HYDE-SMITH RESUMES QUEST TO LINK NATCHEZ HISTORICAL SITES TO NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

Hyde-Smith Reintroduces the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians and Jefferson College Affiliated Areas Establishment Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today reintroduced her legislation to designate the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians in Adams County as an affiliated area of the National Park Service (NPS).

The Grand Village of the Natchez Indians and Jefferson College Affiliated Areas Establishment Act would make the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians eligible for preservation, protection, and interpretation resources as an affiliate area of the Natchez National Historical Park. It would also direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish Jefferson College in Natchez as an affiliated area once the Secretary determines it meets the necessary criteria.

“Natchez and Adams County have made strides in working to preserve and highlight the significance of its long history, a centuries-long story that is central to Mississippi’s history. This legislation supports that effort, and I am committed to seeing it enacted,” Hyde-Smith said. “Making the Grand Village and Jefferson College affiliated areas of the National Park Service would make more resources and technical assistance available to them.”

Hyde-Smith serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee that approved this legislation late in the 118th Congress, which ended before it could pass through the full Senate and House of Representatives to be enacted.

The NPS has assessed the eligibility of the two Mississippi sites to be affiliated areas, which the NPS defines as locations that “preserve significant properties outside the National Park System ... [and that] draw on technical or financial aid from the National Park Service. Upon a successful determination, this bill would then codify that decision.”

The Grand Village of the Natchez Indians is listed as a National Historic Landmark and interprets the story of the Natchez people and their ancestors who inhabited what is now southwest Mississippi from around 700 to 1730.

Jefferson College, founded in 1802 and recognized as the birthplace of Mississippi’s statehood, is the state’s first institution of higher learning, and served as a Freedmen’s Bureau site after the Civil War. The school is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Hyde-Smith legislation, which is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), would direct the NPS to set the boundaries of the affiliated areas and develop a management plan for each within three years. In cooperation with the NPS, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History would be the management entity that would work with Grand Village and, eventually, Jefferson College for preservation, interpretation, and marketing.

The bill does not allow the NPS to acquire property in the affiliate areas or to assume responsibility for their operation, maintenance, or management.

###


Sen. Hyde-Smith resumes quest to link Natchez historical sites to National Park Service

Hyde-Smith reintroduces the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians and Jefferson College Affiliated Areas Establishment Act

Submitted Content The Natchez Democrat

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today reintroduced her legislation to designate the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians in Adams County as an affiliated area of the National Park Service.

The Grand Village of the Natchez Indians and Jefferson College Affiliated Areas Establishment Act would make the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians eligible for preservation, protection, and interpretation resources as an affiliate area of the Natchez National Historical Park. It would also direct the Secretary of the Interior to establish Jefferson College in Natchez as an affiliated area once the Secretary determines it meets the necessary criteria.

“Natchez and Adams County have made strides in working to preserve and highlight the significance of its long history, a centuries-long story that is central to Mississippi’s history. This legislation supports that effort, and I am committed to seeing it enacted,” Hyde-Smith said. “Making the Grand Village and Jefferson College affiliated areas of the National Park Service would make more resources and technical assistance available to them.”

Hyde-Smith serves on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee that approved this legislation late in the 118th Congress, which ended before it could pass through the full Senate and House of Representatives to be enacted.

The NPS has assessed the eligibility of the two Mississippi sites to be affiliated areas, which the NPS defines as locations that “preserve significant properties outside the National Park System ... [and that] draw on technical or financial aid from the National Park Service. Upon a successful determination, this bill would then codify that decision.”

The Grand Village of the Natchez Indians is listed as a National Historic Landmark and interprets the story of the Natchez people and their ancestors who inhabited what is now southwest Mississippi from around 700 to 1730.

Jefferson College, founded in 1802 and recognized as the birthplace of Mississippi’s statehood, is the state’s first institution of higher learning, and served as a Freedmen’s Bureau site after the Civil War. The school is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Hyde-Smith legislation, which is cosponsored by U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), would direct the NPS to set the boundaries of the affiliated areas and develop a management plan for each within three years. In cooperation with the NPS, the Mississippi Department of Archives and History would be the management entity that would work with Grand Village and, eventually, Jefferson College for preservation, interpretation, and marketing.


Kaine, Budd, Baldwin, Young, Thompson & Bonamici Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Recognizing February as Career and Technical Education Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, co-chair of the Senate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus and a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, (D-VA), and U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing February 2026 as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. Joint legislation was introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Glenn Thompson (R-PA-15) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01).

“Growing up working in our family’s ironworking business and later serving as the principal of a technical school in Honduras, I’ve seen firsthand the impact career and technical education can have on people,” said Sen. Kaine. “I’m proud to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to introduce this legislation and will continue to fight to expand access to CTE programming to ensure all Virginians have the skills they need to fill critical jobs.”

“Career and Technical Education programs don’t just help provide students with the skills they need to enter the workforce, they are pivotal to breaking the ‘bachelors or bust’, one-size-fits-all approach to education and career preparedness,” said Sen. Budd. “CTE Month recognizes the programs and hard-working educators who have helped train millions of Americans with the expertise to go into the workforce and keep America building and innovating.”

“I’m committed to creating pathways to connect Wisconsinites to good-paying careers in the trades and making sure businesses across the state have the workforce they need to grow and thrive. Career and Technical Education is a worthwhile investment in Wisconsin’s students, workforce, and future, and I’m proud to join my Republican and Democratic colleagues to show just that,” said Sen. Baldwin.

“This resolution recognizes the importance of career and technical education and encourages more educators and students to seek out CTE programs,” said Sen. Young. “Preparing the students of today for the jobs of tomorrow will lead to more opportunities, a stronger economy, and a highly skilled workforce.”

“Career and Technical Education helps strengthen our workforce and prepares students for employment in a wide range of exciting positions,” Rep. Thompson said. “I am proud to lead this bipartisan resolution to celebrate the role CTE plays in our country and the countless contributions made by CTE professionals and educators.”

“As co-chair of the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus, I’m pleased to introduce this bipartisan resolution with my colleague Rep. Thompson and Senators Kaine and Baldwin to recognize February as CTE Month,” said Rep. Bonamici. “CTE provides critical opportunities for students to prosper academically and learn marketable skills. Investments in CTE support domestic manufacturing and infrastructure, laying a strong foundation for the country’s future.”

“We are thrilled to support the bipartisan and bicameral 2026 Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month Resolution, reflecting our continued national commitment to high-quality CTE programs that help learners across the country succeed in their educational journeys, secure rewarding careers, and enhance their economic mobility,” said Kate Kreamer, Advance CTE’s Executive Director. "The broad support for this resolution strengthens our network of state CTE leaders and highlights CTE's vital role in connecting education to workforce and economic development across communities nationwide.“

“ACTE is proud to endorse the bipartisan 2026 Career and Technical Education Month Resolution. CTE is essential in preparing learners for high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand careers that strengthen our workforce and drive economic growth. CTE Month celebrates the dedication and impact of students, educators and administrators, while underscoring the importance of sustained, strong investment in these programs. ACTE appreciates the ongoing leadership and support of the House and Senate CTE Caucuses in advancing CTE nationwide,” said LeAnn Curry, ACTE Executive Director.

As a member of the CTE Caucus and HELP Committee, Kaine is a leading supporter of career and technical education and expanding access to CTE programming. In December, Kaine introduced the bipartisan Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act, legislation to expand access to digital skills training for American job-seekers. Last year, key provisions from Kaine’s Jumpstarting Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act were signed into law to help more Americans get good-paying jobs by allowing students to use federal Pell Grants—need-based education grants for lower-income individuals—to pay for shorter-term job training programs for the first time.

In the Senate, Kaine, Budd, Baldwin, and Young were joined in the introduction by U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner (D-VA), John Barrasso (R-WY), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Katie Britt (R-AL), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Jim Justice (R-WV), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), James Lankford (R-OK), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tim Scott (R-SC), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

In the House, Thompson and Bonamici were joined in the introduction by U.S. Representatives Aaron Bean (R-FL-04), Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01), Bryan Steil (R-WI-01), Joe Morelle (D-NY-25), Sam Graves (R-MO-06), Frank Mrvan (D-IN-01), Tracey Mann (R-KS-01), Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-03), James Moylan (R-Guam-At-large), Josh Harder (D-CA-09), Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA-07), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Mike Bost (R-IL-12), Henry “Hank” Johnson (D-GA-04), John Carter (R-TX-31), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), Rudy Yakym (R-IN-02), Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), Nick Langworthy (R-NY-23), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Rick Crawford (R-AR-01), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI-08), Adrian Smith (R-NE-03), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Brad Finstad (R-MN-01), Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), and Barry Loudermilk (R-GA-11).

Full text of the resolution is available here.

