ICYMI: U.S. Senator Katie Britt Joins Hannity on Fox News to React to the State of the Union

‘President Trump delivered the strongest State of the Union speech in modern history. Why? Because [the] state of our union is strong’

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) joined Hannity on Fox News last night to react to President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address.

On Democrats refusing to stand for the American people, choosing to prioritize illegal aliens:

“But it was overwhelming that the Democrats chose to sit down, saying their duty was not to the American people, but yet that to illegal aliens. And look, President Trump delivered the strongest State of the Union speech in modern history. Why? Because [the] state of our union is strong … A secure border, numbers that have not been seen in our lifetime. I mean, he talked about crime being down at a record low. I mean, Sean, he talked about number of border crossings at zero. I mean, President Trump is executing on the vision that he laid out in front of the American people, and it’s an exciting time.

…

“He said, look, Joe Biden gave us record high inflation, but what I’m going to do is I’m going to make sure that life is affordable for you. Look at where our gas prices are. We’re going to tackle home prices. Look at what we’re doing for safety and security of our streets. And here’s the opportunity we’re going to present to you. You just heard (HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy) say that of … prescription drugs, he said the hardest things in front of us, I am going to tackle, because I believe in you, and my duty is to the American people. So President Trump was masterful. And unfortunately, Democrats sat still when they should have been standing up.”

On Trump honoring U.S. servicemembers and athletes and emphasizing American patriotism as our nation celebrates 250 years:

“And there was also a patriotism about the evening. Everything from, you know, talking to our servicemen and women and saying, thank you. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your sacrifice. Talking to our sports teams and saying, USA, we are so proud you represented us so amazingly on the world stage … You can tell that he saw the American public and he’s laid out a vision where we’re going to go.”

On Trump’s successful first year of his second term:

“…[E]verything he said he was going to do, he has done. We have never seen a politician ever in our history to do that, to say they’re going to do something and then follow through. President Trump is a man of the people and he proves that every day.”

You can watch the full interview here.

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Sen. Budd, Rep. Miller Lead Bill to Close Loophole Exploited by Illegal Aliens Employed as Police Officers

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and U.S. Representative Mary Miller (R-Ill.-15) led several of their Republican colleagues in introducing the bicameral Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act today. The legislation is aimed at prohibiting illegal aliens who work as armed law enforcement officers from possessing firearms or ammunition provided to them by a government entity, such as a police department. This bill aligns with existing federal law that already prohibits illegal aliens from possessing firearms or ammunition in the United States.

“Illegal aliens have no Second Amendment rights. It is irresponsible for police departments to arm illegal aliens who have blatantly ignored our immigration laws with firearms and ammunition, let alone on the taxpayers’ dime. Federal law already prohibits those who enter our country illegally from possessing firearms, and it’s time we ensure illegal aliens working at local police departments are held to the same legal standard,” said Senator Budd.

“Sanctuary policies in states like Illinois have gone so far as to allow illegal aliens to wear the badge and carry a firearm. That is a disgrace to every honorable officer and a threat to public safety. Law enforcement authority must be reserved for those who respect and uphold our laws, not those who are in violation of them,” said Representative Miller.

“Illegal aliens do not have the right to possess firearms or ammunition in America. The Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act would ensure local police departments that try to hire illegal aliens cannot provide them with guns or ammunition,” said Senator Blackburn.

“This is common sense. Illegal aliens who have already broken our nation’s laws should certainly not be carrying a badge or a firearm. We hold our brave men and women in law enforcement to the highest standards and the Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act will only bolster those standards,” said Senator Mullin.

“No one who enters the U.S. illegally should get to enjoy our God-given constitutional rights, including the right to keep and bear arms. This bill would close a loophole in current law to ensure illegal aliens cannot possess firearms or ammunition, and I’m glad to support it,” said Senator Cornyn.

Read the full bill text HERE.

U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) joined in introducing the legislation in the Senate.

U.S. Representatives Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.-09), Clay Higgins (R-La.-03), Chip Roy (R-Texas-21), Mike Ezell (R-Miss-04), Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.-05), Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.-at-large), Barry Moore (R-Ala.-01), Randy Fine (R-Fla.-04), Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.-04), Pete Stauber (R-Minn.-08), Russell Fry (R-S.C.-07), Pat Harrigan (R-N.C.-10), Mike Collins (R-Ga.-10), Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.-02), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.-13), Michael Rulli (R-Ohio-06), and Cory Mills (R-Fla.-07) joined in introducing the legislation in the House of Representatives.

The Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act has been endorsed by Gun Owners of America (GOA), National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), and Immigration Accountability Project (IAP).

BACKGROUND

Recent reports have revealed that law enforcement agencies across the country have hired illegal aliens to serve as police officers:

In 2022, the California state legislature passed a law to allow illegal aliens to work as police officers. Reportedly, in 2023, about a dozen illegal aliens had been hired as police officers in California, including at such agencies as the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD).

ICE has arrested alleged illegal alien police officers around the country working for such agencies as the Hanover Park Police Department in Illinois and the Old Orchard Beach Police Department in Maine.

ICE also recently arrested an alleged illegal alien police recruit at the New Orleans Police Department Academy in Louisiana who had been issued a firearm by the department.

The Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act preserves existing laws such that this prohibition does not apply, for example, to:

Police officers from friendly nations visiting the U.S. for law enforcement purposes.

Visitors specifically admitted to the U.S. for a hunting trip or a shooting competition.

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Chairman Capito Opening Statement at Hearing to Examine WRDA 2026, Army Corps Priorities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, led a hearing to discuss the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026 and examine ongoing U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Army Corps) projects, programs and priorities.

In her opening remarks, Chairman Capito discussed the importance of passing the 2026 WRDA legislation on time and with collaboration from stakeholders. Specifically, the chairman pointed out the need for legislation that supports the efficient delivery of water resources projects while preserving the role of non-federal sponsors in addressing communities’ needs. She also praised the Army Corps’ critical work, both in West Virginia and across the country, in supporting navigation, mitigating flood risk and restoring ecosystems.

Below is the opening statementof Chairman Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) as delivered.

“The purpose of today’s hearing is to help the Committee develop the next Water Resources Development Act. Yes, it’s that time again. We call that WRDA.

“WRDA not only authorizes water resources studies and projects but sets national policies for the US Army Corps of Engineers’ Civil Works Program. Since 2014, this Committee has kept to a biennial schedule of passing this bipartisan legislation, and I look forward to continuing that track record this Congress.

“Earlier this year, Ranking Member Whitehouse and I sent a letter to our Senate colleagues soliciting their requests for WRDA 2026. I am pleased to say that we received a significant number of requests—more than last time—which demonstrates the strong interest in, and the necessity of, this legislation.

“To help us kickstart the WRDA process, this hearing will allow the Committee to:

Learn more about the Trump Administration’s recently announced priorities for the Corps;

Examine the agency’s implementation of prior WRDAs; and

Discuss ongoing projects and programs of the Corps.

“Secretary Telle, I appreciate and applaud your willingness to closely examine what changes need to be made to allow the Corps to better deliver water resources solutions with our non-federal partners. I look forward to learning more about those changes today.

“The Corps does critical work across the nation through its navigation, flood risk management and ecosystem restoration missions. This work protects the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans and facilitates commerce throughout our country and internationally.

“Last week actually, I visited the Winfield Locks and Dam to see the great work the Corps is doing on the Kanawha River there. There’s nothing like getting eyes on a project.

“As I have previously stated, it is important that any WRDA bill supports the timely and efficient delivery of water resources projects, while continuing to meet national missions. Flexibility is key to ensuring that the Corps can identify and carry out solutions that are tailored to the needs of each community.

“We must also continue to preserve the role of our non-federal sponsors in this process. To achieve this goal, WRDA 2026 will advance studies and projects, without forcing a one-size-fits-all solution.

“In September, I stressed the importance of the timely implementation of WRDA 2024 and prior WRDA, consistent with congressional intent.

“Secretary Telle, throughout your two decades as a Senate staffer and your confirmation process, you heard how important the Corps’ work and the policies enacted in WRDA are to communities across the country. Now that you’ve had more time on the job, I look forward to an update on the Corps’ implementation efforts.

“I also want to acknowledge and thank the staff across the Corps enterprise for their ongoing efforts to provide the Committee with technical assistance on the WRDA requests that we received from our Senate colleagues. Technical assistance is a vital part of our legislative process, and we greatly appreciate timely responses from the Corps.

“The work of the Corps has and will continue to make a difference in communities, and that is certainly true in West Virginia. The Corps is actively working on a number of studies and projects that are critically important to my home state.

“The fifth and final phase of the Bluestone Dam Safety Assurance Mega-Project—it is a huge project—in the city of Hinton continues to make significant progress. Once completed, that project will protect more than 150,000 people and $20 billion worth of infrastructure.

