Rep. Vasquez Supports Funding to Protect Women & Kids, Warns Political Climate is Driving Abuse into the Shadows

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – On February 6, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) visited La Piñon Sexual Assault Recovery Services in Las Cruces, where he met with the Executive Director, program directors, and other staff. During the visit, La Piñon staff reported that the Administration’s actions and current political climate have eroded community trust, causing a 50% drop in local residents seeking their services — particularly in southern Doña Ana County.

Vasquez recently supported billions in Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and Victims of Crimes Act (VOCA) funding to bolster La Piñon’s work to keep southern New Mexicans safe and healthy, including:

Nearly $2 billion to support Victims of Crimes Act (VOCA) funding, which La Piñon uses to support students at NMSU, provide casework services, and offer 24/7 Victim Services support to southern New Mexicans.

$720 million for Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grants, which La Piñon uses to pay for transportation for local residents who need their services, as well as a nurse position.

“Domestic violence, sexual abuse, and child exploitation are grave offenses that should be reported and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. But because this Administration is eroding community trust within Hispanic communities, southern New Mexicans are scared to report sexual assault and abuse, pushing survivors into the shadows while abusers walk free,” said Rep. Vasquez. “As a community, we must be invested in protecting everyone equally under the rule of law. ICE’s campaign of fear and terror is unacceptable, and it’s why I am demanding reform and accountability at DHS immediately, starting with Secretary Noem’s resignation.”

Since its founding in 1992, La Piñon has offered free, comprehensive services to survivors, including 24/7 crisis response, advocacy, counseling, SANE services, children’s advocacy, and prevention education. Through strong community partnerships, La Piñon helps ensure survivors receive compassionate, coordinated care that supports healing and safety.

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ICYMI: Vindman Launches Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Josh Riley (N.Y.-19) were joined by 14 lawmakers in launching the Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus to find legislative solutions to the ongoing energy affordability crisis in Virginia and around the country.

“Families across Virginia and the country are feeling the squeeze of rising utility bills, and Congress has a responsibility to act,” said Vindman. “I’m proud to join Congressman Riley in launching the Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus to bring lawmakers together to provide real oversight and accountability. By examining rate hikes and holding utility providers accountable, we can pursue practical solutions that put affordability and fairness first.”

“When I talk with folks across Upstate New York, the first question I ask is: what’s keeping you up at night and how can I help? And the most common answer is that utility bills are out of control and need to be reined in,” said Riley. “Too many working families are being put to an impossible choice of either keeping the lights on or paying for the mortgage or groceries. Meanwhile, the utility monopolies are making record profits while jacking up rates. It’s unacceptable. I’m launching the Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus to provide a forum for members of Congress to work together on legislation to take on the utility monopolies and lower their customers’ bills.”

The caucus will convene House Members around oversight strategies and tools to hold utility providers accountable for rate hikes.

The other lawmakers in the caucus include Reps. Chris Deluzio (Penn.-17), Laura Gillen (N.Y.-04), Maggie Goodlander (N.H.-02), John Mannion (N.Y.-22), Mike Levin (Calif.-49), Suhas Subramanyam (Va.-10), Seth Moulton (Mass.-06), Chris Pappas (N.H.-01), Josh Gottheimer (N.J.-05), Pat Ryan (N.Y.-18), Glenn Ivey (Md.-04), Ami Bera (Calif.-06), Gabe Vasquez (N.M.-02), and Seth Magaziner (R.I.-02).

“For years, I’ve fought alongside my community – first as Ulster County Executive, then as a Congressman, and always as a fellow ratepayer – against Central Hudson’s exploitative practices. We have to ask ourselves, what kind of system would let Central Hudson jack up its rates by 9.5%, give their own executives tens of millions in bonuses, and pretend it’s a win for Hudson Valley families? The answer is a fundamentally broken one, which puts the profits of foreign-owned corporate monopolies above the good of our community,” said Ryan. “As we’re all feeling the squeeze of the affordability crisis, I’m proud to be joining a group of fighters who represent hardworking Americans in every corner of the country. Alongside my Hudson Valley neighbor Josh Riley, we’re coming together to form a complete picture of how these monopolistic companies are ripping off our communities. Together, we’re working to write comprehensive legislation to hold these companies accountable, bring down costs for consumers, and fix the predatory system once and for all.”

“People are working hard and playing by the rules, but are still struggling to make ends meet,” said Deluzio. “In Washington, Republicans have full control of the House, the Senate, and the White House, but they have failed to bring down costs—especially utility bills, which are rising faster than inflation. Pennsylvania is an energy- producing state, and still here my constituents are dealing with rising costs just to keep the lights and heat on this winter. We need to get utility costs under control. I’m proud to be a part of this new Lowering Utility Bills Caucus that is going to take on the profiteering monopolies screwing us over, work to get more power onto the grid, and fight to make life in America less of a ripoff.”

“Families, working people, and seniors are being slammed by high utility prices, and they need relief and action. I’ve heard directly from Granite Staters who are worried about affording heat in the winter, spending as much on energy as they do on their mortgage, and juggling the cost of food and utilities,” said Pappas. “Congress needs to step up, take on corporations raking in record profits, and deliver solutions that lower people’s bills and put more money back in their pockets.”

“Families and small businesses across Central New York and the Mohawk Valley are frustrated by rising utility bills as the cost of groceries, health care, and everyday essentials continue to climb,” said Mannion. “That’s why I’m helping launch the Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus—to advance real solutions and hold power companies accountable. We must reverse harmful Trump Administration policies that have cancelled energy projects and taken choices away from consumers, support affordable power generation, and ensure the grid infrastructure needed to bring costs down.”

“Utility bills are skyrocketing, and it’s crippling New Mexican families’ budgets. I look forward to working with the Lowering Utility Bills Caucus to implement commonsense solutions that will make life more affordable for hardworking folks,” said Vasquez.

“By nearly every measure, the cost of living has risen for American households. Many families are struggling just to put food on the table, let alone afford utility bills that continue to climb higher month after month,” said Gillen. “On Long Island, where energy costs are already among the highest in the nation, these increases place an especially heavy burden on working families. That’s why I’m proud to join the Lowering Utility Bills Caucus to work towards advancing common-sense solutions that reduce energy costs, increase affordability and help Long Island families keep the lights on.”

“Families in Sacramento County are paying too much just to keep the lights on,” said Bera. “Utility bills are taking up a bigger share of household budgets, and too many seniors on fixed incomes and working parents are being forced to cut back on essentials to make ends meet. The Lowering Utility Bills Caucus will keep a spotlight on rising energy costs and organize lawmakers around practical, common-sense solutions to bring costs down. I look forward to working with my colleagues to deliver relief for American families.”

Watch the full press conference HERE.

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Subcommittee Advances Walberg's Energy Emergency Leadership Act

Last week, the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy advanced the Energy Emergency Leadership Act, which was introduced by Representatives Tim Walberg (R-MI), Laurel Lee (R-FL), and Greg Landsman (D-OH). The bipartisan legislation would amend the Department of Energy Organization Act to require the Secretary of the Department of Energy (DOE) to assign energy emergency and energy security functions to an Assistant Secretary. This would include responsibilities related to infrastructure, cybersecurity, and supply and emergency planning.

"We have seen a growing surge in physical and cyber threats targeting our nation’s critical energy infrastructure, and our response must keep pace with these evolving risks," said Rep. Walberg. "I am pleased to work with Representatives Lee and Landsman on this bipartisan legislation to elevate energy emergency preparedness and cybersecurity as core responsibilities within the Department of Energy. By strengthening leadership, coordination, and planning, this legislation will improve the resiliency of our electrical grid and ensure the United States is better prepared to respond to emerging energy security threats.”

“America’s electric grid is the backbone of our economy, our national security, and our daily lives,” said Rep. Lee. “As our energy infrastructure becomes more interconnected and digitized, the risks we face are growing. The Energy Emergency Leadership Act ensures the Department of Energy treats grid security as the top-tier priority it must be, with clear leadership, stronger coordination, and accountability to Congress.”

"We need strong leadership to ensure a quick response when we face emergencies,” said Rep. Landsman. “This is a commonsense solution to better protect our energy systems and strengthen our response when it matters most.”

The Department of Energy's emergency functions have long been oriented around oil supply shocks, despite new threats, and are not clearly identified as core functions. This can be problematic for department leadership, management, and coordination on these issues, especially with increasing cybersecurity threats. This legislation would help elevate energy emergency and cybersecurity responsibilities as a core function for the Department and better protect our grid and critical energy infrastructure.


