On Senate Floor, Murray Highlights Hard-Fought Wins for Washington State, Rejecting Trump Cuts

ICYMI: Senator Murray Secures Hundreds of Millions for Transportation & Housing Projects Across WA in Final Appropriations Bills; Boosts Funding for Medical Research, Housing, Child Care & More

ICYMI: Murray Secures Over $5 Billion for WA Priorities in Three-Bill Funding Package; Historic Funding for Hanford, $190 Million for Howard Hanson Dam, Rejecting Trump Cuts

Overall across 11 funding bills, Murray secures nearly $500 million in Congressionally Directed Spending for WA projects and helps set aside over $5 billion in programmatic funding for Washington state

As the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Murray is uniquely positioned to fight for and protect federal funding priorities for Washington state; Murray fought hard to outright reject drastic cuts proposed by Trump and House Republicans to housing, medical research, public education, the environment, and more

Murray: “A lot of critics—they like to say, ‘Oh Patty, you’re such a bleeding heart. You care too much about child care and schools and the environment.’ Well, yeah. You bet I do. And you better believe that’s going to be reflected in how this federal government spends our taxpayer dollars. Trump might want money to build an arch that’s named after him, I want money to fund rental assistance and health care. So, I don’t care who calls me a bleeding heart, when it comes to fighting for Washington state, I don’t give an inch, and I bring back every single dollar for my constituents that I can—down to the penny.”

***WATCH: Senator Murray’s full floor speech***

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, took to the Senate floor to highlight major funding wins she secured for Washington state in the 2026 appropriations bills, including funding for public transportation, local infrastructure, affordable housing, child care, health care, and more.

Throughout negotiations as the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray fought to protect the programs and investments that matter most to working families in Washington state, and reject Trump’s draconian proposed cuts and defeated every Republican poison pill rider—protecting investments in public health, education, affordable housing, transportation, biomedical research, and more—while reasserting Congress’ power of the purse.

“I am here to be a voice for my people—the moms and dads who are both working full time jobs, and the people who had to take out loans to go to school. Moms and dads in tennis shoes have just as much right to be heard in how we spend our taxpayer dollars as the lobbyists who crowd the hallways here in DC. So that’s who I’m here to speak up for and make sure it gets heard when it comes to our nation’s spending bills. That is a power we all have—each and every Senator. We have the power of the purse. And this is why it is so important we use that power—and we defend it from Trump and Russ Vought,” said Senator Murray. “We saw last year, just how much damage they can do with a slush fund CR. Well, the bills this year show just how much good we can do when we refuse to leave the table, refuse to take no for an answer, and refuse to give up our power to President Trump.”

More information on the Energy and Water Development; Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; and Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies appropriations bills can be found HERE.

More information on the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies; Financial Services and General Government; and Defense appropriations bills can be found HERE.

A full, searchable list of funded CDS projects is available HERE.

Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:

“Before I get started—I just have to say, how about those Seahawks!

“Congratulations to the Seattle Seahawks on a very well-earned win in last night’s Super Bowl. We’re very excited to welcome them back home—and celebrate a hard-fought victory. Our players brought the grit, the 12s from every part of our state brought the heart, and now—our team is bringing home a trophy.

“I’m extra proud of my state today—and I will be introducing a resolution to commemorate this victory. It just goes to show: you can’t spell Washington state without a big W, and I’m not just talking about the Super Bowl!

“Because in the spending bills I negotiated—we have a lot more wins headed back home. As of last week, we have gotten 11 out of 12 spending bills for the year signed into law.

“Now, there is still some hard work ahead on the DHS spending bill to enact serious accountability measures, the abuses and violence are so blatant and alarming. We have got to rein in these agencies that are trampling Americans’ rights.

“But today, I want to talk about what the bills we did pass so far actually mean for folks back home in my home state of Washington.

“For one thing—they mean no more slush fund CR that lets Trump rob blue states like mine. Congress is reasserting its authority. These bills mean none of the drastic cuts that Trump and House Republicans were pushing.

“And for Washington state, these bills mean nearly $500 million in Congressionally Directed Spending and $5 billion in programmatic spending are headed our way, with much more in federal resources to come later in the form of competitive grants and formula funding. These are projects and programs that make a real, meaningful difference in lives across Washington state. I should know—I heard directly from these communities who requested this funding, and I fought side-by-side with them, to secure these investments during very tough negotiations.

“Now, some phrases like ‘Congressionally Directed Spending’—or CDS—can sound pretty vague, it’s another D.C. acronym. So, I want to take some time today to really spell out what I am bringing back to Washington state and make sure all the amazing things happening in our communities don’t stay buried in jargon! Because the reality is these are some of the most concrete projects we fund—with results you can go and see firsthand in our communities.

[ROAD SAFETY PROJECTS]

“And nothing demonstrates that better than literal concrete projects, or asphalt, as the case may be.

“In Clark County, I secured $2 million for Ridgefield to continue improvements along Royle Road. Just 15 minutes away from there, in Vancouver, I secured $2 million to help reconstruct a section of the Devine Road. Another 20 minutes east, in Washougal, I secured $2 million to replace one of the busiest rail crossings in our state with an underpass to separate trains from the vehicles which will reduce traffic for drivers, increase rail capacity, and improve safety for pedestrians.

“In Cowlitz County, I secured $2 million for safety improvements, like new sidewalks along Columbia Heights Road. This is going to be a huge relief to parents of many children who regularly walk along this road on their way to Columbia Heights Elementary School and Cascade Middle School.

“In Douglas County, I secured $10 million to help build the Wenatchi Landing Interchange which will increase traffic flow with new roundabouts, and increase safety with separate bike paths for pedestrians, and facilitating new housing and commercial developments across the river from the growing city of Wenatchee. Folks in Douglas County will tell you, this project is a big deal, and it’s going to mean hundreds of jobs.

“In Pierce County, I secured $2.5 million dollars to replace deteriorating roads on a key freight route to the Port of Tacoma, and over 300 businesses in the Manufacturing Industrial Center. In Pend Oreille County, I secured over $700,000 to help get Dike Road back open after spring runoff caused a devastating failure last year limiting access to the Kalispel reservation headquarters, and creating a very serious risk of leaving people stranded in an emergency.

“These kinds of crucial road repairs and upgrades aren’t the only way federal funds I secured will make it faster, and safer for Washington state families to get from point A to B.

[PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND TRADE]

“When it comes to buses, I secured $3 million in Snohomish County to support work on the Swift Gold Line, which will connect Everett and Arlington—two of the largest cities in that county. With stops in Marysville, at Everett Community College and more—this bus rapid transit line will help workers who are heading to the Cascade Industrial Center, students heading to Everett Community College and WSU Everett, and it connect North Snohomish to the rest of the regional network, and someday to light rail all the way to Seattle and Tacoma.

“When it comes to ferries, I secured nearly $2 million to help the Port of South Whidbey replace a dock on the South Marina with updated facilities. This would be a big step toward pedestrian ferry service between Clinton—on Whidbey Island—and Everett, something that has been proposed for a long time—and would make a big difference for commuters.

“In addition to CDS, I secured $25 million for federal urban ferry grants, and $20 million for rural ferry grants—and I made sure Washington State Ferries can compete for this funding. We all want ferries that run safely and on-time, and I’m thinking long-term here, I will continue fighting for major federal funding streams dedicated to supporting ferries—because for states like mine, it is really important for daily commuters.

“Now let’s talk about public transit—Ibelieve in public transit. Why? Because the people in Washington state have voted for it—again and again.

“And it works! Let’s look at Sound Transit in Seattle, Public transit means you can get from your apartment on Capitol Hill, to your job at UW, back down to dinner and boba in the International District. Painless, no hassle public transit in your daily commute—that is the dream for so many people in Washington state.

“Every time we expand public transit, it means: more foot traffic for small businesses, more ways to get to work without being crushed by traffic, and more connections between our communities.

“How has that been possible? Well, in large part thanks to the Capital Investment Grants. Federal funding has helped us connect Lynnwood to Federal Way. And just next month, you’ll be able to take the train all the way across the lake to Bellevue and Redmond!

“Yet House Republicans wanted to cut those Capital Investment Grants by 98 percent! They wanted to basically obliterate federal funding for public transit.

“So, I said: No way.I don’t really think you could call House Republicans an unstoppable force—but I am certainly an immovable object when it comes to defending public transit.

I’ve gone to the mat for public transit since back when George W. Bush tried to defund Sound Transit in its earliest days.

“Now, we all know that Trump will use every tool possible to stall CIG projects,so I also made sure Congress wrote into law explicitly how this funding should be allocated to projects, to make certain Washington state gets its fair share, including $100 million dollars for the light rail component of the I-5 Bridge Replacement Program and $82 million for bus rapid transit in Spokane.

