Investigation Led By Warren’s Office Reveals How Private Student Loan Lenders Expect to Profit from Trump’s Big, Beautiful Bill

“The cuts to federal student lending in President Trump’s OBBBA will make it more difficult for Americans to finance their educations—opening the door for private lenders to swoop in on vulnerable borrowers and their families”

“[These findings] underscore an urgent need for oversight of the private lending market as these companies prepare to cash in on the Administration’s agenda”

Report: “Costly Consequences: How the Trump Administration Unleashed Private Student Loan Lenders” (PDF)

Responses from: Citizens | College Ave | Navient | Nelnet | Sallie Mae | SoFi

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, along with Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee; Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.); Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii); Ron Wyden (D-Ore.); Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.); Ed Markey (D-Mass.); and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), released a new report revealing the findings of their investigation into how private student loan lenders will reap the benefits from cuts to federal student loan access enacted in Republicans’ Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBBA). The report is the first Congressional analysis of the impacts of the OBBBA’s student loan restrictions on the private lending market.

“Our report confirms what I’ve long sounded the alarm about: the Big Beautiful Bill is a massive giveaway to private student loan lenders,” said Senator Warren in a separate statement. Instead of helping sketchy private lenders profit from our college affordability crisis, the Trump administration should be lowering costs for students and borrowers.”

“The anticipated expansion of the role of private lending is deeply concerning, since private student loan lenders have a long record of predatory practices that raise costs for borrowers and deprive them of basic consumer protections,” wrote the senators.

OBBBA set new caps on federal student loan borrowing for graduate students and others, paving the way for a significant expansion of the private student loan market. The private student loan market currently accounts for approximately 8 percent of student loan debt, but represents more than 40 percent of student loan-related complaints submitted to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The senators pressed six significant private student loan lenders, Citizens, College Ave, Navient, Nelnet, Sallie Mae, and SoFi—which, combined, lent over $14.7 billion via private student loans in 2024—to provide details on their policies, lending activity, and future plans related to OBBBA. The investigation found that:

There is a history of persistent predatory behavior in the private student loan market - and major lenders have been expanding their student loan activity each year;

Private student loan lenders expect more students to turn to private loans due to OBBBA’s loan limits, and at least one lender is already making plans to expand its loan offerings in response to this policy change;

Most of the private lenders surveyed offer minimal protections for borrowers who are defrauded by their schools or who face a sudden school closure;

Half of the private lenders surveyed either have sold student loans to private equity firms or plan to do so in the future; and

Private lenders do not yet have concrete plans in place to expand customer service capacity if they increased their student loan activity.

“Private student loan lenders have a record of utilizing abusive practices, including lying to borrowers about the availability of debt cancellation, autopay discounts, and unemployment protections for borrowers,” the senators warned.

“The Trump administration continues to capitulate to big corporations and special interest – all while increasing the pain and costs for American families. Higher education is a ticket for the middle class, and Republicans are trying to destroy this opportunity,” said Leader Schumer. “Our findings were horrific – but unfortunately not shocking. The so-called ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ forces students to turn to the predatory private student loan market to finance their education. And, as our report finds, this will expose students to predatory lending practices and a lack of consumer protections. Senate Democrats will continue to fight to protect students and borrowers so that anyone, regardless of income or family background, can have a chance at higher education.”

“This report makes it even more clear that by placing an arbitrary cap on federal student loans, President Trump and his Republican allies are making it more expensive for everyday students to pursue higher education. Why? To support huge tax breaks for themselves and their billionaire buddies,” said Senator Hirono. “Students should be able to pursue higher education without taking on a lifetime of debt. I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure that we put an end to abusive practices that exploit borrowers, to institute further consumer protections, and to prevent companies from cashing in on this regime’s political agenda.”

“Instead of addressing the rising cost of higher education, the Trump Administration and Republicans have slashed access to federal student loans – limiting opportunities for American students to pursue degrees, especially in fields where we face workforce shortages. Private lenders are eager to profit off these harmful restrictions, and more students will be at risk of falling victim to deceptive, predatory practices,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“Trump and MAGA Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill has made borrowing for college and graduate school riskier and more expensive, pushing the dream of higher education further out of reach for working and middle-class Americans,” said Senator Markey. “I’ll continue to fight to defend borrowers from predatory lenders and restore loan protections for students.”

“The Republican vision of ‘Families Lose, Billionaires Win’ is leading to less affordable student loan repayment options and a higher risk of folks falling victim to predatory lending, which overwhelmingly harms working families,” said Senator Merkley. “As private lenders prepare to cash in on this disastrous agenda, our report makes clear that urgent oversight is needed to protect borrowers and ensure they can access affordable higher education for generations to come.”

In response to the findings, the senators called for careful oversight of any new private loan offerings targeting students and families affected by the federal loan caps and for experts to examine potential impacts of private lenders selling student loans to private equity firms.

“One year into the Trump Administration, President Trump and Secretary McMahon have made countless efforts to strip federal support from student loan borrowers as part of their crusade to dismantle the Department of Education…[These findings] underscore an urgent need for oversight of the private lending market as these companies prepare to cash in on the Administration’s agenda,” the senators concluded.

###


Warren, Lawmakers Lead Over 50 Members of Congress in Opening New Investigation into Trump Ripping Legal Status Away from Haitian Workers

“This trend of de-legalizing legal immigrant workers will not make Americans safer. It will simply leave our communities with fewer options for quality, affordable care”

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), along with Representatives Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), and Deborah Ross (D-N.C.) led 52 members of Congress in writing to LeadingAge, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, National Nurses United, MASS Senior Care Association, and The Arc of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Nurses Association, SEIU 509, and the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers, asking them to share how the end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for people from Haiti would affect the health care, elder care, and disability care workforce and patients.

“We are gravely concerned that the end of TPS for Haiti will threaten access to health care, elder care, and disability care for American families,” wrote the lawmakers.

To date, about 1.5 million people on TPS have been stripped of legal immigrant status by the Trump administration. The termination of TPS for Haiti—scheduled for February 3, 2026—will affect over 300,000 Haitians residing legally in the United States.

Haitian immigrants are heavily represented in the U.S. health care workforce. In hospitals, nursing homes, and home-care settings around the country, many Haitians on TPS perform vital care-related services, including bathing, dressing, feeding, and transferring patients, which allows older adults and people with disabilities to live with dignity.

Experts have warned that TPS terminations will contribute to “serious disrupt[ions]” of “health care facilities, which already struggle to hire enough workers.” Care facilities have already lost or are preparing to lose critical Haitian immigrant workers due to President Trump’s immigration policy changes. For example: in 2025, an elder care facility in Florida had to fire dozens of Haitian employees who represented almost 10 percent of the staff; a Boston hospital that relies heavily on Haitian Certified Nursing Assistants is bracing for staffing shortages; and a senior housing and health care facility in Virginia was forced to lay off Haitian employees and then struggled to fill their roles.

“This trend of de-legalizing legal immigrant workers will not make Americans safer. It will simply leave our communities with fewer options for quality, affordable care,” wrote the lawmakers.

The lawmakers asked the organizations to provide data and stories about the impact of the TPS termination on the health care workforce and patients by February 17, 2026.

Senators Cory Booker Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), along with Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), Wesley Bell (D-Mo.), Shontel Brown (D-Ohio), André Carson (D-Ind.), Sean Casten (D-Ill.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Shomari Figures (D-Ala.), Jesús "Chuy" García (D-Ill.), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), Al Green (D-Texas), Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Jonathan L. Jackson (D-Ill.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Bill Keating (D-Mass.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Sarah McBride (D-Dele.), Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Richard Neal (D-Mass.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Darren Soto (D-Fla.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), and Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) joined in signing the letter.

Senator Warren has led the way in fighting to ensure TPS holders from Haiti receive the protections they deserve:

In September 2025, Senator Warren led 105 members of Congress in writing to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Department of Labor (DoL) to warn that the Trump administration’s move to cancel Temporary Protected Status (TPS), would threaten the health care workforce and could lead to rising costs and lower quality of care for Americans.

###


Warren Statement on Federal Judge Upholding Temporary Protected Status for Haitians

Washington, D.C. — Following a federal court ruling blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from hundreds of thousands of Haitians across the country, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released the following statement:

"Today’s decision makes clear that the Trump administration cannot end TPS protections for Haitians tomorrow. TPS holders are here legally, and they have legal status because the U.S. government made a promise to protect people from ongoing conflict and unimaginable violence. Families shouldn’t be separated, our neighbors shouldn’t be ripped from their homes, and businesses shouldn’t lose their staff at Trump’s whim. While Haiti remains unsafe, we must continue to protect mommas and babies who are TPS recipients from being sent into a war zone. The Trump administration must follow the law and not cancel TPS protections tomorrow.”

###


Welch, Durbin, Warren Sound Alarm on Launch of TrumpRx

Senators urge additional review and transparency from HHS Inspector General prior to launch of TrumpRx

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, recently joined U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) to review serious questions about the operations of TrumpRx, a new direct-to-consumer (DTC) prescription drug purchasing platform the Trump Administration plans to launch soon.

