MISS. DELEGATION URGES TRUMP TO APPROVE MAJOR DISASTER DECLARATION FOR MISSISSIPPI

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Mississippi congressional delegation today shared their strong support for Governor Tate Reeves’ request for a federal disaster declaration after deadly Winter Storm Fern struck the state from January 23 through January 27, 2026.

U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Trent Kelly (R-Miss.), Michael Guest (R-Miss.), and Mike Ezell (R-Miss.) sent President Trump a letter endorsing the governor’s request for an expedited major disaster declaration, which would unlock additional federal resources to supplement state recovery efforts, including debris removal.

“We are grieved that preliminary reports indicate that 26 lives have been lost in our state. Nearly 200,000 homes lost power, and many residents remain without electricity. Initial damage assessments point to widespread destruction of homes, businesses, and community facilities,” the lawmakers wrote.

“State and local resources, along with those of volunteer organizations, are insufficient to meet Mississippi’s recovery needs. Strong federal support and coordination will be essential to help communities recover and rebuild,” the lawmakers continued.

The letter follows a preliminary disaster assessment, which highlights the tragic loss of life and the extent of damage to Mississippi communities.

To begin overcoming damage caused by Winter Storm Fern, Governor Reeves requested individual federal assistance and disaster unemployment support for 36 counties and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians. The state also requested public assistance to help local governments in 38 counties and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

Read the full letter below.

Dear President Trump,

In the aftermath of the devastation caused by Winter Storm Fern and its significant impact on the State of Mississippi, we respectfully encourage your full consideration of Governor Tate Reeves’ request for a major disaster declaration. We are grateful for the continued support provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in response to this and prior disasters, and we look forward to the agency’s timely assistance as state and local officials work diligently to assess and respond to the full scope of the damage.

From January 23 through January 27, 2026, dozens of Mississippi counties experienced extreme weather conditions as a result of Winter Storm Fern. We are grieved that preliminary reports indicate that 26 lives have been lost in our state. Nearly 200,000 homes lost power, and many residents remain without electricity. Initial damage assessments point to widespread destruction of homes, businesses, and community facilities.

The requested major disaster declaration includes a request for individual assistance for 36 counties and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, as well as disaster unemployment. Additionally, it contains a request for public assistance to help local governments in 38 counties and the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, particularly with debris removal.

State and local resources, along with those of volunteer organizations, are insufficient to meet Mississippi’s recovery needs. Strong federal support and coordination will be essential to help communities recover and rebuild. Thank you for your consideration of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact us should additional information be needed.

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MISS. SENATORS COMMIT TO LONG RECOVERY AS MISSISSIPPI OVERCOMES WINTER STORM FERN

VIDEO: Senators Wicker and Hyde-Smith Address Winter Storm Fern Damages and Recovery.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today affirmed their readiness to support additional federal aid to Mississippi as the state continues cleaning up and assessing damage caused by Winter Storm Fern.

Wicker and Hyde-Smith on Wednesday delivered floor speeches a day after Governor Tate Reeves submitted a request for a major emergency disaster declaration for the state. In their remarks, the Senators cited the tragic loss of at least 26 lives in Mississippi, damage and the loss of electrical power for tens of thousands of homes and businesses, and the extraordinary groundswell of individual, community, state, and federal actions to overcome the wrath of snow and ice on the state.

“I commend local leaders, mayors, commissioners, and the response team from FEMA. We’re thankful for what they’ve done and for their resilience. I’ve said this in past years: In Mississippi, our federal delegation is in this for the long haul, just like we were with the tornadoes that occurred earlier. We’re grateful to the president and for our friends at FEMA for helping us recover,” Senator Wicker said.

“This powerful storm has affected millions of Americans across the country, but its effects were especially severe in the South, a region not typically equipped to manage prolonged snow, ice, sleet, and dangerous winter conditions. This storm was particularly devastating in Mississippi, a state that simply lacks the infrastructure and equipment necessary to respond to a storm of this magnitude,” Senator Hyde-Smith said. “I, along with fellow members of the Mississippi congressional delegation, strongly support Governor Reeves’s request for a major disaster declaration and we encourage President Trump to approve it swiftly. I ask my colleagues and the American people to keep the people of my state and everyone harmed by Winter Storm Fern in your prayers.”

The Mississippi Senators and their staff have engaged federal, state, and local officials, as well as the public, in the aftermath of Winter Storm Fern. They encouraged Mississippians to continue contacting their offices as the storm recovery process moves forward in the coming months.

A copy of Senator Wicker’s remarks is available here.

A copy of Senator Hyde-Smith’s remarks is available here.

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Kaine & Boozman Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Veterans’ Access to Cancer Treatment, Address Staffing Shortages at VA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and John Boozman (R-AR) introduced the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Physicist Pay Cap Relief Act, bipartisan legislation that would remove an arbitrary cap on the pay of Therapeutic Medical Physicists (TMPs) and Diagnostic Medical Physicists (DMPs)—physicists who assist radiation oncologists in delivering cancer care and treatment—employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This legislation would also help address staffing shortages of TMPs and DMPs at the VA.

“Our veterans have made tremendous sacrifices and deserve access to world-class, timely health care,” said Kaine. “But arbitrary caps on the pay therapeutic medical physicists and diagnostic medical physicists receive contribute to clinical staffing shortages at VA clinics—delaying patients’ access to crucial cancer treatment. I’m proud to introduce commonsense, bipartisan legislation that would make it easier for the VA to hire staff providing cancer treatment and help our heroes access the care they need.”

“Ensuring those who have served can access the high-quality, timely care they need is only possible if the Department of Veterans Affairs is empowered to recruit and retain the best healthcare providers,” said Boozman. “That includes the personnel helping deliver radiation and imaging care. I’m pleased to join Senator Kaine and build on the bipartisan efforts I championed in the Dole Act to support competitive wages at the VA in order to better meet veterans’ needs.”

Over the past two decades, TMP and DMP salaries have increased nationwide as radiation therapy has become more sophisticated and common. However, VA TMPs and DMPs earn approximately $40,000 less than their private sector counterparts. By removing this arbitrary cap, this legislation would allow the VA to offer salaries competitive with the private sector, which would help address persistent staffing shortages that can delay cancer treatments.

“Medical physicists are essential members of the clinical care team, helping ensure that imaging and radiation treatments are accurate and safe—especially for patients with cancer,” said Robin Miller, President of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine. “Passing this legislation would help ensure veterans receive the highest-quality radiology and radiation oncology care. We commend Senators Tim Kaine and John Boozman for their leadership and commitment to improving care for veterans nationwide.”

Full text of the bill is available here.

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Kaine Introduces Bill to Redesignate Arlington House National Historic Site

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced legislation to redesignate the site known as “Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial” to its original name, “Arlington House.” The bill would repeal statutes that memorialized Lee and add a formal historic site designation to the name, making it “the Arlington House National Historic Site.”

“The names of our national sites hold significance and should honor individuals whom we can all look up to,” said Kaine. “That’s why I’m introducing this legislation to remove Robert E. Lee’s name from Arlington House. During Black History Month, we recommit to restoring the original name to better tell the whole history of the house and reflect our nation’s values.”

The mansion is on federal land within Arlington National Cemetery and is administered by the National Park Service. The house was built by Martha Custis Washington’s grandson, George Washington Parke Custis, as the nation's first memorial to George Washington, and named “Arlington House.” Later, Custis’ daughter married Robert E. Lee and lived in the home until the Civil War, during which the site was chosen to serve as a national military cemetery in part to prevent Lee from returning. In 1955, Congress passed legislation designating the house the “Custis-Lee Mansion” to memorialize Lee, and subsequently amended the official title to "Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial." The legislation was originally inspired by the request of descendants of people who were enslaved at Arlington House.

Full text of the legislation is available here. Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Don Beyer (D-VA-08).

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Warner & Kaine Applaud Passage of Five Funding Bills

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) applaud the congressional passage of legislation to fund our country’s defense, security, health, education, transportation, and housing programs. This package supports a number of Warner and Kaine priorities, including affordable housing, safer airways, improved infrastructure, medical research, servicemember pay, and shipbuilding. These five bipartisan bills fund Defense; Financial Services and General Government; Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), Education, and related agencies; National Security, Department of State, and related programs; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and related agencies for Fiscal Year 2026.

“I’m proud to provide over $93 million to 78 critical community projects across Virginia that support affordable housing, expanded health care access, transportation safety and modernization, and job entry and development programs,” said Warner. “This bill is far from perfect, but we were able to make headway on important national priorities including supporting Ukraine, lowering health care and prescription drug costs, boosting medical research, and funding public housing.”

“I’m glad that we passed legislation to fund important priorities like pay for military servicemembers, and reauthorize my bipartisan legislation—named in honor of Charlottesville native and physician Dr. Lorna Breen—to support the mental health of the health care workforce,” said Kaine. “I’m also thrilled that it includes over $93 million in federal funding that Senator Warner and I secured to expand access to health care, make critical infrastructure improvements, and more. I look forward to getting on the road to celebrate these investments in our communities.”