WALKINSHAW & KAINE LEAD LETTER URGING VANCE TO RAISE DETENTION OF VIRGINIA CONSTITUENT IN AZERBAIJAN DURING UPCOMING TRIP

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last Friday, U.S. Representative James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA-11), a member of the Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs, and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led a letter to Vice President JD Vance ahead of his upcoming trip to Azerbaijan. In the letter, the members urged Vice President Vance to raise concerns about the detention of Virginia constituent Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu in Azerbaijan and the country’s broader human rights record. The letter is cosigned by Virginia delegation members, including U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner and U.S. Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10), and Eugene Vindman (D-VA-07).

“We welcome the Administration’s continued high-level engagement with both countries and recognize the importance of sustained U.S. leadership in supporting lasting peace. Recent progress in negotiations offers a meaningful opportunity to reinforce stability, prosperity, and respect for international norms,” wrote the members. “In that spirit, we respectfully urge you to raise with Azerbaijani leadership serious concerns regarding the treatment of Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, whose family is based in Virginia, as well as broader human rights issues that bear directly on the durability of any negotiated peace.”

“Credible international observers have documented politically motivated prosecutions, restrictions on independent media, and allegations of mistreatment in detention. We are also concerned about the broader population of political prisoners in Azerbaijan, as documented by international human rights organizations and advocacy groups such as the Free Voices Collective,” the members wrote.

“Dr. Ibadoghlu is a respected economist who was arrested in Azerbaijan in July 2023, reportedly beaten while in custody, and charged under circumstances widely viewed as politically motivated. Although transferred to house arrest in April 2024, he remains in legal limbo, has been denied a timely trial, and continues to face serious health concerns following inadequate medical care during detention,” the members continued. “On behalf of his Virginia-based family, we ask that you raise his case directly with Azerbaijan’s leadership and emphasize that meaningful progress in bilateral relations must include resolution of cases such as his.”

“In your engagements with Azerbaijan’s leadership, we ask that you to raise this specific case and make clear that meaningful partnership with the United States is strengthened by respect for due process, academic freedom, independent journalism, and the protection of peaceful expression,” the members concluded.

Full text is available here and below:

Dear Mr. Vice President,

As Members of the Virginia delegation, we write in advance of your upcoming travel to Azerbaijan and Armenia. We welcome the Administration’s continued high-level engagement with both countries and recognize the importance of sustained U.S. leadership in supporting lasting peace. Recent progress in negotiations offers a meaningful opportunity to reinforce stability, prosperity, and respect for international norms. In that spirit, we respectfully urge you to raise with Azerbaijani leadership serious concerns regarding the treatment of Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, whose family is based in Virginia, as well as broader human rights issues that bear directly on the durability of any negotiated peace.

Recent diplomatic progress on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict has occurred in parallel to deepening concerns regarding civil society and due process within Azerbaijan. Credible international observers have documented politically motivated prosecutions, restrictions on independent media, and allegations of mistreatment in detention. We are also concerned about the broader population of political prisoners in Azerbaijan, as documented by international human rights organizations and advocacy groups such as the Free Voices Collective.

Dr. Ibadoghlu is a respected economist with longstanding ties to the U.S. as an alumnus of multiple U.S. government supported academic exchange programs, including the Fulbright Scholarship at Duke University and the Junior Faculty Development Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Ibadoghlu was arrested in Azerbaijan in July 2023, reportedly beaten while in custody, and charged under circumstances widely viewed as politically motivated. Although transferred to house arrest in April 2024, he remains in legal limbo, has been denied a timely trial, and continues to face serious health concerns following inadequate medical care during detention. His treatment has received bipartisan condemnation via Senate Resolution 398, which also calls for his immediate and unconditional release. On behalf of his Virginia-based family, we ask that you raise his case directly with Azerbaijan’s leadership and emphasize that meaningful progress in bilateral relations must include resolution of cases such as his.

Dr. Ibadoghlu’s case illustrates broader concerns with Azerbaijan’s troubling human rights record, as outlined in the Department of State’s August 2025 release of Azerbaijan’s Country Report on Human Rights Practices. In your engagements with Azerbaijan’s leadership, we ask that you to raise this specific case and make clear that meaningful partnership with the United States is strengthened by respect for due process, academic freedom, independent journalism, and the protection of peaceful expression. As the bilateral relationship deepens, including through engagement in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process and associated economic and regional development initiatives, we believe that this positive trajectory should create new opportunities for constructive engagement on the release of other unjustly imprisoned individuals, particularly those with a clear nexus to the United States.

Sincerely


Rep. Watson Coleman Introduces Bill to End Courtroom Immigration Arrests

Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) introduced the Fundamental Immigration Fairness Act (FIFA), legislation that would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security from arresting or detaining any individual arriving or departing a DHS field office or the Executive Office for Immigration Review.

“Immigrants attempting to follow immigration laws should not be punished for their good faith efforts,” said Watson Coleman. “The systematic arrest of immigrants attending court hearings and other appointments related to their status violates fundamental values of fairness. These arrests encourage those immigrants attempting to navigate our already broken immigration system to stay in the shadows.”

The Fundamental Immigrant Fairness Act protects due process, promotes trust in the legal system, reduces unnecessary detention of nonviolent individuals, and safeguards their privacy and dignity.


Womack Votes for Housing for the 21st Century Act to Expand Affordability and Availability of Homes

WASHINGTON, D.C.— February 9, 2026… Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) today voted in support of H.R. 6644, the Housing for the 21st Century Act. This legislation aims to promote housing affordability by removing unnecessary regulatory barriers and modernizing critical federal programs.

The bill also includes a proposal championed by Congressman Womack to expand the eligible use of certain federal funds to allow for the construction of new low- and moderate-income affordable housing.

Congressman Womack said, “Housing affordability concerns are growing across the country, but especially in Northwest Arkansas, where we are experiencing tremendous and unprecedented growth. This legislation addresses those concerns by targeting the root causes of housing shortages which leave us with too few and increasingly expensive homes. By modernizing and streamlining the regulations that guide housing development, we can build more homes and ensure that Americans and their families have access to affordable places to live and the opportunity to own homes of their own. I commend Arkansas’s own, House Financial Services Committee Chairman French Hill, for leading this legislation and urge my colleagues in the Senate to consider it with urgency.”

Bill highlights

Promotes housing supply and affordability by:

Expanding the eligible use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program funds to allow for the construction of new low- and moderate-income affordable housing. The CDBG Program provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities, and counties to expand economic opportunities and improve housing and living conditions for low- and moderate-income communities.

Creating a Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant program to assist state, local, and tribal governments, as well as regional planning agencies, in updating their regulatory and permitting processes to increase housing production and affordability.

Authorizing a Federal Housing Administration pilot program for small-dollar mortgages to assist mortgagors with down payments, closing costs, appraisals, and title insurance.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov


Banks Delivers Key Indiana Wins in the Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today,Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after helping secure key legislative priorities in the 2026 Consolidated Appropriations Act.

Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “This bill helps grow Indiana’s role in national defense and makes sure our servicemembers have what they need to keep the country safe.”

Wins secured by Senator Banks in the 2026 Consolidated Appropriations Act:

Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) – $490 million for procurement of JLTVs by all services, $300 million over the President’s Budget request. Made in Mishawaka.

Humvees – $100 million increase for modernization of Army National Guard Humvees, also done in Mishawaka.

Air National Guard Base Operations – $3 million increase to procure long overdue arresting gear systems for Air National Guard units, such as the 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne.

Hypersonics – Increased funding for multiple programs tied to NSWC Crane, Purdue, and Notre Dame.

$203 million increase over the President’s Budget request for the MACH-TB hypersonics testing program, run by NSWC Crane.

$5 million increase for hypersonic ground test and digital infrastructure enhancements

$5 million increase for hypersonic test and evaluation workforce

Quantum Corridor – $10 million increase for the establishment of a quantum communications corridor in Indiana.

Sonobuoys – $289 million for sonobuoys made in Columbia City, a $40 million increase over the President’s Budget request.

Advanced Manufacturing – $15 million increase for advanced manufacturing of energetic materials

Micro Nuclear Reactors – $41 million increase for nuclear reactor projects, tied to BWXT in Mount Vernon, IN.

National Security Language Programs – $20 million increase for national security language programs, like those at Indiana University.

Digital Navigation Buoys – $4.8 million within the Army Corps of Engineers for a digital navigation buoys pilot program within inland waterways that will benefit Ohio River navigation.

Nuclear Science – $2.5 million for academic nuclear science research at universities with strong ROTC programs, such as Notre Dame.

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Senator Banks Speaks on Senate Floor About Deadly Jay County Car Crash,Dangers of Illegal Immigrants Driving on Indiana Roads

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tonight, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) spoke on the Senate floor about the four Indiana men who were killed in a fatal car crash caused by a Kyrgyzstani national who crossed the southern border illegally in December 2023. He also spoke about other Hoosiers killed and injured by illegal immigrants driving on Indiana roads and the importance of mass deportations.

Click the image above or view the full speech here.