###


Kaine, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Support Iranian Citizens’ Rights Amid Regime Crackdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC), joined Senate colleagues to introduce a bipartisan resolution condemning the Iranian regime for suppressing its citizens’ right to peacefully assemble and highlighting its long pattern of censorship, intimidation, and violent crackdowns against the Iranian people.

“The right to peaceful protest is a fundamental human right that no government should impede,” said Kaine. “The Iranian government’s use of violence, intimidation, and censorship to crack down on peaceful protestors is unacceptable, and I’m proud to join colleagues on both sides of the aisle in condemning this horrific violence.”

The resolution denounces the Iranian regime’s sweeping crackdown since protests began in late December, including mass arrests, internet blackouts, and the killing of peaceful protesters in the streets. Protests erupted across the nation in response to a sharp collapse of Iran’s currency and a deepening economic crisis.

The resolution is led by U.S. Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). In addition to Kaine, the resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Boozman (R-AR), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Hoeven (R-ND), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Andy Kim (D-NJ).

Full text is available here.

###


Kaine, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Improve Child Care Accessibility for Working Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Todd Young (R-IN), and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) reintroduced legislation to improve access to affordable child care for families with parents working nontraditional hours. The After Hours Child Care Act would support expanding legitimate existing child care programs, or establishing new facilities in some cases, so parents can remain in the workforce and provide for their families while working outside of the hours of the traditional work hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

“Everywhere I go in Virginia, I hear from families about how tough it is to find proper and affordable child care,” said Kaine. “Sadly, I’ve heard stories of many hardworking parents who are unable to continue in the workforce because they can’t find child care suited to their costs. That’s why my colleagues and I have introduced this bipartisan bill that will help ease the worries of hardworking parents across Virginia and the country.”

If enacted, the After Hours Child Care Act would:

Expand capacity for an existing, legitimate child care program to serve families working nontraditional hours;

Support efforts to establish an on-site child care program at a workplace;

Ensure that federal funds supplement current efforts by requiring 25 percent match;

And require a report every two years on the bill’s effectiveness in improving child care availability.

Kaine has long pushed to expand access to child care. Last year, he introduced the bipartisan Child Care Availability and Affordability Act and the Child Care Workforce Act—bipartisan, bicameral legislation that form a bold proposal to make child care more affordable and accessible by strengthening existing tax credits to lower child care costs and increase the supply of child care providers. Provisions from the legislation were signed into law in July 2025. In July, he led the reintroduction of the Child Care for Working Families Act to expand access to child care, raise wages for providers, and lower costs for families by ensuring no family pays more than 7 percent of their income on child care. In 2023, Kaine introduced the Child Care Stabilization Act to expand vital child care funding to help providers keep their doors open. He has also introduced bipartisan legislation to develop, administer, and evaluate early childhood education apprenticeships.

In addition to Kaine, Young, and Hassan, this bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO). U.S. Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01) and Ashley Hinson (R-IA-02) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

###


Shaheen, Curtis, Durbin, Cruz, Kaine, and Scott Bipartisan Statement on Venezuela

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), John Curtis (R-UT), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Rick Scott (R-FL) released a statement regarding Venezuela:

“We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Pablo Guanipa and all other remaining political prisoners, the ability for María Corina Machado to safely return and freely participate in political activity and a firm commitment to genuine elections.”

###


Statement from Senator Kelly on Federal Court Ruling

Today, Arizona Senator and Navy combat veteran Mark Kelly released the following statement on a federal judge granting a preliminary injunction in his case against Pete Hegseth:

“Today, a federal court made clear that Pete Hegseth violated the constitution when he tried to punish me for something I said. But this case was neverjust about me. This administration was sending a message to millions of retired veterans that they too can be censured or demoted just for speaking out.That’swhy Icouldn’tlet it stand.

“This is a critical moment to show this administration that theycan’tkeep undermining the freedoms that generations of Americans like me went to war to defend. The First Amendment is a foundation of our democracy.It’show we demand better of presidents like Donald Trump – whether they are jacking up the cost of groceries with tariffs or sending masked immigration agents to intimidate American communities.

“But Donald Trump and his administrationdon’tlike accountability. Theydon’tlike when journalists report on the consequences of their policies. Theydon’tlike when retired veterans question them. And theydon’tlike when millions of everyday Americans peacefully protest.That’swhy they are cracking down on our rights and trying to make examples out of anyone they can.That’snot how we do things in America.

“Ididn’task for this fight, but I have been defending the Constitution since I was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. After decades of public service, Ican’tthink of anything more important I can do for my country than defending the free speech rights of millions of retired veterans and all Americans.


King, Pingree Seek Confirmation from DHS Secretary Noem on Reported ICE Drawdown in Maine

WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) and U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME) are demanding answers to their unanswered questions regarding the recent surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) activity in Maine. In a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Acting Director of ICE Todd Lyons, the members of the Maine Delegation called for a detailed explanation and update about ICE’s presence in Maine, including what their mission is and who they are targeting.

The letter comes on the heels of ICE’s enforcement actions in Maine, inappropriately called “Operation Catch of the Day,” which began nearly three weeks ago. Since its start, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has provided no formal information on the people arrested and their legal status beyond a list of 19 people on its website. Meanwhile, DHS claims that several hundred people have been detained.

“We write to request your prompt response to our outstanding questions regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) recent surge in activity in Maine. It has been 22 days since the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that ICE would launch “Operation Catch of the Day” (OCOTD) in Maine. The January 20, 2026, announcement from DHS stated that this operation was “an immigration enforcement effort across the state of Maine targeting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens who have terrorized communities.” ICE officials told the media in Maine that the target for the operation was 1,400 individuals and that roughly 200 individuals have reportedly been apprehended thus far. The DHS website “Worst of the Worst” lists only 19 individuals apprehended in Maine,” the lawmakers began.

The lawmakers continued, “On January 29, 2026, we learned from Senator Collins that Secretary Noem would be halting the operation; however, we have not seen any written correspondence corroborating this announcement. While state and municipal leaders along with stakeholders in Maine have reported a reduction in ICE’s presence related to this recent surge—absent a formal notice from DHS of the end of the operation—we have outstanding questions regarding the scope of this operation as detailed in various correspondence with the Legislative Affairs offices of DHS and ICE.”

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

+++

Dear Secretary Noem and Director Todd Lyons:

We write to request your prompt response to our outstanding questions regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) recent surge in activity in Maine.

It has been 22 days since the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that ICE would launch “Operation Catch of the Day” (OCOTD) in Maine. The January 20, 2026, announcement from DHS stated that this operation was “an immigration enforcement effort across the state of Maine targeting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens who have terrorized communities.” ICE officials told the media in Maine that the target for the operation was 1,400 individuals and that roughly 200 individuals have reportedly been apprehended thus far. The DHS website “Worst of the Worst” lists only 19 individuals apprehended in Maine.

On January 29, 2026, we learned from Senator Collins that Secretary Noem would be halting the operation; however, we have not seen any written correspondence corroborating this announcement.

While state and municipal leaders along with stakeholders in Maine have reported a reduction in ICE’s presence related to this recent surge—absent a formal notice from DHS of the end of the operation—we have outstanding questions regarding the scope of this operation as detailed in various correspondence with the Legislative Affairs offices of DHS and ICE. To address these urgent concerns, we request that you provide answers to the following questions and information requests by Wednesday, February 18, 2026:

Please confirm whether Operation Catch of the Day is ongoing in Maine?

Please clarify if the operation has been completely halted, reduced, or has not yet changed?

If it has only been reduced, please detail the current scope and nature of this operation?

What further information can ICE provide regarding any ongoing activity?

What is the objective of launching “OCOTD” in Maine?

Which individuals are being targeted?

How many DHS/ICE (any federal) agents were deployed to Maine specifically for “OCOTD?”

How many additional agents have arrived to Maine for this operation?

What agencies did they represent?

What is the total number of arrests made to date (from the time you are responding to this inquiry) as part of OCOTD?

Barring any legal restrictions, please provide a name and justification for each criminal arrest—such as what is posted on DHS’ “Worst of the Worst” website and clarify whether the individual has been convicted of or just charged with the crime listed?

Where are detainees apprehended in this operation being taken (please list name of states and facilities)?

Among those arrested, do any have final removal orders?

Among those arrested, how many have criminal convictions verses criminal charges?

How many discretionary arrests of asylum seekers?

How many arrests are of refugees whom US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have decided to re-interview?

Please share where and how ICE compiled its list of “1,400 targets” for OCOTD?

Why are detainees of OCOTD who are asylum seekers, those without a criminal record, and waiting to appear before an immigration judge, being taken into custody?

There have been numerous arrests of individuals without criminal records—what is the justification for these arrests? This is contrary to the DHS statement that the objective of OCOTD is to arrest the “worst of the worst.”

