any potential favoritism resulting in a waste of taxpayer dollars and a threat to national security,” wrote the lawmakers.

Senators Warren, Kim, and Blumenthal have long sounded the alarm over financial conflicts of interest in how DoD awards taxpayer dollars. Since DoD’s Office of Strategic Capital’s inception, Senator Warren raised concerns that the office was relying on consultants who continued to work for private investment firms. Senator Warren has also introduced multiple relevant pieces of legislation, including her Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act to strengthen ethics laws and crack down on government officials’ conflicts of interest across the government, and her and Senator Kim’s Department of Defense Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act to limit the influence of contractors on the military and increase transparency over contractors and their interaction with DoD.

At the start of Trump’s second term, Senator Blumenthal launched an investigation into Elon Musk-owned companies after the companies failed to answer basic questions about Musk’s glaring conflicts of interest as he simultaneously raked in billions in the private sector and headed up activities at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

The lawmakers posed a series of questions regarding Donald Trump Jr.’s apparent conflicts of interest and requested responses by February 5, 2026.

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Welch Discusses Flood Recovery in Plainfield

PLAINFIELD, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, this week joined community leaders and residents in Plainfield to discuss ongoing flood recovery efforts and his work to reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Senator Welch discussed his Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization (AID) Act, legislation to streamline the road to recovery for disaster-stricken communities and cut red tape by empowering state and local governments to access recovery assistance when it is needed.

“Flood recovery is a long and demanding process that tests the resilience of an entire community—something Vermonters know all too well. I heard directly from folks in Plainfield about what’s working and where the federal response is falling short. Many of the challenges folks are facing in Vermont stem from the fact that FEMA wasn’t designed with small, rural communities in mind,” said Senator Welch. “I’ll continue to lead efforts to reform FEMA and make sure recovery decisions are driven by local leaders who know their communities best.”

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

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Welch Joins Legislation to Block Taxpayer-Funded Handouts for Corporate Oil Investments in Venezuela

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), alongside U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), recently introduced the No Taxpayer Funds for Corporate Investment in Venezuelan Oil Act, legislation to prohibit the Trump Administration from providing taxpayer reimbursements for oil companies investing in Venezuela’s oil and gas sector.

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

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

Joining Senators Welch and Bennet on the legislation are Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.).

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

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

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

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

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

The No Taxpayer Funds for Corporate Investment in Venezuelan Oil Act would:

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

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

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

Last week, Senator Welch led eight Senate Democrats in urging oil industry giants Chevron, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips to proceed with extreme caution as President Trump plots to illegally seize Venezuela’s oil reserves. In their letter, the Senators demanded transparency from oil industry executives regarding any communication the companies may have with Executive Branch officials about U.S.-Venezuela policy. The Senators also called on the companies to publicly affirm their intention not to seek or expect U.S. taxpayer dollars to support their activities in Venezuela.

Read and download the full text of the No Taxpayer Funds for Corporate Investment in Venezuelan Oil Act.

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Joint Statement from Reps. Young Kim and Ami Bera on Deepening U.S.–Peru Cooperation Following Congressional Delegation to Peru

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Young Kim (CA-40) and Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06), Chair and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific, issued a joint statement following official travel to Peru focused on strengthening U.S.-Peru cooperation on critical minerals, energy security, and resilient supply chains.

Their visit builds on shared priorities advanced in the bipartisan Developing Overseas Mineral Investments and New Allied Networks for Critical Energies (DOMINANCE) Act, which Reps. Kim and Bera co-lead. The legislation is designed to better align U.S. diplomatic, development, and financing tools with trusted partners like Peru to support responsible development, resilient supply chains, and long-term workforce capacity.

“Peru is positioned to be a key partner for the United States as we build secure and responsible critical mineral supply chains. Our meetings in Lima and visit to the Cerro Verde mining facility reinforced that U.S.-Peru cooperation can deliver real benefits: good-paying jobs, higher-value investment, and stronger supply chain security, while upholding high environmental and labor standards.

Peru and the United States have an opportunity to deepen a trusted partnership that delivers results for both our countries. The DOMINANCE Act is about turning shared priorities into action by supporting transparent investment, strengthening infrastructure and logistics, and building long-term technical cooperation so Peru can grow its role in global supply chains and the United States can enhance our energy security. By working together, we can offer a clear alternative to the PRC’s efforts to control critical mineral supply chains that is rooted in transparency, reliability, and shared growth.

Cooperation can also move forward now, even before the bill’s passage, through continued engagement between our governments and the private sector.”

During the visit, Reps. Kim and Bera met with Peru’s Foreign Minister, engaged with the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM), and held discussions with the National Society of Mining, Petroleum, and Energy (SNMPE). The Members visited the Cerro Verde Mine to better understand Peru’s critical minerals production and export infrastructure, and to identify opportunities to strengthen secure, resilient supply chains between the United States and Peru.