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 $93.267 million for 78 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 and the Highlands, click here.

For projects in Southwest Virginia and Southside, click here.

For statewide projects, click here.

This funding is in addition to the $112.14 million in federal funding that Warner and Kaine previously secured for projects in Central Virginia, Hampton Roads and the Eastern Shore, Northern Virginia, Shenandoah Valley and the Highlands, Southwest Virginia and Southside, and across Virginia as part of other government funding legislation.

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

Supporting public housing: Provides $48.4 billion to the Office of Public and Indian Housing, including $38.4 billion for tenant based rental assistance; $8.3 billion for the Public Housing Fund; $206.4 million to help families get good paying jobs; and $1.4 billion to support housing in Tribal and Native Hawaiian communities.

Supporting community investment, affordable housing, and homelessness prevention: Provides $13.3 billion for the Office of Community Planning and Development, including $3.3 billion for the Community Development Block program to give Virginia cities and counties reliable funding for housing repairs, neighborhood revitalization, and community development; $4.4 billion for Homeless Assistance Grants to expand permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, and prevention efforts; $1.25 billion for the HOME Investment Partnerships program to help states and cities build and preserve affordable housing; $65 million for the Self-Help and Assisted-Homeownership Opportunity program to help low-income families build or buy their first home; and $30 million for the SUPPORT for Patients and Community Recovery Housing Program to fund housing for people recovering from substance use disorders.

Improving access to housing: Provides $19.9 billion to the Office of Housing, including $18.5 billion to keep rents affordable in privately owned apartment buildings for low-income tenants; $1 billion for Housing for the Elderly; and $287 million for Housing for Persons with Disabilities.

Improving air safety: Provides $22.2 billion to the Federal Aviation Administration, including funds to support the addition of new air traffic controllers and the prioritization of modernizing outdated systems in the National Airspace. Also provides $2 million for an independent study on the airspace in the National Capital Region and the coordination between the FAA and Department of Defense in response to the tragic Flight 5342 accident in January 2025.

Supporting regional airports: Provides $514 million for the Essential Air Service program, which provides critical support for passenger service for Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport.

Improving roads and highways: Provides $64.3 billion to the Federal Highway Administration, including $350 million for bridge repair and $200 million for the Tribal Transportation program.

Improving rail travel: Provides $2.9 billion for the Federal Railroad Administration, including $137 million for Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Improvements grants; $1.6 billion for Amtrak’s National Network grants for State-Supported routes and Long-Distance routes; and $850 million for Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor.

Boosting capital transit: Provides $16.5 billion to the Federal Transit Administration, including $1.7 billion for the Capital Investment Grants program.

Supporting medical research: Provides $48.7 billion for biomedical research, including $3.9 billion for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia research as well as a $10 million increase for diabetes research.

Investing in child care and early learning: Provides $8.8 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), an $85 million increase, which will help families in Virginia and across the country find and afford child care. Also provides $12.36 billion for Head Start, an $85 million increase, which will support Head Start teachers and staff throughout the country. Kaine has championed efforts in Congress to increase funding for the CCDBG program.

Boosting education: Provides $70.9 billion for the Department of Education, including $18.4 billion for Title I schools and $15.19 billion for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Both received a $20 million increase.

Improving social security: Provides $15 billion for the Social Security Administration’s administrative expenses, a $554 million increase from the prior year. The legislation includes instructions for SSA to utilize the funding to take steps to avoid field office closures, reduced office hours, and delays for appointments at field offices.

Increasing servicemember pay: Provides a 3.8% across-the-board pay raise for servicemembers. Also funds a 1% pay raise for civilians.

Supporting defense communities: Provides $70 million for Impact Aid programs, which provide federal assistance to local school districts that face financial disadvantages due to federal land ownership or high enrollment of federally connected children. Also provides $30 million for the Defense Community Infrastructure Program, which addresses deficiencies in community infrastructure that can or does support a military installation’s readiness and lethality.

Supporting environmental mitigation: Provides $159 million above the President’s request for PFAS cleanup, which removes “forever chemicals” from water and soil. Also provides $20 million above the President’s request for the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration program, which preserves military missions by supporting cost-sharing to avoid land use conflicts near military installations, address environmental restrictions that limit military activities, and increase military installation resilience.

Supporting international partnerships: Provides $400 million to support Ukraine; reaffirms Congress’s support for NATO; provides $1 billion for the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative; makes available $3.3 billion to support the United Nations and other international organizations, rejecting the President’s request to eliminate support; includes $343 million to support regional partners in countering ISIS; and provides $1.1 billion for drug interdiction and counter-drug activities.

Providing humanitarian and global health assistance: Provides $9.4 billion for global health programs to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and polio; $5.5 billion for humanitarian assistance to meet most urgent needs around the globe; and $15 million for rigorous impact evaluations to ensure humanitarian programs are efficient and delivering results for vulnerable communities.

Supporting shipbuilding: Provides $27.15 billion to support shipbuilding, including a $5.9 billion increase for Columbia- and Virginia-class submarine programs; $1.676 billion for the completion of last year’s shipbuilding programs; and an additional $1.75 billion for DDG-51 destroyers advance procurement and industrial base support.

Boosting military capacity: Provides $2.947 billion in additional munitions and industrial capacity across the military services, including $500 million to develop and procure additional solid rocket motors.

Expanding telehealth: Extends Medicare telehealth flexibilities for two years; requires HHS to issue guidance with best practices on providing telehealth services accessibly; continues for four years virtual access to the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program; allows cardiopulmonary rehabilitation services to be provided by telehealth in Medicare in 2026 and 2027; and directs HHS to help health care providers learn how to screen for medication-induced movement disorders over telehealth.

Lowering drug costs by reining in PBM middlemen: Reforms Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to lower drug costs for Americans and protect access to local pharmacies. Also includes two of Warner’s bills, the PBM Reporting Transparency Act and the Patients Before Middlemen (PBM) Act.

Protecting rural health labor and delivery services: Includes a provision Warner’s Keeping Obstetrics Local Act to require State Medicaid programs to conduct studies on the costs of providing maternity, labor, and delivery services in rural hospitals and hospitals that serve a high proportion of Medicaid beneficiaries, and submit a report detailing the results of this study to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Improving mental health: Includes the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act, legislation sponsored by Kaine and cosponsored by Warner, that reauthorizes programs that support efforts to improve the mental health of health care providers.

Addressing pediatric cancer: Provides $12.6 million to fund childhood cancer research through the Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act, named after a child from Loudoun County who died from brain cancer in 2013.

Supporting individuals with Long COVID: Provides $10 million to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to continue its work to support multidisciplinary Long COVID clinics to address comprehensive, coordinated, person-centered care for people living with Long COVID.

Modernizing public health infrastructure: Provides $185 million to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to modernize America’s public health data systems.

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Graham Cosponsors SAVE America Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today cosponsored the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act, an expanded version of the SAVE Act. The updated legislation would require voter ID in federal elections, along with the original bill’s requirement to demonstrate proof of citizenship in order to register to vote. Graham is also an original cosponsor of the first version of the SAVE Act.

Graham said, “Requiring proof of citizenship and voter ID in federal elections is eminently reasonable, and I greatly appreciate Senator Mike Lee for leading this effort in the United States Senate. I was proud to cosponsor the original SAVE Act, and I’m proud to cosponsor the expanded version – the SAVE America Act.”

He continued, “Given the history of recent elections, it is imperative that eligible people are allowed to vote in abundance, but cheating should be harshly dealt with. That is what the SAVE America Act tries to accomplish. Common sense requirements to prove your eligibility to vote in federal elections are not ‘Jim Crow 2.0.’ Every time we try to bring rationality to the debate around illegal immigration, the Democrats let the radical, left-wing nut jobs take over for them – but they won’t for us. I look forward to voting on the SAVE America Act.”

The SAVE America Act would protect the voting rights of Americans by:

Requiring individuals to present an eligible photo identification document before voting. (NEW provision)

Requiring states to obtain proof of citizenship – in person – when registering an individual to vote. (From the original SAVE Act)

Requiring states to remove non-citizens from existing voter rolls. (From the original SAVE Act)

Full text of the SAVE America Act is available HERE.


Graham Introduces the Medal of Sacrifice Act to Honor Fallen Law Enforcement Officers & First Responders

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) this week introduced the Medal of Sacrifice Act, which would create a new presidential award to posthumously honor law enforcement officers and other first responders killed in the line of duty. This is the Senate companion to legislation sponsored by U.S. Representative Brian Mast (R-Florida), which passed the House of Representatives on February 2.

As a strong supporter of law enforcement officers, Senator Graham worked hand in hand with President Trump and Rep. Mast to introduce this legislation. The sacrifices made by law enforcement officers, as well as firefighters and other first responders, in service of their communities are worthy of presidential tribute and distinction.