How is ICE classifying “the worst of the worst?”

Does this include those with parking citations, for example?

Are there any concurrent, separate operation(s) and/or targets being pursued in tandem with OCOTD?

If so, please what are those operation(s)?

Are there any U.S. citizens on ICE’s target list in Maine?

It appears the individuals who have been listed in DHS’s announcement about “Operation Catch of the Day” do not also appear on the “”Worst of the Worst” website under Maine arrests, despite being characterized as “worst of the worst”? Please explain.

We have repeatedly asked for this basic information over the past three weeks. Senator King made request on January 23; Congresswoman Pingree sent you a letter with a similar series of questions on January 22; and further, we have jointly requested to be briefed on your agency’s operation—all with no response. We expect answers to the questions posed here, as well as responses to our previous inquiries, within a week, as congressional oversight is not optional.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

###


Klobuchar Statement on ICE Withdrawing from Minnesota

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released a statement on the administration’s plans to withdraw ICE from Minnesota.

“Minnesotans stood together, stared down ICE, and never blinked. Our state has shown the world how to protect our democracy and take care of our neighbors,” said Klobuchar. “ICE withdrawing from Minnesota is just the beginning. We need accountability for the lives lost and the extraordinary abuses of power at the hands of ICE agents, and we must see a complete overhaul of the agency.”


Klobuchar Statement on the Resignation of Gail Slater

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and the Law, and longtime leader of the Subcommittee on Competition Policy, Antitrust, and Consumer Rights released the following statement on the resignation of Assistant Attorney General for the Antitrust Division, Gail Slater.

“Gail Slater’s departure from the Department of Justice is a major loss for bipartisan antitrust enforcement. She received significant bipartisan support in the Senate and has continued important cases brought by Administrations of both parties, including winning a landmark monopolization case against Google and preparing the vital case to break up Live Nation-Ticketmaster for trial next month,” said Klobuchar. “Her departure raises significant concerns about this Administration’s commitment to enforcing the antitrust laws for the betterment of consumers and small businesses, including seeing through its cases against monopolies.”

###


Senator Lee Leads Amicus Brief Against Counting Late Ballots

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) today led an amicus curiae brief urging the Supreme Court of the United States to secure our elections and respect the founders’ original intent by excluding late ballots from being counted if received after the federally established Election Day. Senator Lee serves as Chairman of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights.

“Congress, exercising its constitutional authority to set the times, places, and manner of federal elections, designated one federal Election Day,” said Senator Mike Lee. “States counting ballots received after Election Day clearly violate the certainty, finality, and trust Congress intended to establish by having nationwide elections take place on one set date. I look forward to the Supreme Court recognizing that States are not permitted to conduct interminable rolling elections with late-arriving ballot surprises that invite fraud and undermine trust in American elections.”

Joining Senator Lee as cosigners of the amicus curiae brief are U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Ted Budd (R-NC), John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), James Lankford (R-OK), Ashley Moody (R-FL), and Jim Justice (R-WV), as well as U.S. Representatives Eric Burlison (R-MO), Tim Burchett (R-TN), Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Mike Collins (R-GA), Byron Donalds (R-FL), Randy Fine (R-FL), Andy Harris (R-MD), Mark Harris, (R-NC), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Addison McDowell (R-NC), John McGuire (R-VA), Mary Miller (R-IL), Barry Moore (R-AL), Troy Nehls (R-TX), Bob Onder (R-MO), Scott Perry (R-PA), John Rose (R-TN), Michael Rulli (R-OH), Derek Schmidt (R-KS), and Keith Self (R-TX).

Read exclusive coverage by Blaze News here.

Read the full text of the amicus curiae brief here.

###


Graham Statement on President Trump Nominating Sheria Clarke to be a Federal District Court Judge for South Carolina

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement following President Donald J. Trump’s nomination of Sheria Clarke to be a U.S. District Court Judge for the District of South Carolina.

“In choosing Sheria Clarke to be a federal district court judge, President Trump has done an outstanding job for the people of South Carolina. She is one of the most highly qualified candidates I’ve ever seen to be a federal district court judge. Sheria is academically gifted and has the depth of knowledge and real-world experience to be exceptional in this role. She has the right demeanor to be a fair judge.

“I look forward to giving her my complete and total support.”


Graham, Whitehouse Lead Congressional Delegation to Munich Security Conference

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-Rhode Island) will lead a bipartisan congressional delegation to this weekend’s Munich Security Conference (MSC).

In addition to hundreds of leaders and decision makers throughout the world, the 2026 MSC will include U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The MSC is widely considered the world’s leading forum for international security policy. The conference is a “marketplace of ideas” where initiatives and solutions are developed and opinions are exchanged. It also provides a venue for diplomatic initiatives and ideas to cooperatively address the world’s most pressing security concerns.

Other congressional participants include:

U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)

U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-Virginia)

U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Delaware)

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut)

U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-Montana)

U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nevada)

U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)

U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-New Jersey)

U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan)

Additional Information on the 2026 Munich Security Conference:

https://securityconference.org/en/msc-2026/

YouTube Channel for the 2026 MSC Panels and Discussions:

www.youtube.com/@MunSecConf

####


At Senate Commerce Hearing, Luján Underscores Need for Transparency and Communication Following Airspace Closures in Texas and New Mexico

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, underscored the need for clear communication and answers following recent airspace closures in Texas and New Mexico during a Senate Commerce hearing. Senator Luján specifically highlighted the lack of communication between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and federal agencies, detailing how it caused the airspace closures in Texas and New Mexico.

Full video of Senator Luján’s exchange is available here.

An excerpt of Senator Luján opening statement is available below:

Just yesterday, we saw how the lack of coordination between the FAA and the Department of Defense can lead to widespread confusion.

Flights were delayed, canceled for many of my constituents, Senator Cruz’s constituents, and others throughout the United States.

But it’s more than flights being canceled. It is the worry and uncertainty that also came from this.

There has still been no answer from the President, from the United States government, from the Department of Transportation, from the Department of Defense.

After speaking with FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford, Senator Luján issued a statement demanding transparency, communication, and accountability. Senator Luján also issued a statement immediately after the FAA lifted the temporary closure of airspace over El Paso calling for answers from the FAA.

###


Luján, Blackburn Reintroduce Legislation to Strengthen Weather Forecasting

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Co-Chairs of the Senate National Labs Caucus, reintroduced the bipartisan Advanced Weather Model Computing Development Act to authorize a collaborative research partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Department of Energy (DOE) to improve advanced weather models. This legislation leverages DOE’s high-performance computing capabilities to strengthen timely, accurate weather forecasting during extreme weather events, saving lives and property.

The bill also authorizes centers of excellence at National Laboratories to use cutting-edge computing techniques to build and deploy better models. While a number of DOE and NOAA research collaboration initiatives have been formalized through various laws and agreements, this legislation would codify this essential research partnership in its entirety.

“Across the nation, intense winter storms have threatened the safety of travel, damaged infrastructure, and taken lives. It’s critical that federal weather prediction models leverage capabilities and resources across all federal agencies to provide the most accurate forecasts possible,” said Senator Luján. “The Advanced Weather Model Computing Development Act strengthens critical partnerships between NOAA and DOE to harness the high-performance computing power of our National Labs to build and deploy better models. Codifying this research partnership will help Americans be more informed and prepared with timely, accurate information that can help our communities stay safe from extreme weather.”

“In the wake of recent severe weather that has ravaged communities across the country, including in Tennessee, it’s important that we strengthen weather forecasting and mitigate the effects of natural disasters before they happen,” said Senator Blackburn. “By encouraging NOAA researchers to utilize the Energy Department’s cutting-edge computing technology for their weather prediction efforts, this bipartisan legislation is an investment in our communities that will save lives.”

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

###


Luján, Heinrich, Leger Fernández Statement on FEMA Announcement Regarding Hermit’s Peak Claims Office Leadership

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) issued the following joint statement on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announcement regarding Hermit’s Peak Claims Office leadership:

“The FEMA announcement, following calls for action from the New Mexico delegation, is a step in the right direction to rebuild trust and provide relief for impacted families. There are still outstanding questions regarding the Claims Office status and operations, and we will continue pressing for accountability and stable, trusted leadership.

“FEMA and the Claims Office must work urgently to help New Mexicans recover by prioritizing total loss and burn scar claims, ensuring clear and timely communication, and delivering transparency.”

###


Luján, Merkley Introduce Legislation to Stop Grocery Price Gouging and Lower Costs for Americans

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Committee’s Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced the Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act of 2026, legislation that bans corporations from leveraging new technologies to increase grocery prices for Americans. Specifically, the legislation prohibits the use of surveillance pricing in grocery stores, the practice of using personal data to set individualized prices for goods.