Zinke’s Requests for Over $8 Million in Western Montana Water Infrastructure and Law Enforcement Projects Signed into Law

Washington, D.C. – Today, Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke announced that President Trump has signed into law H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026. This legislation includes more than $8 million in federal funding for five key Community Funding Projects across Montana, supporting essential water infrastructure improvements and bolstering law enforcement resources in Western Montana counties.

“These projects come directly from county commissioners and sheriffs who are on the front lines of their communities every day,” said Zinke. “They know what needs to be done to improve public safety and infrastructure, and these projects will make a real difference for the communities they serve. This is exactly the kind of funding federal dollars were designed for, investments that have an immediate, positive impact where people live and work.”

The funding will go directly to law enforcement agencies in Mineral, Lake, Beaverhead, Lincoln, Sanders, and Gallatin Counties, and water infrastructure projects in Missoula, Mineral, and Granite Counties.

This package also includes additional priorities Congressman Zinke secured as a senior member of both the Appropriations Committee and the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee. These investments and policies address Montana’s critical needs, including public safety, water infrastructure, tribal education, the Murder and Missing Indigenous Women program, and protecting Second Amendment rights.

Zinke’s requested Western Montana Community Funding Projects signed into law:

$1.75 million for the Philipsburg Water Transmission Line Upgrade

$1.75 million for Missoula County Water Well Upgrades

$1 million for the Alberton Water Storage Project

$2.89 million for the Five-County Law Enforcement Resiliency Project supporting sheriffs in Mineral, Lake, Beaverhead, Lincoln, and Sanders Counties for bulk vehicle and equipment purchases

$907,000 for the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office to expand Rapid DNA testing and add patrol SUVs

Other Montana priorities included in the bill:

Zinke’s request for $2.2 million to reinstate the Native American Ironworker Training Program, opening high-paying skilled trades to Tribal members

Zinke’s request for $2 million for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women programs

$63 million increase for the DEA to combat fentanyl and cartels

Support for the Milk River Project, vital for irrigation and water reliability in north-central Montana

Bill language preserving Second Amendment protections by prohibiting funding for firearm import/export restrictions

Full funding of the PILT program supporting county services in federal land areas

View pictures of the signing here.

Read the full text of the bill here.

Read more about H.R. 6938 here.

Read more about Congressman Zinke’s Community Project Funding requests here.

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Winter Weather Resources

Dear Friends,

The National Weather Service has issued an alert warning that an Arctic cold front is expected to bring dangerously freezing temperatures and icy conditions over the weekend. It is important to prepare ahead of time. You will find federal, state, and local resources listed below.

For assistance, please contact our Houston District Office at (713) 383-9234, Monday from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Federal Resources

Prepare for winter conditions and find federal guidance on how to be safe before, during, & after winter storms & extreme cold by visiting ready.gov/winter-ready #WinterReady

Quick Safety Tips:

Staying Warm Indoors

When using space heaters or indoor warming equipment, follow these safety measures:

Never leave the heater unattended –– make sure to unplug space heaters if leaving your home or at night when sleeping.

Avoid health hazards –– make sure your Smoke/Carbon Monoxide detectors are on and functioning.

Space them out –– keep space heaters at least 3 feet from flammable objects, and keep away from children or pets.

Plug heaters into standard wall outlets –– avoid using extension cords or surge protectors.

Weatherizing Pipes

Be sure to follow Houston Public Works' tips to protect your home during cold weather. Please also check in with elderly or disabled neighborhoods who may need assistance. We also encourage residents to locate their main water shut-off valve in case of emergency.

Before Freezing Weather: Wrap exposed pipes located outside or in unheated areas of the home; remove garden hoses connected to outside faucets; turn off sprinkler systems and make sure they are not broken

In Freezing Weather: Open cabinet doors under sinks next to outside walls. In unheated garages, shut off water to washing machines. Take extra precautions to protect pipes that have frozen in the past

Not Going to Be Home: Drain outside water faucets or leave home heating system on low

Additional Federal Resources

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

National Weather Service

Local Emergency Phone Numbers

Roadside Assistance 1-800-525-5555

TxDOT statewide road closures 1-800-452-9292

Local Shelters and Warming Centers

Brazoria County Warming Centers

City of Houston Warming Centers

Fort Bend County Warming Centers

Texas Division of Emergency Management Shelter and Season Relief Centers

Travel Safety

Monitor road conditions daily by visiting https://www.houstontranstar.org and be ready to adjust travel times.

Statewide road conditions are available at https://drivetexas.org.