“Our law enforcement officers and first responders represent some of the best and bravest among us. These men and women selflessly put their lives on the line every day to keep us safe. If these law enforcement officers and first responders perish in the line of duty, that sacrifice deserves the highest level of recognition,” said Senator Graham. “I am proud to have worked with President Trump and Rep. Mast on this important legislation so that we can ensure these heroes are never forgotten.”

“I’m thrilled to be partnering alongside Senator Lindsey Graham to get this legislation moving in the Senate,” said Rep. Brian Mast. “Senator Graham and I both understand the honor and respect our brave fallen law enforcement and first responders deserve and the importance of this medal. With his support in the Senate, I have no doubt we will get the Medal of Sacrifice Act to the President’s desk swiftly and start to recognize those who put their lives on the line to protect us.”

The Medal of Sacrifice Act is supported by the National Police Association, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), the Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) and the Police Officers Defense Coalition.

The full text of the bill is available HERE.


ICYMI: At the White House, Graham Stands Firm on Push to Abolish Sanctuary Cities

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) yesterday stood with President Trump in the Oval Office and called for an end to sanctuary cities during the signing ceremony for the third Fiscal Year (FY26) appropriations package.

Senator Graham has maintained that the underlying cause of illegal immigration and the unrest surrounding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids is sanctuary city policies. To root out this problem, the senator has introduced legislation that would abolish the practices of sanctuary states and cities once and for all by holding state and local officials accountable for defying federal immigration law.

On the consequences of sanctuary city policies:

GRAHAM: “These magnets of illegal immigration have to go. There is no upside to sanctuary cities unless you are a complete radical nutjob. The cops hate it. [There is massive] fraud around sanctuary cities. And you’re going to get more illegal immigration.” https://youtu.be/QG0mNoF-13w?si=0tw-eDAc42OU63Ck&t=61

As Congress considers funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Democrats have refused to fund the department and its agencies unless Republicans agree to their radical demands. One of their reforms is to require ICE to obtain judicial warrants – as opposed to administrative warrants – to deport illegal immigrants. This proposal would massively impede ICE’s ability to swiftly carry out President Trump’s agenda.

On the brewing debate over DHS funding and immigration enforcement:

GRAHAM: “If you want a debate on how to solve this problem, show up next week. I’m going to take President Trump's idea that it’s time to end the insane policy of sanctuary cities. We’re going to take it to the floor and we’re going to vote. And people in November are going to get to see who they trust to keep the border secure: Schumer or Trump. I’m with Trump.” https://youtu.be/QG0mNoF-13w?si=XoOOfOpMBHzm1eC9&t=92

On Democrats’ demand to ban the use of administrative warrants by ICE:

GRAHAM: “If we have to get a search warrant to get 15 million people out, Schumer’s telling me he doesn’t want them out. It's the most ridiculous idea.” https://youtu.be/QG0mNoF-13w?si=-Kgs5rQByBmtA_52&t=4

Senator Graham also underscored the reason ICE has been deployed to various states and cities stems from the Biden Administration’s policies that allowed millions of illegal immigrants to pour into the country. Graham chastised the media for neglecting to report on the victims of Biden’s open border, and he urged President Trump to stand strong on immigration enforcement.

On the failures of the Biden Administration’s immigration policies:

GRAHAM: “[The media is] playing like Biden didn’t exist. Y’all won’t tell the American people about Laken Riley. It's a one-sided debate. For four years our border was obliterated. [The Biden Administration] let them come in by the tens of millions, and they want to go back that way. We’re not going. So, Mr. President stick to your guns.” https://youtu.be/QG0mNoF-13w?si=Vk6xf83oF7pJMnH8&t=25

Click here to watch Graham’s full remarks

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Click play to view the video or follow this link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QG0mNoF-13w


Heinrich, Luján Join Effort to Uphold Protections for Kids in Immigration Detention

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined 25 of their Senate colleagues in filing an amicus brief to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals urging the Court to uphold the 1997 Flores Settlement Agreement, which sets critical minimum standards for children in immigration detention and continues to be the single most effective protection for detained noncitizen children.

The senators are filing the amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit case, Flores v. Bondi, where the Trump Administration claims that the detention funding in Republican’s “One, Big Beautiful Bill Act” overrode the protections provided in the 1997 Flores Settlement Agreement. The amicus brief rejects the government’s baseless claims and explains that the reconciliation process cannot be used for such policy overhauls and that such a policy override would have been stricken from the bill.

“[The Administration] argue[s] that by appropriating funds for family residential centers, Congress expressed approval of family detention. But Section 90003 did not authorize any new program or establish any new directive with respect to detention—it appropriated money for detention capacity already authorized by law,” the senators wrote to the Court. “Courts should not infer that an appropriation implicitly repeals substantive law.”

“If Congress sought to override the Flores Settlement or eliminate certain protections for detained children, it would have legislated in the same manner—expressly and through regular order,” the senators concluded.

The amicus brief was led by U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), and Gary Peters (D-Mich.). Alongside Heinrich and Luján, it was joined by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Dick Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

The full amicus brief the senators filed to the Ninth Circuit can be found here.

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Senate Committee Advances Lummis Legislation to Rename Casper’s National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Honor of Barbara L. Cubin

Washington D.C. — Legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis and John Barrasso, and Representative Harriet Hageman (all R-WY), to rename the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper the “Barbara L. Cubin National Historic Trails Interpretive Center” has today passed out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, bringing it one step closer to consideration on the Senate floor.

“I’m so pleased the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee has advanced this important legislation,” said Lummis. “Barbara Cubin is among Wyoming’s most remarkable trailblazers who paved the way for American women in public service. As a founding member of the Congressional Western Caucus, she was a powerful voice for our western values. Now, as chair of the Senate counterpart, I’m proud to carry on her legacy as a champion for the Wyoming way of life. This committee vote brings us one step closer to permanently honoring Barbara’s extraordinary decades of service and the indelible mark she has left on Natrona County, Wyoming, and our nation.”

Background:

In 1998, Rep. Barbara Cubin successfully passed her legislation establishing the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper to tell the stories of westward migration in the U.S. The center is owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and is run through a public-private partnership with the BLM, the National Historic Trails Center Foundation and the City of Casper.

Rep. Cubin was the first woman to win an election for federal office in the state of Wyoming and served as a founding member of the Congressional Western Caucus. She represented Wyoming in the U.S. House from 1995-2009.

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Klobuchar, Heinrich, Merkley, Colleagues Raise Concerns About National Trail Program

WASHINGTON – Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies are leading 19 of their colleagues in pressing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service for more information about problems identified in an internal report on the National Trail Program.

“We write with strong concerns regarding a December 2025 report published by the U.S. Forest Service on the status of the U.S Forest Service’s National Trail Program,” wrote the Senators. “The report warns of significant challenges in sustaining trail operations and recreation access, as well as potential loss of decades of investments in trail infrastructure.

“The public land recreation economy contributes over $350 million every day to our national economy, $128 billion every year, and the National Forest System (NFS) plays a significant role in that contribution. There are over 164,000 miles of trails in the NFS, with 84 million people annually visiting trails and 143,000 jobs supported by recreation and tourism spending,” the Senators continued. “Considering the importance of the National Scenic and Historic Trails statutorily created by Congress for the Forest Service to manage, and the Forest Service National Trail Program in general, the report findings that public access and overall recreation satisfaction ‘will continue to decline in 2026 and beyond without direction to prioritize investments into these programs,’ is troubling.”

Along with Klobuchar, Heinrich, and Merkley, the letter was signed by Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Mark Warner (D-VI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Ed Markey (D-MA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

The full letter is available here and below.

Dear Chief Schultz:

We write with strong concerns regarding a December 2025 report published by the U.S. Forest Service on the status of the U.S Forest Service’s National Trail Program. The report warns of significant challenges in sustaining trail operations and recreation access, as well as potential loss of decades of investments in trail infrastructure.

The public land recreation economy contributes over $350 million every day to our national economy, $128 billion every year, and the National Forest System (NFS) plays a significant role in that contribution. There are over 164,000 miles of trails in the NFS, with 84 million people annually visiting trails and 143,000 jobs supported by recreation and tourism spending. Considering the importance of the National Scenic and Historic Trails statutorily created by Congress for the Forest Service to manage, and the Forest Service National Trail Program in general, the report findings that public access and overall recreation satisfaction “will continue to decline in 2026 and beyond without direction to prioritize investments into these programs,” is troubling.

The report draws on input from 290, mostly district-level, Forest Service staff to assess current challenges facing Forest Service trail operations. It found that workforce shortages and loss of trails expertise, low morale, poor communication, operational gaps, and stalled and unfunded contracts and agreements threaten decades of investments into the Forest Service’s trail system. The report’s conclusions raise serious questions about the public’s ability to enjoy National Forest Trails, particularly as the Forest Service adjusts to a workforce that has declined by at least 16 percent in the last year.