“Overall, fighting for this funding supports future projects down the line all across Washington state. And beyond public transit—Washington state is a proud hub of trade.

“Which is why I worked hard to secure $8 million to help Terminal 18, on Harbor Island, provide offshore power on site. Meaning that when vessels—like enormous shipping container boats—dock, they won’t have to run their engine to keep the lights on. They will be able to plug into the local power grid which will save money, reduce emissions, and improve air quality.

“And while these projects are making progress—other funds I secured are fueling research to chart a course for future improvements, like $1 million for the Pacific Northwest Economic Region Foundation to strengthen supply chains and logistics throughout our region and half a million dollars for the Puget Sound Regional Council so it can make sure its regular survey of the area’s travel behaviors and infrastructure needs—includes voices from allofour communities.

[WATERWAYS]

“Now, in Washingtons state, of course, infrastructure is not just our roads, bridges, and public transportation. It is our waterways—and our water systems as well!

“Which is why—when it comes to programmatic funding—I’m pleased to say I secured a record $3.47 billion for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund, and I included language that makes clear that states like Washington are not to be shortchanged. We will get our fair share!

“This has been a very long-fought battle, one I have fought for more than a decade—but the tides turned in a major way back in 2024, and it is nothing short of a sea change when it comes to annual funding for the Ports of Seattle and Tacoma.

“I also secured crucial design funds for the Seattle Harbor project. That investment secures Seattle’s future as a global trade and maritime hub, supporting thousands of local jobs while enabling a new generation of cleaner, more efficient vessels to protect our Puget Sound ecosystem.

“I also secured funding for the Columbia River Turning Basins project. Southwest Washington’s economy moves on the water, but our river’s ‘parking’ and ‘turning’ spots are stuck in the past. This project is the final piece of the puzzle—making sure that the world’s ships can dock safely and our farmers’ grain reaches the sea faster.

“Now, I have to talk about investments I secured to address another element of managing our water resources, and that is especially top of mind after the devastating storms we saw last year—that is flood control.

“For example, funding for American Rivers and their crucial work supporting communities across our state to manage their flood plains and make our state flood resilient. Or funding to help model and monitor the Cowlitz and Toutle rivers—so cities nearby can evaluate their flood protection, and plan accordingly.

“And in addition to protecting our cities—we have to protect our ecosystems—which are irreplaceable, and our fish—which are truly a way of life in Washington state.

“Now—beyond CDS projects, I also stood my ground to defend several federal programs our state relies on, protecting the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund at $65 million—which Trump tried to eliminate entirely, and increasing funding for the Pacific Salmon account at the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Mitchell Act salmon Hatcheries, and EPA’s Puget Sound and Columbia River Basin Geographic Programs.

“As long as I am a Senator here in Washington, D.C.—our fish and our salmon have a voice in Congress. So when it comes to projects for our fish and the communities that rely on them, I secured funding for the Columbia River Fish Mitigation program, funding to remove the Bateman Island Causeway—it is work happening as we speak right now—which has blocked access for salmon migration, and left them vulnerable to invasive species, funding to install new irrigation lines, and remove existing irrigation diversions in Cowiche Creek—which will improve habitat for steelhead and Coho salmon, and funding to live up to our treaty obligations and bring our tribal fishing access sites on the Columbia River up to health and safety standards.

“And of course—I have to mention the $190 million I secured to continue our progress on the Howard Hanson Dam, something that is critical to our fish, our water supply, and flood resilience alike. This was a project Trump tried his hardest to cut. Last year, he straight-up robbed $500 million and gave it away to red states.

“But if the President wants to have a fight over our fish and our water on the Green River—make my day. This was a fight I fought—and I won—I secured a huge investment to get progress back on track at Howard Hanson, and I am not going stop fighting until we see this work through to the end.

[WATER INFRASTRUCTURE]

“And when it comes to pipes and water infrastructure, I worked hard to keep federal dollars flowing to communities across our state.

“I secured funding for projects to get our communities clean drinking water like building new pump and pressure stations for the city of Chelan to make sure the water system is reliable—even in power outages, removing PFAS contamination from a well in Moses Lake so it can provide safe, drinkable water to that community, replacing an old, iron water main in Redmond to reduce the risk of a break, and improve water quality, increasing the groundwater sources and pumping capacity in Sunnyside to improve reliability and avoid potential shortages, and making upgrades in Skamania County to improve resilience so our wildfires don’t cause dangerous water shortages.

“Of course, it’s not just bringing water into our communities that counts, I also secured funding for important waste water and sewage projects like eliminating failing septic tank systems in Wallace Heights and helping those homeowners connect to the county waste water system, upgrading sewer lines in Douglas County when they are removed for a major highway project, installing a new sewer line in Carbonado, and replacing century-old clay [pipes], replacing a failing water lift in Granite Falls that poses a safety hazard to a local elementary school there, and connecting the Samish Indian Nation’s Summit Park campus to the City of Anacortes’ sewer system.

[WORKFORCE TRAINING AND HIGHER EDUCATION]

“Of course, there is another important pipeline we need to be investing in as well—that is our skills pipeline, and there are several projects I helped fund in this bill that will help connect people with new skills and set them up to pursue promising careers.

“I secured funding for Workforce Southwest Washington—which aims to provide over 200 people with career services and case management, and the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County—which is working to address health care workforce shortages by building a school-to-work partnership between local colleges, unions, and others.

“And when it comes to our colleges and universities: I secured funding for Northwest Indian College to help start its Cybersecurity Program, for Washington State University to develop coursework that better prepares students to pursue work in health care, and for Renton Technical College to strengthen its offerings in aerospace and manufacturing—this is a crucial field in the Kent Valley. Another program, at Green River College will help military members and their families overcome barriers to higher education.

[K-12 PROGRAMS]

“And let’s not forget our littlest learners!

“I secured funding for programs that help them learn and grow from expanding the Hands On Children’s Museum in Olympia—with a focus on preschools, camps, and a new Early Learning Center, to expanding Page Ahead’s statewide effort to fight learning loss with their summer reading program, called ‘Book Up Summer’ which provides kids books to read at no cost, and hosts book discussion nights for families, to supporting the 253 Skills Center—which is developing an interactive curriculum to teach hundreds of students about the maritime sector, or to replacing failing infrastructure at NatureBridge’s facilities in Olympic National Park—which gives students an incredible opportunity to explore one of our state’s amazing National Parks. And last but not least here—we funded a hands-on gardening program that helps young kids learn and grow along with their garden.

“When it comes to education policy, this President gets an ‘F’ from this former preschool teacher and former school board member. I ripped up Trump’s budget and made clear Congress would not abolish the Department of Education.

“Instead, we funded Washington state’s Title I schools. We continued to invest so students with disabilities can get the education they deserve. And we supported so many of the critical programs administered by the Department of Education.

“I’m sure this President would love nothing more than to tear apart our public education system and sell off the scraps to Betsy Devos—but not as long as former educators like me have anything to say about that.

“It’s not just little ones who we are going to help make big discoveries about the world.

[RESEARCH]

“Because I was able to secure funding for important research priorities across Washington state from modernizing the Kirsten Wind Tunnel testing facility and the radiocarbon lab at UW, to purchasing high-performance storage infrastructure that will bolster UW’s AI research, to establishing a new Scientific Research Center at WSU, that is focused on aquatic resources and ecosystems, to research on Orcas Islands tracking the health of killer whales and learning how we can best protect that endangered species.

“That’s not even considering all the medical funding we protected by rejecting Trump’s sabotage proposals, rejecting his 40% NIH cut, and instead increasing medical research.

“And it’s not even considering the funding we protected for Department of Energy research and for the National Science Foundation, which means we are continuing to invest in the groundbreaking work that is constantly happening at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and rejecting Trump’s attempt to close the LIGOfacility in the Tri-Cities.

[CHILD CARE]

“And of course, anyone who knows me knows I am always focused on child care, which is why I’m pleased to say that in addition to increasing funding for the Child Care Development Block Grant and Head Start, and protecting Preschool Development Grants, I was able to direct funds to several important child care initiatives in Washington state.

“From $6.2 million for the construction of the Bremerton Early Learning Center—which is going to be located near one of the largest employers in Kitsap County and provide a crucial new child care option for working families there, to over a million dollars for a program in Clark County, which is focused on increasing the supply of quality affordable child care, to $600,000 for the organization ‘Open Doors for Multicultural Families’ so it can work on starting up a new, early childhood education center at the Kent/Des-Moines Light Rail site.