In their letter, the Senators warn that without stricter safeguards before its official launch, TrumpRx could be used as a potential vehicle for unlawful kickback schemes that result in excessive costs for the federal government. The Senators also underscored how new guidance issued by the HHS OIG appears insufficient to curb potentially inappropriate conduct by pharmaceutical companies’ DTC platforms, which could use hand-picked telehealth companies to steer patients toward specific, high-cost medications and inflate Big Pharma’s profit margins.

The Senators’ letter comes after Senator Welch led six Senators in demanding transparency from HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on the scope, structure, and legal authority of the TrumpRx platform.

“We write to express concern with how the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General intends to conduct oversight of and apply the federal Anti-Kickback Statute to direct-to-consumer prescription drug sales by manufacturers. On January 27, 2026, HHS OIG published a guidance document just days before the White House plans to launch the ‘TrumpRx’ website, which will incorporate drug manufacturers’ DTC platforms. While HHS stated that the January 27 guidance document ‘clears [the] path’ for the TrumpRx website, we do not believe HHS OIG has adequately addressed whether TrumpRx and affiliated DTC platforms will be compliant with federal law, including the Anti-Kickback Statute. We believe the characteristics of the TrumpRx website require further HHS OIG review prior to launch of this government program,” wrote the Senators to HHS Inspector General T. March Bell.

The Senators further called out potential conflicts of interest related to TrumpRx, particularly that the President’s son, Donald Trump, Jr., sits on the board of BlinkRx—a company that could benefit from the Trump Administration pushing Americans to use DTC websites to purchase their prescriptions: “Considering the White House press conferences with drug manufacturers to tout participation in a website bearing the President’s name, the Trump Administration clearly wants to give the appearance of lowering prices for patients. But there appear to be possible conflicts of interest involved in the potential relationship between TrumpRx and an online dispensing company, BlinkRx, on whose Board the President’s son, Donald Trump, Jr., has sat since February 2025.”

In October 2024, Sens. Welch, Durbin, Warren, and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) demanded answers from the CEOs of Pfizer and Eli Lilly about the pharmaceutical companies’ recent move to establish new DTC telehealth platforms. Following that letter, in March 2025, the four Senators asked five telehealth companies that have held contracts with Pfizer and Eli Lilly about their financial relationships and possible influence on prescriptions for medications from those two pharmaceutical manufacturers. The four Senators released findings from their investigation in a 2025 report. The report found that in one instance, 100% of the patients routed to a virtual visit with one of Eli Lilly’s chosen telehealth companies received a prescription.

“Last year, we released a report on an investigation of Eli Lilly’s and Pfizer’s DTC platforms, and their use of hand-picked telehealth companies to steer patients toward their own specific, high-cost medications. We found that Eli Lilly and Pfizer spent up to $3 million combined for partnerships with telehealth companies, who funneled patients to the manufacturers’ products. In certain instances under these arrangements, the telehealth appointments were cursory and no physician laid eyes on the patient, patients could choose the drug they wanted, and virtual visits resulted in a high rate of prescriptions issued,” the Senators wrote. “If manufacturers continue to use affiliated telehealth companies for their DTC platforms under TrumpRx, it is not clear whether these prescriptions could be considered, “from an independent, third-party prescriber.”

The Senators urge HHS OIG to establish safeguards beyond current guidance to ensure TrumpRx is complies with existing federal law: “Given that oversight requests from Congress for information about the scope, structure, and legal authority underpinning the TrumpRx website have gone unanswered by HHS, and due to the lack of clarity with how HHS OIG will conduct oversight of a manufacturer’s DTC platform that is embedded in the TrumpRx website, we cannot be sure that TrumpRx will comply with existing federal laws. Because of the practices that some pharmaceutical manufacturers have used to advertise and steer patients, we believe additional safeguards and transparency are required for any ‘.gov’ website that will be promoted extensively by the White House and pharmaceutical manufacturers.”

The Senators pressed HHS OIG to ensure that TrumpRx complies with the guidelines set out by the agency and warned that—without proper oversight—the TrumpRx platform could create opportunity for potential fraud: “In 2022, the HHS OIG issued a Special Fraud Alert to notify health care practitioners of the specific risks of schemes involving telehealth platforms that ‘intentionally paid physicians … kickbacks to generate … prescriptions for medically unnecessary … medications, resulting in submission of fraudulent claims to Medicare.’ HHS OIG noted that fraudulent aspects of these arrangements for prescribers may include: limited interaction with the purported patient, limited opportunity to review the patient’s medical records, and/or a directive to prescribe a preselected item, regardless of clinical appropriateness. Manufacturer DTC platforms that may be linked to via TrumpRx appear to reflect many aspects of this 2022 warning for potential fraud.”

“TrumpRx could be used to steer patients to specific medications, potentially favoring one company’s medications over another, depending on concessions companies have made to the White House as part of the deals, which still have not been made public. How has the HHS OIG advised the White House and HHS to depict different companies or their medications on the website to avoid steering patients to particular drugs?” the Senators concluded.

Read and download the Senators’ full letter to HHS Inspector General Bell.

###


Welch, Grassley Lead Bipartisan Effort to Reduce Financial Barriers for College Students

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), members of the Senate Finance Committee, will introduce the Student Loan Bond Expansion Act of 2026, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to reduce financial barriers for college students looking for lower interest loans. The legislation would exempt Qualified Student Loan Bonds (QSLB) from the private activity bond volume cap and the alternative minimum tax, broadening access to loans with lower interest rates. U.S. Representative Randy Feenstra (R-IA-04) is leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

“Far too often, financial barriers can be the deciding factor in whether or not Vermonters can afford higher education,” said Senator Welch. “We need to bridge this financial aid gap to make sure students from Vermont to Iowa can get the support they need to achieve their educational goals.”

“We shouldn’t limit better financial options for students financing their college education. Our bipartisan bill will support state-based nonprofit lenders as they work to empower students with options that better fit their needs. I thank Senator Welch for his support in moving this legislation forward to expand choices for students and reduce overborrowing,” said Senator Grassley.

“As a father of four, I know how critical it is to ensure that families have the financial security to have their kids pursue higher education and achieve their future careers. That includes lowering the cost of student loans and reducing financial barriers for Iowans who want to attend college,” said Rep. Feenstra. “That is why I am pleased that the Senate is introducing this important piece of legislation, which will enable more low-interest-rate student loans to be issued by Qualified Student Loan Bonds – which states like Iowa already utilize to help many students attend college – from the cap for Private Activity Bonds. This investment in the next generation of leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs will support our economy, lower interest rates on student loans, and give Iowa kids a more viable financial option when considering the full cost of college. I am honored to lead this effort alongside my Iowa colleague, Sen. Grassley.”

State-based nonprofit lenders like Vermont Student Assistance Corp. (VSAC) and Iowa Student Loan (ISL) Education Lending utilize tax-exempt QSLBs to offer students better interest rates. Unfortunately, these bonds are subject to annual state Private Activity Bond (PAB) volume caps, restricting state-based nonprofit lenders’ capacity to do more for students. QSLBs are also subject to the alternative minimum tax, which increases student borrower interest rates and reduces investor interest.

The Student Loan Bond Expansion Act empowers state-based nonprofit lenders to provide more students with favorable financial terms and free counseling. In turn, this helps students make informed choices that meet their individual circumstances and curb overborrowing. The bill is supported by the Education Finance Council (EFC).

Read and download the full text of the bill.

###


Chairman Wicker Applauds U.S.-South Korea Munitions Partnership

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today issued a statement applauding the U.S.–South Korea munitions partnership, highlighting NDAA efforts to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base. The Chairman welcomed the news that Hanwha Defense USA will invest $1.3 billion to build a state-of-the-art facility at Pine Bluff Arsenal to produce critical energetic materials for explosives, propellants, and munitions. This partnership between the U.S. Army and Hanwha exemplifies how allied cooperation can expand U.S. production capacity while modernizing the defense industrial base and enhancing allied deterrence.

“We need to bring new entrants into the American defense industrial base to increase competition and guard against single sources of supply, particularly on key programs like energetics and munitions. This agreement demonstrates how smart partnerships with allies can expand production against our mutual adversaries while reinforcing our domestic industrial base,” said Senator Wicker. “I appreciate Senator Cotton's leadership in advancing laws in the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act that helped make this partnership with Hanwha possible.”


Bynum, Wyden Lead Charge to Protect Healthcare in Central Oregon

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator, Dr. Mehmet Oz, demanding the resolution of an issue facing St. Charles Health System in Bend, OR. When St. Charles merged two hospital campuses in 2022, an administrative mistake by CMS cost the hospital over $6 million in additional expenses. CMS has taken no action to alleviate this severe financial burden, which threatens the hospital’s financial stability.

In the letter, the Members wrote:

“Rural hospitals are vital to the health and well-being of the communities they serve, providing care that can be difficult – or even impossible – to access anywhere else. … Rural residents deserve access to local health care through financially stable hospitals, not delays in care caused by unnecessarily complicated bureaucratic processes that threaten the services they depend on. …

“Continued delay not only imposes a severe financial burden on the health system but also threatens access to essential care for the rural Oregonians who rely on these hospitals. CMS has the responsibility to solve this problem now. Not tomorrow. Not next month. Now.”