Corporations often collect and purchase your personal information to create a detailed profile of consumers. This data, coupled with mobile apps, electronic shelf labels, facial recognition, and other biometric technology, allows companies to charge different people different prices for the same item. As grocery prices rise and the federal programs that fight hunger are slashed, some of the largest grocery chains appear poised to implement the widespread use of electronic shelf labels, a technology that allows stores to change the price of an item in a matter of seconds from a remote location. The Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act of 2026 levels the playing field by implementing commonsense guardrails to protect Americans families.

“In New Mexico and across the country, Americans are struggling to put food on the table,” said Senator Luján. “With rising costs driven by President Trump’s trade war and Republican cuts to SNAP, Congress must act to ensure that technologies are being used to improve the lives of Americans, not increase their grocery bills. Our friends, family, and neighbors should be able to shop at their local grocery store without worrying about predatory pricing.”

“Working families are paying more than ever for groceries, while huge corporations are raking in record profits,” said Senator Merkley. “We must protect Americans from price gouging and from billionaire corporations abusing folks’ personal information just to charge higher prices. The Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act cracks down on this corporate greed—in the store and online—putting people over profits.”

“Every single American will be affected by these predatory pricing practices, including the more than 800,000 grocery workers that UFCW represents, who are on the frontlines of this war on consumers,” said UFCW International President Milton Jones. “Families deserve to shop without worrying that they’ll be targeted with a higher price because of their income level or zip code. We applaud Senators Luján and Merkley for their commitment to ending the affordability crisis and protecting consumers.”

Specifically, the Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act of 2026 addresses the ability of corporations to leverage new technologies against consumers by:

Prohibiting surveillance pricing in grocery stores;

Requiring grocery stores to disclose the use of facial recognition technology;

Banning electronic shelf labels in large grocery stores; and

Establishing an enforcement mechanism to hold corporations accountable.

During the government shutdown, Senator Luján led the Senate Democratic Caucus in introducing legislation that prevents the Trump administration from illegally withholding available funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). During debate on the Republican Budget Betrayal, Senator Luján spearheaded efforts to reverse the bill’s drastic cuts to food assistance.

Together with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, Senator Luján convened a Spotlight Forum titled “Hunger by Design: The GOP’s Assault on SNAP” to underscore the devastating impact of Congressional Republicans’ plan to gut SNAP.

This legislation is endorsed by The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW).

Full bill text is available here.

###


Luján Speaks Directly with FAA Administrator, Calls for Classified Briefing Over Airspace Closure

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee with jurisdiction over the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), issued the following statement after speaking with FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford over airspace closures in Texas and New Mexico:

“I just spoke with the Administrator of the FAA regarding the closure and partial reopening of airspace over El Paso, Texas, and Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

“While I am still seeking full details, one thing is clear: travelers should not have had to endure the chaos they experienced. This morning, the FAA abruptly announced a 10-day closure of the airspace, only to reverse course within hours.

“At this time, airspace over El Paso has reopened, but airspace over Santa Teresa and parts of southern New Mexico remain closed. I’ll continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.

“This incident raises serious concerns. New Mexicans deserve transparency, communication, and accountability from the federal government.

“As a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the FAA, I’ll continue pressing for clear and accurate information. I hope to receive a full classified briefing as soon as possible.”


Lummis Applauds Trump Pro-Coal Executive Order

Washington, D.C.— Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) released the following statement after President Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to prioritize coal-powered energy.

“President Trump’s executive order is a monumental win for Wyoming and the entire west,” said Lummis. “After four years of enduring Biden’s regulatory assault on American energy workers, President Trump’s policies have been the dramatic course correction our nation desperately needed. This executive order continues President Trump’s relentless commitment to restoring American energy dominance with western states leading the charge.”

###


Lummis Celebrates Rollback of Obama-Era Endangerment Finding

Washington, D.C.— Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) issued the following statement today after the Trump administration announced plans to rescind the Obama-era Endangerment Finding:

“I’m thrilled the Trump administration’s EPA is taking action to rescind the imbecilic Obama-era ‘Endangerment Finding Rule’ that Washington bureaucrats have utilized to expand federal overreach and control,” said Lummis. “This was never a rule that went through proper congressional debate or approval—instead, it was created by unelected Democrat bureaucrats to wage a decades-long crusade to dismantle our fossil fuel industry in the name of addressing climate change. I’m grateful President Trump and Administrator Zeldin are following through on their commitment to restore common sense and rein in heavy handed regulatory tyranny.”

###


Rep. Salinas, Sen. Merkley Lead Letter Opposing ICE Detention Facilities in Oregon

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) led Oregon’s Democratic Members of Congress and ten additional House Members in a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) acting director Todd Lyons opposing any plans to open or expand ICE detention facilities in Oregon, including so-called “soft-sided” or repurposed facilities. The letter raises serious concerns about the safety, transparency, environmental impacts, and humanitarian standards of ICE facilities, particularly regarding a potential facility in Newport. The Members demanded detailed information about ICE’s detention plans in the state amid a rapid nationwide expansion of detention capacity.

Click here or see below for the full letter:

Dear Secretary Noem and Acting Director Lyons:

We write to express deep concern and strong opposition to any plans to open or expand Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities in Oregon. We also write with particular concern about the promulgation of “soft-sided” ICE detention facilities and any plans to repurpose existing structures with the goal of rapidly expanding the number of detention facilities in Oregon and across the country.

Under the Trump Administration, the number of people in ICE detention centers has skyrocketed. Just last month, it was reported that there were 73,000 people in ICE detention centers, which is a record high. And from the start of 2025 to November 2025, the number of ICE facilities increased by over 90%. Additionally, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act includes $45 billion for ICE detention capacity over the next four years, which will further balloon a detention system with a budget larger than the entire federal prison system. Due to the sharp increase in both funding for detention facilities as well as the sharp increase in the detained population, we request detailed information about plans for facilities from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE. In particular, we request detailed information on plans or communications regarding the development of immigration detention facilities in Oregon.

In addition to our concerns about an increase in detention facilities in Oregon and nationwide, we also have concerns regarding the type of detention facilities DHS and ICE plan to develop. Reports indicate that ICE plans to reach its detention facility expansion goals through increased reliance on temporary, “soft-sided” structures or repurposing existing structures, including in Newport, Oregon. Given the cold and wet climate of the Oregon Coast, a soft-sided detention facility or an existing structure not intended to safely house people would threaten the safety and well-being of the people who would be detained there.

Moreover, we find it increasingly difficult to believe that ICE can responsibly house and care for people humanely given the well-documented cases of overcrowding, medical neglect, and insufficient nutrition at the facilities it currently operates. In addition to human rights concerns, we also request information on how the facility’s construction will comply with the National Environmental Policy Act.

Given these grave concerns, we urge you to stop any plans to repurpose existing structures or build facilities for the purpose of detaining people in Oregon. We also request answers to the following questions and requests for information:

Is ICE planning to expand current detention facilities or open any new long or short-term detention facilities in Oregon?

If ICE is moving forward with detention, will any contracts be issued through ICE or through a separate agency contracting process?

If ICE is planning to expand or open facilities in Oregon, please confirm the estimated size of each facility and type of structure.

Is ICE planning on purchasing, renting, or repurposing any existing property or structures in Oregon for the purpose of detaining people?

Please provide information on the environmental impacts of any planned facility construction or expansion in Oregon and how the agency will comply with requirements under the National Environmental Protection Act. Please also provide the results of any environmental assessment, and the names of the individuals who completed the assessment.

Has ICE coordinated with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and state emergency management officials to assess, mitigate, and plan for potential facility or detainee risks from natural disasters including a tsunami?

Please provide any reports or analysis DHS or ICE have conducted on the impacts of military readiness and coastal safety if the Coast Guard is affected or displaced.

Please provide detailed data on the location, capacity, and average length of stay at each soft-sided facilities in the U.S.

Please provide detailed information on any plans for new or additional soft-sided facilities or detention capacity in FY 2026 and FY 2027.

How does ICE maintain the Performance Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS) in soft-sided facilities to meet requirements for care related to food, hygiene, bedding, access to legal counsel, and temperature?

Please provide detailed data regarding all areas of non-compliance and violations of PBNDS 2011 or other detention standards at soft-sided facilities.

Please provide a detailed list of every detention standard that has been waived for a soft-sided facility in CY 2025 including the date of the waiver, reasoning, and who signed off on issuance.

Please respond to these questions and requests for information by Monday, February 23, 2026.