A key finding of the report is that workforce vacancies, hiring freezes, and lost skills are weakening the agency’s ability to maintain trails and effectively leverage partners’ contributions to the upkeep of trails. Beyond staffing challenges, the Forest Service National Trail Program identifies unclear priorities, inconsistent messaging, and misalignment of priorities and resources as ongoing barriers to trail maintenance. The report also highlights deficiencies in grants and agreement (G&A) management as a primary challenge to maintaining Forest Service trails.

Given the importance of this issue, we request responses to each of the following questions no later than February 18, 2026, on the Forest Service’s plan to address the immediate needs listed in the report.

What is the Forest Service’s plan and timeline for addressing all of the issues raised in the report?

Is the Forest Service planning to extend externally funded and disaster-funded Permanent Seasonal Employee (PSE) positions?

Please describe the steps the Forest Service is planning to take to increase G&A capacity in the trail program.

How will Forest Service leadership provide accurate, consistent direction and resources to all levels of the agency to ensure the trails program can implement its mission?

Will the Forest Service consider restoring direct hire authority for the Youth Conservation Corps program?

How is the Forest Service planning to ensure appropriate staffing levels are restored and maintained?

How will the Forest Service invest in training for partners, and volunteers on trail maintenance and operations?

The National Trails System Act of 1968 requires the Forest Service to provide for the development and maintenance of the National Scenic and Historic Trails (NSHT) under its jurisdiction. Given the report’s findings, what is the Forest Service’s plan for ensuring all statutory requirements of the National Trails System Act of 1968 are met for the NSHT under the Forest Service’s jurisdiction?

Forest Service staff and partners are critical to maintaining the over 164,000 miles of trails in the National Forest System. The challenges and impacts in the Program report are deeply concerning and raise questions about what steps the Forest Service will take to maintain the public’s ability to access and use Forest Service trails. We look forward to your timely response on this important matter.

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Sen. Moran Directs Federal Resources to Kansas Airports in Appropriations Package

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Aviation – directed more than $26 million in federal investments to repairs and safety improvements at regional airports in Kansas. This funding was included in the five-bill appropriations package approved by Congress and signed into law by the President yesterday.

“Our regional airports are critical to connecting rural communities and supporting regional economies across our state,” said Sen. Moran. “These resources will allow for much-needed infrastructure improvements to bolster aviation safety and support Kansans’ aviation needs for years to come.”

Federal investments secured for Kansas airports:

Kearny County Airport in Lakin

Topeka Regional Airport (formerly Forbes Field) in Topeka

Freeman Field Airport in Junction City

Ottawa Municipal Airport in Ottawa

Miami County Airport in Paola

Salina Regional Airport in Salina

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Sen. Moran Secures Federal Resources for Kansas Rural Hospitals in FY26 Appropriations Bills

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – a senior member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations – secured more than $7 million in federal investments for Kansas rural hospitals and community health centers in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations legislation approved by Congress and signed into law by the President.

“Rural hospitals, community health care centers and health care providers play a critical role in supporting small towns across Kansas,” said Sen. Moran. “Access to medical care is often a deciding factor for many Kansans when determining whether they will remain in the rural communities they call home. These resources will support rural hospitals and community health centers across our state and help to improve outcomes, invest in new medical capabilities and bolster the critical work of rural providers in caring for Kansans.”

These federal resources were included in the FY26 Agriculture appropriations bill, which has been signed into law, and the FY26 Labor-HHS-Education appropriations bill, which passed Congress and was signed into law yesterday.

Federal investments secured for Kansas:

Salina Family Healthcare Center in Salina

Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems in Beloit

Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center in Chanute

Phillips County Health Systems in Phillipsburg

Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood

Additional items to note:

Sen. Moran also helped secure increased federal investments for national programs that support rural hospitals in Kansas:

$4 million increase for the Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant (FLEX) Program.

$2 million increase for the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Grant (SHIP) Program.

These programs are administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and provide assistance to small rural hospitals improve quality of care, support financial stability and maintain services within their communities.

The legislation also extends Medicare telehealth flexibilities through 2027, maintaining access to these services for nearly two more years.

These federal resources were included in the FY26 LHHS appropriations bill that was approved by Congress and signed into law by the President yesterday.

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Moreno Presses Waymo on Plans to Put Chinese Cars on American Roads

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) questioned Waymo Chief Safety Officer Dr. Mauricio Peña on his company’s plans for putting Chinese Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) on American streets. Senator Moreno also questioned Dr. Peña on whether or not Waymo plans to collect data on users for the purpose of targeted advertising.

Watch HERE or by clicking on the image below.


New Moreno, Gallego Bill Cracks Down on Big Tech Fraudsters

WASHINGTON – Today, Senators Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) introduced the Safeguarding Consumers from Advertising Misconduct (SCAM) Act to crack down on predatory online scam advertisements that cost Americans billions every year.

“It is critical that we protect American consumers from deceptive ads and shameless fraudsters who make millions taking advantage of legal loopholes,” said Senator Moreno. “We can’t sit by while social media companies have business models that knowingly enable scams that target the American people.”

“Scammers are using social media to swindle Americans out of their hard-earned savings, and right now, those platforms face almost no consequences for letting it happen,” said Senator Gallego. “If a company is making money from running ads on their site, it has a responsibility to make sure those ads aren’t fraudulent. This bipartisan bill will hold social media companies accountable and protect consumers money online.”

“OBL applauds Sens. Gallego and Moreno for leading bipartisan legislation to combat fraud. Each year, millions of Americans—including countless Ohioans—fall victim to scams that often start on social media. The Safeguarding Consumers from Advertising Misconduct (SCAM) Act would bring social media companies into the fight to stop predatory activities before people are victimized,” said Michael Adelman, President and CEO of Ohio Bankers Association. “Bankers work relentlessly to detect and nip fraud as well as educate customers, yet people fall prey to insidious cons that wipe out their lifesavings. Every day, bankers see the devastation caused by romance scams, impersonation schemes, and fake giveaways. This bipartisan effort highlights the urgent need to curb a growing fraud crisis ruining lives across the country.”

“Tech platforms have massive reach and it’s their responsibility to prevent the misuse of their services for scamming consumers,” said National Consumers League Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud John Breyault. “This bill would make clear that these giants must do more to protect the public.”

“ABA applauds Sens. Gallego and Moreno for their leadership in introducing the Safeguarding Consumers from Advertising Misconduct (SCAM) Act, a critical step forward in the nation’s fight against fraud. Millions of Americans lose billions of dollars a year to scams that start on social media platforms. Banks of all sizes invest significant resources to detect and stop fraud, and Americans appreciate thoseefforts, but we need to prevent scams before they ever reach a bank. The SCAM Act simply asks social media companies to put consumers first by taking responsible steps to remove scammers from their platforms. Protecting Americans from fraud should be a bipartisan, national priority, and ABA encourages all lawmakers to join Sens. Gallego and Moreno in supporting the SCAM Act and sticking it to the scammers,” said ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols.

The SCAM Act requires online platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent fraudulent and deceptive ads and strengthen accountability when scams occur. The bill will strengthen the Federal Trade Commission’s and states’ ability to enforce violations of consumer protection laws.


Murkowski Congratulates Aaron Peterson – Alaska’s New Federal Judge – on Senate Confirmation

Washington, DC— Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) voted to confirm Aaron Christian Peterson to be a U.S. District Judge for the District of Alaska. Peterson was confirmed by a bipartisan 58-39 vote. Senator Murkowski released the following statement in response:

“I congratulate soon-to-be-Judge Peterson and am pleased that we have finally filled one of Alaska’s District Court vacancies. I look forward to Mr. Peterson hitting the ground running to help an overworked court, while working to address and reform the culture of abuse and low morale that has permeated the District Court in recent years. Mr. Peterson is a born-and-raised Alaskan with a strong record of legal practice in our state, including in natural resources and criminal and civil law, and his leadership will be invaluable to Alaska. We now turn our focus to filling the remaining vacancy as soon as possible.”

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Senator Murray: Republicans Must Work with Us on Common Sense Reforms to Rein in ICE and CBP

“I did not come from Brooklyn, nor did I come from the House, but I did come here as a mom in tennis shoes who today is very angry about what is happening to families in my community and across the country.

“Everyone in America with eyes and ears can see what’s been happening in Minnesota and across the country.

“The injustice is clear as day. And what the American people are demanding is equally clear: Law enforcement cannot be lawless—but that’s exactly what we have been seeing from ICE and CBP.

“We have seen people that have done nothing wrong—get abducted by masked agents with no warrant and shipped across the country. We have seen peaceful protestors and observers get tear gassed, tackled, detained, and even killed in cold blood.

“And we’ve seen the Trump administration responses grow more unhinged and infuriating by the day. The lies have become completely detached from reality.

“Enough. We are not going to fund a rogue Department with its unchecked agents and officers. We are going to have accountability at DHS or there will not be Democratic votes to fund a lawless agency.