[HOUSING]

“Now, if you believe like I do that a budget is a statement of your values, then President Trump’s budget was morally bankrupt. It ignored fiscal reality and human consequences.

“The President wanted to drastically cut funding and access for housing and homelessness programs—he effectively wanted to kick millions of people out on the street. And that is just plain wrong. Having a roof over your head is about as fundamental as it gets.

“So, I tore up the President’s budget. And instead, I secured a $4.1 billion—or 6 percent—increase in rental assistance and a $366 million increase in homeless assistance programs.

“It’s not everything, but you better believe it matters, and it will make a difference—so that is a win in my book.

“People deserve a safe place to sleep—they deserve help in tough times. Housing and homelessness are a crisis in Washington state, so I made certain to secure funding for very local projects to address homelessness and increase affordable housing across Washington state.

“In Seattle—this funding will support: 150 units of affordable housing through the Low-Income Housing Institute, 181 units through Bellwether Housing, 162 affordable housing units through the Seattle Indian Services Commission, and another 500 through the City of Seattle’s Fort Lawton redevelopment program.

“I also funded projects that will support 60 affordable housing units for seniors in Spokane, 40 new units—plus a library and a community center—in Kelso, 38 affordable housing units for families in the foster system in Renton, 20 affordable town home rentals at the Pea Patch Community Campus on Orcas Island, 12 sleeping units for homeless youth at the Shelton Family Center in Mason County, safety upgrades to retain 38 units for housing [for] Community Roots Housing, and a transit-friendly housing project focused on serving farm workers in [Lynden].

“And it’s not just housing we are building for people—it’s the wrap around services that help people get on their feet and stay on their feet when times are hard.

“In Vancouver, funding for the Council for the Homeless will support expansion of the Housing Solutions Center—so it can increase capacity and connect more families to housing and resources. And funding for the Akin Family Resource Center, will allow long needed renovations, including better storage space for family essentials like diapers and hygiene products, a behavioral health wing with a dozen large therapy rooms, and a community kitchen with an attached child care room, and more. All told, that will help double their capacity and continue their crucial work connecting struggling families to the resources they need.

“There’s also support in this bill for the United Way King County’s home grocery delivery program—which helps fill a crucial gap in food security. And funding for renovations at Partners Inland Northwest which operates the largest food pantry and clothing bank in Spokane County, and the largest free diaper bank in the Inland Northwest. This will help them renovate a new space to increase their warehouse capacity by over seven times and to give room to partner organizations that connect these families with other services.

[HEALTH CARE]

“To improve access to care for our rural communities, I secured funding to help expand and modernize the clinics for Surgical Services at Kittitas Valley Healthcare—which sees 4,500 patients annually.

“Another crucial challenge I know communities are continuing to struggle with is the mental health and substance use crisis. So, I fought hard to secure funding for several projects that tackle this head on.

“In Spokane County, the funds I passed will help convert an old public works property into a ‘23-hour Crisis Relief Center’ that will provide much-needed, continuous behavioral health care—like mental health care and substance use care.

“Additionally—I secured more funds for the Spokane Mobile Alternative Response Teams—or SMART program. SMART units free up police, fire fighters, and EMTs—by offering another response option for emergencies like overdoses and mental health crises. They already respond to 2,000 calls a year—increasing the capacity of the other first responders—and these funds will help build on that work.

“In King County, I secured funds for Seattle Children’s Hospital to provide a safe and comfortable space for kids in crisis, who are at risk of seriously harming themselves or taking their own lives, funds to help Seattle Fire Department’s Post-Overdose Response Team to provide wraparound services, and funds for the Seattle Indian Health Board’s new Thunderbird Treatment Center on Vashon Island which will provide crucial residential recovery care.

“In Whatcom County—I secured funding for the Lummi Indian Nation to establish a dedicated space for community members to hold Narcotics and Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.

“The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department will also get new funds to help expand a mobile medical unit to provide opioid use disorder treatment, primary care, behavioral health, and wrap-around services.

“Meanwhile, another mobile clinic I secured funds for will help put substance use treatment in reach of rural patients in Clark, Klickitat, and Skamania counties.

“And there are still a lot of other projects I funded in these bills that will make their impact felt across the state. Funds for the Washington State Hospital Association will help improve maternal care in rural communities, through training, assistance, and simulations at 43 rural hospitals across our state. Funds for dental equipment at Sea Mar’s Community Health Center in Tacoma—will help establish a new dental school that will also serve Yakima and Kennewick—to help address a statewide dentist shortage.

“Funds for the Washington Recovery Alliance—which will help establish a network of regional coalitions to coordinate our response to substance use and mental health challenges across the state. Funds for Communities in Schools of Washington State—will help expand their mental health support network, which equips schools across our state with experts and resources to meet their students’ mental health care needs. And funds for the Washington Poison Center—which will update its emergency infrastructure and better serve the many families who call them for free lifesaving advice.

[MORE WASHINGTON STATE WINS]

“And let’s not forget some other incredible programs that support our communities which I fought to fund in this bill, we included funds for the Need of the Community Society—which provides young adults with disabilities the chance to enjoy the great outdoors—which we all love in Washington!

“I funded the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging Helpline—which offers crucial assistance to seniors across the state when English may not be their first language. I funded the Northwest Native Chamber Technical Assistance program—which gives no-cost business support to small business owners based on their needs, and the Seattle Good Business Network’s plan to establish a shared food facility to help small businesses, bakers, and professionals [access] the kitchen space they need to grow and thrive. I also fought to provide crucial funding to help the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center continue its important work getting survivors the support they need.

“And, I’m proud to say that, after years of fighting to stop Donald Trump from selling off our National Archives and records in Seattle during his first term, this year the tables have truly turned—as I secured $30 million in this bill for a new National Archives facility in the Seattle area, so we can better preserve Washington state’s rich Tribal and local history for generations to come.

“And of course I have to note that I was once again able to secure record funding for Hanford cleanup and resources to support the incredible workers who power that mission.

“A lot of Presidents have tried to cut corners when it comes to Hanford—I’ve always made sure to set them straight. I remind each and every one of them of our legal and moral obligation to Hanford. And if that doesn’t work—I’ve made sure to write the appropriate amount of resources we need for Hanford into our funding bill, and then I make sure the President signs that into law.

[CONCLUSION]

“I know I have been speaking for a while. So, while there are still many wins I haven’t covered yet, I will wrap it up. But for as long as I’ve been speaking—I can assure you—I fought for these programs much longer! And if I had to fight even longer still—my colleagues should know, and President Trump should definitely know—I won’t slow down a bit.

“You know, a lot of critics—they like to say, ‘Oh Patty, you’re such a bleeding heart. You care too much about child care and schools and the environment.’ Well, yeah. You bet I do. And you better believe that’s going to be reflected in how this federal government spends our taxpayer dollars. Trump might want money to build an arch that’s named after him, I want money to fund rental assistance and health care.

“So, I don’t care who calls me a bleeding heart, when it comes to fighting for Washington state, I don’t give an inch, and I bring back every single dollar for my constituents that I can—down to the penny.

“I am here to be a voice for my people—the moms and dads who are both working full time jobs, and the people who had to take out loans to go to school. Moms and dads in tennis shoes have just as much right to be heard in how we spend our taxpayer dollars as the lobbyists who crowd the hallways here in DC. So that’s who I’m here to speak up for and make sure it gets heard when it comes to our nation’s spending bills.

“That is a power we all have—each and every Senator. We have the power of the purse. And this is why it is so important we use that power—and we defend it from Trump and Russ Vought.

“We saw last year, just how much damage they can do with a slush fund CR. Well, the bills this year show just how much good we can do when we refuse to leave the table, refuse to take no for an answer, and refuse to give up our power to President Trump.”

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Peters Statement on Trump’s Threat to Prevent Gordie Howe International Bridge Opening

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) released the following statement regarding President Trump threatening to prevent the Gordie Howe International Bridge in Detroit from opening:

“This statement from the President is completely backwards. Michigan’s economy is highly integrated with Canada and the Detroit-Windsor corridor is one of the busiest border crossings for trade in our entire country. We’ve wanted this bridge for years because it will be a boon for our economy. This is another case of the President undermining Michigan businesses and workers.”

Peters has long supported the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. Peters secured $15 million for inspection and screening systems for the Gordie Howe International Bridge – the first federal funding to go to the project. Peters also secured $1 million in government funding legislation to help the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continue to prepare for the completion of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. Peters secured a commitment from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem during her confirmation hearing last year to ensure that securing Michigan’s Northern Border remains a key priority – including a commitment to staff the customs plaza at the new Gordie Howe International Bridge.