###


Whitehouse, Sanders, Merkley, Fletcher, Cleaver Lead More than 80 Colleagues in Filing Amicus Brief Urging Court to Restore Illegally Terminated Solar for All Funding

“EPA has given no reason why its unlawful actions to unwind Congressional appropriations should stand,” wrote the lawmakers

Washington, D.C .— U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW); Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and U.S. Representatives Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07) and Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO-05) led 84 Members of Congress in submitting an amicus brief to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in the case of Harris County, Texas v. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency et al. The brief urged the Court to restore all funding for Solar for All, which had been fully obligated according to statute before it was illegally terminated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Under the Solar for All program, which is part of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF), states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations in all 50 states had already been obligated $7 billion for initiatives that lower household energy bills by expanding access to affordable solar energy. The lawmakers pressed the Court to vacate EPA’s illegal termination of the program’s funding, which was a clear attempt to “evade its statutory obligations [and] aggrandize[e] executive power at the expense of settled legislative prerogatives.” GGRF, a $27 billion national climate financing fund passed into law as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, has been a frequent target of the Trump Administration’s war on climate safety and low-cost clean energy. Congress created the fund to spur economic development, lower energy costs, and reduce pollution.

“EPA has provided ‘shifting, post-hoc, and unsupported allegations’ to justify its termination of the GGRF programs, including Solar for All. EPA now seeks to avoid accountability for its unlawful cancellation of the Solar for All program, in violation of the plain text of the OBBBA and explicit Congressional intent,” explained the lawmakers.

EPA has attempted to argue that the only way it could restore funding would be to issue replacement grants. The lawmakers made clear that argument is false: “The Court need not reach the question of whether EPA has authority to issue replacement grants; that question is a red herring. If this Court finds EPA’s termination unlawful, it can vacate that termination.”

Despite the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s unambiguous terms rescinding only “unobligated balances,” EPA has erroneously claimed that the OBBBA enabled it to cancel fully obligated Solar for All funding. But, as the lawmakers argued, EPA’s claims are inconsistent with the OBBBA’s text and Congressional intent: “Congress could not have made clearer its intention to leave the already-obligated Solar for All grants untouched, as evident in the statutory text and in contemporaneous statements. EPA nonetheless cancelled the Solar for All grants, claiming that the OBBBA justified that termination. In a mind-bending display of circular reasoning, EPA now argues that, regardless, the OBBBA renders its cancellation of the obligated Solar for All grants unreviewable. It simply cannot be the case that an executive agency can unilaterally cancel a Congressionally mandated program in its entirety—and in violation of the terms of a reconciliation bill—and then use that same statute as cover to evade accountability for its unlawful action.”

That unobligated funds are not subject to OBBBA was reinforced by the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office’s scoring of the reconciliation bill: “CBO scored the provision as saving $19 million of the $30 million in funding set aside from the GGRF grant programs for EPA administration and oversight… If the OBBBA had authorized EPA to claw back GGRF money that the federal government had already obligated, the budget score would have reflected savings of another $27 billion: $7 billion for Solar for All and $20 billion for the GGRF’s green bank programs. CBO further confirmed that repeal of the program language did not create any additional savings.”

Furthermore, during the markup of the Energy and Commerce Committee title for the House version of the bill, then-Chair of the Environment Subcommittee Morgan Griffith (VA-09) stated: “I just want to point out that these provisions that we are talking about only apply as far, as this bill is concerned, to the unobligated balances. So if a grant was already given, as far as this bill is concerned, then that would still be going forward… [W]e can’t rescind expenditures that have already been obligated.”

Senators Whitehouse, Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Ed Markey (D-MA) and Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) previously led 36 Members of Congress in submitting an amicus brief urging the Court to block the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) illegal efforts to eliminate the National Clean Investment Fund and the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator programs, both of which are also part of GGRF.

Joining Senators Whitehouse, Sanders, and Merkley and Representatives Fletcher and Cleaver, II in signing the amicus brief were Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Representatives Becca Balint (D-VT-AL), Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44), Wesley Bell (D-MO-01), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (D-VA-08), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Shontel M. Brown (D-OH-11), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Janelle S. Bynum (D-OR-05), André Carson (D-IN-07), Troy A. Carter Sr. (D-LA-02), Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Ed Case (D-HI-01), Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Herb Conaway (D-NJ-03), Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30), Danny K. Davis (D-IL-07), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10), Suzan K. DelBene (D-WA-01), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Valerie P. Foushee (D-NC-04), Laura Friedman (D-CA-30), Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29), Daniel Goldman (D-NY-10), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08), John B. Larson (D-CT-01), Susie Lee (D-NV-03), Summer L. Lee (D-PA-12), Ted W. Lieu (D-CA-36), Stephen F. Lynch (D-MA-08), Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02), Sarah McBride (D-DE-00), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-03), James P. McGovern (D-MA-02), Christian Menefee (D-TX-18), Robert J. Menendez (D-NJ-08), Dave Min (D-CA-47), Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ-06), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Emily Randall (D-WA-06), Deborah K. Ross (D-NC-02), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Kim Schrier (D-WA-08), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), Adam Smith (D-WA-09), Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01), Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), Paul D. Tonko (D-NY-20), Juan Vargas (D-CA-52), Marc Veasey (D-TX-33), Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY-07), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12).

Full text of the brief is available HERE.

###


Wicker, Merkley, Colleagues Introduce Resolution Honoring the 125th Anniversary of Army Nurse Corps

“The Army Nurse Corps have been essential to our defense personnel and U.S. health care system. As a nation, we are grateful for their commitment to the well-being of our soldiers and for their dedication to the United States. I commend the commitment, skill, and sacrifice of Army nurses throughout history and their continuous vital contributions to our service members,” said Senator Wicker, Co-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus.

“From battlefields to hospitals and clinics, army nurses provide critical care to patients during their moments of greatest need,” said Senator Merkley, Co-Chair of the Senate Nursing Caucus. “With our bipartisan resolution, we honor these heroes for their dedication to making the world a better place and commit to ensuring they can continue this essential work for future generations of brave servicemembers.”

“For 125 years, the Army Nurse Corps has provided invaluable care to our men and women in uniform. Whether it was the beaches of Normandy or the jungles of Vietnam, Army Nurses answered the call to serve and have since saved countless lives in the process,” said Representative Joyce, Co-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus. “This resolution recognizes the vital role that these heroes play in our military operations and national security, as well as the sacrifices they have made throughout history to care for our troops. I want to thank Chairman Wicker for his support for this resolution in the Senate, and I am proud to pay tribute to our brave Army Nurses in Congress.”

“On February 2nd we celebrated 125 years of the Army Nurse Corps providing care to military members, veterans, and their families. I have profound appreciation for the current and former nurses who have served their country bravely and continue to provide life-saving care. I will continue to work in Congress to provide pathways to and support for nursing professionals,” said Representative Bonamici, Co-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus.

“As a retired Army colonel and a certified nurse-midwife, I have seen firsthand how the Army Nurse Corps embodies service, leadership, and unwavering commitment to those we serve,” said ACNM CEO Michelle Munroe, DNP, APRN, CNM, FACNM, FAAN. “For 125 years, Army nurses have been the backbone of military medicine, caring for soldiers and families in moments of profound vulnerability, often under extremely challenging conditions. This anniversary is not just a milestone in our history; it is a testament to the courage, skill, compassion, and pride that Army nurses bring to every mission.”

“Congratulations to the Army Nurse Corps on 125 years of extraordinary service. This milestone invites us to honor a remarkable branch of nursing that helped shape our nation and build the foundation of modern healthcare,” said ANA President Jennifer S. Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN. “Military nursing stands among the earliest formalized specialties, forged by those who cared for the wounded on the frontlines of America’s major conflicts. The American Nurses Association salutes the Army Nurse Corps—its leadership, its mission, and our shared commitment to advancing nursing research, professional standards, and humanitarian and disaster response. Here’s to your legacy of service, your impact on the nursing profession.”


Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Demand Administration Immediately End Deportation Flights to Iran

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined Senate colleagues to demand Donald Trump immediately end deportation flights to Iran.

Last month, reports confirmed that Trump resumed the deportation of dozens of Iranians, many of whom could be persecuted, tortured, or even executed if forced to return to Iran. That reporting came amid massive demonstrations in Iran, the Iranian government’s violent crackdown on protesters, and threats from Trump to use U.S. military force against the current Iranian regime.

“Given Iran’s horrific human rights record, we are deeply concerned that the Trump administration is returning people to a country where they may be persecuted or tortured, in violation of U.S. and international law,” the senators wrote to Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio. “As you know, the United States has long been a safe haven for Iranians fleeing oppression and persecution by the Iranian regime because of their political ideology, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. In the eyes of the regime, some of these ‘crimes’ are punishable by death, and deportees have stated they’ll likely face such sentences if sent back to Iran.”

“…despite your acknowledgement of the Iranian government’s wanton disregard for basic human rights, the Trump administration has chosen to return Iranian citizens to the very place that they fled for their lives,” the senators continued.