Additional Local Resource Weblinks

Brazoria County Office of Emergency Management

Fort Bend County Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Houston Office of Emergency Management

Ready Harris

Additional State Resources

The State of Texas Emergency Registry (STEAR)

STEAR

Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM)

Utility Resources

AT&T Disaster Relief

CenterPoint Energy

Xfinity Outage Map

T-Mobile Community Support

Verizon Emergency Resource Center

Texas Public Utility Commission

Important National Assistance Phone Numbers


Amo Statement on Second Fatal Shooting of American Citizen in Minneapolis by Trump’s Out-of-Control ICE Agents

“Trump’s army of authoritarian masked men have once again shot and killed an American citizen exercising their First Amendment rights. This is not law enforcement; it is brutalization of our communities meant to make us afraid.

I offer my condolences to the family of the victim, Alex Pretti – a Veterans Affairs ICU nurse and a beloved son. Trump, Noem, and Miller are spreading lies about him, but let’s be clear: Alexi Pretti’s life was meaningful, yet ICE officers callously ripped it away.

ICE is a danger to us all and must be immediately pulled out of our cities. Without wholesale gutting and the removal of Kristi Noem, ICE cannot be trusted to operate safely – they will continue to inflict violence on our communities. They must stand down.

I voted against funding ICE and the Department of Homeland Security this past week, and I’m calling on Republicans in the Senate to do the same. Do not give ICE any more taxpayer dollars to terrorize our communities. Enough is enough.”


Bacon Announces Nebraska Priorities and National Security Investments Included in Bipartisan FY26 Defense Appropriations

Washington – Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) today announced the inclusion of more than $508 million in critical Nebraska priorities and $233 million in other defense and national security priorities he supported in the Defense Appropriations section of the FY26 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The bill also includes a 3.8 percent military pay raise for junior enlisted service members, a long-standing priority Rep. Bacon has championed to improve the quality of life for service members and their families. Rep. Bacon joined in the overwhelming 341-88 House vote to pass the minibus on January 22, which now heads to the Senate for consideration.

“The passage of the Defense Appropriations bill is a major win for our national security and for Nebraska’s proud military community. Our state plays an outsized role in America’s defense, from the strategic missions at Offutt Air Force Base to the thousands of Nebraska service members and civilian workers who support our armed forces every day,” said Rep. Bacon. “I thank Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole and Defense Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert for their leadership and bipartisan cooperation in advancing this legislation and ensuring these important projects were included.”

Nebraska Defense Priorities

$474 million for two additional EC-37B Compass Call aircraft for the 55th Wing

$26 million for USSTRATCOM’s NC3 Enterprise Center’s rapid engineering architecture collaboration hub (REACH) program

$5 million to upgrade RC-135 aircraft based at Offutt AFB

$3 million for contingency planning for extreme health events supporting University of Nebraska Medical Center and the needed military-civilian support

Additional Defense and National Security Priorities

$200 million for Baltic Security Initiative, a key security cooperation with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to deter Russian aggression and bolster long‑term regional defense capabilities

$20 million for joint military-civilian medical surge, an effort that rapidly combines military and civilian healthcare capabilities to expand emergency treatment capacity during major crises

$8 million for Global HF relay stations providing a network of high‑frequency radio sites enabling long‑range, resilient communications for military and government users

$5 million scaling of rare earth separation capabilities, expanding and modernizing processes to extract and enable larger, more reliable supplies for defense and high‑tech manufacturing

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Bacon Announces Nebraska Priorities Included in Bipartisan FY26 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations

Washington – Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) today announced that more than $21 million for several key Nebraska projects and funding priorities were included in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) section of the FY26 Consolidated Appropriations Act.

Rep. Bacon joined in the overwhelming 341-88 House vote to pass the minibus on January 22, which now heads to the Senate for consideration. Several of Rep. Bacon’s key priorities were included in the legislation. Such priorities include funding requests to modernize transportation infrastructure, improve roadway and pedestrian safety, upgrade water and sewer systems, strengthen stormwater management, and major investments in the continued expansion of Eppley Airfield.

“I am pleased to announce that this bipartisan appropriations package includes more than $21 million for priorities across the district. A major focus is the continued investment at Eppley Airfield, which is transforming Omaha’s front door and positioning our region to meet the needs of a growing metropolitan area, including expanded air service and international travel,” said Rep. Bacon. “The package also includes investments in safer roads and bridges, upgraded water and sewer infrastructure, and community development projects. I thank Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole and THUD Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack for their leadership and bipartisan cooperation in advancing this legislation and ensuring these important Nebraska projects were included.”