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Reed Statement on Secretary’s Hegseth “Arsenal of Freedom Tour” Stop at Quonset

PROVIDENCE, RI – With U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth scheduled to stop at Quonset today as part of his “Arsenal of Freedom Tour,” where he will learn more about America’s shipyards and defense manufacturing facilities, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:

“It is a positive thing that Secretary Hegseth is visiting Quonset to see some critical defense manufacturing production firsthand. While I was invited to join, I politely declined because of a previous, longstanding commitment.

“I hope the secretary comes away from this visit with a keen appreciation for the skill, dedication, and innovation of our talented defense workers and an understanding of the need to invest in our Submarine Industrial Base shipbuilders, shipyards, and critical suppliers.”

After the brief stop in Rhode Island, the Secretary of Defense is scheduled to visit other New England shipyards today.


Schatz Secures $1.3 Million Earmark To Support Hawaiian Language Early Childhood Education Centers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) secured $1.3 million in congressionally directed spending, also known as an earmark, in this year’s appropriations deal for ‘Aha Punana Leo. The funding will be used to train teachers, support families, and develop new early childhood education Hawaiian language materials, such as books and videos, to help young children build literacy and math skills.

“Learning language early matters because it shapes how kids think and learn for the rest of their lives,” said Senator Schatz, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “This new earmark funding will help revitalize the Hawaiian language while making sure more kids have the resources to learn and grow.”

“We are deeply grateful to Senator Schatz, Senator Hirono and the Hawai‘i delegation for their support of the Papa Ha‘awina Hawai‘i project. ‘Aha Punana Leo was built from the ground up by families and community members committed to restoring and strengthening ‘olelo Hawai‘i, and this funding continues that vision. These federal resources will allow us to develop innovative Hawaiian language materials and expand professional development for our teachers, ensuring that ‘olelo Hawai‘i continues to flourish in our classrooms, homes, and communities statewide. This investment uplifts not only our language, but the generations of learners and leaders who carry it forward,” said Ka‘iulani Neff Laeha, Luna Ho‘okele, Chief Executive Officer of ‘Aha Punana Leo.

Founded in 1983, ‘Aha Punana Leo is a non-profit organization operating 12 locations across Hawai‘i with the mission to revitalize the Hawaiian language through immersive preschools and early childhood education programs.

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Schatz Secures $2 Million Earmark For Hawai‘i Island Food Bank

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) secured $2 million in congressionally directed spending, also known as an earmark, in this year’s appropriations deal for The Food Basket, Inc. on Hawai‘i Island. The funding will be used to build a new steel farmers market pavilion for local farmers, food vendors, and small businesses to sell produce.

“This new earmark funding will help more people on Hawai‘i Island put healthy, locally grown food on their tables, benefiting both local farmers and families in need,” said Senator Schatz, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The new pavilion will be part of the Food Basket’s Ho‘olako Agriculture Innovation Park, which is projected to create or sustain nearly 190 agricultural jobs and significantly expand the processing capacity for local staple crops. By integrating traditional agricultural wisdom with modern innovation, the park will reduce the island’s 90 percent dependency on imported food and create a more stabilized supply chain.

“The inclusion of $2,000,000 for the Ho‘olako Farmers Market Pavilion in the 2026 federal budget is a transformative victory for food security on Hawai‘i Island. This investment allows us to build a permanent, community-centered space that bridges the gap between our hardworking local farmers and the families who rely on fresh, nutritious food. We are deeply grateful for this support, which strengthens our local food system and paves the way for a more self-reliant and resilient Hawai‘i,” said Kristin Frost Albrecht, Executive Director of the Food Basket.

Recent data found that 43 percent of households, approximately 90,000 individuals on Hawai‘i Island, struggle to access consistent, nutritious meals. As the island’s food bank, the Food Basket serves as a vital lifeline, distributing over 3.5 million pounds of food annually through a network of more than 100 partner agencies.

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

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

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

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

Currently, VA pharmacies provide naloxone to veterans at no-cost, but they must first ask a provider for a prescription. The End Veterans Overdose Act would allow not only veterans, but also their caregivers to obtain naloxone without first having to get a prescription from a provider. The legislation has been endorsed by the American Legion.

A copy of the bill text can be found HERE.

Senator Shaheen has led efforts to fight the substance use disorder epidemic and increase access to life-saving treatments. Shaheen annually leads a bipartisan resolution with Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to recognize National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. In the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations bill that was signed into law, Shaheen secured provisions that will ensure veterans can better access health care, including substance use disorder treatment. Shaheen also leads the bipartisan Cooper Davis and Devin Norring Act to require social media companies to work with federal agencies to combat the sale and distribution of illicit drugs on their platforms and the bipartisan Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act with Senator Grassley that would establish a new grant program that allows current or former Drug-Free Communities (DFC) coalitions to partner with schools to provide resources educating students about the dangers of synthetic opioids.

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Thune on the Importance of Funding DHS

Clickhereto watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, funding for the Department of Homeland Security runs out on Friday.

“Over the weekend, the Trump administration and congressional Democrats engaged in meaningful talks on a path forward.

“And Democrats have made their demands known in detail.

“Some of them are positive starting points for further discussion.

“Others are nonstarters – and unnecessarily tie the hands of law enforcement.

“In the coming days, the administration and Democrats will need to work out their differences.

“And I expect that the Trump administration – with the full backing of congressional Republicans – will continue to resist any effort to make it harder for law enforcement to detain and deport dangerous illegal aliens, which is what many of the Democrats’ demands would do.

“And I expect that the administration – again with the backing of Republicans here in Congress – will insist on reforms of its own.

“I expect that those will include changes aimed at protecting federal law enforcement officers, who are increasingly under threat from an organized and well-funded campaign to undermine immigration enforcement efforts.

“Equally important is addressing cooperation – or the lack thereof – between local and federal law enforcement.

“Too many jurisdictions prohibit local police from cooperating with immigration enforcement – a policy that not only defies common sense but makes things more dangerous for everyone.

“And so I hope that my Democrat colleagues are prepared to talk about these and other issues.

“Mr. President, as in any good-faith negotiation there will be some back and forth.

“We’ve already seen the Trump administration act in good faith.

“Last week, Tom Homan announced an agreement to draw down 700 federal agents in Minnesota – something made possible thanks to increased cooperation from local law enforcement.

“The Trump administration has already said it will deploy body cameras to all officers deployed in Minneapolis.

“And, as I’ve mentioned before, Republicans previously agreed to provide additional money for body cameras and deescalation training for Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in a bipartisan, full-year Homeland Security bill.

“But Democrats reneged on that deal.

“Going forward, it is my hope that Democrats will work constructively and honor their commitments.

“Because Republicans are serious about getting this funding bill done.

“That’s one of the reasons we wanted to provide more time for negotiations.

“We’re just a few days away from the deadline that Democrats chose, and it’s very possible we won’t have our work finished by then.

“If Democrats are serious about finding a solution here, they may need to find more time to bring these efforts to a productive conclusion.

“Mr. President, a government shutdown – even one that affects just one agency – is not in anybody’s interest, least of all that of the hardworking Americans who staff these agencies and the American people who depend on their important work.

“As Roll Call reported, the Coast Guard is awaiting funding, and I quote, ‘for new cutter and icebreaker ships, plus new helicopters and drones, not to mention higher spending on day-to-day missions’ in the full-year bill.

“DHS oversees cybersecurity missions that – if not fully funded – would leave America vulnerable to cyberattack.

“FEMA is a DHS agency, and it needs certainty to be able to both prepare for and respond to natural disasters.

“And then there’s the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, which provides instruction for federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement officers – not to mention for our own Capitol Police.

“So Mr. President, I could go on about the important work that falls under the Department of Homeland Security – and the need to pass a full-year bill to fund the entire department.

“But I’ll leave it here, Mr. President.

“We need to keep working toward a solution, and if it’s going to take longer than a few days, we need to provide the time necessary to finish the job.”


Tuberville Joins CLEAR LABELS Act to Protect American Patients Through Drug Origin Transparency

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) in introducing the Consumers Labeling for Enhanced API Reporting and Legitimate Accountability for Base Entity Listings (CLEAR LABELS) Act to add country of origin labeling requirements to the United States’ prescription drug supply chain. Sen. Tuberville recently highlighted Alabama’s Oxford Pharmaceuticals’ efforts to increase American generic drug production.

Many prescription drugs, and their active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), are manufactured overseas, particularly in China and India. Yet, current federal labeling requirements to do not require public disclosure of where those ingredients or finished products are made. As a result, patients, pharmacists, and health care providers lack the upfront visibility into the origins of their medications. The CLEAR LABELS Act would require prescription drug labels to disclose the original manufacturers or prescription drugs and APIs to ensure patients, providers, and regulators have clear, upfront information about where the drugs they rely on day-after-day are made.