See remarks below:

Sen. Banks: “Thank you, Mr. President, last week on February 3, an illegal immigrant from Kyrgyzstan who was allowed into the United States under Joe Biden in 2023, killed four people on State Road 67 in Indiana, not far from where I live. He drove a semi-truck head-on into a van. That van was carrying a 50-year-old father and his two boys, who were only 19 and 25 years old, along with a family friend, all from the local Amish community. And now, they’re all dead.

And I am angry about it; I have had enough of it. Because it is stories like this that show why mass deportations matter and why they are needed now more than ever.

At least 7 Hoosiers have died on Indiana roads in the past six months because of illegal immigrants recklessly driving on our roads. At least 8 more have been seriously injured and those are just the cases that I know about.

In November, an illegal immigrant with a fake green card crashed his SUV into a van, killing the 76-year-old driver from Decatur, again not far from Colombia City where I live, before fleeing the scene. The illegal immigrant also seriously injured 3 innocent drivers in that same crash.

Shortly before that accident, an illegal immigrant who was driving drunk and without a license crashed his car into two young parents who were on their way to pick up their kids from their grandparents’ house. The young couple were seriously injured. I’ve seen images of the wreck, and they are lucky to be alive.

And just a couple of days before that, an illegal immigrant from the country of Georgia was driving a truck and towing a trailer when he swerved abruptly and forced a military Humvee off the road. That crash killed Hoosier National Guardsman Terry Frye and seriously injured 3 others. Terry was just 23 years old.

In October, an illegal immigrant driving a semi-truck killed a 54-year-old man on Highway 20 in Indiana, when he failed to stop in traffic. That illegal immigrant had a fake trucking license and owned a trucking company that received $35,000 loan in taxpayer dollars funded through PPP.

At least 7 innocent Hoosiers have died in their own state because of illegal immigrant drivers.

Every single one of these deaths was preventable. Every single one of these deaths happened because someone who shouldn’t have been in our country in the first place got behind the wheel and killed American citizens.

Most of the deaths were at the hands of illegal immigrants driving semi-trucks.

Trucking is an incredibly important industry in my state, because Indiana sits at the crossroads of the country. Our state motto is literally the “crossroads of America.” Indiana is the fifth busiest state in the country for commercial freight traffic. Each year, 724 million tons of freight travels through Indiana.

I speak to truckers regularly and they are outraged by what is happening. One of my friends who works in trucking said many trucking companies are hiring illegal immigrants to drive their trucks because they can pay them less. That takes jobs away from hardworking Americans.

They’d rather take care of their bottom line than put safe and trustworthy drivers out on the road. We have to hold those trucking companies accountable for endangering us all. In fact, the truck that killed 4 Hoosiers last week belonged to a shady trucking company that the industry refers to as a “chameleon carrier.”

Chameleon carriers are trucking companies that, after being shut down or heavily fined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, just disguise themselves by changing their name or address or Department of Transportation number to continue operating.

Many of these chameleon carriers are run by foreign nationals. The Government Accountability Office has said that chameleon carriers are three times more likely to be involved in serious crashes than legitimate operators.

Mr. President, not only are illegal immigrants and foreign nationals running illicit trucking companies, but Democrat states like California and New York and Pennsylvania are giving out Commercial Drivers Licenses to illegal immigrants like they’re Halloween candy.

In fact, 50% of CDLs reviewed by the Department of Transportation in New York had been issued improperly.

The driver of the truck that killed Indiana National Guardsman Terry Frye got his CDL from New York after he was waved across the border by the Biden administration in 2022. When police arrived to the scene of the crash, they reported that there was a “language barrier” and that a translator was needed on scene.

How could anyone give him a CDL to begin with? If he couldn’t even talk to police, do we really believe he could read our road and traffic signs? Do we really think that illegal immigrants who can’t even speak English can obey our road rules?

The law doesn’t think so: federal regulations require that commercial truck drivers be proficient in English.

Think about how insane this is. You get into this country illegally, you’re living in violation of federal law, but Democrat politicians in blue states violate the law and let you drive 18 wheelers across state lines. It’s more than just insane; it’s dangerous and deadly.

And it’s this reckless policy that is getting people killed in Indiana.

So, while Hoosiers are being killed in their own state by illegal immigrants, what are Democrats this week doing in Congress? They’re trying to cut funding to ICE. They’re working to prevent illegal immigrants from being taken off our streets.

We have a federal agency whose job it is to enforce immigration law and remove people who are here illegally, but Democrats want to defund that agency. They want to tie ICE’s hands while illegal immigrant truckers are killing Americans on our highways.

This is a deliberate choice to prioritize illegal immigrants over American citizens.

Mr. President, this has to stop, and this has to stop right now.

We need to support President Trump’s efforts deport every illegal immigrant in this country. We are not doing enough to get them off our roads, as you can see in my state Indiana. Every day we wait, every day that Democrats want to play petty politics, we run the risk of more Americans and more Hoosiers dying on our roads.

ICE needs more resources, not fewer, so that they can get illegal immigrants off our streets and out of semi-trucks driving on our highways.

Hoosiers have had enough. I’ve had enough. And it’s time that Congress started acting like American lives are worth protecting.

With that Mr. President, I yield the floor.”

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Bennet, Neguse Statement On Trump’s Support for Nexstar Media-Tegna Merger

Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Representative Joe Neguse issued the following statement after President Donald Trump endorsed the Nexstar Media-Tegna merger. The deal violates federal law and the national broadcast ownership cap, and jeopardizes the growth and independence of Colorado’s local news outlets.

“Today, Donald Trump backed a media merger that will have devastating consequences for local news in Colorado and for American journalism writ large. By designating news outlets he dislikes as ‘the enemy,’ Trump has continued his baseless attack on reporters who devote their careers to investigating those in power and holding them to account. This administration’s ongoing effort is an attempt to obscure the clear abuses being perpetrated by the president and his allies, while depriving communities across the country of reliable, accessible local news. It is precisely why we fought against this reckless and illegal merger last year. We will continue doing everything we can to oppose this dangerous erosion of one of the most essential pillars of our democracy.”

The Colorado lawmakers have been leading an effort to block this merger. In October 2025, Bennet and Neguse sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr, imploring the agency to put community interest over corporate profit and reject the Nexstar Media-Tegna merger.

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Booker, Gottheimer, Local Leaders Reintroduce Vital School Bus Safety Legislation

PARAMUS, NJ – Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) joined Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05) and state and local leaders to reintroduce legislation related to school bus safety, Miranda’s Law.

“Congress has the opportunity to act swiftly and decisively to protect our nation’s children,” said Senator Booker. “We shouldn’t wait for another tragedy to strike––like the one that took the lives of ten year old Miranda Vargas and Jennifer Williamson, a beloved Paramus teacher, eight long years ago. Miranda’s Law would ensure the safety of our students every single time they step foot on a school bus, and I will do everything I can to make sure this simple, common-sense bill becomes law.”

“Every parent should trust that when their child gets on a bus, they’ll come home safely,” said Congressman Gottheimer. “This legislation turns heartbreaking loss into action. There is nothing partisan or political about protecting our children. Working together across the aisle and across the country, we can make sure tragedies like the one here in Paramus never happen again.”

MIRANDA’S LAW

On May 17, 2018, 10-year-old Paramus resident Miranda Vargas was killed in a tragic school bus crash on Rt 80 in Mount Olive when a Paramus East Brook Middle School bus made an illegal U-turn.

Information about the Miranda Vargas School Bus Driver Red Flag Act or “Miranda’s Law" :

Senator Booker previously introduced S.1787, Miranda’s Law, in the Senate during the 116th Congress (2019-2020).


Booker Leads Colleagues in Urging Department of Education to Reverse Guidance Restricting Student Civic Engagement

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, along with seven of his Senate Democratic colleagues, sent a letter to Secretary of Education Linda McMahon urging her to rescind the Department’s guidance that restricts students from participating in nonpartisan civic engagement through the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program and limits the distribution of voter registration materials on college campuses.

The senators noted that a statute under the Higher Education Act explicitly allows part-time employment through “work in the public interest for a Federal, State, or local public agency or private nonprofit organization,” which includes nonpartisan voter registration activities, and that the Department itself affirmed this interpretation in February 2024.

They also highlighted that the guidance’s restrictions on distributing voter registration forms contradict federal law, which requires institutions to “make a good faith effort to distribute a mail voter registration form…to each student enrolled…physically in attendance…and to make such forms widely available to students.” They warned that limiting distribution could prevent eligible students from registering to vote.

The Senators wrote: “The Department’s reinterpretation of these statutory requirements will unjustly limit students’ opportunities to engage in nonpartisan civic participation and undermine decades of bipartisan recognition that encouraging voter registration is a core public interest function of higher education institutions.”

The Senators concluded by urging the Department to issue new guidance confirming that funds can be used for on-campus voter registration activities and for off-campus voter registration and civic participation activities when the employer is a government agency or a nonpartisan nonprofit organization.