President and CEO of St. Charles Health System, Dr. Steve Gordon provided the following statement:

“We are grateful to Sen. Wyden and Rep. Bynum for their ongoing efforts to help us resolve this issue. Although it may seem like a minor administrative error, $6 million could greatly help us cover costs for many of the services we provide to support our rural communities and ensure that we are able to keep as much care local as possible.”

The full text of the letter is here and below:

Dear Administrator Oz,

We write today to request the swift resolution of a long-standing issue that has left St. Charles Health System (SCHS) in administrative limbo for nearly four years. Over that time, the health system and CMS, along with the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), have had numerous conversations to address the matter, and yet, the problem remains unresolved.

In 2022, SCHS merged two hospital campuses in Central Oregon, St. Charles Bend and St. Charles Redmond, under one Medicare Provider Number, to address significant financial stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. With this change, the combined St. Charles Bend hospital and Redmond hospital campus were granted Sole Community Hospital status, which provides higher Medicare reimbursement rates to certain hospitals that are the only short-term acute care provider in their community. The validity of this status change was not, nor ever has been, in question.

Although the merger was recognized as effective on February 15, 2022, CMS initially denied SCHS’ Sole Community Hospital application for missing documentation – a step that CMS and OHA typically complete after merger filings are processed. When SCHS submitted a second application on May 11, 2022, CMS approved SCH status retroactively, but only to that date, rather than the correct date of February 15, 2022. While that four-month period may seem insignificant, it left SCHS with a financial loss exceeding $6 million.

While the FY 2024 hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) rule, finalized on August 28, 2023, corrected this issue for future mergers; it unfortunately did not apply retroactively for cases such as SCHS’. Meanwhile, efforts to address the problem through the Provider Reimbursement Review Board have been ongoing for years now, with no conclusion in sight. Meanwhile, the financial impact on SCHS and the rural communities it serves continue.

This issue goes far beyond accounting or paperwork errors. Rural hospitals are vital to the health and well-being of the communities they serve, providing care that can be difficult – or even impossible – to access anywhere else. As President Trump recently emphasized, we must prioritize “ensuring that rural Americans get world-class health care in their own community” and yet, this problem persists. Rural residents deserve access to local health care through financially stable hospitals, not delays in care caused by unnecessarily complicated bureaucratic processes that threaten the services they depend on.

Accordingly, CMS must take immediate action to correct this retroactive SCH designation and provide the reimbursement SCHS is rightfully owed. At the very least, St. Charles deserves an update from the Provider Reimbursement Review Board with a clear timeline for when the issue will be resolved. Continued delay not only imposes a severe financial burden on the health system but also threatens access to essential care for the rural Oregonians who rely on these hospitals. CMS has the responsibility to solve this problem now. Not tomorrow. Not next month. Now.

A technicality should never come between a community and the health care it needs or saddle a health care provider with a $6 million loss. Nearly four years of delay is not just bureaucratic inefficiency – it’s a threat to the health and survival of the people these hospitals serve. CMS must act now to correct this bureaucratic blunder and ensure rural Oregonians can access the care they deserve and depend on – period.


Wyden Announces Town Halls in Polk, Yamhill, Linn counties

Senator will hold open-to-all town halls this weekend in Polk, Yamhill and Linn counties. Rep. Janelle Bynum will co-host town hall in Linn County.

Portland - U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today announced he will hold open-to-all town halls this weekend in Polk, Yamhill and Linn counties.

U.S. Rep. Janelle Bynum will co-host the town hall in Linn County.

Heading into these three town halls on Friday, Feb. 6 and Saturday, Feb. 7, Wyden has held 1,146 open-to-all town halls statewide in keeping his promise to hold at least one town hall each year in each of Oregon’s 36 counties.

“I’ve kept my promise to hold these town halls throughout Oregon because the First Amendment is an essential American muscle that only gets stronger with exercise,” Wyden said. “And I very much look forward to Oregonians exercising these free speech muscles by showing up and speaking out in a face-to-face setting that’s open for everybody in Polk, Yamhill and Linn counties to voice their views, ask questions and share ideas.”

"Connecting with my constituents is the most important part of my job," said Rep. Bynum. "I am excited to hear about what's top of mind for Oregonians as I bring more stories back to DC to keep fighting for our state."

The schedule for the upcoming town halls is as follows:

Friday, Feb. 6

Polk County, 1:30 pm, Western Oregon University’s Werner University Center, Pacific Room 400 Monmouth Ave N., Monmouth

Yamhill County, 5 pm, McMinnville Armory, 333 SE Armory Way, McMinnville

Saturday, Feb. 7,

Linn County, 10 am, Linn-Benton Community College’s Russell Tripp Performance Center, 6500 Pacific Hwy., Albany

For everyone’s security, backpacks and large bags will not be allowed in the town halls. Similar to major sporting events, there is a clear bag policy for town halls, allowing only clear bags (max 12″x 6″x12″), one-gallon clear plastic bags, or small clutches (max 4.5″x 6.5″), plus essential items like medical bags or infant necessities, with no storage for disallowed bags. Backpacks and non-clear bags are prohibited, though medical/infant needs have exceptions. Doors will open one hour before the town hall start time for attendees.


Young, Hyde-Smith Renew Push to Restore Safety Standards for Mothers and Babies

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) reintroduced legislation to roll back Food and Drug Administration (FDA) policies that expanded access to chemical abortion drugs.

The Support and Value Expectant (SAVE) Moms and Babies Act would restore longstanding safety standards governing abortion drugs, including reinstating

in-person dispensing requirements, banning distribution through the mail or via telemedicine, and strengthening reporting requirements for abortion-related complications.

“The Biden Administration expanded access to chemical abortions via mail, reducing important medical oversight for these drugs and endangering more lives. Our bill will reinstate common-sense guidelines to protect mothers and babies,” said Senator Young.

“Chemical abortion drugs are often marketed as safer than common over-the-counter pain relievers, but that claim has proven tragically false for many women,” said Senator Hyde-Smith. “The SAVE Moms and Babies Act restores common-sense protections for mothers and their unborn babies. Chemical abortions are not safe, and at minimum, women deserve real medical oversight and the opportunity to see a doctor face-to-face.”

The legislation would also prevent the FDA from approving new abortion drugs and prevent further loosening of safety regulations for drugs already on the market, ensuring abortion drugs are held to the same standards as other medications that carry serious risks.

The SAVE Moms and Babies Act is supported by leading national pro-life organizations, including American Association of Pro-Life OBGYNs (AAPLOG) Action, CatholicVote, Concerned Women for America, the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, Family Research Council, March for Life Action, SBA Pro-Life America, and Students for Life Action.

In addition to Senators Young and Hyde-Smith, U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), John Kennedy (R-La.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.).


Rep. Young Kim Introduces Bill to Crack Down on Waste, Fraud, and Abuse of Taxpayer Dollars

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced the No More Shielding Corruption and Misuse in Spending (SCAMS) Act to establish a Federal Fraud Interagency Task Force to investigate fraud involving federal dollars, strength coordination across agencies, and recover misused taxpayer funds.

“From employment scams to AI-generated ghost students, California has more flavors of fraud than Baskin-Robbins,” said Rep. Young Kim. “Enough is enough. I’m leading the No More SCAMS Act to investigate, expose, and bring fraudsters stealing taxpayer dollars to justice. We must deliver this bill to President Trump’s desk and hold Newsom accountable and return what is rightfully owed to the American People.”

The No More SCAMS Act directs the President to establish the Federal Fraud Interagency Task Force within 90 days of enactment and appoint a Director with at least 10 years of experience in fraud investigation or federal law enforcement. Members of the Task Force must be subject matter experts in federal financial management, fraud detection, forensic accounting, or related fields.

The Task Force would:

Investigate fraud involving federal dollars;

Coordinate with state and local law enforcement;

Strengthen interagency data and resource sharing;

Develop best practices and training programs to prevent fraud; and

Integrate and leverage existing federal anti-fraud initiatives.

To ensure transparency and accountability, the bill requires annual reports to Congress detailing investigations, prosecutions, funds recovered, and fraud trends, as well as annual audits by the Government Accountability Office.

Read more about the No More SCAMS Act in the California Post. Watch Rep. Kim discuss the bill with Nick Shirley and on Fox Business.


Rep. Adams Votes Against DHS Funding Package

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) voted against H.R. 7148, a bill that would direct funding to the Department of Homeland Security.

“In July, Republicans handed ICE a blank check to brutalize our communities—$75 billion with no strings attached as part of their One Big Ugly Bill—while slashing healthcare and making the largest cut to food assistance in our nation’s history” said Congresswoman Adams. “The bill gave the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) $191 billion overall, increasing ICE’s budget to seven times its annual funding, while also allowing it to continue operating even during a shutdown. That reckless decision has put communities, including Charlotte, in harms way.

Even though the bill passed by a three vote margin, I stand united with Democrats in opposing this cruelty and demanding real change at DHS, including holding ICE agents to the same commonsense standards required of law enforcement nationwide and the impeachment of Secretary Kristi Noem.

My constituents have made their voices heard, loud and clear: there should be no additional funding for ICE without meaningful reform.

Until a deal is secured, I cannot support any continued funds for ICE. I made a promise to the people I represent, and I intend to keep it.