“Most Americans are so used to taking medicines that they don’t stop to think where it comes from,” said Sen. Tuberville. “We have become way too reliant on foreign supply chains for our generic medicines—and it’s putting our health at risk. Americans deserve to know where their medicines are being made and what ingredients they contain. It’s common sense. I’m proud to join Sen. Rick Scott in introducing the CLEAR LABELS Act to give Americans the truth so they can make more informed decisions when it comes to the medicines they consume.”

“As parents and grandparents, we do everything we can to make informed, safe decisions that keep our families safe and healthy,” said Sen. Scott. “But right now, families are being kept in the dark about where their drugs are coming from. America’s drug supply is dependent on our enemies like China and countries such as India to manufacture our drugs and ingredients, often with limited transparency and oversight. This broken process leaves patients in the dark about where their drugs come. Families deserve to have confidence that the medicines they take are safe, regulated, and clearly labeled. That’s why I’m leading the bipartisan CLEAR LABELS Act with Ranking Member Gillibrand to add country of origin labels to your medicines and help ensure every American can feel comfortable knowing what’s in their medicine cabinet.”

Read full text of the legislation here.

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

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Tuberville Urges Senate to Pass the SAVE America Act

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) took to the Senate floor to urge his colleagues to pass the SAVE America Act, which would secure elections by requiring a government-issued photo ID to vote. During his remarks, Sen. Tuberville highlighted a recent Pew Researchpoll showing that 83% of Americans support requiring a photo ID to vote.

Read excerpts from Sen. Tuberville’s remarks below or watch on YouTube or Rumble.

“Mr. President, let me take you back to November 2024. President Trump and his family were together in Florida awaiting the election results after one of the most brutal campaigns in American history. You know, four years earlier, President Trump had been forced to leave the White House after rampant voter fraud had resulted in Joe Biden being elected President. In 2022, President Trump announced he would run again in 2024—much to the Democrats’ dismay.

You know, the mainstream media went into full meltdown, claiming it was impossible for President Trump to return to the White House. You know, during Trump’s campaign, he was shot live on television, arrested on made-up charges, and even had his home raided by the FBI. But he was still standing and determined as ever to get back to the White House and finish what he had started.

Thankfully, 77 million people—Americans—agreed, helping President Trump win both the electoral college and the popular vote. Americans also gave Republicans control of the House and Senate to help President Trump accomplish his agenda. This historic victory on November 5, 2024, wasn’t just about President Trump, however. It was also a rejection of the Democrats’ ridiculous open-border policies that allowed tens of millions of illegals to come into our country unvetted. It was a rejection of the sky-high inflation that made life unaffordable for millions and millions of Americans. It was a rejection of the woke policies like men in women’s sports, allowing [doctors] to perform life-ruining surgeries on children, and it was a rejection of the weaponization of the federal government to go after political opponents.

November 5, 2024, was one of the most consequential elections of my lifetime. It paved the way for Republicans in the House and the Senate to deliver historic tax cuts just last summer with popular [tax] cuts to Social Security, tips, and overtime. You know, we look forward to seeing all those policies take effect this year. But we still have much, much work to do.

You know, there’s been a lot of talk in the media about what Republicans need to focus on into the midterms later this year—a lot of talk. If you ask me, the number one issue must be securing our elections. If we don’t deliver on this, we will lose our country to the woke globalists who hate our Constitution and want to destroy the greatest nation on earth.

You know, it’s far past time for my Republican colleagues in the Senate to stop worrying about getting reelected and pass one of the most critical pieces of legislation that we will see in our lifetime: the SAVE America Act. The SAVE America Act is most important—it requires voters to show a government ID to vote in federal elections. What a thought?

This is common sense—[…] 83% percent of all Americans—they support it. According to a 2025 poll [from Pew Research], there is bipartisan support for it [with] 95% of Republicans and 71% percent of Democrats across this country agreeing that a voter ID should be used in all of our elections. Interestingly, the support also transcends demographics among American citizens—82% of Latino voters, 76% of black voters, [and] 85% of white voters favor photo ID. This really isn’t complicated. The SAVE America Act also requires proof of citizenship for an individual to register in your state. If you are here illegally, you should not be voting in our elections—period. Lastly, the bill requires states to remove non-US citizens from existing voter rolls. It makes sense.

These policies, they’re not controversial, yet the Democratic Party is throwing a tantrum. You should be asking yourself, why is that? Why are they against voter ID, no mail-in ballots, no ballot harvesting, and one-day voting? Why is that? Is it because their illegal voting base will no longer be able to keep them in power once the legislation becomes law? Sure, it is.

Democrats claim the SAVE America Act is ‘voter suppression’—it’s ‘racist.’ But the American people, they’re not falling for it. Don’t believe the mainstream media’s portrayal of this, the American people have already spoken. […] A huge majority of Americans [say they] want it. There are many things in our day to day lives that require us to show a government photo ID. Many things, almost everything. Purchasing alcohol, lottery tickets, tobacco products, boarding flights, renting a car, checking into hotels. If you want to open up a bank account or apply for credit, you must show a photo ID. Marriage license, signed legal documents. Many other benefit programs often require proof of identification as well.

Not to mention, my Democratic colleagues in the Senate are [wanting] ICE agents to prove their identities while deporting criminals. Let federal law enforcement agents do their jobs, folks. Let them do their job. The hypocrisy from the radical left knows no bounds. Ask yourself, why is it easier to vote than it is to board a plane? Makes no sense.

Why are Republican politicians and Washington ignoring the mandate of 77 million American patriots. 77 million voted to get this done. Washington D.C.—we got problems where elected officials are completely out of touch and they don’t listen to the people they represent. They vote for themselves. And that’s gotten us in trouble. They’re more concerned about getting reelected than actually doing what they promised to do on the campaign trail. It’s easy to talk, but you need to follow-up on what you ran on.

For years, Democrats have shouted from the rooftops that it is impossible for illegals to vote in our elections, but the proof is in the pudding, In August 2024, Texas Governor Greg Abbott […] announced that they found more than one million ineligible voters on the Texas voter rolls—one million. In October 2024, the Supreme Court of the United States approved the state of Virginia to remove 1,600 ineligible voters from the voter rolls—had to be forced to do it. Earlier this year, Oregon was forced to begin removing 800,000 ‘inactive’ voters from the state registration rolls. Why do they have to be told to do that? It doesn’t make any sense.

This is not a coincidence. It is an intentional political strategy being orchestrated by the Democratic national party. Democrats, they’ve lost their traditional blue collar and minority voter base. How do we know that? A majority of them just voted for President Trump just a year ago. Because of that, the Democrats have now found themselves a new girlfriend. Who are they? Illegal immigrants. That’s why the Democratic-controlled states refused to work with Department of Justice and have denied the agency access to the voting rolls.. […] What have you got to hide?

They’d rather fall on their swords for criminal illegal aliens, murders, rapists, and terrorists to get their votes than prioritize the safety of American citizens. Thanks to the Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, Americans are finally seeing evidence of the past fraudulent elections come to light. Millions of Americans have thought for years that there was serious election interference in Fulton County, Georgia, during the 2020 presidential election. Thanks to President Trump, FBI Director Kash Patel, and DNI Tulsi Gabbard, the 2020 presidential election ballots have been seized and will soon reveal the real truth to the American people. The SAVE America Act must be our main priority this year. And that’s saying a whole lot because we have got a lot of problems up here, but it’s gotta be our number one priority. For instance, Washington D.C. has a serious spending problem, you know, we’re more than $38 trillion dollars in debt with nothing to show for it.

Or look at the fact that we are one of the sickest countries on Earth. Thank God for RFK Jr. and the Make America Healthy Again Movement. We are working to address this problem. Not to mention all the problems created by the Biden administration […] for four years, but we can’t even start addressing these problems until we pass the SAVE America Act. We have to do it.

Luckily, we still have time to get it through the finish line. One way we can do this is to get rid of the outdated 60-vote filibuster. The way it is used today has nothing to do with what it was originally intended for. […] [It] has become a tool of obstruction used to overturn the will of the American people. We don’t work for the Senate. We work for the American people. The filibuster was set up to allow debate, and that should be happening right here. Real debate on this floor. My Democratic colleagues need to come to the floor and explain to the American people why they want illegals to vote in elections. I’d like to hear it. What’s their reasoning? President Trump ran on the commonsense policies of the SAVE America Act, and he won also the popular vote, by the way.

It’s time my Republican colleagues started acting like we were in the majority. We have the power. As Republicans, we currently have 53 seats in the senate. Clearly, the American people are behind us and support the American first agenda. That’s exactly why 77 million people voted [for Republicans] in 2024, and we owe it to each and every one of them to get the job done instead of just sitting up here and looking at each other. Passing legislation like the SAVE America Act is essential for the future of our country. Not gonna have another chance. We have no choice. We’ve got to get it done.