The letter was cosigned by U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Andy Kim (D-NJ).


Budd, Cantwell Introduce Bill to Develop and Deploy Next Generation Weather Radar Technology

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.), member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), introduced legislation to establish the Radar Next Program, which would carry out the deployment of the nation’s next-generation weather radar system.

“North Carolinians rely on accurate and reliable weather radar equipment, and making sure these current capabilities are maximized while we prepare to integrate the next generation of technology is vital for emergency personnel to keep folks out of harm’s way. Given the severe storms that have impacted communities across our state, we can’t afford to have coverage gaps where up-to-the-minute data isn’t available because of aging technology. I am grateful to partner with Sen. Cantwell to make sure Americans have all the information they need to keep their families safe when weather emergencies strike now and into the future,” said Senator Budd.

“Washingtonians know firsthand how damaging atmospheric rivers and Pacific windstorms can be when weather radar coverage falls short and residents don’t have enough time to prepare. This legislation builds on years of work to close radar gaps and puts us on a path toward faster, more accurate systems for today’s weather threats. By planning now for the replacement of our aging radar network, we can deliver earlier warnings and stronger protection for families across the country,” said Senator Cantwell.

Read the full bill text HERE.

BACKGROUND

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) current Doppler radar network has been in operation since the late 1980s and is approaching the end of its lifespan. The national radar network will need to be completely replaced in the 2030s, and the National Weather Service is still determining the best option for replacing the technology. Failure to plan for and build a next-generation weather radar system will lead to a decline in warning capability—including more outages, higher maintenance costs, slower detection of dangerous storms, and ultimately reduced protection for lives and property.

The Radar Next Program Act:

• Establishes at NOAA the Radar Next Program, which will carry out the planning and deployment of the next generation weather radar system in the United States.

• Directs NOAA to develop a plan to replace the aging Doppler radar network and implement the replacement plan by the end of fiscal year 2040.

• Requires the development of a phased array radar test, which can scan the atmosphere in under a minute, six times faster than current Doppler radars, detecting rapid changes in storms that allow for increased warning lead times and fewer false alarms.

• Gives NOAA the authority to contract with third parties to fill data gaps in weather radar coverage by acquiring data, services, and technologies.

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Capito Secures CDS Award for Yeager International Airport

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a leader on the Senate Appropriations Committee and a member of the Senate Commerce Committee’s Aviation, Space, and Innovation Subcommittee, announced a Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) allocation from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for terminal modernization of the West Virginia International Yeager Airport in Charleston, W.Va.

This funding, which was secured through a CDS request made solely by Senator Capito in Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), will be used to renovate the original terminal. These renovations will elevate the passenger experience, improve one of the oldest commercial terminals in the United States, and position the airport to meet future forecasted air service demand.

“For years, I have made certain to highlight and support the needs of rural airports in West Virginia,”Senator Capito said. “Yeager’s original terminal was built in the 1940s and is long overdue for major upgrades. Securing funding from the DOT is one step in the process of directing the resources to complete the goal of increasing passenger growth at Yeager Airport. West Virginia continues to see the benefits of Congressionally Directed Spending, and this announcement is yet another example.”

“On behalf of West Virginia International Yeager Airport, I want to thank Senator Capito for always showing up for West Virginia. We’re incredibly grateful for her partnership in securing this funding for our terminal project,” Dominique Ranieri, Airport Director & CEO of West Virginia International Yeager Airport, said. “This investment helps us deliver a passenger-friendly, modern travel experience while driving jobs and growth across the region. Her leadership is making it possible for us to advance a generational improvement that will serve West Virginians for decades.”

Individual allocation details listed below:


Cassidy Urges Social Security Administration to Honor Full Retroactive Payments for Social Security Fairness Act Benefits

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) urged the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) to provide the full one year of retroactive benefits to the over 40,000 Louisiana spouses unfairly penalized by the Windfall Elimination provision (WEP) and Government Pension Offset (GPO). The Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA), which Cassidy successfully secured a vote for in the U.S. Senate, provides retroactive payments dating back a year to January 2024. However, SSA is currently limiting some new applicants to only six months of retroactive payments.

Cassidy was joined by U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and John Fetterman (D-PA) in sending the letter.

“If Congress desired to exclude new applicants from the Act’s effective date, it would have said so. But Congress made no such indication. We therefore urge the Commissioner to apply the Act’s effective date to all affected spouses equally given the absence of any congressional intent to the contrary,” wrote the senators.

“We appreciate your swift implementation of the law and SSA’s progress in adjusting more than 3 million records to date. We look forward to continuing to work together on behalf of those who have been affected by this error,” continued the senators.

Read the full letter here or below:

Dear Commissioner Bisignano,

We write to you concerning an issue related to the Social Security Fairness Act (SSFA), Public Law No: 118-273. This letter follows our previous correspondence on April 1, 2025, regarding the retroactivity of spousal benefits. More specifically, our previous correspondence took issue with SSA only granting a maximum of six months retroactivity in certain circumstances, despite the SSFA explicitly calling for one year of retroactivity.

SSA responded to our previous letter on April 25, 2025, confirming it will provide one-year of retroactive benefits only to: 1) those who were receiving benefits as of January 2024; or 2) those who filed a benefit application on or before that time. For new applicants, SSA explained that retroactive benefits would be limited to six-months before the date of application. The reasoning was that the Act did not amend Section 202(j)(1)—a more general provision of the Social Security Act limiting retroactive payments for new social security applicants to six months.

Respectfully, we believe that this approach to retroactivity does not align with either the intent or the plain text of the SSFA. Looking at the text, section 4 of the SSFA, titled “Effective Date,” states that the Act’s amendments “shall apply with respect to monthly insurance benefits payable under title II of the Social Security Act for months after December 2023.” Notably, this language makes no distinction between current beneficiaries and new applicants for spousal benefits. If Congress desired to exclude new applicants from the Act’s effective date, it would have said so. But Congress made no such indication. We therefore urge the Commissioner to apply the Act’s effective date to all affected spouses equally given the absence of any congressional intent to the contrary.

What’s more, we believe that new applicants should not be faulted for applying after passage of the SSFA considering that, in many instances, SSA staff wrongly advised would-be applicants not to apply. SSA maintains that it has “consistently encouraged members of the public who have been affected by the SSFA to consider applying for benefits if they had not previously done so.” However, this response does not make clear when SSA began providing this advice. Our constituents indicate that this advice was not consistently given in the years or months leading to the Act’s passage even though, under SSA’s interpretation of the law, new applicants would have needed to apply at least six months before passage to receive one-year of retroactivity.

We do not fault SSA for not having a crystal ball. Neither SSA nor even members of Congress could have predicted, up to six months in advance, when the Social Security Fairness Act would pass or whether it had any chance of passing at all. This reality is exactly why Congress did not distinguish between new and current beneficiaries in setting the Act’s effective date. We therefore urge the Commissioner to follow the plain text of the SSFA and provide one-year of retroactivity (beginning in January 2024) to all applicants regardless of application date.

Thank you for taking the time to address this important matter. We appreciate your swift implementation of the law and SSA’s progress in adjusting more than 3 million records to date. We look forward to continuing to work together on behalf of those who have been affected by this error.Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter. We look forward to your response.

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Cornyn Previews Tomorrow’s Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing on Immigration Fraud Nationwide

WASHINGTON – Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) previewed a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration hearing he will lead tomorrow in the wake of unprecedented fraud uncovered in Minnesota involving Somali-run childcare centers and nonprofits. The hearing will highlight the pervasive immigration fraud occurring nationwide, including the theft of U.S. citizen identity documents, use of stolen Social Security numbers, and defrauding of federal programs, often at the hands of illegal aliens. Excerpts from Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

“The mainstream media may have moved on from this scandal, but our job here in Congress on this scandal is not done. As a matter of fact, it’s just beginning.”

“As Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, I’m hosting a hearing tomorrow entitled, ‘Somali Fraud in Minnesota: the Tip of the Iceberg.’”

“These witnesses will help us get a better handle on the full breadth of the problem posed by illegal immigration and the aliens who are abusing our country’s welfare system in order to send money back home to their home countries.”

“Fraud’s not a victimless crime, and neither is identity theft. And Democrats’ attempts to deflect discussions of fraud are an injustice to the victims of these crimes, which happen to be all the American taxpayers.”

“These incidents raise questions about the prevalence of government grants and contracts to nongovernmental organizations.”

“It’s nothing short of an insult to the generosity of the American taxpayer that aliens are able to enter the country and enrich themselves by taking advantage of federal programs that are intended to help needy Americans. Hardworking American citizens who pay taxes to the U.S. government deserve accountability for how their dollars are being spent, and tomorrow’s hearing will help shine a light on just how rampant this abuse is.”