Nebraska projects included in the THUD section of the FY26 Consolidated Appropriations Act:

Title: Improvements at Eppley Airfield

Recipient: Omaha Airport Authority

Amount: $7,000,000 (Requested: $10,000,000)

Description: The Eppley Airfield Build OMA program includes enhancements to the terminal, roadway, airfield, and supporting infrastructure of Eppley Airfield. Terminal Modernization Program will be completed in multiple phases and includes a new central utility plant, additional aircraft gates, consolidated security checkpoint, a unified concourse, a federal inspection services facility for international arrivals, and new baggage systems. An important element of the Terminal Modernization Program is relocating ticketing to the second level of the terminal where there is a new consolidated security screening checkpoint located in the center of the terminal. Access to the second level for ticketing and the checkpoint will be provided through covered overhead pedestrian walkways, spanning the roadway, and with added vertical circulation.

Title: Omaha Urban Core Renewal Phase 2

Recipient: City of Omaha, Nebraska

Amount: $3,500,000 (Requested: $10,000,000)

Description: This Urban Renewal project will provide pedestrian pathways, bicycle route connectivity, stormwater management, utility relocation, landscaped areas, parking relocation, and will add approximately 1.5 acres of green space to the urban core. This project will replace and/or improve 3.5 acres of streets and alleys. Lighting will be improved, and sidewalks will be repaired, replaced, or widened to improve safety and walkability. The streetscape portion of this project envisions improvements to pedestrian safety on 20th Street between Cuming Street and Cass Street. This project will improve pedestrian safety by slowing traffic and improving pedestrian crossing locations in a heavy pedestrian traffic area. Vehicular traffic control measures (such as improved pedestrian crossings and center-planted medians with areas of refuge) will slow speeds, providing a main street experience. Bus shelters and bike lanes will be added to encourage multimodal travel and transit-oriented development.

Title: 38th Street Viaduct in Omaha

Recipient: Nebraska Department of Transportation

Amount: $5,000,000 (Requested: $6,000,000)

Description: Funding would be used for the construction of a viaduct, replacing the existing structure, which is essential to regional mobility and economic resilience. The project includes replacement of an 87-year-old viaduct that supports regional and national freight. Structure is deteriorating to include sidewalk closures, recurring emergency deck repairs. Carrying four lanes of traffic and pedestrian access between 42nd and 36th Streets, the 38th Street Viaduct serves as a vital east-west route along Highway 275 (L Street) in Omaha, Nebraska.

Title: Gretna Hwy 6/31 Overpass

Recipient: City of Gretna

Amount: $1,500,000 (Requested: $2,800,000)

Description: Hwy 6/31 currently serves as a physical barrier that cuts through the heart of the community, limiting access to these key public assets for residents located on the west side of the highway. The City is therefore requesting federal assistance to design and construct a pedestrian overpass that will restore safe, non-vehicular access across this critical corridor. Without such an investment, the growth and functionality of Gretna’s public infrastructure will remain constrained by mobility and safety challenges.

Title: Water Main Replacement

Recipient: City of Valley

Amount: $1,280,000 (Requested: $1,600,000)

Description: The City of Valley is seeking funding for the replacement of water mains in various locations within Valley. The funds will be utilized to replace old and deteriorated water main pipes. The segments selected were determined by the number of previous water main breaks from the City Operator and historical records of age and material. The new pipes will improve water quality within specific areas, improve water flow capacity, and increase the number of fire hydrants for fire protection.

Title: Burlington Economic Development Infrastructure Project

Recipient: City of Ralston

Amount: $2,000,000 (Requested: $4,000,000)

Description: The sewer reconstruction is a critical infrastructure project for residents of both Ralston and central Omaha. The sewer provides service to over half of the area of Ralston and an equal amount of area in Omaha. Together, it serves an equivalent population of over 13,000 people, consisting of residents and businesses in both cities. The continued degradation of the line threatens properties with potential sewer back-ups. The sewer situation is impeding further economic development efforts.

Title: Bluestem Stream Improvement Project

Recipient: City of Omaha

Amount: $1,000,000 (Requested: $1,820,000)

Description: The City of Omaha is seeking funding for the improvement of approximately 1,200 linear feet of storm sewer drainageway that runs directly through the center of Bluestem Prairie Phase 2, a new 64-home affordable housing development currently under construction by HFHO in North Omaha. This open-channel drainageway has eroded significantly into a steep, 22-foot drop that is filled with debris, posing a safety and structural concern for the affordable housing developed for families.

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Scott Statement on Reports of Federal Agents Shooting and Killing an Individual in Minneapolis

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on news reports that Federal agents have shot and killed an individual in Minneapolis, MN today:

“I am saddened and deeply concerned by reports that a person was shot and killed today in Minneapolis during an encounter with federal law enforcement agents, including ICE, amid the ongoing immigration enforcement operations in the city. I am closely monitoring the situation as details continue to emerge. It is critical that there be a thorough, transparent and independent investigation to establish the facts and ensure accountability.