If we do not pass this bill, we may never have a secure election in this country again. Never—that’s a long time. Democrats will work overtime to import as many illegals to this country as they can. They just showed they’d do it for four years. We can’t allow that to happen again. We are seeing the Democrat strategy play out in real time in other countries as we speak. I’ve been saying this for years. All you gotta do is go to Europe. They’re us ten years from now if we don’t pass the SAVE America Act. It’s gone. Their leaders are getting fired right and left. They’ve lost their moral values. They’ve lost their culture and they’ve lost their country. All it started with mass migration, which they have allowed to completely destroy what they’ve had for centuries.

The Socialist-controlled Spanish government recently imported 500,000 migrants and are in the process of granting residency. You gotta be kidding me. Or look at Romania where the conservative, pro-‘Romania first’ candidate was cheated out of a victory in 2024 because of made-up claims that Russia had interfered in their elections—sounds familiar. If we don’t pass the SAVE America Act this year, what’s happening in Europe won’t just be overseas anymore. It’s going to be right here in our backyard because many of the enemy are already inside the gates.

Politicians often warn about the crime or national security threats that illegals pose to this country, but this isn’t just about Americans’ safety. It’s also a serious financial problem. You know that every year now we’re having to pay for the illegals that are in this country? It costs you and me and every taxpayer in this country $150 billion dollars. What could we do with that money in our states, in our communities, in our neighborhoods?

Folks, we have to take our country back—our borders—we have to take it all back before it’s too late. We must get rid of the Dominion voting machines, stop mail-in voting, [allow] absentee ballots only in certain situations, stop ballot harvesting, and return to same-day only voting.

In my state of Alabama, I get two questions. Are you gonna close the border? And are you gonna have fair elections? I want my vote to count. And that’s the reason I’m here today. If we don’t secure our federal elections, we will become a banana republic. It is right around the corner. The American people want it. The only question is, do my colleagues in the Senate want to keep their tradition of the Senate? Or do they want to work for the American people? That’s the reason we’re here. Or are we just interested in protecting our own power? I hope not because it won’t be here long if we don’t.

Let’s do the right thing for the American taxpayers and pass the SAVE America Act. Our nation and future and the future of our kids and grandkids depend on it. Think about it.

I yield the floor.”

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

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Van Hollen Urges Vance to Press for Release of U.S.-Affiliated Journalists Wrongfully Detained in Azerbaijan

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, urged Vice President JD Vance to advocate for the immediate release of two U.S.-affiliated journalists who have been detained by Azerbaijani authorities, while the Vice President is in the country meeting with its leaders this week. In his letter, the Senator wrote that the two journalists – former Voice of America correspondent Ulviyya Ali and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reporter Farid Mehralizada – have been detained for no reason other than their connection to the United States and have been subjected to inhumane treatment. He stressed that their detentions are unacceptable especially as Azerbaijan seeks to strengthen its ties with the U.S.

“Ahead of your upcoming visit to Baku, I write to call your attention to the unjust detention of U.S.-affiliated journalists Ulviyya Ali (Guliyeva) and Farid Mehralizada in Azerbaijan and ask you to advocate for their immediate release to their families,” Senator Van Hollen wrote.

“Ms. Ali and Mr. Mehralizada have done nothing wrong. They are being punished simply because they worked with media outlets supported by the United States,” he continued. “Ms. Ali, a former Voice of America correspondent, suffered brutal beatings at the hands of Azerbaijani authorities and her health has deteriorated as a result. Mr. Mehralizada, a journalist with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, was forced to miss the birth of his first child while imprisoned, and his wife Nargiz Mukhtarova now faces a criminal case of her own.”

“We cannot allow governments to take law-abiding individuals hostage for their U.S. ties. Ms. Ali and Mr. Mehralizada deserve to be home with their loved ones, not locked behind bars for crimes they did not commit. When you meet with Azerbaijani officials this week, I urge you to press forcefully for their release,” the Senator urged.

Text of the letter can be viewed here and below.

Dear Vice President Vance,

Ahead of your upcoming visit to Baku, I write to call your attention to the unjust detention of U.S.-affiliated journalists Ulviyya Ali (Guliyeva) and Farid Mehralizada in Azerbaijan and ask you to advocate for their immediate release to their families.

Ms. Ali and Mr. Mehralizada have done nothing wrong. They are being punished simply because they worked with media outlets supported by the United States. Ms. Ali, a former Voice of America correspondent, suffered brutal beatings at the hands of Azerbaijani authorities and her health has deteriorated as a result. Mr. Mehralizada, a journalist with Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, was forced to miss the birth of his first child while imprisoned, and his wife Nargiz Mukhtarova now faces a criminal case of her own.

Azerbaijan’s treatment of these journalists and their families is unconscionable and has no place in a nation seeking our partnership. These actions erode trust, violate human dignity, and directly contradict genuine efforts to build regional peace and prosperity.

We cannot allow governments to take law-abiding individuals hostage for their U.S. ties. Ms. Ali and Mr. Mehralizada deserve to be home with their loved ones, not locked behind bars for crimes they did not commit. When you meet with Azerbaijani officials this week, I urge you to press forcefully for their release.


In Response to Warren and Democratic Senators, Trust for the National Mall Reveals New Details About Trump Ballroom Payments, Potential for Corruption and Secret Quid-Pro-Quo Deals

Trust confirms it will make millions from Trump ballroom fundraising; Board, which includes business leaders who could benefit from favorable treatment from Trump, discussed and approved ballroom project

Lawmakers pressed Trust on previous, “woefully inadequate” response to oversight

Text of Response Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. — In response to a January letter from U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), the Trust for the National Mall revealed new details about its role in fundraising efforts for President Trump’s new White House Ballroom. Billionaires and billionaire corporations with business in front of the Trump administration have funneled money to the new ballroom, raising questions about corruption and quid-pro-quo deals.

“These new details raise even greater concerns about whether Donald Trump’s gold-encrusted ballroom has become a vehicle for corruption. We now know the Trust is raking in millions off its Trump ballroom fundraising, and the Trust’s board — stacked with business leaders who could benefit from favorable treatment from Trump — specifically agreed to take this on,” said Senator Warren. “Americans deserve to know which billionaire corporations are shoveling money to Trump’s vanity projects and what favors they may be seeking in return.”

Key takeaways include:

The Trust confirmed it “receives a 2 or 2.5 percent management allocation from each donation received,” meaning that, if it is managing $400 million in ballroom donations, it will rake in $8 to $10 million from its fundraising role for Trump’s ballroom.

The Trust indicated that this is, by far, the largest project it has ever been involved with, saying that in the last 18 years, it has “a track record of investing over $100M in restoration projects and programs for the National Mall.” President Trump has indicated his ballroom alone will cost approximately $400 million.

The Trust revealed that its Board of Directors “discussed and agreed to proceed with this project,” notable given that several Board members lead or are involved with companies and organizations that could benefit from favorable treatment from the Trump administration.

The Trust said that it has not been involved in conversations to solicit funds or conversations regarding the design or planning for the project. The Trust also asserted that it has no contractual agreement with Trump fundraiser Meredith O’Rourke related to the ballroom project.

The Trust confirmed its relationship as a partner with the National Park Service on this and other projects, indicating the ballroom was a “priority” for the Park Service.

The Trust refused to reveal the names of all donors to the ballroom — and indicated that it would continue to allow donors to remain anonymous, stating that it could “withhold the names of donors from public versions of annual information reports.”

The Trust was established as a nonpartisan, nonprofit partner of the National Park Service. But the scale of funds raised for President Trump’s ballroom, Trump’s personal involvement in fundraising for the project, and the number of corporate donors with business before the Trump Administration raised questions for the lawmakers about whether the organization is facilitating these donors’ corrupt access to and favor-seeking from President Trump and his administration.

In October, the senators pressed President and CEO of the Trust, Catherine Townsend, and National Park Service Comptroller Jessica Bowron, about the exact agreements in place regarding the building of the ballroom, the source and amount of donations, whether the donations are charitable deductions, and more.

In the Trust’s November response, Townsend confirmed the Trust is “managing the private donations gifted to support the [ballroom] project,” but refused to answer questions regarding the agreements between President Trump, the White House, and the Trust with regard to funding and building the Trump Ballroom. Townsend also declined to release details about the donations made to date, along with any terms and conditions related to each of these donations, saying “donor names and identifying information are not subject to public disclosure under [federal law].”