“If Republicans refuse to make the changes the American people are demanding—they are forcing a Republican shutdown of DHS.

“The chaos, the brutality—all of it happened at the explicit direction of this president and a Republican Congress that wrote him a blank check.

“If Republicans want Democratic votes to fix that—then they need to understand that half-measures won’t cut it.

“What Democrats are demanding is reasonable, and it is necessary. End the roving patrols. Hold federal agents accountable, and hold them to the same standards as local law enforcement on basic things like use of force. Get ‘masks off,’ get body cameras on, and ensure proper identification.

“Democrats are at the table. We are focused on getting a bill—but it has to be a bill that reins in the abuses that we are seeing by ICE and CBP.

“And I’ll just say: Democrats—all of us—we are strongly supporting the mission of FEMA and the Coast Guard in this bill— but the American people are demanding guardrails to rein in ICE and Border Patrol. So that has to happen.

“Americans are demanding accountability; we will settle for nothing less.”


Padilla Bipartisan Bill to Support the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program Advances in Senate Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) announced that the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) advanced his bipartisan legislation to support Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program (LCR MSCP) activities. The bill passed out of committee today by voice vote without opposition. Representative Ken Calvert (R-Calif.-41) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives, which advanced through the House Natural Resources Committee last July.

The bill would increase the funding available for species conservation by creating an interest-bearing account at the Department of the Treasury for funds that the Colorado River Lower Basin states and the federal government contribute to the LCR MSCP. Currently, the Bureau of Reclamation holds the funding that states, including California, Arizona, and Nevada, contribute in an account that does not collect interest.

The legislation advanced out of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources by voice vote last Congress. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) are cosponsoring the legislation.

“The Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program is critical to protecting native species while balancing our water needs and hydropower production,” said Senator Padilla. “As ongoing drought threatens the river and drives up costs, allowing the program’s account to accrue interest is a simple, bipartisan solution to ensure that California’s dollars go further. Today’s committee passage is an important step, and I will keep working alongside Representative Calvert and my Western Senate colleagues to get this bill across the finish line.”

“Providing additional resources for the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program at no cost to taxpayers is a common-sense step to protect one of our most important natural resources in the Southwest,” said Representative Calvert. “The committee passage of this bipartisan bill is an important step that allows excess funds in the LCR MSCP to earn interest and maintain their effectiveness. I will continue to work with Senator Padilla and my California colleagues to move this bill forward.”

The Lower Colorado River provides critical water and power supplies across the Southwest. The LCR MSCP was authorized by Congress in 2009 and is supported by agencies within the federal government, as well as state, Tribal, and local water, power, and wildlife agencies. Within the geographic scope of the LCR MSCP from Lake Mead to the Mexican border, the program will establish over 8,000 acres of native riparian and aquatic habitat. It includes additional science-based research and management efforts focused on expanding knowledge of the local wildlife and the quality of the habitat restoration efforts. The program has already achieved success in stocking thousands of native fish and increasing numbers of breeding migratory birds within 5,000 acres of new riparian habitat.

The LCR MSCP has a budget of $626 million for its 50-year term. The funding is shared among the program participants on the basis of 50 percent federal, 25 percent California, and 12.5 percent each from Arizona and Nevada. Through the LCR MSCP agreements, the Lower Basin states committed to make quarterly payments to cover the program costs based on the initial budget estimates established in 2005. For Fiscal Year 2024, the program budget calls for funding of $38.8 million, with the state participants paying $19.4 million.

Over time, the pace of funding has exceeded work expenditures, and the Bureau of Reclamation has accumulated over $60 million in contributed funds for future costs. However, the accounts in which Reclamation holds the contributed funds do not earn interest or any investment return. Multiple funds established by Congressional action in the U.S. Treasury are directed to be invested or to earn interest. This legislation simply allows the LCR MSCP to do the same.

The Senate ENR Committee also advanced Padilla’s Ackerson Meadow Land Exchange Act, a bill to authorize a land transfer between the National Park Service/Yosemite National Park and the U.S. Forest Service/Stanislaus National Forest.

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Padilla Introduces Bills to Bolster California’s Water Supply, Drought Resilience

MORE WATER Act and GROW SMART Act would fund water recycling projects, water conveyance, habitat restoration, and innovative water-saving projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, introduced a pair of bills to help address growing water supply challenges in California and the American West. As severe droughts, warming temperatures, limitations on groundwater pumping, and outdated infrastructure compound California’s water scarcity issues, these bills would bolster water security for both cities and agricultural communities while delivering environmental and ecological benefits.

The California Department of Water Resources estimates that the drinking water deficit will reach 6 million acre feet of water per year by 2040 — enough drinking water for 36 million people. The Making Our Communities Resilient through Enhancing Water for Agriculture, Technology, the Environment, and Residences (MORE WATER) Act would help fill this deficit by reauthorizing expiring Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) programs that support the development of water recycling projects and by creating a new federal grant program to help repair California’s water delivery system.

Padilla’s second bill, the Growing Resilient Operations from Water Savings and Municipal- Agricultural Reciprocally-beneficial Transactions (GROW SMART) Act, would authorize Reclamation to fund the development of voluntary demonstration projects for innovative agricultural water efficiency measures and agricultural partnerships with municipal, industrial, and commercial entities.

“After years of severe drought and mounting climate impacts, California needs bold solutions and sustained federal investment to confront water scarcity challenges in both cities and agricultural communities across the state,” said Senator Padilla. “From Southern California to the Bay Area, large-scale recycling programs and infrastructure upgrades can deliver clean water to millions of Californians, including for low-income communities that lack access. That is why my MORE WATER Act would reauthorize federal water recycling programs while modernizing aging canal infrastructure, supporting habitat restoration and wildlife refuges, and accelerating project approval. My GROW SMART Act would complement these efforts by offering a cost-effective approach to strengthen drought resiliency and water supply for California farmers, ranchers, and families alike through collaborative partnerships to test innovative water-saving projects.”

MORE WATER Act

The MORE WATER Act would reauthorize Reclamation’s large-scale recycled water program, providing federal grants for up to 25% of the cost of these recycling projects. Multiple water districts in cities across Southern California and the Bay Area have large-scale water recycling projects (which cost $500 million or more) that together could create over half a million acre-feet of water per year, enough water for 3 million people, including Metropolitan Water District’s project that involves a collaboration with Arizona and Nevada to work together to address water shortages on the Colorado River. The program benefits water supply as well as the environment by reducing the need to divert water from rivers and the Delta.

California also has dozens of other water recycling projects for which the bill would reauthorize federal grants for up to 25% of the costs. The MORE WATER Act also increases the cap on funding for these projects to $50 million. Furthermore, the bill would reauthorize a program that funds in-stream and floodplain habitat restoration and other projects to benefit threatened and endangered salmon and other fish species.

As more and more of California’s precipitation comes from a few major atmospheric rivers, restoring the capacity of the California Aqueduct and other large canals is critical in order to capture this precipitation and move it to places where it can be stored in the ground for future use. To support this effort, the bill would create a new multi-benefit conveyance program that would provide federal grants for up to 30% of the cost of restoring these canals. Additionally, the new program would issue federal grants for up to 20% of the projects’ costs to provide environmental benefits and/or safe drinking water benefits for the many low-income communities in the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California.

Besides authorizing federal funding, the bill also expedites Congressional approval for these projects so they can be built faster and cheaper. The bill reauthorizes expired programmatic approvals for water recycling projects and establishes a new programmatic approval so Congress does not have to enact specific bills for every project. This can trim five years or more off the process of developing projects and getting federal funding, without any reduction in the environmental reviews that projects must undergo.

The legislation is endorsed by Environmental Defense Fund, American Rivers Action Fund, Valley Water, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority, San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority, Association of California Water Agencies, Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability, Self-Help Enterprises, State Water Contractors, Sacramento River Settlement Contractors, Northern California Water Association, San Joaquin Valley Collaborative Action Program (CAP), and the WateReuse Association.

“The MORE WATER Act is groundbreaking for incorporating multiple benefits into one program that provides much-needed funding for water conveyance systems while also delivering new benefits to low-income communities and the environment,” said Ann Hayden, Vice President, Climate Resilient Water Systems, Environmental Defense Fund. “We applaud Sen. Padilla for addressing the needs of diverse water users in the MORE Water ACT and recognizing how water infrastructure is critical to growing our food, providing drinking water for people, and supporting thriving wildlife. This multibenefit approach to water management will be increasingly essential to ensuring we have enough water to meet the needs of communities and ecosystems now and into the future.”

“Legislation that prioritizes funding to support clean reliable drinking water for rural communities is essential, particularly as swings between drought and deluge accelerate in the American West. When these projects also include benefits for our rivers and the wildlife they support, we champion win-win solutions for everyone. American Rivers thanks Sen. Padilla for his leadership on elevating the need for and making possible more multi-benefit projects for our Western States,” said Leda Huta, VP Government Affairs, American Rivers Action Fund.