Crapo, Shaheen Introduce New Bipartisan Legislation to Remove Barriers to Life-Saving Overdose Reversal Treatments for Veterans

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) introduced new bipartisan legislation to help battle the ongoing substance use disorder crisis among our nation’s veterans by removing barriers to life-saving overdose reversal agents. Substance use continues to be prevalent among veterans with 2.8 million, or 14 percent of all U.S. veterans, reporting having at least one substance use disorder in 2022. The bipartisan End Veterans Overdose Act would help save lives by making naloxone and any other relevant overdose reversal agents available without a prescription to veterans and their caregivers at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pharmacies.

“Our obligation to veterans does not end when their service does,” said Crapo. “Expanding direct access to naloxone at VA pharmacies recognizes the unique risks veterans face and ensures life-saving medication is available when it matters most.”

“It is our duty to look out for those who bravely served our nation, and while we've made great strides towards ending the substance use epidemic, far too many veterans are still losing their lives due to overdoses. That is unacceptable, and it's imperative that we explore every avenue to make life-saving treatments more accessible at the VA,” said Shaheen. “I’m proud that this bipartisan bill would fill a critical gap in the care that VA facilities can provide to veterans by making it easier for them and their caregivers to get treatments that rapidly reverse overdoses, like naloxone, at no cost.”

Currently, VA pharmacies provide naloxone to veterans at no-cost, but they must first ask a provider for a prescription. The End Veterans Overdose Act would allow both veterans and their caregivers to obtain naloxone over the counter, without first having to get a prescription from a provider. The legislation has been endorsed by the American Legion.


Sen. Cruz Releases Statement on Jimmy Lai Sentencing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released the following statement after Jimmy Lai was sentenced to twenty years in prison by the Hong Kong High Court.

Sen. Cruz said, “The sentence imposed on Jimmy Lai is effectively a life sentence, though Chinese Communist Party authorities are too cowardly to own their oppression. It confirms again that the CCP will stop at nothing to silence those who speak out against its tyranny, and that Hong Kong has become a city fully under the control and abuse of the CCP.

American and international policy should be modified accordingly. I will continue to advance bipartisan action to hold the CCP accountable, secure Jimmy Lai’s freedom, and align American policy with the reality of CCP control over Hong Kong.”

BACKGROUND:

In 2019, Sen. Cruz traveled to Hong Kong to stand in solidarity with protesters, where he met Jimmy Lai and other pro-democracy dissidents.


Durbin, Reed, Delauro Introduce American Business For American Companies Act

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) today reintroduced the bicameral American Business for American Companies Act, legislation that would extend the year-to-year government wide ban on federal contracts for inverted corporations by moving it out of the annual appropriations process and into permanent law.

Corporate inversions allow U.S. companies to shift their corporate citizenship from the United Sates to a low-tax foreign jurisdiction while keeping their executive and headquarters in the United States. This is accomplished by merging with a foreign company that can be as little as one-fifth of the size of the U.S. corporation yet results in large, permanent tax breaks. Unlike other tax loopholes that can be closed on a year-to-year basis, a tax inversion is a permanent change in a corporation’s structure.

“When companies choose to shirk their fair share of taxes by inverting, they shouldn’t be rewarded with a government contract,” Durbin said. “It’s time we closed this tax loophole once and for all.”

“Congress must close inversion loopholes to protect American taxpayers and businesses that pay their fair share and ensure we can meet our national defense, infrastructure, and workforce needs. This legislation would be an important step towards ending the corporate shell game that has allowed some companies to shift their address abroad in order to reduce their taxes while remaining in the U.S. and increasing the financial burden on American taxpayers,” said Reed.

“We cannot continue to allow corporations to pretend that they are American companies, reaping the benefits this country has to offer, all while claiming to be another nationality when the tax bill comes,” said DeLauro. “Those corporations are cheating the American people out of revenue that could make a real difference in the lives of children and families, so that they can dodge taxes and gouge prices.”

The Senate legislation is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).

In 2007, after a GAO report found that four of the top 100 federal contractors were inverted corporations, Congress included a government-wide ban on federal contracts with inverted corporations in annual appropriations bills. That restriction has been extended every year and remains in effect. But just like with the tax code, corporations have found loopholes in the contracting restriction. In 2014, one estimate found that inverted corporations received nearly $1 billion in federal contracts over a five-year period.

The American Business for American Companies Act would extend the year-to-year ban by moving it out of the annual appropriations process and into permanent law. The legislation maintains the exception in existing law allowing an agency head to waive these requirements if doing so is in the interest of national security. It also eliminates loopholes in the current law that have allowed inverted corporations to bid for and win federal contracts despite the ban currently in place. The legislation would close a loophole used by dozens of companies to move their tax address overseas while qualifying for taxpayer-funded government contracts. The legislation also provides authority for the agencies to prevent subcontracts with inverted corporations and joint ventures that use subcontracts and joint ventures to evade the ban.

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Durbin Reiterates Senate Democrats’ Demands To Rein In ICE As Republicans Stall Negotiations Ahead Of Friday’s DHS Funding Deadline

Durbin: “New reporting from CBS News shows that less than 14 percent of nearly 400,000 immigrants arrested by ICE in 2025 had charges or convictions for violent criminal offenses.”

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, urged his Republican colleagues to join Democrats to pass common sense reforms to rein in President Trump’s immigration enforcement operations. The Senate passed a two-week stop gap funding measure for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which expires Friday, while Democrats negotiate with the White House and Republicans on legislative solutions to restore order and public safety.

Durbin said, “Republicans have had a week to work with Democrats to reform ICE and CBP and rein in the campaign of terror we’ve witnessed in Chicago, Minneapolis, and across the country. I’m sorry to say we’ve made little progress in reaching a deal. The Administration’s campaign of terror has led to the detention of innocent people, serious injuries, and deaths—including those of Alex Pretti and Renee Good of Minnesota, both American citizens who were exercising their constitutional rights to observe and protest ICE enforcement. Americans are seeing this chaos play out in countless videos. And they’re demanding change.”

President Trump has justified these militarized immigration enforcement operations as targeting the “worst of the worst,” however, DHS’s own statistics tell a different story. New reporting from CBS News shows that less than 14 percent of nearly 400,000 immigrants arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in 2025 had charges or convictions for violent criminal offenses. Nearly 40 percent of all of those arrested by ICE in 2025 did not have any criminal record at all. Only two percent of those arrested by ICE over the past year had alleged gang affiliations.

Durbin continued, “These militarized immigration enforcement operations are not really designed to lock up the ‘worst of the worst,’ but designed to sow fear into our communities… And while ‘Operation Metro Surge’ in Minnesota has been in the national spotlight recently, the City of Chicago is no stranger to Trump’s campaign of terror.”

Durbin also spoke about Marimar Martinez, a witness at last week’s bicameral spotlight forum that examined the lawlessness of the immigration enforcement policies. Ms. Martinez is a U.S. citizen and Chicagoan and was shot five times by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agent during DHS’ so-called “Operation Midway Blitz.” Ms. Martinez was initially charged with assaulting the CBP agent who shot her, and DHS issued public statements with her photo alongside claims that she was a “domestic terrorist” armed with a semi-automatic weapon, although she was never charged with a weapon violation. The charges against Ms. Martinez were later dropped, but the CBP agent that shot her later bragged about his shooting abilities and is still employed by the agency. DHS has not recanted or removed its public misrepresentations regarding Ms. Martinez.

“The fact that Ms. Martinez is alive today after being shot five times is a miracle. And I told her as much… Ms. Martinez, a teaching assistant to little kids, spoke of the trauma she continues to carry with her. [She said] ‘the physical scars will always be there in the mornings and evenings, when I get dressed and I stare at my body, now permanently disfigured by the five lead bullets.’ She continued ‘they will be there this summer when I head to the beach with my dogs and family. They will be there when I get down on the floor with my students.’ That shooting will be with her the rest of her life… Does Ms. Martinez sound like ‘the worst of the worst?’ Does she sound like a murderer, a rapist, a terrorist, criminally insane [person that the President claimed to be targeting with these raids?] Of course not,” Durbin continued.

Senate Democrats laid out their proposals to reform federal immigration enforcement agencies, including ICE and CBP. As part of those negotiations, Democrats are demanding the following common sense measures: first, they must stop roving patrols. Government agents cannot indiscriminately round up people without probable cause and federal agents cannot enter someone’s home and disappear with them without a judicial warrant. Second, there needs to be accountability, including new use-of-force standards that allow local law enforcement to participate in investigating complaints of “excessive force” by immigration agents. Finally, Democrats are asking that body cameras be mandatory, and masks come off.

Durbin continued, “Democrats are united in our calls for these common sense reforms, and the American people will back us up. This week, we need the Republicans to work in good faith to get a deal done.”