“Throughout your career in the Senate, you were an advocate for Cubans escaping oppression and persecution by the Castro regime and for the protection of political dissidents and religious minorities around the world. We were glad to work with you on these issues,” the senators concluded. “Now we ask you and the Trump administration to ensure that the United States does not violate U.S. and international law by returning people who have a well-founded fear of persecution and torture by the brutal Iranian regime.”

The letter was led by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine, D-Va., and Peter Welch, D-Vt. In addition to Wyden and Merkley, the letter was cosigned by U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Mark Warner, D-Va., Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., Michael Bennet, D-Colo., Cory Booker, D-N.J., and Alex Padilla, D-Calif.

The full letter is here.

###


Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill to Expand Mental Health Care Workforce

Recent data from HHS highlights that more than half of all Americans live in a region lacking enough mental health professionals

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today said that they are introducing a bill that would bolster the behavioral and mental health care workforce by providing high school and community college students with educational opportunities to learn about and pursue good-paying jobs in the health care industry.

“A broken mental health care system is leaving millions of Americans struggling,” Wyden said. “This bill takes a solid step to tackling our country’s growing mental health crisis by increasing the number of providers to meet the growing needs of communities in Oregon and nationwide.”

“In my conversations all across our state, I hear about the struggles of finding mental health care services. We need an all-hands-on-deck approach to tackle this crisis,” Merkley said. “The Mental Health Career Promotion Act will grow the pipeline of future mental health professionals by expanding access to quality training and educational opportunities. I’ll keep fighting to ensure all Americans can access the mental health care they need and deserve.”

Data shows Oregon lagging behind much of the country in addressing the ongoing youth mental health crisis. Nationwide, two in five students report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness within the last 30 days, and one in five reported in 2023 they have seriously considered attempting suicide.

Students struggling with mental health are often left untreated because they do not know where to seek help, and there are not enough trained professionals to meet the growing demand.

The Mental Health Career Promotion Act would help address these challenges by:

Providing educational presentations to students that increase exposure to and knowledge of mental health;

Coordinating internship and externship opportunities for students interested in mental health;

Arranging opportunities for students to interact with and shadow mental health care professionals; and

Establishing student mentorship opportunities in mental health.

The bill was led by U.S. Senators Alex Padilla, D-Calif., and U.S. Representatives Bonnie Watson Coleman, D-N.J., and Becca Balint, D-Vt. In addition to Wyden and Merkley, the bill was cosponsored by U.S. Senator Cory Booker, D-N.J., and U.S. Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C.

The text of the bill is here.

###


VIDEO: Sen. Moran Questions NTSB Chair Homendy on Findings from DCA Crash Investigation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (Kan.) – member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation – today questioned National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair Jennifer Homendy following the conclusion of the NTSB’s investigation into the midair collision at Reagan National Airport (DCA) that claimed 67 lives on January 29, 2025. During the hearing, Sen. Moran asked Chair Homendy about the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) lack of a common definition for near misses, the circumstances that kept the safety concerns of air traffic controllers and other FAA employees from being relayed to FAA leadership and whether improved aviation safety standards have been implemented since the DCA crash.

“It’s our responsibility – our responsibility in this committee and as members of the United States Senate – to turn the conclusions of the NTSB report into action,” said Sen. Moran. “Congress must determine what steps we need to take following those recommendations, and we need to make sure that the FAA, the Army and all others are following those recommended and enacted safety measures. Following the year-long investigation, NTSB has affirmed again that passing and implementing the ROTOR Act could have – and I would say would have – saved lives on January the 29th, 2025. The passage and implementation of the ROTOR Act is critical to achieving the safety of our skies, and I urge the House not to delay in its passage.”

Sen. Moran’s full questioning of Chair Homendy can be found here.

The ROTOR Act, introduced by Sens. Moran and Ted Cruz (R-Texas), unanimously passed the Senate in December. The legislation is still awaiting consideration by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Click HERE to Watch Sen. Moran’s Full Opening Remarks

Sen. Moran’s full opening remarks as delivered:

“Mr. Chairman, thank you, and I join in supporting and commending your opening statement – you and the ranking member. I appreciate the demands and sentiments that you both expressed. I appreciate the way that you both have carried out this, conducting the hearings, allowing our subcommittee to take a significant role in pursuing safety measures and really directing the leadership, providing the leadership to this committee to take concrete actions to prevent other accidents from occurring in the future.

“We continue to mourn the losses of victims. We express our condolences on behalf of citizens of my state. We express our condolences to the members of the families who are present here today and those who are not. We remember the heroism that was displayed on the night of January 29th at DCA, at Reagan National Airport, as the heroic efforts were made to find and save lives, and I commend NTSB Chair Homendy and her team for their significant and diligent work.

“The calls for action that have been made by the chairman and the ranking member, it seems to me that I can’t remember the circumstance in which we had the factual basis to be more unified in a response than what we have with the presence of what Chair Homendy and her team have provided us. In so many instances in Congress, we get this point of view and this point of view, and then we try to hash out who’s telling us the truth and what matters in the conversation, and Chairwoman Homendy, I can’t find a circumstance in which NTSB didn’t do its job in a way that none of us should have doubts about the conclusions you reached and the recommendations you have provided.

“There is no excuse for us not to achieve the goal of those recommendations by passing legislation and perhaps as important, maybe even more importantly, to insist that once we pass legislation, that legislative effort is rewarded by action by the FAA and others so that it is implemented fully in a way that makes a difference.

“I’ve been in Congress long enough to see the circumstances in which often pass legislation, we issue the press release and say we’ve done something. But we haven’t done anything until we’ve done something and that means the administration. The execution of those laws has to be fully fulfilled.

“It’s our responsibility – our responsibility in this committee and as members of the United States Senate – to turn the conclusions of the NTSB report into action. Congress must determine what steps we need to take following those recommendations, and we need to make sure that the FAA, the Army and all others are following those recommended and enacted safety measures.

“Following the year-long investigation, NTSB has affirmed again that passing and implementing the ROTOR Act could have – and I would say would have – saved lives on January the 29th, 2025. The passage and implementation of the ROTOR Act is critical to achieving the safety of our skies, and I urge the House not to delay in its passage. The chairman made the point that every day that goes by creates a greater risk for others. If there’s something that needs to be addressed in the ROTOR Act, don’t delay. Let’s have the conversation and fix something if there’s something missing or wrong. That doesn’t mean watering it down.

“Additionally, Congress must continue to provide the funding that is necessary to further modernize our aviation system, advance new technologies at the FAA – the FAA Administrator was in front of us with a roundtable discussion yesterday about implementation of advanced technologies in the system. We must continue to recruit, train and support air traffic controllers. No steps back, moving forward, act on the recommendations and make sure that January 29th never happens again.”

# # #


Moreno, Davidson Bill Targets State Lending Overreach

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) introduced the American Lending Fairness Act of 2026 to restrict states from using opt-outs to impose their interest rate caps on loans from out-of-state chartered banks and credit unions.

“When states use opt-outs to slap their own interest rate caps on out-of-state lenders, it is hardworking Americans who feel the pain,” said Senator Moreno. “I am committed to restoring clear national standards and protecting access to credit for all Americans, regardless of where they live.”

“Federal law should not pick winners and losers based on a bank’s charter,” said Rep. Davidson. “The American Lending Fairness Act restores decades-long precedent, protects consumers’ right to shop for interest rates across state lines, and ensures they benefit from real competition.”

Senator Moreno’s American Lending Fairness Act of 2026 restores the federal interest rate preemption for state-chartered banks and credit unions in interstate lending. This legislation preserves states’ authority to regulate in-state chartered institutions, protects interest rate exportation, and promotes competitive parity with national banks.

The bill directly addresses the Tenth Circuit’s 2025 decision in National Association of Industrial Bankers v. Weiser, which allowed states like Colorado to apply their own caps to loans originated by out-of-state lenders.

Read the full bill text HERE.

Stakeholder Quotes:

“We applaud Sen. Moreno and Rep. Davidson for introducing this important legislation to preserve the competitive parity that is such an essential principle of our nation’s dual banking system. We appreciate their efforts to ensure state-chartered banks can compete on a level playing field with national banks, and we urge the House and Senate to move this bill forward,” said Rob Nichols, President and CEO of the American Bankers Association (ABA).

“A bank’s home state should never become a regulatory cage. Modernizing DIDMCA is essential to protecting the dual banking system and ensuring Ohio’s state-chartered banks can compete fairly in a digital-first economy. Without this fix, we shrink the marketplace, limit consumer choice, and drive up costs for borrowers. This is a common-sense update that strengthens competition and protects communities across Ohio and the country,” said Michael Adelman President and CEO of the Ohio Bankers League (OBL).