“Valley Water is pleased to support this legislation, which will help boost Western water supplies and reduce the cost burden on local ratepayers. Our communities are facing an affordability crisis. This additional federal investment in recycled water and infrastructure will help keep water rates low while ensuring a reliable water supply for future generations. We are grateful to Senator Padilla for leading this effort,” said Tony Estremera, Chair, Valley Water Board of Directors.

“As communities across California face challenges to their water supplies from increasingly severe droughts and aging infrastructure, support from our federal partners can go a long way toward ensuring everyone has the water they need,” said Shivaji Deshmukh, General Manager of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. “Sen. Padilla’s bill will help boost water supply reliability by extending Reclamation’s water recycling programs and environmental restoration program. The bill also creates a new grant program to help fix our critical water conveyance infrastructure that is essential to ensuring reliable water deliveries to our communities. This is important legislation, and Metropolitan is grateful for Senator Padilla’s leadership on these issues.”

“The MORE WATER Act establishes a Water Conveyance Improvement Program that would help address long-standing affordability and infrastructure challenges in California’s San Joaquin Valley,” said Federico Barajas, Executive Director of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority. “The Delta-Mendota Canal, California Aqueduct, and Friant-Kern Canal have delivered water reliably for more than 50 years, and significant investments are now required to ensure these systems can continue to provide much needed water supplies for the farms, communities, and ecosystems south of the Bay-Delta. California’s economy, and the nation’s food supply, depends on reliable water supplies, and these conveyance facilities have been the backbone of that economy and food production for decades. The Water Conveyance Improvement Program included in this legislation would support the continued operation and rehabilitation of these critical facilities, so they can reliably deliver water for communities, agriculture, and the environment well into the future.”

“The MORE WATER Act establishes a Water Conveyance Improvement Program to address long-standing challenges related to water affordability and aging infrastructure in California’s San Joaquin Valley,” said Chris White, Executive Director, San Joaquin River Exchange Contractors Water Authority. “For more than five decades, the Delta-Mendota Canal, California Aqueduct, and Friant-Kern Canal have served as essential arteries delivering water south of the Delta. Continued investment in these systems is critical to maintaining their ability to supply reliable water to farms, communities, and ecosystems throughout the region. California’s economic stability—and the reliability of the nation’s food supply—are closely tied to dependable water resources, and these conveyance facilities have played a foundational role in sustaining both. This legislation supports the continued operation, repair, and modernization of these vital facilities, ensuring they remain resilient and capable of serving communities, agriculture, and the environment well into the future.”

“The Association of California Water Agencies thanks Senator Padilla for his strong leadership on water policy and for introducing the MORE WATER Act and the GROW SMART Act. These bills will provide essential tools that will help ensure Californian’s now and, in the future, have access to a safe, reliable, and affordable supply of water,” said Ernie Avila, President, Association of California Water Agencies.

“Investments in water conveyance projects have not always benefited low-income rural communities that lack access to safe and affordable drinking water,” said Michael Claiborne, Directing Attorney with Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability. “The multi-benefit provisions in the MORE WATER Act will help to improve water access and affordability for low-income communities that urgently need support.”

“Self-Help Enterprises supports the MORE WATER Act because it will benefit ongoing water conveyance improvement and planning efforts in California,” Eddie Ocampo, Director of Community Sustainability for Self-Help Enterprises. “It will contribute to making our communities, our environment, and our industry more adaptive, resilient, and sustainable.”

“The State Water Contractors applaud Senator Padilla’s leadership on these critical water issues,” said Jennifer Pierre, General Manager of the State Water Contractors. “Addressing water affordability and availability is essential for California and the nation’s success, and the dedication of resources to restoring California’s canals in the MORE WATER Act will be a benefit to all Californians.”

“Floodplain reactivation is one of the most effective ways to rebuild the Sacramento River’s ecological function while protecting the water supply backbone that farms, families, and fisheries depend on,” said Roger Cornwell, President, Sacramento River Settlement Contractors. “The MORE WATER Act recognizes that environmental restoration and compliance are not side issues; they are essential to sustaining project operations and achieving measurable outcomes for salmon recovery. The MORE Water Act will help turn science-backed restoration priorities into real projects on the ground.”

“The Sacramento Valley is a working landscape where the water system supports communities, farms, fish, millions of migratory birds, recreation, and hydropower,” said David Guy, President, Northern California Water Association. “We can reliably and affordably deliver water for all of these important purposes when we invest in the right tools. The MORE WATER Act is an important step forward to provide these tools, such as scaling up floodplain reactivation for stronger flood resilience, more reliable water supplies for our communities and agricultural economy, and creating better fish and wildlife outcomes.”

“The San Joaquin Valley Collaborative Action Program (CAP) supports the efforts of Senator Padilla and the goals of MORE Water,” said CAP co-chairs Sarah Woolf and Ann Hayden. “It is a step by the Federal Government to help assure water infrastructure is built to serve multiple benefits throughout the system. The MORE Water goals are in keeping with CAP’s core principles of ensuring a healthy economy, environment, and safe drinking water.”

“Water reuse is an essential component of a successful and sustainable Western water strategy,” said Bruno Pigott, Executive Director of the WateReuse Association. “By reauthorizing and improving two critical water reuse programs, Senator Padilla’s MORE WATER Act protects freshwater resources and ensures that businesses, farmers, and communities have the reliable, long-term water supplies they need to thrive.”

A one-page outline of the bill and one-page summary of the benefits for California are available here and here.

A section-by-section breakdown of the MORE WATER Act is available here.

An explanation of how the multi-benefit conveyance program in the MORE WATER Act works and precedents for the program are available here and here.

Full text of the bill is available here.

GROW SMART Act

The GROW SMART Act authorizes $5 million per year for seven years for the Bureau of Reclamation to fund the development of voluntary agricultural partnerships and the design of innovative water-saving projects. The bill would pilot an approach for farmers to improve their ability to withstand drought, commercial downturns, and other economic risks through voluntary partnerships with urban and industrial entities. These voluntary partnerships would include funding for innovative water-saving projects and contractual provisions to insure against commercial downturns and meet other agricultural needs.

The voluntary partnerships would benefit farmers both by applying a portion of the water savings to increase water supplies for the broader agricultural community, and through insurance and funding for farmers’ other needs. The bill would fund the development of demonstration projects that farmers could implement on a small portion of their acreage to test the costs, yield, and water requirements of water-saving projects and whether the projects provide them with the intended financial and drought benefits before potentially implementing them more broadly.

Projects would be prioritized if they include agricultural partnerships with municipal, industrial, or commercial entities, which would pay for the non-federal portion of the projects’ costs.

The water-saving project component would test innovative approaches to saving water that have not been previously tried in a particular area. These approaches would be required to keep farmland in production and support community income and employment. Options could include low water-use crops, innovative irrigation strategies, and hydroponics, among other water saving practices.

The contractual arrangements component could include increasing redundancy in available water supplies or sources to decrease the risk of shortage, shared water storage, new sources and designs for crop insurance or insulation from commodity-market volatility, assistance for land ownership for new or beginning farmers and ranchers, locating processing facilities near production areas, and risk-reduction strategies for bringing new commodities to market.

The bill also authorizes funding for innovative water-saving projects developed by agricultural, state, and Tribal entities acting outside of partnerships with municipal, industrial, or commercial entities.

The GROW SMART Act’s approach is cost-effective and could help address the Colorado River’s persistent water problems. A recent study, Public Spending and Water Scarcity: An Empirical Analysis of USBR Investments in the Colorado River Basin, found that agricultural-sector water conservation approaches are among the most cost-effective, with average costs ranging from $385-417 per acre-foot of water saved, compared to up to $2,444 per acre-foot for other projects.

A discussion of the goals and purposes of the GROW SMART Act is available here.

A section-by-section breakdown of the GROW SMART Act is available here.

Full text of the bill is available here.

Senator Padilla has long been a strong advocate for ensuring access to safe, reliable water throughout California and across the country. In 2024, Padilla and former Representative Grace Napolitano led 27 lawmakers from the Western United States in calling on Reclamation to raise the per-project cap on federal funding for Title XVI water recycling projects from $30 million to $40 million by adjusting the cap for inflation. Padilla also announced $159 million in transformational investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for three large-scale water recycling projects in Southern California. Additionally, Padilla and Representative Scott Peters (D-Calif.-50) introduced the Drought Relief Obtained Using Government Help Today (DROUGHT) Act, legislation to help alleviate the Western water crisis caused by long-term drought by allowing federal government loans to take on a greater share of the rising cost of water infrastructure projects.

Senator Padilla previously introduced the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) Establishment Act, legislation that would establish a permanent, nationwide water assistance program to help struggling families afford their water bills. He and Representative Mike Levin (D-Calif.-49) also introduced the Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Sustainability Act, bicameral legislation that would authorize $550 million for states, municipalities, water systems, and Tribal nations to implement water-efficiency upgrades and establish programs to repair leaks, especially in areas experiencing severe drought and in low-income communities.