Durbin concluded, “In the meantime, I want to note something: Secretary Noem has not appeared once before the Senate Judiciary Committee in the last year… She says she’s too busy… too busy to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee and explain the lethal mismanagement of her agency and the damage that’s being done. She says now she may come in a few weeks… The Administration must end this aggressive immigration enforcement surge and mass deportation campaign. ICE and federal agents need to play by the same rules as professional police forces across America.”

Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.

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Fetterman, Colleagues Urge Extension of Library Passport Acceptance Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the Trump administration banning local libraries as passport acceptance facilities, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) led his colleagues in a bipartisan and bicameral letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the secretary to extend the existing program while Congress works to enact a permanent solution. The letter is signed by U.S. Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Andy Kim (D-NJ), and U.S. Representatives John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA-13), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), and Rob Bresnahan (R-PA-08).

“In a time when demand for passports is surging, libraries are among the most accessible passport acceptance facilities, particularly for working families and rural residents,” wrote the members of Congress. “This abrupt determination, issued with little notice or explanation, has placed libraries, their employees, and the communities they serve in an untenable position through no fault of their own.”

In November, 501(c)(3) nonprofit libraries were notified by the State Department that the libraries’ status rendered them ineligible to operate as passport acceptance facilities under federal law, despite Americans using these locations for many years. For many Pennsylvanians, especially in rural communities, these libraries are often the most accessible—and sometimes the only—passport acceptance facilities. Additionally, across states such as Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, Connecticut, Georgia, and New Jersey, many public libraries are structured as nonprofit entities due to historical precedent, making this action especially disruptive.

“At some libraries, the February 13 deadline all but guarantees immediate staff reductions, putting dedicated public servants and their families at risk of losing their jobs, income, and healthcare overnight. Without an extension, libraries will be forced to lay off employees, cut essential programs for children and families, or close their doors entirely. Granting this extension would not resolve the issue permanently, but it would prevent irreversible harm while Congress and the State Department work toward a responsible, durable solution,” continued the members.

Allowing an extension past the February 13 deadline until the end of the year would provide time for these libraries to adequately prepare for change. It would also allow time for passage of a legislative solution, like Senator Fetterman’s bipartisan and bicameral Community Passport Services Access Act, to prevent any further harm to public libraries and the communities they serve. The senator introduced this bill on January 29, 2026, to allow 501(c)(3) non-profit public libraries to continue operating as passport acceptance facilities. View the full text of the bill here.

Read the full text of the letter below and here.

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Dear Secretary Rubio:

We write to urge immediate action regarding the status of dozens of nonprofit libraries across the United States that were recently informed they must cease accepting passport applications on behalf of the U.S. Department of State, effective February 13, 2026. In a time when demand for passports is surging, libraries are among the most accessible passport acceptance facilities, particularly for working families and rural residents. This abrupt determination, issued with little notice or explanation, has placed libraries, their employees, and the communities they serve in an untenable position through no fault of their own. We respectfully request an extension of the February 13 deadline through the remainder of the calendar year to prevent imminent harm and to allow libraries and communities the time needed to adapt.

In November 2025, libraries that have operated as passport acceptance facilities for years—often decades—were informed that, due to an oversight in the State Department mechanism, their 501(c)(3) nonprofit status rendered them ineligible under federal law. This revelation was devastating to institutions that had been repeatedly reviewed, certified, and reauthorized by the State Department in good standing. Across states such as Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, Connecticut, Georgia, and New Jersey, many public libraries are structured as nonprofit entities due to historical precedent, making this action especially disruptive.

The State Department has cited 22 U.S.C. 214(a)(1) and 22 C.F.R. 51.51(b) as the basis for this decision, yet it remains unclear how this interpretation of the provision went unenforced for decades or why the February 13 deadline cannot be adjusted given the gravity of the consequences. While we appreciate the prior extension from December 2025 to February 13, 2026, such a short window is insufficient for libraries to replace lost revenue, for staff to plan for their livelihoods, or for communities to establish alternative passport services. We thank the State Department for their assistance with and endorsement of pending legislation in the House (H.R. 6997) and Senate (S. 3733) to address this issue. But, as Congress moves forward on a legislative solution to this challenge, it is extremely unlikely such legislation will be passed in time to avert immediate damage.

For many communities across the country, libraries are the most accessible—and sometimes the only—passport acceptance facilities. Their loss will force residents to travel long distances, take unpaid time off work, or forgo access altogether, particularly as demand for passports surges due to Real ID requirements. In Perry County, Pennsylvania, for example, Marysville-Rye Library is one of only two passport acceptance facilities serving the entire county. It is also one of 18 libraries in PA so far that have been directed to cease all passport acceptance services effective February 13. This decision eliminates more than 80 percent of local passport appointment availability in Perry County, leaving the courthouse as the sole remaining option, with limited hours and accessibility. In New York, Brooklyn Public Library has issued over 300,000 passports through its services alone over the last years; failure to extend this deadline will leave massive gaps in passport services.

Equally urgent is the human toll. Passport execution fees represent a substantial portion (up to 67%) of operating budgets for many libraries and directly support full-time staff salaries and health insurance. At some libraries, the February 13 deadline all but guarantees immediate staff reductions, putting dedicated public servants and their families at risk of losing their jobs, income, and healthcare overnight. Without an extension, libraries will be forced to lay off employees, cut essential programs for children and families, or close their doors entirely. Granting this extension would not resolve the issue permanently, but it would prevent irreversible harm while Congress and the State Department work toward a responsible, durable solution. We respectfully request a response to our request for an extension by February 10th, and a written justification for any rejection, given the circumstances at hand. Thank you for your leadership and your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,


Senator Gillibrand Statement On Court Granting Temporary Stay On Gateway Project Funding

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee, released the following statement after a federal court issued an administrative stay on restoring funding for the Gateway Hudson Tunnel project:

“President Trump and his administration’s chaos continue to hurt New Yorkers. I urge him to put the American people over his ego, stop messing with New Yorkers’ tax dollars and livelihoods, and release the federal funding Congress already provided for this critical infrastructure project.

“These political games have real life ramifications, with millions of Americans counting on the Gateway Hudson Tunnel – including the project’s union workers and their families, as well as the rail passengers traveling along the busiest corridor in the nation.”

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Capitol Hill Report, 02-09-26

Audio from this afternoon’s call is available HERE.

Topics discussed: ICE, E15, the DHS appropriations bill, the Epstein Files and Argentina beef imports.


Florence Police Department to receive $500,000 in technology funds

Special to Florence News

U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith recently announced the benefits for Mississippi included in the FY2026 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) Appropriations Bill, which was passed by the Senate on Thursday, January 15. The bill now heads to President Trump for his consideration.

Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the CJS funding bill will support law enforcement, economic development, scientific research and other national priorities. The City of Florence Public Safety Technology and Equipment Upgrades in the amount of $500,000 were included in the line items. They plan to purchase new body cameras and body armor, as well as car radar and car computers.

“We filed a compelling proposal to the office of Senator Hyde-Smith to address these needed additions and upgrades to the department,” said Florence Alderman Mason Herrin.

“Senator Hyde-Smith was successful in including our request as part of the FY2026 CJS appropriations bill. I am pleased to announce that, as of this afternoon [January 15], the Senate has passed this legislation with overwhelming support.”

A release on the bill stated that the enactment of this three-bill package will mean Congress has approved six of the twelve annual appropriations bills for FY2026. HR.6938 spends $10 billion less than if these agencies were funded under a continuing resolution. Congress had until January 30 to act on the remaining FY2026 funding bills before the current resolution expires.

“As a result, the City of Florence Police Department will soon receive $500,000 in federal funding to support these technology and equipment upgrades,” Herrin said. “It is important to note that this grant is a 0% match, meaning the City of Florence does not have to exhaust any general funds associated with the receipt of these grant funds.”


HYDE-SMITH COSPONSORS ‘LOVE LIVES ON ACT’

Bipartisan Measure Would Help Spouses of Fallen Servicemembers to Retain Benefits After Remarriage

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today announced she has cosponsored bipartisan legislation to allow spouses of deceased servicemembers to retain their survivor benefits if they remarry.

The Love Lives On Act of 2025 (S.410) would ensure surviving spouses can retain their benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) upon remarriage at any age. The bill was authored by U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Senate Veterans Affairs Committee chairman.

“Truly honoring the Gold Star families of the service members and veterans shouldn’t mean cutting off their benefits as their lives move on after such a tragic loss. This legislation would work to ensure those VA and military benefits are still accessible over the long haul. Senator Moran has worked on this issue for years, and I’m pleased to join that effort,” said Hyde-Smith, who has regularly sponsored the Gold Star Families Remembrance Week Resolution.

Current law significantly penalizes surviving spouses if they want to remarry before the age of 55, often forcing surviving spouses with young children to choose not to remarry due to the loss of financial benefits.