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Miss. Congressional Delegation Applauds Trump for Approving Major Disaster Declaration for Mississippi

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., and U.S. Representatives Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., Trent Kelly, R-Miss., Michael Guest, R-Miss., and Mike Ezell, R-Miss., applauded President Trump for approving Mississippi’s request for a major disaster declaration following deadly Winter Storm Fern which struck the state from January 23-27, 2026. This approval unlocks federal resources to support recovery efforts across Mississippi. The declaration approves Public Assistance for 38 counties.

“We thank President Trump for approving Mississippi's major disaster declaration. These resources will help our communities rebuild after Winter Storm Fern. We are grateful for this immediate response from the administration,” the Mississippi congressional delegation said in a joint statement.

Following the storm, the delegation signed a letter to President Trump in support of Governor Tate Reeves’ request for a major disaster declaration.

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

Click here to read the full disaster declaration.

Background:


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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Rep. Al Green Questions Witness on Invidious Discrimination in Lending and Homeownership

(Washington, DC) — On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Congressman Al Green, Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, shared remarks in a Financial Services Hearing entitled, “Priced Out of the American Dream: Understanding the Policies Behind Rising Costs of Housing and Borrowing."

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green's remarks by clicking here. The hearing remarks highlighted are also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).


Rep. Green Questions Cuts and Lack of Funding for Public Housing Agencies and HUD

(Washington, DC) — On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Congressman Al Green, Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, shared remarks in a Financial Services Hearing entitled, “Building a Solid Foundation: Restoring Trust and Transparency in Public Housing Agencies."

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green's remarks by clicking here. The hearing remarks highlighted are also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).


Rep. Green Questions DHS Leadership on Sec. Noem’s Cover-Up Comments Prior to Pretti Investigation

(Washington, DC) — On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Congressman Al Green, a Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, shared remarks during a Homeland Security Committee hearing entitled, “Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security: ICE, CBP, and USCIS."

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s remarks to the witness by clicking here. The hearing remarks highlighted are also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).


RELEASE: Reps. Auchincloss and Bergman Defend FQHCs from Financial Constraints Amidst 340B Reform

Contact: Georgina.Burros@mail.house.gov (Auchincloss)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D, MA-04) and Jack Bergman (R-MI-01) introduced the Community Health Center Drug Pricing Protection Act to exempt Community Health Centers (CHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) from the Trump administration’s proposed 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program.

CHCs are effective stewards of health care dollars, accounting for just one percent of U.S. health care spending while treating ten percent of Americans. CHCs and FQHCs provide care to medically underserved, low-income, and rural communities while operating on the thinnest margins in the health care system. The 340B Program allows these providers to purchase outpatient drugs at discounted prices and reinvest those savings directly into patient care, guaranteeing access to care regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.

Recent efforts by federal regulators and drug manufacturers to shift the 340B Program from an up-front discount model to a rebate-based model for CHCs would force health centers to pay the full price of drugs up front and wait for reimbursement. This approach would strain already limited resources and undermine existing patient care.

The Community Health Center Drug Pricing Protection Act would exempt FQHCs and CHCs from rebate-based pricing by prohibiting manufacturers from charging more than the 340B ceiling price at the time of purchase. This would provide CHCs and FQHCs with financial reprieve in the near-term while lawmakers continue to negotiate on the 340B Program. The bill would protect access to care while keeping faith with Congress’s original intent for the 340B Program.

“The 340B program needs reform, but not on the backs of community health centers. Congress must ensure that both sections 330 and 340 are financially supporting health centers as the pillars of primary care in America,” said Rep. Auchincloss.

“Community Health Centers are a lifeline for rural and underserved communities, and the 340B Program must work the way Congress intended,” said Rep. Bergman. “Forcing these providers to front the full cost of expensive drugs and wait on rebates would put patient care at risk. This bipartisan bill ensures health centers can keep resources where they belong - delivering care to the patients who need it most.”

“I want to thank Congressman Bergman and Congressman Auchincloss for sponsoring this bill to exempt Community Health Centers from any future 340B rebate pilots. The 340B program is a lifeline for the 34 million patients health centers serve nationwide, and every dollar of savings is reinvested into patient care—helping cover the cost of medications and expanding access to services like dental, vision, and behavioral health. A rebate model would shift financial risk onto safety-net providers who cannot afford to front full drug prices while waiting for reimbursement. That would destabilize community health centers, jeopardize patient care, and undermine the intent of the 340B program,” said Michael Curry, President & CEO, Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers.

“The Community Health Center Drug Pricing Protection Act will provide critical protection for FQHCs from the harmful impacts on our patients and health centers of a 340B rebate-based pricing model,” said Phillip Bergquist, Chief Executive Officer, Michigan Primary Care Association. “A 340B rebate model would disrupt access to needed medications and treatments for our patients and place significant administrative, financial, and operational burdens on health centers. We applaud this effort to preserve the 340B program’s intent of increasing access to affordable medications and defend health centers' ability to utilize the 340B program to support access to essential care for patients.”


Rep. Balint Issues Statement After Viewing Unredacted Epstein Files

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL), Vice Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after reviewing unredacted Epstein files at the Department of Justice:

“What I saw in the Epstein files over the last two days was sickening and enraging. It is absolutely clear that we have a two-tiered system of justice in this country. One for the rich and powerful where the law is optional, and one for the rest of us. The sheer number of people involved — and the layers of cover-up that allowed this international criminal conspiracy to rape girls — is staggering. But more than anything, I am heartsick for the survivors, who have endlessly asked for compassion and justice, and instead been met with a political circus. They will continue to be front and center in my heart and mind as I question Attorney General Bondi tomorrow during her testimony before the House Judiciary Committee.”

Attorney General Bondi will testify before the House Judiciary Committee tomorrow at 10:00 AM. The livestream can be viewed here.

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Congressman Barr Names McKinzii Todd Poe as District Director

Lexington, KY—Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY-06) announced that McKinzii Todd Poe has been promoted to District Director. For almost four years, McKinzii served as the Deputy District Director under the leadership of the late Tatum Dale, who passed away on Christmas Eve of last year.

“McKinzii has been a steady, trusted presence in our district operation for years,” said Congressman Barr. “She learned directly from Tatum Dale and helped carry forward the standard of service and care that Tatum set for this office. I am confident that McKinzii will continue that legacy with integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the people of the Sixth District.”

“I am humbled by the opportunity Congressman Barr has given me and by the trust he has placed in me to continue leading our district office,” said Poe. “I have been fortunate to work for Congressman Barr for many years, and the reputation our office has earned is a direct reflection of the high expectations he sets and the standard of service he holds us to every day. I thank God for the opportunity to have learned from and worked alongside my dear friend, Tatum Dale, and I thank God for the hope that through Him we will see her again. I am committed to carrying forward that same dedication to serving the constituents of the Sixth District and the entire Commonwealth.”

Poe will now serve as the Congressman’s top aide in Kentucky, managing district staff, overseeing constituent services, and continuing the office’s outreach efforts across Central Kentucky. Poe began working for Congressman Barr during his 2018 campaign and joined the official congressional staff later that year. Since then, she has served in several roles within the district office, including Caseworker, Director of Economic Development, and Deputy District Director since 2022. In addition to her work in public service, Poe is an active member of the community and serves on the Board of Directors for Prevent Child Abuse Kentucky.

A native of Rockcastle County, Poe is a proud graduate of Rockcastle County High School. She later moved to Madison County to attend Eastern Kentucky University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration and a Master of Public Administration. She currently resides in Madison County with her husband, Phillip, their son, Tripp, and their two dogs, Fitz and Remy.

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Barr Delivers $1.4 Million for Mount Sterling Industrial Park, Boosting Jobs and Growth

Mount Sterling, KY—Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY-06) announced the approval of $1,400,000 in federal funding through the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations process to support the Industrial Park Improvement Project in Montgomery County. Barr sponsored these funds being included in the funding package and President Trump recently signed the bill into law.

The funding was requested by the Montgomery County Fiscal Court and will be used to acquire property and complete critical site development improvements for a new industrial park, helping Montgomery County position for economic growth and job creation.

“This investment is a strong step forward for Montgomery County and for Central Kentucky’s economic future,” said Congressman Barr. “By improving infrastructure and preparing sites for development, we are making our region more competitive, attracting new businesses, and creating opportunities for good-paying jobs right here at home. I will continue to advocate for responsible federal investments that deliver real results for Kentucky families and communities.”

The project will support essential infrastructure improvements, including water and wastewater systems, access roads, storm drainage, erosion control, and site grading, laying the foundation for a new industrial park capable of supporting future employers.