“We are grateful to Senator Moreno and Congressman Davidson for introducing this important legislation that will cut costs and increase flexibility for credit unions to best serve their members. At a time when many hardworking people and families are struggling to make ends meet, this bill will help credit unions do what they do best: serve the financial needs of members in a way that works best for them, without navigating a complex patchwork of different state laws and regulations that increase costs and add barriers to financial access. We look forward to working closely with Senator Moreno and Congressman Davidson to get this bill signed into law,” said Paul Mercer, President of the Ohio Credit Union League (OCUL).

“Senator Moreno deserves enormous credit for stepping up to ensure that consumers and small businesses continue to have access to affordable, regulated credit—no matter where they live,” said Frank Pignanelli, Executive Director of the National Association of Industrial Bankers (NAIB). “The bill preserves the essential foundation of interstate banking and restores much-needed clarity and common sense. We simply can’t turn back the clock on a national credit market that has benefited consumers in every state.”

“AFSA greatly appreciates and supports Senator Moreno’s ‘American Lending Fairness Act of 2026,’ which would continue the level playing field between state and nationally chartered banks that has existed for decades, ensuring consumers have access to a wider set of credit options,” said Celia Winslow, President and CEO, American Financial Services Association (AFSA).

“We applaud Senator Moreno and Congressman Davidson for their leadership in introducing the bicameral American Lending Fairness Act of 2026,” said Penny Lee, President and CEO of the Financial Technology Association (FTA). “This legislation will give consumers and small businesses more access to credit, enhance product offerings, and ensure competitive pricing by providing consistent rules for nationwide lending. We look forward to supporting this effort as it progresses.”

“Modern proponents of states opting out of DIDMCA are interested in a narrow agenda of stopping banks from working with technology firms to expand access to credit. They are attempting to weaponize the opt-out provision of this 1980 law, and they never acknowledge the full implications for a state (and its banks) if it pursues this course of action. The American Lending Fairness Act of 2026 would add the clarity needed to address this misrepresentation and abuse of DIDMCA, and we appreciate you all introducing this important legislation,” said Andrew Duke, CEO, Online Lenders Alliance (OLA).

“Senator Moreno and Congressman Davidson’s American Lending Fairness Act is about restoring legal certainty and competitive parity,” said Jason Stverak, Chief Advocacy Officer of the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC). “For decades, interest rate exportation has provided a stable, predictable framework that allows credit unions to serve members across state lines—especially military families who move often due to permanent change-of-station orders.”

“The American Lending Fairness Act of 2026 is a smart, practical step toward modernizing the rules that govern how credit unions serve their members. We appreciate Senator Moreno and Congressman Davidson for recognizing that outdated and overlapping requirements ultimately increase costs for consumers. Credit unions exist to expand opportunity, not navigate unnecessary complexity. When policymakers streamline the framework, it allows credit unions to devote more time, resources, and capital to helping families buy homes, finance small businesses, and manage everyday expenses. America’s Credit Unions strongly supports this legislation and looks forward to working with Congress to ensure it delivers meaningful benefits to the communities credit unions serve,” said Scott Simpson, President/CEO, America’s Credit Unions (ACU).

“Responsible bank-fintech partnerships increase access to safe and affordable credit options for hard working American families. Through DIDMCA, Congress created a national framework to ensure community banks could compete on equal footing and serve consumers across state lines,” said Phil Goldfeder, CEO of the American Fintech Council (AFC). “Recent state attempts to opt-out of DIDMCA reduces access at a time when affordable credit is more important than ever. We applaud Senator Moreno and Congressman Davidson for introducing the American Lending Fairness Act to restore Congress’s original intent of strengthening the dual banking system and protecting families and small businesses from the harmful consequences of a fragmented, state-by-state regime.”

“We support legislation that reinforces America’s dual-banking system by ensuring regulatory parity between state- and federally chartered banks. A clear, uniform national standard prevents states from selectively walling off state-chartered banks, preserves responsible access to credit – especially for consumers and small businesses with the fewest options – and avoids a costly patchwork of rules that stifles innovation, competition, and efficiency. This is a commonsense step to keep credit markets fair, consistent, and accessible nationwide,” said Parris Sanz, EVP, General Counsel and Head of Policy & Government Relations, WebBank.

This legislation is also supported by:


Murphy Grills Unqualified Trump Nominee On His White Nationalist Views

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Europe and Regional Security, questioned Jeremy Carl, nominee to be the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for International Organizations, about his white identitarian worldview and writings. Murphy demanded that Carl explain his longheld beliefs that white Americans face more discrimination than any other racial group in the United States, and called for his Senate colleagues to reject his nomination.

If confirmed, Carl will lead a State Department unit of over 100 diplomats and shape the United States’ engagement with multilateral organizations, including UNICEF and the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization.

Murphy denounced Trump’s nomination of a white nationalist to a top post at the State Department: “I think it's just heartbreaking that you have been nominated for this position and that you've reached a panel before the United States Senate… One of the things you have said is that anti-white discrimination is the most pervasive and politically salient form of racism today. So do you continue to believe that anti-white discrimination is more salient than the discrimination faced today by Blacks, Latinos, Muslims, or other American groups?”

He pressed the nominee to explain his belief that white identity is being “erased” from American culture: “You have made several statements about your worry regarding the erasure of white culture in America. You know, I understand Irish American culture. I understand Italian American culture. I maybe don't understand white culture as well. Tell me the values, the white values, that you believed are being erased by the current American government or the prior American governments?... Tell us your thoughts on how white identity is different than other kinds of identity and how it's being erased?”

Murphy cut right through the nominee’s evasive dog whistles to expose his fundamentally racist worldview: “I think you're struggling to answer this question, right? Because underlying your beliefs is a sentiment that white culture is just simply better. You haven't been able to really coherently answer any of my questions about how you define white culture, how you define the threat that's posed. I appreciate you being very honest that you believe that white Americans are subject to greater amounts of discrimination in this country than Black Americans. I do not think that's a sentiment that is shared broadly on this committee, it is all what makes you just wildly, wildly unqualified to take this post.”

A full transcript of the exchange is available below.

Murphy: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, thank you all for appearing here today. Mr. Carl, I think it's just heartbreaking that you have been nominated for this position and that you've reached a panel before the United States Senate. But I do want to give you a chance to go a little bit deeper in your explanations of your personal beliefs, they are directly relevant to your fitness to serve. You have already had some of your statements read to you, but I'd like you to respond to at least a few of them.

One of the things you have said is that anti-white discrimination is the most pervasive and politically salient form of racism today. So do you continue to believe that anti-white discrimination is more salient than the discrimination faced today by Blacks, Latinos, Muslims, or other American groups.

Carl: Thank you for that question, and thank you also for giving me an opportunity to speak at a little bit of length. I haven't necessarily had much opportunity to respond.

Murphy: I'm gonna have at least one more question for you, so I'll give you a minute or two to respond.

Carl: Yes. So thanks to the great work of my friend Harmeet Dhillon as the Assistant Attorney General of Civil Rights, I actually think that we've done an incredible job in this administration of getting rid of certain policies that discriminate, particularly against white Americans, but also, in some cases, Asian Americans.

Murphy: Well, maybe answer my question, let's rewind. Maybe you'll suggest that everything is fine now. Let's rewind a year ago. A year ago, were white Americans the most discriminated against group in the United States? You said it.

Carl: Yes, certainly this is my belief. I'm not running away from that. I think that while, of course, all races in different contexts can be subject to really severe discrimination that when we look at our legal structures, white Americans are often very disfavored in overt ways. We're seeing this in the Small Business Administration, many other places.

Murphy: So your belief is that white Americans face more discrimination, at least prior to the Trump administration fixing this, than Black Americans?

Carl: On average. Senator, yes, that's correct, and I'm not running away from

that statement at all.

Murphy: You have made several statements about your worry regarding the erasure of white culture in America. You know, I understand Irish American culture. I understand Italian American culture, I maybe don't understand white culture as well. Tell me the values, the white values, that you believed are being erased by the current American government or the prior American governments.

Carl: Senator, thank you for that question. I would say that I didn't use the word values. I used the word culture. I think that any time you have large degrees of mass immigration, you're going to have a change in culture, especially if they're coming from culturally dissimilar backgrounds. And no matter what group it is, if it were in China, it would be the same thing. If it were in New Guinea, it would be the same thing.

Murphy: But tell me about what that means. I mean culture is values, right? It's expressions of identity. Tell me what is being erased. Give me some examples of what you believe are being erased about white identity. What is white identity to you?

Carl: Well, Senator, thank you for that-

Murphy: Tell me how it's different than other identities.

Carl: Senator, I think the question of identity is something that lots of scholars-

Murphy: Yeah you can do a sermon on identity, but just tell me how you define white identity and what you think is being erased about white identity.