I support funding the other agencies, which is why I voted to pass their funding in the House last week. Because the Senate returned the bill as a single package including DHS, I cannot support it. That is why I voted no on the funding bill.”


2026 Art Competition Underway

WASHINGTON — Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) is pleased to announce the launch of the 2026 Fourth Congressional District Art Competition, inviting all high school students in Alabama’s Fourth District to showcase their artistic talent. The category winners will all receive scholarship offers to Wallace State Community College and the overall winner, the “Best of Show,” will also have their piece displayed in the United States Capitol.

Congressman Aderholt pictured with the 2025 “Best of Show” winner Natalie Jones of DAR High School, along with her art teacher Zan Edmonds.

Now in its 45th year, the Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide visual arts contest sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives and the Congressional Institute. The program celebrates the creativity of high school artists across the country and gives young creators a unique opportunity to have their artwork displayed in one of the nation’s most iconic buildings.

“The Congressional Art Competition gives students across the 4th District a chance to share their creativity with the world,” said Congressman Aderholt. “I am continually inspired by the imagination and dedication these young artists bring to their work. I encourage all eligible students to participate and show the extraordinary talent we have in our district.”

Competition Details

• Eligibility: Open to all high school students, grades 9-12, residing in Alabama’s Fourth Congressional District, including homeschooled students.

• Submission Deadline: April 8 by 4:00 p.m. to Congressman Aderholt’s district offices.

• Guidelines: Students may submit original artwork in various media including painting, drawing, collage, prints, mixed media, photography, and computer-generated art.

• Judging: A panel of local art professionals will review all entries and select the winning piece based on creativity, skill, and originality.

The artist selected as “Best of Show” will have their work displayed in the U.S. Capitol for approximately one year, where it will be viewed by Members of Congress, staff, and visitors from across the nation and around the world. Additionally, the winning student will be honored at a reception in Washington, D.C.

All category winners will receive a scholarship offer to Wallace State that may be used for any course of study offered at the college.

About the Congressional Art Competition

Since its inception in 1982, the Congressional Art Competition has encouraged more than 650,000 students to participate, fostering artistic talent and civic engagement among young Americans.


Smith Welcomes Treasury Guidance on 45Z

Today, Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03), co-chair of the Congressional Biofuels Caucus and a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee, issued the following statement praising the Treasury Department’s release of official guidance for the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit:

“During reconciliation, I fought to extend and strengthen the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Tax Credit to empower our biofuel producers and prioritize innovation over arbitrary climate standards. I am grateful for this administration’s action in releasing timely official guidance to ensure that America’s producers can fully utilize the credit this tax year and in years ahead. Moving forward, I will continue to support policies that expand biofuels markets and unleash more affordable, homegrown American energy.”


Congressman Al Green’s H.R. 3716 – the Systemic Risk Authority Transparency Act Passes the House of Representatives

(Washington DC)—On Monday, December 1, 2025, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Congressman Al Green’s H.R. 3716 – the Systemic Risk Authority Transparency Act. This bill requires banking regulators and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to issue timely reports to Congress after a bank failure leading to a systemic risk determination by the Treasury Department, detailing what went wrong and why regulators took the actions they did. It mandates two detailed reports from each relevant entity to ensure transparency and help Congress improve the safety and soundness of similar institutions.

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s speech on his official YouTube page or by clicking here. The floor speech highlighted is also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky,Facebook,Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).


Amo Votes No on Funding DHS, Led Amendment to Repeal $75 Billion ICE Slush Fund Voted Down by House Republicans

Washington, DC – TODAY, Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI) voted against legislation that continues funding the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without securing significant changes to abusive tactics and constitutional violations from Trump’s masked paramilitary force.

Earlier, Republicans rejected his proposal to redirect the $75 billion ICE slush fund Trump established in his Big, Ugly Law. Had Amo’s amendment been adopted, the $75 billion in savings would have been used to stem the damage from Trump’s $1 trillion in health care cuts.

“Budgets are a statement of values. After cutting over $1 trillion from our health care system to give $75 billion to ICE in their Big, Ugly Law, Republicans refused my amendment to melt ICE’s slush fund and use those taxpayer dollars to reverse some of their extreme health care cuts – the biggest cut to Medicaid in history,” said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI), a Member of the House Budget Committee. “Instead, Republicans voted to continue funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), further fueling the public safety crisis inflicted on our communities by Trump’s paramilitary force of masked men. I voted no because we should not give DHS another dime of taxpayer dollars to terrorize our communities until ICE is completely overhauled, Kristi Noem is impeached and removed, and we see real change at the department.”

Background

Yesterday, Congressman Amo offered the same amendment in the House Rules Committee. Republicans rejected it.

Amo has stood up against Trump and Republicans' attempts to destroy America’s health care system and use ICE to inflict terror and fear on our communities. During the budget reconciliation process that created H.R.1, Amo introduced an amendment to make clear that Medicaid is essential to the health of the American people. He has also fought to rein in Trump’s ICE and DHS agents. Amo voted no on the last DHS funding bill and helped introduce articles of impeachment against Secretary Noem.

###


Rep. Auchincloss' Follow-up Letter to Commissioner Makary re the Commissioner's National Priority Voucher
(CNPV) program

Please find Rep. Auchincloss' follow up letter to Commissioner Makary re the Commissioner's National Priority Voucher (CNPV) program available here.


Bacon Announces Winners of 2025 Congressional App Challenge

Washington – Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) today announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, a nationwide competition for students in middle and high school to explore coding, computer science, and careers in STEM fields. Established by Congress in 2014, the challenge encourages students to create, code, and implement a new and innovative computer application.

The first-place winner is Gavin Vernon, a junior at Brownell Talbot, who partnered with Michael Zhang of Colorado’s 6th Congressional District to develop Youth Policy Pulse, a civic-engagement web application that empowers young people to understand and participate in the policymaking process. Vernon was presented with a certificate at Brownell Talbot on January 28, 2026 by Theresa Thibodeau, District Director for Rep. Bacon.

The students said Youth Policy Pulse was inspired by their shared belief that young people deserve a stronger voice in shaping the policies that affect their lives. As students deeply involved in youth leadership and civic initiatives, Vernon and Zhang noticed that many of their peers wanted to participate in government but didn’t know where to start and wanted to change that. Youth Policy Pulse connects directly to real legislative data from Congress.gov, allowing users to browse, search, and track active bills that impact education, climate, mental health, and other youth-focused issues.

As the first-place winners, Vernon and Zhang are invited to Washington, D.C., to participate in #HouseofCode, a two-day event at the U.S. Capitol where students from across the country showcase their apps to Members of Congress, congressional staff, and leaders in the technology community.

“There is a growing need to fill high-paying jobs in STEM fields, and the Congressional App Challenge is a fun and engaging way to show students they can play a real role in shaping the future through innovation and technology,” said Rep. Bacon. “Gavin and Michael’s work on Youth Policy Pulse reflects both strong technical skills and a sense of civic responsibility. All of the students who entered the challenge demonstrated innovation in their ideas and a strong commitment to the task. We have some real future leaders who will make their mark in the STEM world.”

About the Congressional App Challenge

The Congressional App Challenge (CAC) is an annual nationwide competition hosted by the U.S. House of Representatives to encourage middle and high school students to learn to code and pursue careers in STEM. It is considered the most prestigious prize in student computer science.

###


Congressman Baird Votes to Keep Government Funded, Support Disaster Relief and National Security

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement after voting in favor of the Senate Amendments to H.R. 7148, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026:

“Just a few months ago, Congressional Democrats put the American people through the longest shutdown in American history, causing chaos and leaving millions of Americans without paychecks or essential services. I am disappointed that my Democrat colleagues would stand against funding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which not only protects our nation’s borders and removes criminal illegal immigrants, but also provides critical funding for FEMA’s disaster relief programs and for TSA to keep our skies safe. My Republican colleagues and I, in a return to responsible governance, passed all twelve appropriations packages to keep our government funded. I supported these government funding bills when they first came through the House, and I voted in favor of this package today to ensure that our government remains open and continues to operate on behalf of the American people.”

###


Congressman Baird’s Bill to Award the Medal of Honor to Nicholas Dockery Passes U.S. House Unanimously

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) applauded the passage of his legislation, the Nicholas Dockery Medal of Honor Act, to allow the President of the United States to award Major Nicholas Dockery with the Medal of Honor for his heroism in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Dockery is an Indianapolis, IN native and is the sole Army officer and one of only two U.S. officers to receive two Silver Stars for gallantry in the post-9/11 era. This legislation passed the U.S. House unanimously.

“I am pleased to see that my legislation to award Major Dockery with the Medal of Honor has passed the U.S. House,” said Congressman Baird. “Major Dockery demonstrated extraordinary heroism, going above and beyond the call of duty, while serving in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, and selflessly risked his own life many times to save his soldiers. I hope the Senate passes this bill quickly so it can get signed into law by President Trump and award this American hero with the recognition he deserves.”