“My thoughts are with the individual’s family, loved ones, and all those directly affected by this tragedy. Every life lost is a profound loss, and no community should be placed in a position of fear during law enforcement actions.

“This latest incident underscores the urgent need for Congress to exercise robust oversight over federal immigration enforcement operations, including clear standards for use-of-force, training, and accountability mechanisms. All Americans deserve to know that constitutional rights and human life are being respected.”

# # #


Winter Storm Resources

Winter Storm Fern Resources

Call 911 for emergencies

Report power outage to JCP&L - text “OUT” to 544487 or call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877)

List of Warming Centers in Ocean County

List of Warming Centers in Monmouth County

State of NJ’s 24-hour helpline: 211

State of NJ’s preparedness info: ready.nj.gov

National Weather Service for Central and Southern NJ

** Be sure to keep cell phones fully charged during this emergency**

SOURCE: Philadelphia/Mt Holly https://www.weather.gov/phi


Courtney Statement on Appointment of Greg Moriarty as Australian Ambassador to the U.S.

NORWICH, CT – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Ranking Member of the House Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Friends of Australia Caucus, released the following statement on the appointment of Australian Secretary of Defence Greg Moriarty to serve as Australian ambassador to the United States following the departure of Ambassador Kevin Rudd on March 31, 2026.

“Greg Moriarity’s selection to succeed Kevin Rudd as Ambassador to the U.S. from Australia is great news for both nations,” Courtney said. “His deep knowledge of and connections in Washington and across the country ensures that there will be a zero learning curve for the duties and mission of this critical position. His professionalism and nonpartisan interaction with the Pentagon and Capitol Hill are highly respected and appreciated. There is still much work to be done to strengthen the alliance, and he is well positioned succeed on that mission.”

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On January 14th, Congressman Courtney met with Secretary Moriarty at the Congressman's Washington, DC office to discuss progress on the AUKUS security agreement.


Courtney Statement on Fatal DHS Shooting in Minneapolis

NORWICH, CT – Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) released the following statement on the fatal shooting by U.S Department of Homeland Security agents in Minneapolis today.

“ The second fatal shooting by DHS agents in Minneapolis this month demands a thorough, professional homicide investigation by local and state authorities who are actually qualified to carry out that task. DHS leaders and agents have shown they are more interested in politically spinning the facts to escape accountability, which is one of many reasons why tensions in Minnesota and across the country are dangerously on edge. The DHS spending bill, which I opposed along with the entire Connecticut House Delegation this past week, will simply perpetuate the status quo rather than rein in DHS rogue behavior. The Senate still has a chance to vote to restore civilized norms in law enforcement, and for the sake of the country, they should act accordingly.”


Fitzpatrick Statement on Minneapolis Shooting

Another life has tragically been lost in Minneapolis today, and beyond the headlines, a family now bears a grief that cannot be measured.

I pray for their loved ones as they mourn, and I pray for all law enforcement officers across our nation. Harm directed at anyone—in any direction—is never justified.

We cannot continue like this.

The rule of law is a solemn social contract. It exists so disagreements are settled through order and reason. So citizens can peacefully protest, and so law enforcement officers can enforce the law without facing violence themselves. When this social contract is compromised, our communities are less safe.

Now is the time to come together: to lower the temperature, reject reckless rhetoric, condemn violence and hatred in all their forms, and lead with respect, restraint, and above all, humanity—for one another, and for the rights and institutions that hold our society together.


Himes Statement on Minneapolis ICE Shooting

Bridgeport, Connecticut — Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04) today issued the following statement:

“I am sick to my stomach at what appears to be another cold-blooded murder of an American citizen at the hands of ICE agents, and the immediate lies being spun in response by this administration. We are watching the relentless escalation of violence by a lawless authoritarian regime. It’s clear that the killing of Renee Good has furthered empowered the swaths of violent, masked DHS officers terrorizing our cities. This week, the Senate will vote on funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which includes funding for ICE. History will be unforgiving to those who capitulate to this immoral criminal administration. Every Senator must vote NO."


Horsford's Statement on Federal Agent Shooting in Minneapolis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) today condemned the killing of Mr. Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, who was fatally shot by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and called on the Department of Homeland Security to immediately cease all activities tied to Operation Metro Surge. He issued the following statement:

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mr. Alex Jeffrey Pretti, killed today by federal law enforcement. This is now the third federal agent shooting in Minneapolis – and the second deadly incident this month. No community should have to live in constant fear. What we are seeing in real time is a failure of judgment, training, and leadership, and it must end. Public safety is not defined by force alone. It requires trust, transparency, and respect for civil liberties, and it must be grounded in the fundamental value of human life. That is why I am calling for a full, transparent investigation with state and local involvement: not a closed federal review conducted behind closed doors. Communities and families in Minnesota and across the country deserve answers. Accountability is not optional. Transparency is not negotiable. Protecting human life must always come first.”