Carl: Senator, it would have- thank you again for the question, and genuinely, thank you for finally letting me have a chance to explain some of my comments a little bit. But I would say that, you know, they could be things like going to a certain type of Christian Church and that sort of culture, which is very different. I mean, you can all be Christians, right, in a certain environment, but African American Christians might worship differently than Chinese Christians that might worship differently than white Christians. Of course, sometimes you have multi-ethnic churches, but things like that, certain types of Anglo-derived culture that comes from our history.

Murphy: Like what?

Carl: Let me think about this. You know, Senator, I would say, if you were to look at the book by one of your former Senate colleagues, “Born Fighting” about the sort of Scotch/Irish military culture and certain, you know, pride that went with that, that would be one example. Obviously, you could have sub elements of that culture. You could have Italians. You could have Irish and those are in many ways more-

Murphy: You're worried about white culture. You're not worried about- you're now retreating to ethnic identity. You don't speak about ethnic identity, you speak about white identity. So tell me the values that stitch together white identity and make it different than Black identity.

Carl: Senator, again, thank you -

Murphy: You spend a lot of time talking about this and writing about this but you're struggling with this, but you should be fairly easy, I would assume, be able to tell us your thoughts on how white identity is different than other kinds of identity and how it's being erased.

Carl: Senator, again, thank you for the question.

Murphy: You’re welcome.

Carl: I'm just trying to be very precise. Because I'm here in front of a Senate committee, I would say that the white church is very different than the Black church in terms of its tone and style on average. Food ways could often be different.

Murphy: And those are being erased?

Carl: Music could be different if you look at the Super Bowl Halftime Show, which was not in English.

Murphy: So our ability to access white churches or white food or white music is being erased?

Carl: Senator again, thank you for the question. What I would say is the biggest thing, because actually, contrary to many of the comments that have been shown, racial nationalists have been very, very critical of my work, because they correctly say that I'm actually, of course, not a racial nationalist, which I'm not. I'm a civic nationalist. I am concerned with the majority common American culture, that we had for some time, that through particularly mass immigration, I think, has become much more balkanized, and I think that weakens us. And again, I'm not running away from that comment. I'm not apologizing for it.

Murphy: I'm way over my time. I think you're struggling to answer this question, right? Because underlying your beliefs is a sentiment that white culture is just simply better.

Carl: Senator, I have to disagree with that.

Murphy: You haven't been able to really coherently answer any of my questions about how you define white culture, how you define the threat that's posed. I appreciate you being very honest that you believe that white Americans are subject to greater amounts of discrimination in this country than Black Americans. I do not think that's a sentiment that is shared broadly on this committee, it is all what makes you just wildly, wildly unqualified to take this post. I'm well over my time.


At HELP Hearing, Senator Murray Calls Out Republicans for Amplifying Internet Conspiracies Instead of Focusing on Real Solutions to the Child Care Crisis

***WATCH: Senator Murray’s exchange at the hearing***

Washington, D.C. — Today, at a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing on fraud in child care programs, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)—a former chair and senior member of the HELP Committee—slammed the Trump administration for freezing child care and social services funding for entire states in a politically motivated attack on blue states instead of focusing on serious efforts to root out actual fraud and to fix the child care crisis. She also emphasized how urgent the child care crisis is, and instead of withholding critical funds and holding sham hearings, Congress should invest in and strengthen the child care system to expand access to affordable, high quality child care, and stabilize the child care workforce.

In opening comments, Senator Muray said:

“I have got to say no one wants our child care system to work more than me as a former preschool teacher. And if my colleagues know anything about me—they know that this is one of my top priorities in really working to solve the child care crisis that we do have in America. And it is a crisis—we do not have enough providers, they are not paid a living wage, they are barely keeping their doors open, and parents can’t hardly find—let [alone] afford—child care today. So, we have to solve that, and I’d love to have a hearing about that specific framework Mr. Chairman.

“But if we do want to solve the child care crisis, that does mean we are going to have to make some very serious federal investments, and we are going to have to make the most of those investments—we can’t afford to have this work delayed or derailed by fraud. So let me be unequivocal here: I will always champion transparency and accountability. I want high-quality programs—not for-profit money grabs. But accountability has to be a tool to bolster child care, not a ruse to distract from solutions, or a pretext to target programs that families do rely on.

“Serious oversight involves prosecuting specific cases based on solid evidence, like the Biden Administration did, not issuing a blanket freeze on funding for entire states based on conspiracies or politics, like Trump has done.

“Apparently, if some rightwing YouTube account posts a video about fraud, that means that the Trump administration is going to jump to attention and block child care funding for an entire state! That is wrong. We need to get real for a second: We can’t just assume a child care center is committing fraud because they won’t let any random person show up, shout with a camera, come in and demand to ‘see the kids.’ Do we really want child care centers to let in any weirdo if they yell loud enough? Of course not! That is very dangerous.

“Still, President Trump is treating conspiracy like gospel today. And blind accusations are not accountability, witch hunts are not oversight. Instead of more accountability, what we are seeing is more harassment of child care providers—as self-appointed vigilantes, they show up with cameras, they bang on the door, they peep through the windows, and demand to see kids. That, to me, is deeply alarming.

“We do need accountability, absolutely—but that goes for everyone, including the President, and everyone who is fanning the flames of conspiracy.”

[TRUMP FREEZING CHILD CARE FUNDING]

Senator Murray began her questioning by highlighting how the Trump administration haphazardly frozen child care funding for Democratic states—and then been blocked by the courts, “Mr. Wilde, let me start with you, you have overseen child care and Head Start programs at both the state and federal level. You understand the oversight tools built into our current law, including audits, monitoring, and the ability to recover misspent funds. Based on your experience, is a state-wide funding freeze necessary to evaluate client claims of fraud?”

Mr. Wilde responded, “Thank you Senator Murray and thank you for your commitment and service for Head Start which I super appreciate. I don’t think it makes sense to have a state wide freeze, I think it punishes the vast, vast majority of providers who are absolutely committed to children and doing the right thing every day. I think program integrity is crucial, but it should be done in a way that is focused and targeted, and doesn’t affect all providers. I’d say when you shut down payments, three different groups are hurt. The first is low income working parents whose centers might be closed and thus they cannot work. The second is the childcare providers themselves. In my experience, child care providers when something like this happens, they first stop paying themselves but then—”

“Absolutely, but to cut back in, I want to get on because I have a few seconds. But I do want to hear from each of our witnesses,” Senator Murray interjected.

[FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS]

Senator Murray continued her questioning by addressing the Trump administration fueling conspiracy theorists and investigating “fraud” at child care centers based on outrageous videos posted on YouTube without any evidence, and asking each witness, “Have you ever let in an unannounced stranger into one of your child care centers? Someone who claims they’re an independent journalist or holding an iPhone or asking to see proof of kids, any one of you, yes or no?”

Mr. Wilde responded, “No.”

Dr. Polito replied, “No.”

Ms. Denson answered, “No, and we would call authorities right away.”

“Of course not. No one would. That’s not a serious or legitimate way to uncover fraud, it is a serious way to put our children into harm’s way! If someone had come knocking on my preschool classroom door when I was teaching to try and record my kids, I would have called the police. So we have got to be real, Mr. Chairman, we want to make sure there is no fraud, but we should not draft child care policy based off a right-wing YouTube so-called ‘investigation.’ And we shouldn’t put our children in jeopardy and we should not put our states in jeopardy over these wild claims that we are hearing. Thank you,” Senator Murray concluded.

As President Trump and Republicans in Congress choose to spend trillions on new tax cuts for billionaires and the biggest corporations, kick Americans off their health care, and raise costs on everyday essentials for working families, Senator Murray is leading Democrats in Congress to continue their push to help working people make ends meet—including by tackling the child care crisis. In the FY26 appropriations bills Senator Murray secured $8.8 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant program (CCDBG)—an $85 million or increase over fiscal year 2025—and $12.36 billion for Head Start, an $85 million increase over last year’s funding level. Sustained annual increases of federal investments in child care and Head Start are critical in tackling the child care crisis and helping to ensure more families can find and afford the quality, affordable child care and early childhood education options they need. Senator Murray also protected funding for Preschool Development Grants, which President Trump and House Republicans pushed to eliminate.

Senator Murray is Congress’ top advocate for child care, and her Child Care for Working Families Act would tackle the child care crisis head-on: ensuring families can afford the child care they need, expanding access to more high-quality options, stabilizing the child care sector, and helping ensure child care workers taking care of our nation’s kids are paid livable wages. The legislation will also dramatically expand access to pre-K, and support full-day, full-year Head Start programs and increased wages for Head Start workers. Under the legislation, which Senator Murray has introduced every Congress since 2017, the typical family in America will pay no more than $15 a day for child care—with many families paying nothing at all—and no eligible family will pay more than 7% of their income on child care.

###