“This funding will allow Montgomery County to take a major step toward developing a modern industrial park that meets the needs of today’s employers,” said Montgomery County Judge/Executive Chris Haddix. “We appreciate Congressman Barr’s commitment to ensuring our community has the infrastructure necessary to grow and thrive.”

“This investment helps make sure Montgomery County isn’t passed over when companies are looking to expand,” said State Senator Greg Elkins (R-KY-28). “With Congressman Barr’s support, we’re building the infrastructure that brings opportunity closer to home for our families and the next generation.”

“This investment is really about the people who call Montgomery County home,” said Jason Rainey, Executive Director of the Mt. Sterling–Montgomery County Industrial Authority. “When we invest in infrastructure, we’re investing in stronger neighborhoods, more stable job opportunities, and a future where our kids don’t have to leave the community to find work. We’re thankful to Congressman Barr and our local leaders for supporting a project that helps Mount Sterling grow in a thoughtful way that benefits families across our county.”

“This project is about being ready when opportunity shows up,” said Spears Stilz, Chairman of the Mt. Sterling–Montgomery County Industrial Authority. “Too often, communities lose out on employers because the land isn’t prepared or the infrastructure isn’t in place. Congressman Barr helped change that for Montgomery County by securing funding that puts us in a position to compete for real jobs and long-term investment.”

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Barrett Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Make Down Payments Easier for First-Time Homebuyers

Washington, D.C. — Congressmen Tom Barrett (MI-07) and Tracey Mann (KS-01), along with Congressmen Mark Alford (MO-04) and Lou Correa (CA-46), today introduced the First-Time Homebuyer Empowerment Act (H.R. 7468), which would help families afford a home by allowing them to put unused college savings toward a down payment.

“Too many families can’t afford homes that work for them, plain and simple,” said Barrett. “An easy first step towards changing that reality is to let homebuyers tap into unused college savings in their 529 accounts and put them towards purchasing their first home. I’m proud to join my colleagues on this legislation to incentivize saving for the future and help the next generation achieve homeownership.”

The First-Time Homebuyer Empowerment Act (H.R. 7468) would allow people to withdraw up to $35,000 in leftover college savings from their 529 plans tax free for the purchase of a first home. Funds in 529 plans may otherwise only be used for education-related expenses or transferred to a retirement account. By giving first-time homebuyers access to more resources, the bill aims to remove barriers to making a down payment and help more families afford a home and achieve the American Dream.

“Homeownership is the heart of the American Dream,” said Mann. “The ability to provide a safe, stable place to raise a family is so important for the future of our country. Today, too many young Americans feel that owning a home continues to become more and more out of reach. Our legislation gives people more flexibility on how to use their savings, opening up pathways for more Americans to own equity in their homes.”

The new bill, which is the latest addition to Barrett’s Blueprint for a Better America, comes the day after Barrett announced a package of four housing affordability bills in the Blueprint’s second pillar: Reviving the American Dream. The package aims to tackle the growing issue of housing affordability by lowering costs for homebuyers, boosting new home construction, limiting large corporations’ ability to buy up homes before families have a chance, and help widowed homeowners afford to downsize and put their homes on the market. The new bill also comes a day after Barrett and the House passed the Housing for the 21st Century Act (H.R. 6644), a landmark bipartisan housing package aimed at cutting red tape to boost construction, making home loans more accessible, modernizing HUD programs, and more.

About Barrett’s Blueprint for a Better America

Reviving the American Dream is the second of five pillars of Barrett’s Blueprint for a Better America. The congressman will continue to unveil additional proposals in the coming weeks to address all of the five key policy areas this agenda is built on:

Restoring Trust in Government: Making Government Serve the People, Not Special Interests

Reviving the American Dream: Helping Families Afford Homes in Mid-Michigan

Making Health Care Affordable Again: Lowering Costs for Working Families

Recalibrating American Foreign Policy: Ending Endless Wars and Promoting Peace Through Strength

Reforming Campaign Finance: Putting Governing Before Campaigning

Click here or visit barrett.house.gov/reform to learn more.

Click here to read the First-Time Homebuyer Empowerment Act.


Beyer, Harrigan Introduce Legislation to Improve Methane Capture

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) and Congressman Pat Harrigan (R-NC) introduced bipartisan legislation to improve federal coordination of methane monitoring technologies and methane emission data-sharing, to better support the methane mitigation industry and prevent revenue loss due to leaks.

“Identifying methane leaks is critical for the success of the American energy and methane mitigation industry,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “Innovative technologies are available to capture methane leakage, but a primary challenge is finding and tracking those leaks. Our legislation would coordinate monitoring systems and technologies to identify leaks more quickly and effectively than they can now.”

“American energy competes in global markets where credibility matters. Right now, methane data is scattered across different systems, which makes it harder for U.S. producers to clearly show how they operate,” said Rep. Pat Harrigan. “This bill directs NASA to use the satellites and data infrastructure it already runs to deliver more accurate methane measurements, without adding new regulations or expanding enforcement authority. When measurement is solid, American energy is stronger, exports are more competitive, and our national security is better protected.”

The Methane Monitoring Science Act would direct the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop a science-based strategy to assess our present and future methane monitoring and detection capabilities. This strategy would include:

Assessments of various methane monitoring technologies in use including ground-based, airborne, and space-based sensors, and technologies that monitor at the source- and site-level,

The integration of methane monitoring data from other indicators, ranging across large and small methane emission events, and

Ensuring data and tools can be operationalized for federal research and development purposes and by non-Federal entities to support rapid mitigation of methane leaks.


Beyer, Fitzpatrick Reintroduce Bipartisan Airborne Act

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) today announced the reintroduction of the Airborne Act, legislation that would incentivize non-residential building owners to conduct indoor air quality (IAQ) assessments and upgrade their ventilation and air filtration systems.

“Improving the air quality of our nation’s workplaces will make workers healthier and our society as a whole more resilient in the face of public health challenges. This will also benefit employers and workers by reducing sick days, creating a cleaner and more comfortable work environment, and lessening the risk of long-term health conditions,” said Rep. Beyer. “The pandemic illustrated the dangers of airborne respiratory diseases and the importance of adequate indoor ventilation and indoor air quality, but the improved HVAC and air filtration systems necessary to improve air quality can be expensive to install and maintain. This bill would incentivize building owners to perform IAQ inspections and upgrades, which would make workers healthier and safer from future airborne disease outbreaks.”

“The Airborne Act delivers a win-win: healthier indoor environments and stronger American jobs. By pairing targeted tax incentives with prevailing wage and apprenticeship standards, this legislation drives real investment in modern air quality and HVAC infrastructure while supporting skilled workers and the next generation of the trades. I’ve long worked to advance policies that protect public health while strengthening our workforce, and this bill builds on that commitment—recognizing that safer buildings, good-paying jobs, and economic resilience go hand in hand. It’s how we improve public health and grow our workforce at the same time,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.

"The Airborne Act reinforces the important connection between buildings and occupant health and wellbeing,” said American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) President Bill McQuade. “This legislation aligns with ASHRAE’s focus on healthy buildings and indoor environmental quality by providing important incentives for building owners and operators to assess and invest in system improvements that advance public health and improve productivity.”

“The pandemic made clear to the American people just how important it is to have clean, healthy air in our buildings. That’s why the Airborne Act of 2026 is such a crucial piece of legislation — for building owners, occupants, and union sheet metal workers. By incentivizing indoor air quality assessments and HVAC upgrades, this law helps provide cleaner air in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, offices, and other commercial buildings across our nation, helping communities stay healthy and empowering building owners to improve their ventilation systems. And importantly, buildings get a bonus for using qualified professionals. Those qualified professionals are SMART members: the skilled, trained and certified workers who will perform assessments, upgrade HVAC systems and help Americans stay safe and healthy. This bill is a win-win — and the fact that it is bipartisan speaks to that. We thank Reps. Beyer and Fitzpatrick for introducing this legislation, and we strongly encourage its passage into law.” - International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART).

Specifically, the Airborne Act would:

Incentivize commercial building owners to conduct IAQ assessments of their properties by providing them with a $1 per square foot tax credit, not to exceed the cost of conducting the assessment.

Incentivize commercial building owners to upgrade their HVAC and/or air filter systems to reach ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2022 or Standard 241-2023. The tax credit for air filter upgrades is equal to $5 per square foot, and $50 per square foot for HVAC system updates, limited to 50% of the total project cost. These amounts are increased to $25 and $250 per square foot for air filters and HVAC systems respectively if the work is performed in compliance with prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements found in the Inflation Reduction Act.

Create a Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency voluntary certification program for property owners to certify that their properties are in compliance with the IAQ standards listed above.

Eligible recipients also include non-profits and for certain public properties, the credit is transferable to the appropriate private entity carrying out the upgrade.