Earlier this week, Congressman Horsford voted against the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026, citing its lack of clear, enforceable guardrails to protect public safety and ensure accountability.

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LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON ANOTHER HORRIFIC KILLING IN MINNEAPOLIS BY FEDERAL AGENTS

Know Your Immigration Rights

If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.


Larsen Calls for Secretary Noem to Be Fired or Resign

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined the New Democrat Coalition in mourning the killing of Alex Pretti carried out by federal agents in Minneapolis and calling for Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to be fired immediately or resign in disgrace.

The New Democrat Coalition's full statement is here and below:

“We are heartbroken and outraged by the news of yet another killing of an American citizen carried out by federal agents in Minneapolis. We mourn this needless death alongside the victim’s family, the Minneapolis community, and every American who is rightly horrified by the Administration's indefensible actions.

“The Trump Administration’s brutal occupation of American communities with armed, masked agents must end immediately. Emboldened by President Trump, Stephen Miller, Kristi Noem, Speaker Johnson, and Congressional Republicans, these agents have not focused on removing hardened criminals from our streets, but rather targeted hardworking individuals, killed American citizens, beaten and brutalized peaceful protestors, and spread chaos and fear across the country.

“We demand a full, independent investigation of this killing – along with the killing of Renee Nicole Good and other DHS-related shootings – and full accountability for the officers involved. Secretary Kristi Noem is ultimately responsible and should be fired immediately or resign in disgrace.

“Congress has a responsibility to defend the American people from this lawlessness. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle must unite in this effort and assert our constitutionally mandated congressional oversight authority to hold the Administration accountable. We must stop this violence before more lives are lost.”

Earlier this week, Rep. Larsen voted no on a bill funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and demanded more accountability and oversight of DHS operations.

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Larson Statement on Fatal ICE Shooting in Minneapolis

“ICE agents continue to act with impunity, refusing to exercise any restraint – leaving a trail of death and violence in their path. It needs to end now,” said Larson. “It is beyond horrifying to watch a second resident shot and killed by agents in Minneapolis. Local law enforcement must be allowed to fully investigate this shooting – with full cooperation from federal officials. We cannot allow these authoritarian abuses of power to go on for one minute longer in the United States of America – whether it is families being separated by armed, masked agents here in Connecticut, or residents being killed in Minneapolis. Accountability starts at the top – with Donald Trump and Kristi Noem. That is why I have called for Secretary Noem’s impeachment and will continue to oppose funding for the Department of Homeland Security until this lawlessness ends, and ICE is reined in. The time for change is now, before more families have to suffer at the hands of this out-of-control secret police force.”

Larson has also vowed to introduce legislation to stop ICE from operating in communities without notifying state and local law enforcement, and is a cosponsor of the No Secret Police Act to require ICE agents to identify themselves, the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act to bar ICE raids in schools, hospitals, courthouses, places of worship, and social service agencies, and the DHS Use of Force Oversight Act to require agents to only use the force needed to carry out arrests.


Sánchez: Shooting in Minnesota falls squarely at Trump’s feet

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) today released the following statement after federal immigration agents shot and killed another U.S. citizen in Minnesota:

“The killing of U.S. citizens in our streets falls squarely at Trump’s feet. He is the one who unleashed federal agents to terrorize previously peaceful communities. Agents without training, accountability or respect for human life are not law enforcement – they have become hired assassins.

“The majority of House Democrats voted this week to block ICE’s funding and rein in the chaos. The Senate must immediately join us to end the escalation of violence. There must also be a completely independent and fully transparent investigation into these aggressive tactics, and anyone who broke the law must be held accountable.

“The Trump administration’s unchecked abuse of power has transformed our neighborhoods into warzones where no one feels safe. It must end now!”


Democratic Members of Minnesota Congressional Delegation Condemn Shooting of Minnesotan by Federal Agents

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — Democratic members of the Minnesota Congressional delegation issued the following joint statement in response to the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old man, a U.S. citizen, by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis:

“Federal agents including ICE and Border Patrol who are roaming Minnesota’s streets must leave our state immediately. The presence of masked, militarized federal agents is not making our communities safer — it is making them less safe. It is leading to increased danger and violence.

“We call on Republicans to speak up for the safety of all Minnesotans. Silence is complicity.

“Minnesotans have every right to be angry, but we must continue to show the world our North Star — our values of respect and dignity for everyone in our community — through peaceful protest.”

The Democratic members of the Minnesota Congressional delegation are Congresswoman Betty McCollum (MN-04), Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Tina Smith, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02), and Congresswoman Kelly Morrison (MN-03).