The Love Lives On Act would:

Allow surviving spouses to retain Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) upon remarriage at any age.

Allow remarried surviving spouses to regain their TRICARE benefits if that marriage subsequently ends due to death, divorce, or annulment.

The Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), American Legion, and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) are among the organizations that support the Love Lives On Act.

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States cashing in on sports gambling

"Most states tax sports betting revenue at 10% to 20%," writes Andrea Jimenez a policy specialist in NCSL's Fiscal Affairs Program. "However, there are several outliers, with Iowa and Nevada imposing just 6.75% and New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island levying fees of 51%"

By Scott Sowers

States are emerging as big winners in legalized gambling as analysis by the National Council of State Legislatures is tracking tax trends on a cash cow that's still growing.

"Most states tax sports betting revenue at 10% to 20%," writes Andrea Jimenez, a policy specialist in NCSL's Fiscal Affairs Program.

"However, there are several outliers, with Iowa and Nevada imposing just 6.75% and New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island levying fees of 51%."

It's estimated that the Super Bowl generated $1.76 billion in bets with the March Madness college basketball tournament expected to produce over $3 billion.

State revenues are projected to take a hit from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as Medicaid funding is cut and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program requirements are stiffened.

"Midway through fiscal year 2026, state fiscal conditions are largely stable, but challenges loom fiscal year 2027 and beyond, said NCSL.

Tax revenue attached to gambling could provide relief.

Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland and New Jersey increased taxes on sports book operators last year.

Georgia is looking to start a market and Mississippi is moving towards mobile betting.

According to the Tax Foundation, New York's 51% rate generated over $1 billion in tax revenue as of 2024.

The 50% rate in Illinois pulled in over $240 million. Pennsylvania came in third with a rate of 36% generating over $197 million.

Under federal law, the Internal Revenue Service considers gambling winnings as income.

Up until the beginning of the year gambling losses could be deducted up to the full amount of gambling winnings for taxpayers who itemized their deductions.

OBBA changed the rules as gamblers can now only deduct 90% of their losses. The remaining 10% is taxed even if the gambler broke even or lost money.

The billions of cash now legally changing hands was made possible by a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that confined sports betting to Nevada.

"This change has generated tax revenues for state governments while also raising concerns about problem gambling and the social costs of widespread betting accessibility," according to the Budget Lab at Yale.

The IRS also taxes gambling operators with a 0.25% tax on the total amount legally wagered and a 2% tax on the total amount illegally wagered.

The Budget Lab has crunched numbers looking for reforming tax laws in order to "target the most problematic forms of gambling, like in-game or live betting, which research suggests may be particularly addictive due to their rapid pace and immediate gratification.

It compares a per unit tax on bets, and a sales tax on the value of a bet.

"Aside from the revenue, each of these proposals reduce the number of bets made in a year," said the Budget Lab.

"Assuming sports gambling is evenly distributed across the income and age distribution, reducing adolescent gambling from 4-10% is a plausible result."

Lawmakers are also attempting to tinker with taxes and gambling.

In September Senators Catherine Cortez Masto D-Nev. and Cindy Hyde-Smith R-Miss., introduced legislation that would change the tax code to repeal the federal 0.25% excise tax on legal sports wagers.

If the bill became law lost federal revenue is estimated at $400 million per year.


Babydog Justice Correctly Picks Winner of Super Bowl, Comes Within One Point of Exact Score

LEWISBURG, WV – Today, Babydog Justice released a statement following her near-perfect Super Bowl prediction:

“It seems I have real nose for Super Bowl predictions – missing the correct score by a single point is just doggone impressive in my book. Congratulations to both teams on a great year, and although I’m sad to see it end, I’m already wagging my tail in excitement for next season. ESPN give me a call next time you need a celebrity guest picker!” said Babydog Justice.

BACKGROUND:

Recently, Senator Justice announced Babydog’s Super Bowl prediction of 28-13 Seahawks.

Babydog has a strong record of accurately predicting Super Bowl winners.

Click here to see Babydog’s end zone victory dance – (prerecorded because she knew her prediction was right on the money!)

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Kaine & Walkinshaw Lead Letter Urging Vance to Raise Detention of Virginia Constituent in Azerbaijan During Upcoming Trip

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last Friday, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and U.S. Representative James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA-11), a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs, led a letter to Vice President JD Vance ahead of his upcoming trip to Azerbaijan. In the letter, the members urged Vice President Vance to raise concerns about the detention of Virginia constituent Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu in Azerbaijan and the country’s broader human rights record. The letter is cosigned by Virginia delegation members, including U.S. Senator Mark R. Warner and U.S. Representatives Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10), and Eugene Vindman (D-VA-07).

“We welcome the Administration’s continued high-level engagement with both countries and recognize the importance of sustained U.S. leadership in supporting lasting peace. Recent progress in negotiations offers a meaningful opportunity to reinforce stability, prosperity, and respect for international norms,” wrote the members. “In that spirit, we respectfully urge you to raise with Azerbaijani leadership serious concerns regarding the treatment of Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, whose family is based in Virginia, as well as broader human rights issues that bear directly on the durability of any negotiated peace.”

“Credible international observers have documented politically motivated prosecutions, restrictions on independent media, and allegations of mistreatment in detention. We are also concerned about the broader population of political prisoners in Azerbaijan, as documented by international human rights organizations and advocacy groups such as the Free Voices Collective,” the members wrote.

“Dr. Ibadoghlu is a respected economist who was arrested in Azerbaijan in July 2023, reportedly beaten while in custody, and charged under circumstances widely viewed as politically motivated. Although transferred to house arrest in April 2024, he remains in legal limbo, has been denied a timely trial, and continues to face serious health concerns following inadequate medical care during detention,” the members continued. “On behalf of his Virginia-based family, we ask that you raise his case directly with Azerbaijan’s leadership and emphasize that meaningful progress in bilateral relations must include resolution of cases such as his.”

“In your engagements with Azerbaijan’s leadership, we ask that you to raise this specific case and make clear that meaningful partnership with the United States is strengthened by respect for due process, academic freedom, independent journalism, and the protection of peaceful expression,” the members concluded.

Full text is available here and below:

Dear Mr. Vice President,

As Members of the Virginia delegation, we write in advance of your upcoming travel to Azerbaijan and Armenia. We welcome the Administration’s continued high-level engagement with both countries and recognize the importance of sustained U.S. leadership in supporting lasting peace. Recent progress in negotiations offers a meaningful opportunity to reinforce stability, prosperity, and respect for international norms. In that spirit, we respectfully urge you to raise with Azerbaijani leadership serious concerns regarding the treatment of Dr. Gubad Ibadoghlu, whose family is based in Virginia, as well as broader human rights issues that bear directly on the durability of any negotiated peace.

Recent diplomatic progress on the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict has occurred in parallel to deepening concerns regarding civil society and due process within Azerbaijan. Credible international observers have documented politically motivated prosecutions, restrictions on independent media, and allegations of mistreatment in detention. We are also concerned about the broader population of political prisoners in Azerbaijan, as documented by international human rights organizations and advocacy groups such as the Free Voices Collective.

Dr. Ibadoghlu is a respected economist with longstanding ties to the U.S. as an alumnus of multiple U.S. government supported academic exchange programs, including the Fulbright Scholarship at Duke University and the Junior Faculty Development Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Ibadoghlu was arrested in Azerbaijan in July 2023, reportedly beaten while in custody, and charged under circumstances widely viewed as politically motivated. Although transferred to house arrest in April 2024, he remains in legal limbo, has been denied a timely trial, and continues to face serious health concerns following inadequate medical care during detention. His treatment has received bipartisan condemnation via Senate Resolution 398, which also calls for his immediate and unconditional release. On behalf of his Virginia-based family, we ask that you raise his case directly with Azerbaijan’s leadership and emphasize that meaningful progress in bilateral relations must include resolution of cases such as his.

Dr. Ibadoghlu’s case illustrates broader concerns with Azerbaijan’s troubling human rights record, as outlined in the Department of State’s August 2025 release of Azerbaijan’s Country Report on Human Rights Practices. In your engagements with Azerbaijan’s leadership, we ask that you to raise this specific case and make clear that meaningful partnership with the United States is strengthened by respect for due process, academic freedom, independent journalism, and the protection of peaceful expression. As the bilateral relationship deepens, including through engagement in the Armenia-Azerbaijan peace process and associated economic and regional development initiatives, we believe that this positive trajectory should create new opportunities for constructive engagement on the release of other unjustly imprisoned individuals, particularly those with a clear nexus to the United States.