Additional Background on Major Nicholas Dockery:

Lieutenant Dockery received a Silver Star for his acts of valor on October 2, 2012. Then-Second Lieutenant Nicholas Dockery was serving as a Rifle Platoon Leader with the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. While providing security for a meeting between U.S. and Afghan leaders in Kapisa Province, Lieutenant Dockery’s platoon was ambushed by Taliban fighters utilizing a mosque for cover. Under heavy fire, Lieutenant Dockery dismounted his vehicle and moved through the engagement area to support and re-establish communications with Afghan National Army (ANA) and Police (ANP) units that were pinned in place by enemy fire. Due to the dense maze of structures, Lieutenant Dockery formulated a plan to enter the village on foot to secure the village’s outer cordon. While securing the village, one U.S. team was forced into a compound and surrounded by Taliban fighters. Upon hearing that one of his soldiers was critically wounded by gunfire, Lieutenant Dockery ran through enemy fire to lead reinforcements to the compound.

During the fight, Lieutenant Dockery led his team in breaching six rooms, killing one enemy fighter, uncovering IED-making materials, and detaining two others. As the fighting continued, when enemy fighters threw hand fragmentation grenades over the compound walls, one landed in front of a fellow soldier. Seeing the grenade, Lieutenant Dockery shoved the soldier behind cover and shielded him from the blast with his own body.

Lieutenant Dockery then led the team into an adjacent alleyway to secure the compound. Facing a barrage of machine gun fire from 40 feet away, an RPG blast destroyed his team’s cover, wounding Lieutenant Dockery. Despite being wounded, he realized two soldiers were missing. Lieutenant Dockery located the first soldier; he carried him to safety and immediately returned to find two enemy fighters who were approaching the second unconscious soldier. Killing the two enemy fighters, he recovered the soldier, carried him to safety, performed CPR, and saved the soldier’s life. Lieutenant Dockery was simultaneously directing “danger close” 81mm mortar fire to suppress the enemy. When the rounds began hitting close to his position, Lieutenant Dockery used his own body to shield the wounded soldier as the rounds impacted nearby.

Air assets were unable to distinguish friendly forces from enemy, so Lieutenant Dockery left his position of safety and utilized an M320 grenade launcher to mark the enemy location for aerial assets to engage with 2.75mm rockets. In doing so, he saw two enemy fighters attempting to re-enter the building, which he killed with the grenade launcher. Despite Lieutenant Dockery’s efforts, aerial assets still could not distinguish between enemies and allies, so Lieutenant Dockery climbed on the roof to mark their location with colored smoke, running past a yet-unexploded enemy grenade to do so. The colored smoke attracted heavy rifle and machine gun fire from the enemy. With only a two-foot wall on the roof for cover, Lieutenant Dockery held the rooftop for over 30 minutes and held the enemy in place.

Later, during the exfiltration of his team and the wounded, his element again came under heavy fire. As the enemy closed in on their location, Lieutenant Dockery stayed behind to ensure the wounded made it safely back to the casualty evacuation point. Moving about the battlefield, he directed the Afghan Army Soldiers to fire RPGs on the enemy, effectively halting their final attack.

###


Rep. Balint Votes Against Funding for DHS Amid Rising ICE Violence Across the Country

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL), Vice Ranking Member on the House Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after voting against the Continuing Resolution that would fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for another two weeks:

"DHS needs to be reined in now. I refuse to give them another dime while Secretary Noem allows masked federal agents to terrorize our streets without accountability. They are killing Americans, using preschoolers as bait, and trampling on all of our constitutional rights. Accountability and change must come first, not money."

Rep. Balint remains committed to conducting oversight and holding ICE accountable. She has traveled to do on the ground oversight in Chicago during ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ in October and in Minnesota this month after the killing of Renee Good. She has also signed onto articles of impeachment against Kristi Noem.


Barrett Delivers Another $15.3 Million for Mid-Michigan Communities

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) today announced he secured another $15.3 million in federal funding for mid-Michigan as the House of Representatives passed legislation (H.R. 7148) to fund the government. This bipartisan spending package, which President Donald Trump signed into law this afternoon, included funding for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and others.

The new funding will invest $15.3 million towards seven local infrastructure and development projects in Brighton, Eaton Rapids, Maple Rapids, Clinton County, Oakland County, Shiawassee County, and at the Capital Region International Airport.

“Today, Congress did its job and took a big step towards fully funding the federal government for the remainder of the fiscal year,” said Barrett. “The package we delivered today is a big win for taxpayers in mid-Michigan who will see more than $15 million I secured for real infrastructure projects. This funding will help build better, more reliable roads and bridges and give our region a much-needed economic boost. I will keep working to make sure Michiganders’ tax dollars are spent in a way that supports them and their local communities.”

The investments will support the following road, bridge, drain, and other real infrastructure projects:

$2.5 million for the Clinton County Road Commission to repair Chandler Road from Coleman Road to Stoll Road;

$1 million for the Village of Maple Rapids to replace the Maple Street Bridge;

$1 million for the Shiawassee County Road Commission to replace the bridge on New Lothrop Road over the Shiawassee River in Burns Township;

$1 million for the Oakland County Road Commission to replace a large drain culvert on Dixboro Road south of 10 Mile Road;

$1 million for the City of Brighton to replace the generator at its wastewater treatment plant;

$1 million for the City of Eaton Rapids to redevelop the blighted Horner Mill property; and

$7.823 million for the Capital Region International Airport to replace its six jet bridges for boarding passengers; five of the current bridges are in constant need of repair, and one is inoperable.

“This nearly $8 million in federal funding is a critical infrastructure investment for the Capital Region International Airport (LAN). Replacing our passenger boarding bridges is a necessary upgrade that directly supports the safety, efficiency, and reliability of our facilities for our tenants, airline partners and passengers,” said Nicole Noll-Williams, president and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Authority (CRAA). “We are grateful for the continued support of our federal legislative partners Sen. Peters, Sen. Slotkin and Rep. Barrett, whose advocacy helps ensure LAN remains a safe, modern and competitive gateway for the Mid-Michigan region.”


Barrett Helps Secure DoD Drone Testing Site in Michigan as Part of Bipartisan Delegation Effort

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Tom Barrett today joined his colleagues in the Michigan Congressional Delegation to announce their successful effort to secure Michigan’s National All-Domain Warfighting Center (NADWC) as a Department of Defense-designated national drone testing site.

The NADWC, which encompasses Michigan and includes Camp Grayling and the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center, currently hosts drone testing, competitions, and military training, including during the annual Exercise Northern Strike. The Army and National Guard Bureau have selected the NADWC as a designated national range for deep uncrewed aerial systems training, a move that will bring additional drone testing and manufacturing to Michigan.

“Michigan’s terrain, waters, airspace, and industry make our state a national leader in training our military and producing critical technology for our national security,” said Barrett. “I’m proud that Michigan’s National All-Domain Warfighting Center, where I spent countless hours training in the Army, will be a national drone test site thanks to our bipartisan effort. This designation will deploy additional military missions and investments to Michigan, boosting our economy while ensuring our military has the technology it needs for reconnaissance, search and rescue, and combat.”

Background information:

On July 29, 2025, Barrett sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth requesting the drone testing site designation, along with U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin and Gary Peters and U.S. Representatives Jack Bergman, John Moolenaar, Hillary Scholten, Debbie Dingell, Kristen McDonald Rivet, John James, Haley Stevens, and Shri Thanedar.

The NADWC has a unique combination of capabilities, permissive drone testing policies, and proximity to tech innovation industry leaders in Michigan that will supercharge drone testing for our military and maximize drone training opportunities for our warfighters. It is the country’s largest joint training range east of the Mississippi River. The NADWC’s all-domain capability, large size, expansive special use airspace, and all-weather training environment offers warfighters the ability to test drones at scale under a wide range of battlefield conditions year-round, including for live fire, combined arms, and swarm testing.

Click here to read the letter.


Bean Urges Senate Action on SAVE Act Ahead of 2026 Election

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04) joined U.S. Congressman Brandon Gill (TX-26) in urging Chairman of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to advance the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act and hold a committee markup before the 2026 midterm elections.

Upon sending the letter, Congressman Bean said, “One citizen, one vote—it’s that simple. Voting is both a sacred right and responsibility of American citizenship, and House Republicans delivered on our commitment to protect the ballot box. We passed the SAVE Act to ensure that only American citizens vote in our American elections. Now it’s time for the Senate to act.”

In the letter, the lawmakers argue, “As the midterm elections quickly approach, the Senate must take urgent action to address the corrosive threat to our citizens’ national self-determination posed by permitting foreign nationals to vote in our elections. This problem is not hypothetical; in states across the country, from Texas to Ohio, thousands of aliens have been identified as being registered to vote in federal elections.”

BACKGROUND

The House passed H.R. 22, the SAVE Act, on April 10, 2025. This crucial legislation protects the integrity of federal elections by requiring states to verify proof of citizenship before registering voters. Despite the House's passage, the Senate has yet to take the first step toward considering the bill.

The SAVE Act requires states to obtain proof of citizenship – in person – before registering an individual to vote in an election.

Directs states to establish a process for applicants who do not have documentary proof of citizenship or have discrepancies on their documents due to a name change, but are in fact U.S. citizens, to register to vote.

Requires states to remove non-citizens from existing voter rolls, while giving them the necessary tools to do so.

This legislation passed the House in a bipartisan vote (221 – 198) during the 118th Congress.