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Padilla, Schiff Demand Trump Administration Reverse Funding Freeze on California’s Critical Child Care, Family Assistance Grant Programs

Senators call out the Administration’s partisan retaliation against blue states and repeated efforts by the administration to withhold, delay, or cancel federal projects and funds

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) urged the Trump Administration to reverse course on their unlawful attempt to freeze billions of dollars in child care and family assistance funding to California and four other states led by Democrats.

“The Trump Administration’s targeting of bipartisan, congressionally mandated funding is a direct attack on working families and on Congress’ legislative function and appropriations power. These blatantly unlawful decisions undermine affordability and harm American families,” wrote the Senators.

In a letter to U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families Alex Adams, the California Senators raised significant concerns over the potential economic harms and real-world implications for American children, seniors, and families — emphasizing that the programs targeted by the Administration are critical to reducing poverty supporting families. The Senators pushed the Administration to promptly cease all efforts to unlawfully withhold federal funding through the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) program that was previously approved by Congress on a bipartisan basis.

“Freezing these programs and delaying funds, even temporarily, will force families across the state to choose between working or caring for their children. This disruption in child care and other assistance could have larger and irreparable impacts on regional economies, removing parents from the workforce, shuttering care facilities and limiting choice, and straining state budgets. This move is particularly egregious given the affordability crisis Americans are facing as a direct result of this Administration’s failed economic policies,” continued the Senators.

The $5 billion for federal child care and social services that the Trump Administration is attempting to withhold from California is part of their vindictive plan to eliminate up to $10 billion across five Democratically led states under the guise of unfounded claims of widespread fraud. After these states — California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York — filed a lawsuit against the Administration, a federal judge temporarily blocked the funding freeze and extended the temporary restraining order on January 23. In doing so, the judge in this case recognized the need to act in the public interest.

The funds affected include:

$1.1 billion in Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), which serves approximately 176,300 children monthly, giving families access to affordable and quality child care.

$3.7 billion in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), which funds the state’s CalWORKs program and provides cash assistance to eligible low-income families with children for rent, groceries, and other essential services. Approximately 350,000 Californian families benefit from this program each year.

$190 million in Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), which funds day care programs for 1.1 million children and social services for 380,000 people with disabilities.

The Senators demanded HHS provide specific legal authorities that the Administration is using for the funding freeze, explain how the request for information complies with federal privacy laws, and detail any and all assessments made about the potential near- and long-term impacts of the funding freeze on the elderly, children, and families that rely on these programs.

These threats by the Trump Administration have caused significant alarm and confusion in targeted states,” concluded the Senators. “It is unconscionable that any Administration should be allowed to punish children, families, and elderly individuals based on their place of residence and the political leadership of their state. It is imperative that the Administration reverse course to limit the economic harm to American children, seniors, and families.”

Senators Padilla and Schiff have repeatedly pushed back against the Trump Administration’s vengeful funding freezes of California grants. Last July, Padilla and Schiff demanded the immediate release of funding for K-12 public schools after the Trump Administration announced its intent to illegally withhold over $6 billion in Congressionally appropriated education funds, including approximately $928 million from California. The California Senators and Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.-18) also led 27 Democratic California lawmakers last October in denouncing the Department of Energy’s cuts of $7.6 billion in critical grants for energy projects across the country, including over $3.3 billion in investment in California.

Senator Padilla has also been a leading advocate in condemning the Administration’s attacks on child care. Last year, Padilla and Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) led 25 Senators in slamming the Trump Administration’s mass firings of federal employees at the Office of Head Start (OHS) and the Office of Child Care (OCC) and demanding Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kennedy immediately reinstate these employees. As the Trump Administration considered eliminating Head Start funding during federal budget discussions, Padilla joined the entire California Democratic Congressional Delegation in urging President Trump and Secretary Kennedy to safeguard federal funding for the Head Start program.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Secretary Kennedy and Assistant Secretary Adams:

As the Senators representing the state of California, we write to express our outrage at the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) recent move to freeze $5 billion in Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), and Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) funding to California. The Trump Administration’s (the Administration) targeting of bipartisan, congressionally mandated funding is a direct attack on working families and on Congress’ legislative function and appropriations power. These blatantly unlawful decisions undermine affordability and harm American families. While a federal judge, in granting and extending a temporary restraining order, has recognized the need to act in the public interest to prevent irreparable harm, the Administration must immediately abandon this attempt to illegally withhold funding from California.

The three Administration for Children and Families (ACF) programs are critical to state and national efforts to combat poverty and provide support for vulnerable children, seniors, and people with disabilities. The state of California’s FY 2025 allotment of $1.1 billion under CCDF – allocated based on a statutory formula – makes affordable and high-quality child care accessible to a monthly average of 176,300 children in 107,500 families. The $3.7 billion in TANF grants funds the state’s CalWORKs program, which provides cash assistance to eligible low-income families with children. Approximately 350,000 Californian families benefit from this program each year, helping them pay their rent, afford groceries, and pay for other essential services. Like with CCDF funding, TANF is allocated according to a statutory formula. SSBG funding, which is allocated based on each state’s percentage of the national population, enables California to fund daycare programs for 1.1 million children and social services for 380,000 people with disabilities.

Freezing these programs and delaying funds, even temporarily, will force families across the state to choose between working or caring for their children. This disruption in child care and other assistance could have larger and irreparable impacts on regional economies, removing parents from the workforce, shuttering care facilities and limiting choice, and straining state budgets. This move is particularly egregious given the affordability crisis Americans are facing as a direct result of this Administration’s failed economic policies.

Additionally, the January 6, 2026, letters from ACF to Governor Gavin Newsom notifying the state of the freezes reveal that the referenced “potential for extensive and systemic fraud” is merely a pretext for political retribution. The letters fail to include any evidence of the alleged fraud within the State of California. ACF’s unfounded accusations of fraud and disingenuous data collection efforts suggest that, rather than seeking to legitimately tackle fraud, waste, and abuse, this exercise is just another escalation of the Administration’s attacks on California and other states led by Democrats.

Given the lack of transparency and the potentially disastrous impacts of these grant freezes on American families, we request detailed responses to the following questions by February 16, 2026:

What are the specific legal authorities that the Administration is using for the funding freeze for each ACF program? What is the statutory and/or regulatory basis to freeze all CCDF, TANF, and SSBG funds for an entire state?

How does HHS’s request for personally identifiable information comply with federal privacy laws?

What, if any, assessments were made about the potential near- and long-term impacts of a funding freeze on the elderly, children, and families that rely on these programs? Please provide documentation associated with these assessments.

These threats by the Trump Administration have caused significant alarm and confusion in targeted states. It is unconscionable that any Administration should be allowed to punish children, families, and elderly individuals based on their place of residence and the political leadership of their state. It is imperative that the Administration reverse course to limit the economic harm to American children, seniors, and families.

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Peters, Slotkin, Bergman Lead Michigan Delegation in Securing DOD Drone Testing Site in Michigan

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Gary Peters (MI) and Elissa Slotkin (MI), and U.S. Representative Jack Bergman (R-MI-01), announced that a bipartisan, delegation-wide effort was successful in securing Michigan’s National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) as a Department of Defense-designated national range for an uncrewed aerial systems testing.

This designation means that the Army and National Guard Bureau have selected NADWC as its designated national range for deep uncrewed aerial systems training, further establishing Michigan as America’s defense innovation hub. NADWC has a unique combination of capabilities, permissive drone testing policies, and proximity to tech innovation industry leaders in Michigan that will supercharge drone testing for our military and maximize drone training opportunities for our warfighters. It is the country’s largest joint training range east of the Mississippi River and hosts the annual Northern Strike Exercise. NADWC’s all-domain capability, large size, expansive special use airspace, and all-weather training environment offers warfighters the ability to test drones at scale under a wide range of battlefield conditions year-round, including for live fire, combined arms, swarm testing.

“Drones play an integral role in modern-day warfare, and the National All-Domain Warfighting Center in Northern Michigan is an ideal training ground to test these technologies and help ensure we maintain our air superiority around the world,” said Senator Peters, a member of the Armed Services Committee. “I was proud to work alongside our Michigan delegation to push key Department of Defense officials and secure this new designation, which will only further cement Michigan as a key asset of our national defense strategy into the future.”

“When it comes to the next chapter of American defense innovation, I’m betting on Michigan,” said Senator Slotkin. “From the assembly line to advanced manufacturing, our state has always stepped up. Today, as drones reshape our national security, Michigan’s selection as a national drone testing site further solidifies our state as the center of this transformation. Michigan is the proof that cutting-edge defense technology can be designed, tested, and built with American supply chains, right here at home.”