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For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland

January 24, 2026 202-808-6129

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES ON PASSING OF DR. RALPH DECHABERT

ST. CROIX, USVI—Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement on the passing of Dr. Ralph A. DeChabert, a pioneering physician and dedicated community servant in the U.S. Virgin Islands:

"It is with great sadness that I join the people of the Virgin Islands in mourning the loss of Dr. Ralph A. DeChabert, a visionary physician whose contributions left an indelible mark on healthcare in our territory.

“Dr. DeChabert was more than a skilled obstetrician – he was a compassionate healer and innovator who understood the critical health needs of our people. His obstetric practice at Juan F. Luis Hospital during a crucial period in our history, brought countless Virgin Islanders into the world with expert care. His work establishing the March of Dimes on St. Croix through the Sickle Cell Clinic demonstrated his commitment to addressing the specific health challenges facing our community.

“The people of the Virgin Islands have lost a quiet giant whose impact resonates through generations. My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. DeChabert's family, (which includes my own Chief of Staff, Angeline Muckle-Jabbar) friends, and the countless lives he touched throughout his distinguished career.

“His service will not be forgotten."

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Congresswoman Simon's Statement Following the Killing of Alex Pretti

Washington, D.C. –Following the killing of Alex Jeffrey Pretti by ICE agents in Minneapolis, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) released the following statement:

"ICE is killing American citizens. Trump and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem have enabled a system of abuse of government power, militarism, and unchecked state violence where communities are treated as disposable.

"I voted against the Department of Homeland Security funding bill this week, and I am supportive of Senate Democrats’ announcement that they will not vote for DHS funding this coming week."

Last week, Congresswoman Simon visited Minneapolis, MN to conduct oversight into ICE's actions in the city and honor Renee Good. Congresswoman Simon has previously co-sponsored articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and voted to advance articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump.

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MI Congresswoman Haley Stevens Statement on ICE Shooting in Minneapolis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-MI) released the following statement after reports of yet another ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota:

“ICE is out of control. These violent and untrained officers must listen to local officials and leave Minneapolis immediately. Their actions are making people less safe every day.

“The repeated shootings and the routine use of violence against civilians are flat-out wrong and against everything this country stands for. We need real accountability, now.”

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Rep. Sykes Issues Statement After Federal Agent Shooting in Minneapolis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) released a statement following another fatal shooting by federal agents in Minnesota.


Senator Collins' Statement on the Shooting of Alex Pretti

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins released the following statement after Alex Pretti was shot and killed by federal immigration officers in Minneapolis:

"This tragic shooting needs to be thoroughly and transparently investigated to determine whether or not excessive force was used in a situation that may have been able to be diffused without violence. This shooting further underscores the importance of equipping federal law enforcement agents with training and body cameras for their safety and the safety of the public. I urge protestors to keep space between themselves and law enforcement and not to interfere with operations. It is also critical that ICE and other federal law enforcement agents recognize both the public’s right to protest and the highly charged situation they now face."


Durbin To Vote Against Department Of Homeland Security Funding Bill

SPRINGFIELD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, released the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security funding bill:

“I will not vote to fund the illegal DHS and ICE operations that terrorize Chicago, Minneapolis, and many other communities. The deaths of innocent Americans and the detaining of thousands of innocent people are a national disgrace.

“Secretary Noem refuses to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee to account for her stewardship over this reign of terror. I will not reward her arrogance and lawlessness with my vote.”

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Luján Statement on Opposing DHS Funding Without Oversight and Transparency

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement:

“Kristi Noem and Donald Trump’s ICE is out of control and terrorizing our communities. With multiple deadly shootings of American citizens by federal agents in Minnesota and no accountability, I will not support an appropriations bill that funds DHS without real oversight, transparency, and consequences. President Trump, Kristi Noem, and Stephen Miller are making our communities and all Americans less safe. Enough is enough.”

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Reed Statement on ICE

PROVIDENCE, RI – Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) issued the following statement:

“I have seen the horrific video of another fatal ICE shooting. A thorough investigation is needed, but it is clear that ICE agents are doing more harm than good in Minneapolis at this point. They aren’t effectively doing their jobs or keeping Americans safe – they are endangering people.

“I will not vote to proceed to the House passed minibus appropriations bill due to the House’s failure to reform ICE. The agency, under President Trump’s chaotic guidance, is doing damage to America’s ideals, our communities, and law enforcement.

“I stand ready to immediately pass the other bills in this package by unanimous consent next week and provide short term funding for DHS so the Senate can fully debate and vote on common sense reforms to ICE that bolster the rule of law.

“Like every American, I support a secure border, but we do not want an unchecked agency that appears to believe it is above the law, randomly detains American citizens, and incites rather than protects.