CLARIFICATION: For married women whose documents haven’t yet been updated to reflect a name change, the SAVE Act requires states to provide a process that allows them to register to vote despite the discrepancy. Women can use a combination of existing documents—such as a birth certificate and other forms of identification—to verify their citizenship. No woman will lose the ability to register or vote because of a name change.

Click here to read the full letter.

###


Bean Votes to End Partial Government Shutdown

WASHINGTON—U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04) released the following statement after the House voted 217-214 to end the partial government shutdown and restore full operations to the federal government.

“Today, the House passed a bill to end the partial government shutdown caused by Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats. This critical legislation provides a well-earned pay raise for our troops, advances lifesaving biomedical research, invests in our air traffic controllers, and deploys new technologies to keep our skies safe. The package also includes a two-week continuing resolution for the Department of Homeland Security to give Congress time to negotiate a final spending bill. House Republicans will keep fighting for the American people, defending our military and first responders, and advancing America first policies.”

###


Congressman Begich Announces Alaska Winner of Congressional App Challenge

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Feb. 3, 2026 – Congressman Nick Begich (R-AK) is proud to announce Dalton Donley, a high school student from Eagle River, Alaska, as the winner of Alaska’s Congressional App Challenge.

Dalton’s winning app, AK Bush Weather, is designed to help pilots make safer, more informed flight decisions in Alaska’s challenging aviation environment. The app conducts a risk assessment of weather conditions surrounding an airport and combines that data with pilot flight hours to generate a clear, easy-to-understand rating.

“Alaska depends on aviation like no other state, and safety is always paramount,” said Congressman Begich. “Dalton identified a real-world problem and applied creativity, technical skill, and compassion to help address it. AK Bush Weather reflects the kind of innovation and purpose we hope to see from Alaska’s next generation of leaders, and I’m incredibly proud to recognize his achievement.”

BACKGROUND:

Dalton was inspired to create the app after the tragic loss of a family friend in a plane crash. Recognizing the immense responsibility bush pilots carry, he sought to develop a tool that could help reduce risk, improve situational awareness, and ease the mental load pilots face when evaluating weather conditions.

In developing the app, Dalton tackled complex technical challenges, including decoding aviation weather data from the Aviation Weather Center, which delivers information in condensed aviation string formats. He also worked to design a meaningful rating system despite having little prior experience in aviation.

The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition that encourages middle and high school students to explore coding, computer science, and problem-solving by creating original applications. Winners from each congressional district are recognized by their Members of Congress and select apps may be showcased in the U.S. Capitol.

###


Scott Joins Virginia House Democrats to Oppose Proposed ICE Facilities in Hanover and Stafford Counties

WASHINGTON – On Friday, January 30, Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) joined Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) and Representatives Don Beyer (VA-08), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) and James Walkinshaw (VA-11), in sending a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons. The letter expressed fierce opposition to the proposed purchase of a 550,000 square-foot warehouse in Hanover County to serve as an ICE processing and intake facility, as well as the potential construction of a 10,000-bed warehouse detention center in Stafford County, Virginia.

“Since early last year, we have witnessed an increasingly aggressive and militant ICE under your leadership,” wrote the Members. “Most recently in Minneapolis, we have seen federal immigration agents kill two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and injure dozens more. These reckless raids on our communities have resulted in the wrongful detention of hundreds of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents… This disproportionate use of force is utterly unacceptable.”

ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have escalated their tactics in the last year, ranging from demands that individuals randomly show their IDs and verify their legal status when they are not suspected of any crime, to instigations of violence, to warrantless searches and entries into homes, businesses and schools. Combined with a refusal to cooperate with federal partners and allow for meaningful Congressional oversight, the activities of DHS have raised serious concerns for the safety of detainees and Virginians. Hanover County’s Board of Supervisors has asked DHS to reconsider its proposed facility. The Canadian-based company that owns the Hanover County warehouse has since backed out of the proposed sale.

“Across the nation, there have been reports of overcrowded detention facilities with poor ventilation, inadequate climate control, limited access to shower facilities and basic hygiene, and insufficient food and access to meals,” the Members continued. “We have seen this sort of gross negligence play out firsthand in the Commonwealth. In the summer of 2025, reports emerged of severe overcrowding, a lack of food and access to basic hygiene, and limited water supplies at ICE’s Washington Field Office in Chantilly, VA. ICE stonewalled attempts by our offices to gain access to the facility and conduct proper oversight, and it continues to prevent our offices from fully understanding what conditions were like during that period.”

Even after increased scrutiny into the presence of ICE agents in Virginia and beyond, culminating in articles of impeachment introduced against DHS Secretary Noem, questions remain as to the conditions of current ICE facilities and measures being taken to ensure the basic needs of detainees are being met. There is no guarantee that the proposed ICE facilities in Virginia would permit Members of Congress to hold DHS accountable for any lapses in quality of care and detention.

“Given this history of behavior, it is no surprise that we are alarmed by the prospect of siting two enormous ICE facilities in Virginia,” the Members concluded. “We do not want the Commonwealth to be home to large detention facilities rejected by our local communities, which make no one safer. Rather, these facilities undermine public safety, erode trust between local law enforcement and the public, and place a federal agency indifferent to constitutional liberties near our schools, hospitals, and residential areas. We refuse to allow the Commonwealth to be beholden to an agency that has repeatedly failed to demonstrate the transparency, restraint, and constitutional compliance the public and Congress are entitled to expect from law enforcement.”

Read the full letter here.

# # #


Scott Votes Against Funding Bill to Give DHS  and ICE Unchecked Power

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on his opposition to the Senate amendments to H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, which funds the Department of Homeland Security until February 13, 2026.

“Americans are seeing cities taken over by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who are arresting and detaining citizens and legal permanent residents at their churches, homes, and workplaces without valid warrants and assaulting and killing citizens in situations that should require murder investigations, and yet the Administration is fabricating stories easily contradicted by video evidence. Unfortunately, this bill does nothing to curb the abuses of authority by ICE. We should not fund the government as if nothing is happening; therefore, I cannot vote for any additional funding to the Department of Homeland Security until at least some credible progress is made to rein in the out-of-control military occupation of our cities.”

# # #


Oregon Lawmakers Demand Homeland Security Withdraw its Federal Agents from Portland After They Tear-Gassed Oregonians

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden today led a letter with U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley and U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Janelle Bynum and Maxine Dexter demanding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) withdraw its federal agents from Portland and stop inflicting violence on the American people in Oregon, Minnesota and nationwide.

The letter from the Oregon lawmakers to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem comes after the federal forces deployed by the Trump administration unleashed harmful chemical munitions and life-threatening projectiles this past weekend in Portland on Oregonians exercising their First Amendment rights in broad daylight.

“DHS agents indiscriminately launched tear gas, pepper balls, rubber bullets, and flash-bang grenades into a peaceful and planned gathering of labor groups, including nurses, teachers, and their families. We and our constituents watched in horror as federal agents aggressively tear-gassed children and elderly members of the community,” the lawmakers wrote. “The chemicals and projectiles used by your agents also threatened the health and safety of nearby residents. These people presented no threat, violated no law, and posed no danger to federal agents. Attacking our communities is not law enforcement: it is a blatant suppression of people’s constitutional rights. No lawful justification exists for such reckless and excessive use of force. We firmly oppose the actions of federal agents using deadly force against the very people they are sworn to protect and serve, and so should you.”

Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Salinas, Bynum and Dexter said in their letter to Noem that her department’s continued violent suppression of free speech has led directly to the murder of two U.S. citizens in broad daylight in Minneapolis, and the reckless conduct of federal agents has led to the deaths of countless immigrants in DHS custody.

“We have every reason to believe your continued lawless, paramilitary operations on our streets will be deadly for Oregonians,” they wrote. “This administration lacks any legal basis to continue its failed campaign of inciting violence in our communities, whether in Oregon, Minnesota, or anywhere else in America. Your violence has already wounded and killed too many people in U.S. cities. Therefore as elected representatives who swore the same oath you did to uphold the Constitution, we demand you immediately end using excessive force against our communities and withdraw your federal agents from Oregon.”

“The Oregon congressional delegation will use every tool at our disposal to protect all community members, who deserve to feel and be safe,” the Oregon lawmakers concluded. “No one in our community should live in fear of federal agents attacking them on their streets as punishment for exercising their constitutional rights. We will do everything in our power to defend the rights of Oregonians, including our immigrant communities, and we will work with our state and local community leaders, and partners across the nation, to continue peacefully countering the Trump administration’s lawless abuse of power.”

The entire letter is here.


Bresnahan Votes to Reopen Government, Secures $9 Million for NEPA Projects

WASHINGTON, DC: Today, U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) voted to reopen and fund the government. The package includes critical funding for national security and defense, health and human services initiatives, housing programs, infrastructure, and more.

“Today’s vote was about doing the basic part of our job: keeping the lights on,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “As we saw during last year’s shutdown, when Washington fails to do our job, it is our working families, seniors, veterans, federal workers, and small businesses that pay the price. We’ve made good progress since by sending 11 of the 12 appropriations bills to the President’s desk but the job’s not done yet. I look forward to working together to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security and ensure FEMA, the U.S. Coast Guard, TSA, the Secret Service, and other critical agencies stay up and running to keep the American people safe.”