“Unmanned aerial systems are now a critical component of modern warfighting,” said Representative Bergman. “I’m proud that Northern Michigan’s defense assets will play a key role in ensuring our Service Members can test and refine the most advanced unmanned aerial technologies. The unique geography and unparalleled capabilities of the National All Domain Warfighting Center are truly world-class, and it is encouraging to see the Department of War fully recognize the potential of NADWC and the surrounding region. I look forward to continuing our partnership to ensure our warfighters have access to the best systems and training anywhere in the world.”

In addition to Peters, Slotkin, and Bergman, Representatives Tom Barrett (R-MI-07), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), John James (R-MI-10), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI-08), John Moolenaar (R-MI-04), Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), and Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13) signed a bipartisan, bicameral delegation letter sent to the Department of Defense in July 2025. Members of the bipartisan Michigan Congressional Delegation supported this effort in a joint letter to the Secretary of Defense in July of 2025.

As a member of both the Armed Services Committee and Appropriation Committee, Peters has helped strengthen Michigan’s robust defense footprint. Peters secured an authorization for $4.4 million funding in the recently enacted national defense bill for the NADWC at Camp Grayling. Peters also secured a record $27.3 million for the annual Northern Strike Exercise conducted at the NADWC, which is the largest all-domain reserve forces exercise. Northern Strike provides a realistic training environment and robust training experiences for units and leaders to strengthen joint all-domain warfighting – and helps keep Michigan central to our national defense operations.

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VIDEO: Peters Calls for Commerce Committee to Take Bipartisan Action on Autonomous Vehicles in Surface Transportation Bill

WASHINGTON, DC – During a Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing on autonomous vehicles (AV), U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) called for the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization bill to include a bipartisan regulatory framework for AVs. The surface transportation reauthorization bill sets new policy and funding priorities that help improve roadway safety, strengthen infrastructure investments, and enhance local public transportation initiatives.

During the hearing, Peters emphasized the need for a specific set of federal policies to help guide the safe deployment of AVs on our roads and ensure American innovators pave the way on autonomous technologies. Peters also underscored the potential economic and safety benefits of AVs for American companies, workers, and consumers.

“We know that this technology is a huge part of the future of the global automotive industry. But right now, as has been said, China is investing heavily in dominating the autonomous vehicle market,” said Peters during the hearing. “So, it is absolutely imperative that we take action to ensure that American innovation, and American standards, lead the way on the world stage, and not China.”

To watch video of Senator Peters’ statement and questioning, click here.

Peters emphasized how clear federal policies on AVs will be critical to the future of mobility, specifically to Michigan’s automotive sector and autoworkers.

“Congress cannot be silent on a technology that will literally shape the future of mobility. Automotive jobs have been at the heart of my state of Michigan and our manufacturing economy for over a century, and we need to ensure that those jobs stay here in America,” Peters continued.

America is currently experiencing a roadway safety crisis, with more than 100 Americans dying on our roads every day. During his remarks, Peters also highlighted the opportunity AVs present for significantly reducing roadway injuries and deaths.

“We must do everything that we can to harness solutions with the power to bring that number as close to zero as possible, but that also requires building trust,” said Peters. “Americans deserve to know with certainty that these vehicles will deliver safer streets, and that federal regulators have laid out clear rules of the road. The bottom line is, it’s up to Congress to do something.”

Throughout his time in the Senate, Peters has championed efforts to advance rules of the road for AVs in the United States and previously pushed for an AV regulatory framework to help usher in safe adoption of this technology. In 2022, he led his colleagues in sending a letter to then-Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to advocate for a federal framework to support AV adoption, and later advocated for these polices with Buttigieg during a Commerce Committee hearing.

Leveraging his role on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Peters has consistently fought to advance provisions in funding legislation to help accelerate the safe development of autonomous driving systems. This includes $13.9 million secured in recent funding legislation for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Office of Automation Safety and $3.5 million NHTSA’s Partnership for Analytics Research in Traffic Safety (PARTS) Program, which focuses on collaboration between automakers and federal agencies to share data on, and improve the performance of, advanced driver assistance systems.

Peters also fought to include robust investment in AV initiatives in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which was signed into law in 2021, including $3 million for the University of Michigan Center for Connected and Automated Transportation (CCAT) to help advance research in connected infrastructure and autonomous vehicles.

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Reed Reintroduces the Preserving Homes & Communities Act

WASHINGTON, DC – In an effort to protect homeowners from foreclosure and keep homes in the hands of families and local civic institutions, U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today reintroduced the Preserving Homes and Communities Act (S. 3753).

This legislation would strengthen the residential mortgage market by reforming Federal Housing Administration (FHA), Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac note sale programs to better protect homeowners and local communities. Rather than having nonperforming and reperforming loans sold at a discount to private equity firms and institutional investors, the bill would protect homeowners by requiring FHA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac to give local entities with public missions, including states, municipalities, and nonprofits, the first opportunity to purchase nonperforming and reperforming mortgages, while boosting loss mitigation protections for every homeowner whose mortgage is subject to a note sale.

In the wake of the Great Recession, the Federal Housing Administration and government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) – Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which have a public mission that includes supporting and expanding homeownership – began selling nonperforming loans, and in the GSEs’ case, nonperforming and reperforming loans. These transactions, known as “note sales,” transfer ownership of mortgages predominately to the control of private equity firms and institutional investors. While note sales enrich investors and help FHA, Fannie, and Freddie marginally reduce risk, they do not help struggling Americans remain in their homes – the majority of homeowners with nonperforming mortgages included in FHA, Fannie, and Freddie note sales end up losing their home.

When borrowers with loans insured by FHA or securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac become delinquent on mortgages, they have certain protections against foreclosure because their servicers must offer specific federally-required loss mitigation options before foreclosure proceedings can begin. These protections help many borrowers catch-up on their payments. However, these protections are dramatically scaled back when a mortgage is included in a note sale. In fact, recent data shows that the majority of homeowners whose mortgages are the subject of a nonperforming loan sale by the GSEs wind up losing their homes after servicers reach a final resolution. In the case of FHA reverse mortgage note sales, a staggering 90 percent of homeowners ultimately lost their homes. Moreover, according to Government Accountability Office (GAO) findings, nonperforming loans sold by FHA are more likely to face foreclosure than comparable loans that FHA kept on its balance sheet.

The Trump White House last month announced it is “taking steps” to ban large institutional investors from buying single-family homes and issued an executive order directing multiple federal agencies to limit federal support for such purchases. While those are positive sounding words, Congress must act to prevent institutional investors from taking advantage of struggling Americans to foreclose on homes and juice their profits. Reforming FHA and GSE note sales and putting in place real safeguards would protect borrowers and keep more homes in the hands of local communities.

“Housing costs are higher than ever before and we need to make it easier for working families to keep a roof over their heads. The national data clearly shows that the current note sales system is not working properly and is prioritizing the wants of investors over the needs of homeowners. If a widow falls behind on her mortgage because her spouse passed away and her mortgage is sold to a third-party, her ability to access strong loss mitigation procedures and stay in her home should not decrease simply because ownership of her mortgage changed hands. The note sale process must prioritize minimizing foreclosures and protecting homeowners, not creating profit for big corporations,” said Senator Reed. “The Preserving Homes and Communities Act will implement key reforms to strengthen foreclosure protections and better protect homeowners and communities.”

The Preserving Homes and Communities Act would ensure that borrowers receive at least a 90-day notice before their mortgage is involved in a note sale.

The bill would also ensure that all applicable FHA or GSE-required loss mitigation options have been exhausted before a transaction occurs. And if a note sale does occur, the purchaser would be required to offer homeowners loss mitigation options on terms that at least match those available to them before the transaction.

The Preserving Homes and Communities Act further prioritizes local control of properties by requiring FHA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac to give first crack at note sale purchases to state and local governments as well as local nonprofit organizations.

Additionally, the legislation would require nonperforming loan purchasers to offer at least 75 percent of foreclosed properties to owner-occupants at fair market value, to nonprofits or local governments, or to renters with income at or below 100 percent area median income.

The Preserving Homes and Communities Act is supported by the National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low-income clients) and the National Community Stabilization Trust.

“The Preserving Homes and Communities Act provides important first steps to ensure homeowners are aware of what is happening with their loans,” said Steve Sharpe, Senior Attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. “This Act will require home loans to be reviewed for sustainable loss mitigation options to prevent unnecessary foreclosures.”

“NCST supports the Preserving Homes and Communities Act as a way to preserve and expand homeownership,” said Sarah Edelman, Executive Vice President of NCST (National Community Stabilization Trust). “For more than 15 years, NCST has worked in the housing aftermarket to ensure distressed assets are transferred to mission-based organizations committed to increasing affordable homeownership. Nonprofit housing providers are essential to preserving and sustaining communities across the country. The Preserving Homes and Communities Act would allow nonprofit entities to better compete with investors when single family assets are sold by the federal government, ensuring more of these homes are fixed up and sold affordably to aspiring homeowners and strengthening neighborhoods.”