“Indeed, the Senate should consider and vote on several reforms including: providing and requiring body cameras for ICE personnel, end ICE raids in churches, hospitals, and schools, demand court issued warrants as the constitution requires, improve the training of ICE personnel to prevent needless violence and chaos, as well as require officers to display clear, legible identification with their name or badge number and agency.”


Schatz Statement On Minneapolis ICE Shooting, DHS Funding

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today released the following statement on the recent ICE shooting in Minneapolis and funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“I am voting against any funding for DHS until and unless more controls are put in place to hold ICE accountable. These repeated incidents of violence across the country are unlawful, needlessly escalatory, and making all of us less safe.”

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Shaheen Statement on 2026 National Defense Strategy

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and co-chair of the U.S. Senate NATO Observer Group, released the following statement on the newly-published 2026 National Defense Strategy:

“Once again, Secretary Hegseth and the Trump Administration have severely missed the mark when it comes to prioritizing U.S. national security and taking China seriously as the pacing challenge to our nation. While past National Defense Strategies under Presidents Trump and Biden identified the national security challenges posed by China, this document wrongly shifts our national defense posture away from one of our top adversaries and undermines NATO and our alliances. This strategy cannot be taken seriously when it demands defense spending targets from our partners that we could not even meet ourselves.

“Alarmingly, as Americans and our allies grow increasingly concerned by the President’s rhetoric, the Pentagon confirms it will provide the President with ‘credible options’ to guarantee America’s access to Greenland, the Gulf of Mexico and the Panama Canal. As I’ve repeatedly said, continuing down this path is bad for America and bad for our allies—helping adversaries like Putin and Xi who want to see NATO divided.”

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Slotkin Statement on the Shooting in Minnesota and Voting Against the Homeland Security Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) released the following statement:

“This is what President Trump meant when he said he wanted to go after ‘the enemy within.’

“At every opportunity, he’s escalated violence against the people of Minnesota. Now, two American citizens have been killed by their own government as part of this operation.

“This is part of a continued, coordinated assault on our Constitutional rights — with specific focus on individuals and groups who disagree with this President.

“I will be voting against the Department of Homeland Security funding bill this week.

“As all Americans can see with their own eyes, ICE and those under their command are not acting as responsible law enforcement agencies. They are recklessly inciting violence at the whims of the President. And they must be reined in before there is more killing.”

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Statement from the Office of Congresswoman Kat Cammack

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Office of Congresswoman Kat Cammack supports the constitutional rights to free speech and peaceful assembly, cornerstones of our constitutional republic. We recognize the fear, frustration, and pain many Americans are feeling, and those concerns deserve to be expressed peacefully.

What is unfolding in Minneapolis has moved beyond peaceful protest. Leaders at every level must lower the temperature, enforce the law, and protect public safety. In the days ahead, we will work to ensure a full and transparent review of events.

Florida has shown that constitutional freedoms and law enforcement can and must go hand in hand. Violence, intimidation, and lawlessness are never acceptable. Disagreement with policy does not justify threats or harm to law enforcement or fellow Americans.

Andrew Espitallier, Spokesman for Congresswoman Kat Cammack


Elfreth Statement on Weaponization of ICE In Minnesota

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03) released the following statement on the weaponization of ICE following a House Democratic Caucus call with Governor Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison.

“I just got off a call with Governor Walz, Attorney General Keith Ellison, and many of my House Democratic colleagues. Here are my takeaways:

First, we will not forget – or let the Administration distort – who Renee and Alex were. Renee Good was a wife and mother of three who had just dropped off her 6-year-old son at school. Alex Jeffrey Pretti was an ICU nurse at a VA hospital who spent his last moments caring and standing up for his community. They are just two of far too many people who have lost their lives to the weaponization of ICE.

Second, we are demanding a complete, swift, and independent investigation of the tragedies that have occurred at the hands of ICE in Minnesota. A judge has already ordered DHS to hand over evidence, and just last night, a federal judge blocked the Trump Administration from destroying or altering any evidence. Secretary Noem must comply. These atrocities cannot go unanswered.

Third, we must hold the line. Senate Democrats have announced that they will also vote NO on blank checks to DHS and ICE. I have voted NO on funding to DHS, I have called for the impeachment of Secretary Noem, and I will continue to use every tool at my disposal to ensure justice and accountability.

These videos are gutwrenching. The headlines can leave us feeling hopeless. But, please continue to lean in and stay engaged. What gives me hope are the organizers in Minnesota, the clergy members who sang hymns and prayed at Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport, and all those who are peacefully protesting and braving the bitter cold to make clear that ICE has no place in their communities. Here in Maryland, we will continue to show our solidarity, show up, and speak up.

Know your rights. Hold the line. Stay safe.”

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