Sincerely,

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Klobuchar Meets with Bridgette Norring & Advocates for Children's Online Safety in Washington

(Right to Left) Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate; Actor and Advocate, Joseph Gordon Levitt; U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar; Bridgette Norring, Founder of the Devin J. Norring Foundation; and Kristin Bride, Advocate & Founder of the Carson J. Bride Effect.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) met with Bridgette Norring of Hastings, Minnesota, the founder of the Devin J. Norring Foundation. Her son, Devin, tragically died at the age of nineteen from fentanyl poisoning in 2020 after purchasing a pill on Snapchat he believed was Percocet to help relieve his migraines. In his honor, his family started the Devin J. Norring Foundation to raise awareness about the dangers of dealers selling fake pills and other illicit substances online.

“I met with Bridgette Norring from Hastings, who lost her son Devin to a fentanyl-laced pill bought on social media. We discussed how to improve children's online safety. For too long social media companies have turned a blind eye to drug dealers who use their platforms to sell deadly drugs like fentanyl. This is why I introduced the bipartisan Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act, which honors Devin by cracking down on the sale of fentanyl through social media platforms by requiring these companies to report when drugs are being sold on their platforms.”

Klobuchar is a leader in pushing for legislation to hold technology companies accountable for keeping kids safe online.

Senator Klobuchar is a cosponsor of the Sunset Section 230 Act, which would repeal Section 230 two years after the date of enactment so that those harmed online can bring legal action against companies and finally hold them accountable for the harms that occur on their platforms.

Senator Klobuchar is a cosponsor of the Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act, which would require social media companies and other communication service providers to report to the DEA when they know of the sale or distribution of illicit drugs, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, or a counterfeit controlled substance on their platforms. This legislation honors the memory of Devin Norring and Cooper Davis, a 16 year-old from Kansas, and many other teenagers who were tragically killed by counterfeit drugs that were laced with fentanyl.

Senator Klobuchar is a cosponsor of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA). This bipartisan legislation would require social media platforms to make safety the default and to give kids and parents tools to help prevent the destructive impact of social media. KOSA also ensures that parents and policymakers can assess whether social media platforms are taking meaningful steps to address risks to kids.

Senator Klobuchar is also a cosponsor of the Children and Teens’ Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0), bipartisan legislation to update online data privacy rules for the 21st century to ensure children and teenagers are protected online.

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Graham Introduces Updated End Sanctuary Cities Act of 2026

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today unveiled updated text of the End Sanctuary Cities Act of 2026.

Graham filed the updated text after close consultation with the Trump White House. He plans to seek a vote on this legislation this week.

Graham has maintained that the root cause of the chaos surrounding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids stems from the fact that twelve states, including Minnesota, as well as dozens of local jurisdictions across the country have enacted sanctuary city policies. These practices include the obstruction of federal immigration enforcement efforts that, in turn, create a safe haven for illegal aliens.

The legislation seeks to end sanctuary city policies forever by imposing criminal penalties on state and local officials who ignore DHS requests to detain criminal illegal aliens and release them from custody. If passed, this legislation will restore order to areas experiencing disruptions, eliminate obstacles that hinder law enforcement operations, and reassert the federal government’s constitutional authority over immigration policy.

Graham said, “The end is near for the lawlessness and fraud enabled by sanctuary cities. President Trump made his agenda clear, and it’s up to Republicans to deliver.”

Full updated text is available HERE.


Luján, Booker, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Prevent Politicization of Public Safety Grants

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) introduced the Federal Grant Neutrality Act, legislation designed to stop the politicization of Department of Justice (DOJ) federal grants and prevent the DOJ from imposing unfair conditions on jurisdictions represented by Democrats. The bill ensures that grants cannot be withheld to punish jurisdictions for refusing to enforce partisan federal immigration policies.

For years, DOJ grants have been essential for state, local, and Tribal law enforcement to reduce violent crime and support crime victims. Since January 2025, however, the DOJ has tied these funds to partisan immigration policies and political directives, forcing jurisdictions to implement the Administration’s political agenda for federal funding. This is meant to coerce sovereign states and local governments—especially those led by Democrats—into prioritizing federal mandates over local safety needs, undermining law enforcement, jeopardizing public safety, and triggering costly legal battles, repeating practices courts have already ruled exceed executive authority.

The only way to meaningfully support law enforcement efforts to reduce violent crime and support victims while preserving jurisdictional autonomy and resisting unlawful executive mandates is to prohibit the Attorney General from conditioning grant eligibility. Anything less condones President Trump’s misuse and militarization of law enforcement, his unlawful immigration enforcement practices, and his blatant disregard for public safety and the rule of law.

“The Trump administration’s decision to withhold funding that helps keep our communities safe, reduce crime, and support law enforcement is unacceptable,” said Senator Luján. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing legislation to ensure partisan politics never stand in the way of the resources our communities need. No family’s safety should depend on whether or not the Trump administration decides their community deserves protection.”

“DOJ federal grants are vital to the safety of Americans nationwide because local communities rely on these funds to support law enforcement and violence-reduction programs,” said Senator Booker. “It is shameful and reckless that the Trump administration is weaponizing public safety grants for political gain, undermining law enforcement and putting lives at risk. This bill ensures communities remain safe by allowing them to receive critical public safety funds without being forced to serve a political agenda.”

“Public safety grants should be based on public safety needs, not on whether states and localities agree with the political preferences of the President,” said Senator Kaine. “This legislation would make sure that the Trump Administration – or any Administration for that matter – can’t attach new strings to public safety grants without Congress and turn these grants into political cudgels.”

“By withholding funding for public safety grants, the Trump administration is dangerously attempting to single out and punish Democratic-led states — including California — for not going along with his cruel and indiscriminate immigration agenda. I am proud to support legislation to challenge this lawless and partisan political tactic and the administration’s broader retribution campaign, because every community deserves to be safe,” said Senator Schiff.

To read the full text of the bill, click here.

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McConnell on Jimmy Lai Sentencing: U.S. Must Employ Moral Authority In Demanding Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), issued the following statement on Jimmy Lai:

“Jimmy Lai spent a career supporting in Hong Kong the freedoms so many Americans take for granted. I have been proud to call him my friend. The Chinese Communist Party may hope that, in sentencing Jimmy Lai to prison, it has closed the door on resistance in Hong Kong. In reality, it has attracted a harsher light to the totalitarian repression on which Beijing’s power depends.

“Strategic competition with the PRC will test the strength of our economy and the credibility of our deterrence. But it will also demand proof of the values for which we stand. Jimmy Lai is not the first champion of freedom that Beijing has deemed a threat, and he will not be the last to be targeted.

“Before he was imprisoned six years ago, Jimmy Lai spoke publicly about the strength of America’s moral authority in competition with the PRC. Today, the United States must employ that authority in demanding his release. The United States is stronger when it stands for freedom and justice and against repression – in Hong Kong as in Iran and Venezuela.”


Wyden, Merkley, Bynum Celebrate $3.8 Million in Federal Funding for Expansion of Redmond Airport

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley, along with U.S. Representative Janelle Bynum, today announced $3.8 million in federal funding to kickstart the expansion of Redmond Airport.

“My visit to the Redmond Airport last fall showed me firsthand how this funding is a solid and key investment in infrastructure and economic growth in Central Oregon,” Wyden said. “From small businesses to fishing and hiking, this expansion will give more people the opportunity to explore the Oregon Way. I will continue pushing for more vital resources that promote growth and quality of life in rural communities across Oregon.”

“Our regional airports are vital hubs for Oregonians, supporting local businesses and providing essential lifelines during natural disasters,” Merkley said. “Investing in Redmond Municipal Airport’s terminal expansion will strengthen its infrastructure and help more Oregonians fly where they need to go safely. I’ll continue pushing for federal investments to improve the efficiency and reliability of Oregon’s airports, benefitting the folks who rely on them for business, travel, and so much more.”

“Expanding the Redmond Airport is a big win for Central Oregon,” said Rep. Bynum. “This funding will improve access to travel, support our local economies and businesses, and help the region compete and grow. I’ll keep advocating for the investments our rural communities need to thrive.”

This investment from the Federal Aviation Administration project expands the existing terminal to increase accommodations for airline travelers and improve the local economy.

“The City of Redmond is very grateful for the $3.8 million-plus from the Federal Aviation Administration for the Airport Terminal Expansion now underway,” said Redmond Mayor Ed Fitch. “As has occurred so many times in the past, awards such as these are the result of long hours and much work by Senator Wyden, Senator Merkley, Congresswoman Bynum and their staffs. Once completed, the Redmond airport terminal expansion will enable the city to provide better service, obtain new destinations and help improve our local economy.”

Wyden, Merkley, and Bynum have long been fighting for improvements to airports in Oregon. In July 2025, Wyden and Merkley announced $5.15 million in federal funds for airports across Oregon. In June 2025, Wyden, Merkley, and Bynum announced $9.7 million for rural airports across Oregon. During that same month, Wyden and Merkley announced $1 million for airports on the Oregon Coast and Willamette Valley.

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