Rep. Bresnahan successfully secured $9,000,000 for four projects located throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania, marking a significant federal investment in the region’s future.

“Community Project Funding is about making sure our tax dollars come back home to Northeastern Pennsylvania,” continued Rep. Bresnahan. “These investments support real, locally driven projects that will improve local roads and bridges, help train the next generation of workers, and ensure veterans who served our country have a safe place to call home. I’m proud to deliver funding that strengthens our region, creates jobs, and improves quality of life right here in NEPA.”

The projects are as follows:

$3,000,000 for the Wayne & Pike County Career and Technical Center

$2,000,000 for the SR 6 Over Wallenpaupack Creek Bridge

$1,500,000 for Veterans Permanent Supportive Housing

$2,500,000 for the Route 309/Mundy Street Crossroads Improvement Project

###


Buchanan, Matsui and Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Whales and Boaters

“With a thriving global maritime industry, it’s critical that vessels can travel alongside whale populations without risking dangerous collisions.”

Legislation Directs NOAA to Modernize Whale Habitat Mapping and Detection Tools

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan, co-chair of the Animal Protection Caucus, joined Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.), Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.), Congresswoman Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.) and Congressman Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) to introduce the bipartisan Whale Conservation Habitat Analysis, Research, and Technical Strategies (CHARTS) Act, legislation to protect whales and improve maritime safety.

The Whale CHARTS Act directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to improve maps of current whale habitat and develop predictive maps that forecast future shifts in whale populations in response to changing environmental conditions. The bill also advances near-real time whale detection technologies to help prevent deadly collisions between vessels and baleen and sperm whales by improving our understanding of feeding areas, calving grounds and migration routes.

“With a thriving global maritime industry, it’s critical that vessels can travel alongside whale populations without risking dangerous collisions,” said Buchanan. “The Whale CHARTS Act strengthens NOAA’s ability to map baleen and sperm whale habitats using better data and modern technology, protecting marine wildlife while keeping recreational and commercial boaters safe. As Co-Chair of the Animal Protection Caucus, I will always fight for solutions that safeguard animals without disrupting mariners and the public who rely on and enjoy our oceans.”

“For too long, whale protection has been treated like a zero-sum fight. This bill is about choosing a better way,” said Matsui. “With clearer whale maps and near real time detection tools, we can help captains avoid whales before a collision happens, protect endangered species, and keep fishermen on the water doing the work they love. That kind of progress only happens when people who care deeply about the ocean, from maritime workers to conservation advocates, come together to advance practical solutions.”

“Current predictive maps don’t give us a good picture of where whales are feeding and calving. That puts both these magnificent animals and boaters at risk of dangerous collisions,” said Malliotakis. “This legislation directs NOAA to conduct more research and mapping so we can protect our whales and keep our mariners and everyone who loves our waters safe.”

“Knowing where whales are in our waters is key to protecting whales and boaters alike,” said Dexter. “The Whale CHARTS Act will deploy the best available technology to improve whale tracking, helping prevent deadly collisions and protect these species for generations to come. This is a win-win policy for whales as well as for the people who work and recreate in marine waters.”

“Having dedicated a majority of my career to preserving the Chesapeake Bay, I know firsthand how crucial accurate data is to ensuring our work reflects a thoughtful balance between recreation and conservation,” said Elfreth. “I’m proud to co-sponsor the bipartisan Whale CHARTS Act to not only support conservation efforts for our critical marine mammals, but make our waters safer for our wildlife and our watermen.”

“The Whale CHARTS Act will protect whales and boaters alike by deploying cutting-edge technologies to better track and monitor migratory whales,” said Carter. “I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort to prevent vessel strikes and better understand America's marine wildlife.”

The Whale CHARTS Act directs NOAA, in consultation with the Marine Mammal Commission and non-federal stakeholders, to develop high-resolution maps showing where migratory whales are located today and where they may be in the future, as well as conduct surveys for understudied whale populations. It encourages NOAA to use modern data sources, including passive acoustic monitoring and satellite-based detection, to improve map accuracy. NOAA must make these maps readily available in formats that commercial and recreational mariners can use onboard to help reduce collisions.

The bill also establishes a grant program to fund tools that will improve the near-real time detection of migratory whales, reducing deadly collisions and other harmful interactions between ocean users and these iconic species. Finally, NOAA is required to publicly report on its mapping and surveying efforts, and on the effectiveness of the projects funded by the grant program.

As co-chair of the 30-member bipartisan Florida congressional delegation, Buchanan has an extensive record of preserving Florida’s waterways and pristine coastline. He has previously secured $8 million for red tide research and backed a proposal signed into law by President Trump to provide more than $100 million to combat harmful algal blooms. In 2019, the U.S. House overwhelmingly approved Buchanan’s measure to study the impact of red tide on human health. Buchanan’s amendment instructs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to designate $6.25 million to research the long-term health effects of red tide and other harmful algal blooms.

Full text of the bill is available here.

###


A New Era for Patients: Carter celebrates President Trump signing PBM reforms into law

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today celebrated President Trump’s signing into law key portions of Rep. Carter’s PBM Reform Act as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026.

After more than a decade of advocacy, Rep. Carter’s efforts have resulted in a major win for patients and pharmacies that will increase transparency, preserve patient access to care, and lower health care costs by reforming the middlemen – pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).

Rep. Carter stands beside President Trump during Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 bill signing

“As a pharmacist from coastal Georgia, I came to Congress with the goal of building a health care system that put patients before profits,” said Rep. Carter. “Today, I can proudly say that we have enacted the first major PBM reform in decades, a meaningful step toward achieving that goal. PBMs have been stealing hope and health from the American people for decades, inflating prescription drug costs, forcing pharmacy closures, and blocking access to medications. To that I say: Not on my watch. The PBM mafia has officially been put on notice. I’m excited to continue working with President Trump help build a quality, accessible, and affordable health care system for patients.”

Included in this funding package are Rep. Carter’s policies to:

Prohibit PBMs and their affiliates from deriving remuneration for covered Part D drugs based on the price of a drug; Require PBMs to define and apply drug and drug pricing terms in contracts with Part D plan sponsors transparently and consistently; Set out annual requirements for PBMs to report on drug price and other information to Part D plan sponsor clients; and, Empower Part D plan sponsors with new audit rights with respect to PBMs.

Promote price transparency for prescription drugs purchased by employer health plans by ensuring PBMs provide group health plans and issuers with detailed data on prescription drug spending at least semi-annually. Such data includes gross and net drug spending, drug rebates, spread pricing arrangements, formulary placement rationale, and information about benefit designs that encourage the use of pharmacies affiliated with PBMs. The section also ensures that health plans and individuals can receive a summary document regarding information about the plan’s prescription drug spending.

Require Part D plans to allow any willing pharmacy that meets standardized, reasonable contract terms to participate in their networks, beginning in 2029, and direct CMS to gather input on contracting practices, ensure contract terms are fair, and improve oversight of pharmacy and plan relationships. Additionally, it establishes a new category of “essential retail pharmacies” in underserved areas and requires regular federal reporting on their reimbursement, participation in networks, and cost sharing impacts. It also establishes a formal process for pharmacies to report contract-related violations without fear of retaliation and authorizes enforcement actions and penalties against plans or PBMs that fail to comply.


Bynum Demands Homeland Security Withdraw its Federal Agents from Portland After They Tear-Gassed Oregonians

Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) joined Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley and Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, and Maxine Dexter in sending a letter demanding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) withdraw its federal agents from Portland and stop inflicting violence on the American people in Oregon, Minnesota and nationwide.

In addition to the letter, Rep. Bynum spoke on the House floor on the same topic, saying, “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: what we’re seeing isn’t law enforcement, it’s state sponsored terror. This has to stop NOW.”

The letter from the Oregon lawmakers to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem comes after the federal forces deployed by the Trump administration unleashed harmful chemical munitions and life-threatening projectiles this past weekend in Portland on Oregonians exercising their First Amendment rights in broad daylight.

“DHS agents indiscriminately launched tear gas, pepper balls, rubber bullets, and flash-bang grenades into a peaceful and planned gathering of labor groups, including nurses, teachers, and their families. We and our constituents watched in horror as federal agents aggressively tear-gassed children and elderly members of the community,” the lawmakers wrote. “The chemicals and projectiles used by your agents also threatened the health and safety of nearby residents. These people presented no threat, violated no law, and posed no danger to federal agents. Attacking our communities is not law enforcement: it is a blatant suppression of people’s constitutional rights. No lawful justification exists for such reckless and excessive use of force. We firmly oppose the actions of federal agents using deadly force against the very people they are sworn to protect and serve, and so should you.”

Wyden, Merkley, Bonamici, Salinas, Bynum and Dexter said in their letter to Noem that her department’s continued violent suppression of free speech has led directly to the murder of two U.S. citizens in broad daylight in Minneapolis, and the reckless conduct of federal agents has led to the deaths of countless immigrants in DHS custody.

"We have every reason to believe your continued lawless, paramilitary operations on our streets will be deadly for Oregonians,” they wrote. “This administration lacks any legal basis to continue its failed campaign of inciting violence in our communities, whether in Oregon, Minnesota, or anywhere else in America. Your violence has already wounded and killed too many people in U.S. cities. Therefore as elected representatives who swore the same oath you did to uphold the Constitution, we demand you immediately end using excessive force against our communities and withdraw your federal agents from Oregon.”

“The Oregon congressional delegation will use every tool at our disposal to protect all community members, who deserve to feel and be safe,” the Oregon lawmakers concluded. “No one in our community should live in fear of federal agents attacking them on their streets as punishment for exercising their constitutional rights. We will do everything in our power to defend the rights of Oregonians, including our immigrant communities, and we will work with our state and local community leaders, and partners across the nation, to continue peacefully countering the Trump administration’s lawless abuse of power.”

You read the full text of the letter here.


Bynum’s Bipartisan Bill to Support Wildland Firefighters Passes Committee

Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) and Congressmen Eli Crane (AZ-02), Joe Neguse (CO-02), and Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06)’s bipartisan bill, the Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act, passed through committee without opposition, making it one step closer to becoming law. This bill supports wildfire response operations by addressing the impact of unauthorized drones flying in restricted airspace during a wildfire.

When an unauthorized drone enters restricted airspace during a wildfire, fire response agencies are often required to ground their aircraft to avoid the risk of a collision. In Oregon and across the country, there have been several instances of this happening, including during the Flat Fires in 2025, which caused delays to wildfire response efforts.

The bill would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct a study on the impact of drone incursions on wildfire suppression and explore available techniques to address unauthorized drone activity.

“Earlier this year, a drone delayed the aerial fire response to the Flat Fire in Central Oregon,” said Rep Bynum. “That’s why I introduced the Wildfire Aerial Response Safety Act to put the safety of our forests, our firefighters, and our airspaces over random drones in the sky. I’m proud that this bill to minimize wildfire response times is one step closer to becoming law. I’ll keep working to get this done for Oregon’s Fifth.”

You can find a one-pager on the bill here and the full text of it here.


Carter: House Republicans Act to Prevent Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C. – Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation to end the partial government shutdown and continue funding the federal government.

"Keeping the government functioning is a basic responsibility of Congress,” said Congressman John Carter. “House Republicans came together to do our job and provide certainty for families, workers, and small businesses who depend on a stable government.”

With today’s vote, the House has now funded 11 of the 12 annual appropriations bills, accounting for approximately 96 percent of federal government operations. This progress represents a meaningful return to regular order and reflects a commitment to governing responsibly.

“This is what Texans expect. Passing individual funding bills, exercising oversight, and ensuring the government continues to operate without unnecessary disruption,” Carter said. “That is how Congress is meant to function.”

Carter noted that work remains on the final Homeland Security appropriations bill, which funds critical agencies including Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Secret Service, and FEMA.

“That final bill is important,” Carter said. “It supports border security, disaster response, aviation safety, and the men and women who protect the public every day. Those responsibilities cannot be put on hold.”

House Republicans have urged the Senate and the White House to continue negotiations in good faith to complete the remaining funding without delay.


Case Votes To Fund And Reopen Seventy Percent Of Federal Government

(Washington, DC) -- U.S. Representative Ed Case (D-HI-01), a member of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for federal funding, today voted for a package of six appropriations measures to end the current partial government shutdown and focus on full reform of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

As a member of his Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittees on Defense and on Homeland Security, Case spoke in favor of the measure in full House debate. A clip of his remarks is here. A copy of his remarks is attached, and his remarks are reprinted in full below.

“I join the vast majority of Americans in condemning the actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” said Case in his full House speech. The best way for us to reform ICE is to keep our laser focus on ICE reform. This measure does exactly that. It gives this administration and my majority colleagues ten days to work with us all to do the right thing. And unless the right thing is done, we should not fund the Department of Homeland Security.

“But this measure also funds 70% of our federal government rather than shut it down again. We must pass this measure now. And it must not be, need not be, and will not be at the expense of ICE reform. We sacrifice none of that mandate to reform ICE by passing this bill today.”

The $1.2 trillion measure will fully fund the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, Education, Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Education, Treasury, and various agencies including the Small Business Administration, including over 20,000 Hawai’i federal civilian employees, through the current fiscal year (October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026). It also provides short term funding of the Department of Homeland Security at current levels through February 13th only to achieve full ICE reform.

The funding measure passed the House and the President has signed it into law.

Case’s full House remarks follow:

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Consideration of H.R. 7148, Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026

February 3, 2026

Remarks of U.S. Representative Ed Case (Hawai’i-First District)

[The Speaker] “The gentlewoman from Connecticut is recognized.”

[Rep. DeLauro] “Madam Speaker, I yield four minutes to the gentleman from Hawaii, a member of the Appropriations Committee. Mr. Case.”

[The Speaker] “The gentleman from Hawaii is recognized for four minutes.”

[Rep. Case] “Thank you, Madam Speaker.

“I rise in support of this measure as a member of our Appropriations Committee, as well as of our Subcommittees on Defense and on Homeland Security.

“Madam Speaker, I join the vast majority of Americans in condemning the actions of immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“Brutality and death in our streets. So-called leaders trashing victims and their grieving families. Warrantless searches. Fear in our own citizens. (Last week a sitting state senator in my own district relayed that she was fearful of going out to talk with our constituents in her community without her passport.)

“This is unacceptable. This is un-American. ICE must be reformed. And until it is, neither it nor its parent entity, the Department of Homeland Security, should be fully funded. And the best way for us to reform ICE is to keep our laser focus on ICE reform.

“This measure does exactly that. It gives this administration and my majority colleagues ten days to work with us all to do the right thing. And unless the right thing is done, we should not fund the Department of Homeland Security.

“But this measure also funds 70% of our federal government rather than shut it down again. Let me focus on just a few areas where this is critical.

“Let's start with defense. Half of our total budget in a time that it is critical to our national security that our Defense Department be fully operating, be fully focused, be nimble, be quick, be able to adjust. And yet we have kept our Defense Department essentially crippled for sixteen months now, as the last time we funded it in regular order and gave it direction through funding and oversight was Fiscal Year 2024.

“They've been operating on a continuing resolution for sixteen months now, and that cripples national security. That is a national security risk. No new programs. Procurement that is excessively expensive because it cannot function over multi-years. No effective systemwide modernization. Any military leader will tell you that the worst thing going for our national defense right now, in a time when it has to adjust to the PRC, to Russia, across a variety of focuses, is another government shutdown or continuing resolution.

“Let’s look at financial services and general government. This bill funds our federal courts. Can we envision a time in our history when it was more important that our federal courts be fully staffed and funded? I don't think so.

“This bill funds Social Security. It enables Social Security to continue to function for the millions of Americans who depend on it, all at a time when Social Security is being crippled by staff cuts.

“Let’s look at foreign affairs. This bill provides continued security assistance to our friends and allies throughout the world. It maintains some effective projection of presence out into the world. It funds the Countering PRC Influence Fund that is so important to our efforts.

“Let’s look at transportation. This bill funds the Federal Aviation Administration so that our air transportation system can continue to function.

“This measure funds federal workers throughout our government who have borne the brunt of our failure to appropriate in regular order, causing a record-setting shutdown. It helps millions of workers throughout our country by assuring them that they can continue working and getting paid without great doubt.

“We must pass this measure now. And it must not be, need not be, and will not be at the expense of ICE reform. We sacrifice none of that mandate to reform ICE by passing this bill today.

“I would finally say to our Department of Homeland Security employees throughout the country who have served us so well through so much difficulty in the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Homeland Security Investigations, Customs and Border Protection, Transportation Security Administration and other agencies. You do critical work for us all, and we apologize to you that we must create more uncertainty for you for now. But we ask you to understand that reforming ICE is critical, not just to those that are suffering at the hands of ICE. It is critical to our country. You will be paid because this measure continues your pay. But until we get this resolved, you must live with the uncertainty. We truly appreciate your understanding and service.

“Madam Speaker, I urge support of this measure and yield back.”

###


Casten Opposes Funding Bill Due To Lack of ICE Reforms

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) voted against H.R. 7148, Consolidated Appropriations Act 2026, and released the following statement:

“I voted against the funding package considered by the House today because it failed to include guardrails to prevent the further murder of Americans, ensure due process, or address the catastrophic failures by Kristi Noem and the Department of Homeland Security.

“This is not a vote I take lightly. I hold sacred Congress’s constitutional responsibility to fund the government. But we also have a duty to ensure appropriations pursue the interests of the American people. I could not support a bill that fails to exercise Congress’s power of the purse over an out-of-control Executive Branch agency.

“Americans have watched the tragic killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by federal immigration agents and the abuse of power in communities, including Chicago, throughout the country. Congress cannot write a blank check for enforcement without accountability.

“The Department of Homeland Security, and ICE specifically, is in need of serious reform, including, among others, the following conditions:

Rescission of the $75 billion funding increase for ICE in the Big Ugly Bill

Mandated body cameras for all immigration enforcement agents

End the anonymity of federal agents — they must remove their masks and display identification

No more arrests without judicial warrants

Independent investigations when agents break the law

Removal of Kristi Noem as Secretary of Homeland Security

“The rot within ICE runs deep, but it starts at the top. Kristi Noem has failed. The American people deserve better.”

###