“I’m also pleased that work on the Lower Mud River Flood Risk Management project in Milton—where Secretary Telle joined us there—could resume last summer. Unfortunately, there is still more to be done. West Virginia continues to experience devastating flooding.

“I am thankful to the Corps, and the Huntington District in particular, for the progress they are making on the Kanawha River Basin and Upper Guyandotte feasibility studies. These studies are exploring potential solutions to manage the flood risk in these areas.

“I look forward to making sure that the next WRDA bill contains the necessary authorizations and authorities for the Corps to continue to carry out this important work.”

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From the Senate Floor, Senator Collins Introduces the We Can’t Wait Act

Click HERE to watch and HERE to download video of her remarks.

Click HERE for a full-resolution image.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins spoke from the Senate floor, urging her colleagues to support the We Can’t Wait Act, bipartisan legislation she introduced today with Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH). The bill would allow Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) claimants to begin receiving benefits immediately after approval, rather than waiting five months, in exchange for a modest, actuarially sound reduction in their monthly benefit amount.

A transcript of her remarks is as follows:

“Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the We Can't Wait Act, a bipartisan bill with my colleague from New Hampshire, Senator Hassan. This legislation addresses a pressing and unnecessary hardship in our Social Security Disability Insurance program. This program, known as SSDI, provides eligible individuals with benefits if they become disabled and unable to work. Our bill would give eligible individuals with disabilities the option of bypassing the current five-month waiting period and allow them to access the benefits that they have earned without further delay.

“As my colleagues are aware, SSDI benefits are available only to those who have worked long enough and contributed sufficiently through payroll taxes to the Social Security Disability Trust Fund. When an individual becomes disabled and meets the program strict eligibility standards, he or she should be able to rely on the benefits that they paid for—benefits intended to provide critical support during a time of great need.

“Imagine, Mr. President, that you have worked for many years, and you find that you have contracted a disease that is fatal, and that you have very little time to live. Surely, you should be able to tap into what essentially is an insurance fund set up for people in exactly that situation. But because of the five-month waiting period, there are individuals who receive no payments at all. During those five months, no payments are made, even though the disability has been confirmed by the Social Security Administration.

“This delay prevents individuals from accessing the insurance they've earned at a critical and difficult time in their life. Lack of benefits can make it more difficult to obtain timely medical treatments, cover basic living expenses, and in some cases where it's not a terminal condition, begin the process of rehabilitation toward an eventual return to work if possible. The burden of this delay can be heartbreaking. I have heard from constituents whose loved ones could get no help from SSDI when they were overtaken by a sudden and terminal diagnosis. Faced with a terrible disease that demanded every ounce of their energy and their total focus, they were forced instead to worry over their finances at the very end of their lives. This just isn't right.

“The broader disability determination process already imposes significant hardships. A 2020 Government Accountability Office report documented what can be severe consequences of the long wait times for applicants who appealed initial denials for Social Security Disability. Between Fiscal Years 2014 and 2019, approximately 48,000 individuals were forced to file for bankruptcy while awaiting a final decision on their appeals. From 2008 through 2019, an estimated nearly 110,000 people died before receiving a final decision. These heartbreaking outcomes occur even before many applicants reach the point of approval. Yet, even once they are approved, the additional five-month exclusion period compounds the suffering for those who have already proven their eligibility.

“Mr. President, Congress has already acted to address this delay in certain circumstances. In 2020 we passed the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act. It eliminated the five-month waiting period for individuals with ALS—a progressive terminal disease, where every month, every day, is critical. That bipartisan reform was the right thing to do, and I was proud to co-sponsor it. The We Can't Wait Act builds directly on that precedent.

“Under our bill, claimants would have a choice: they could either opt to begin receiving benefits immediately after approval, rather than waiting five months, in exchange for a modest actuarially sound reduction in their monthly benefit amount, or they could decide to wait the five months and receive the full amount. As the Chief Actuary of the Social Security Administration explains in a letter released today, this small reduction in benefits maintains the actuarial balance in the trust fund over the 75-year projection period.

“Let me emphasize that this bill makes no other changes in the SSDI program. It does not alter eligibility criteria, the determination process, although that should be speeded up, benefit levels for those who choose not to bypass the wait, or any other core element in the program. It is a precise reform that honors the contributions hardworking Americans with disabilities have made, while removing an arbitrary barrier to the benefits that they've earned and deserve.

“While this reform is carefully targeted, its impact, Mr. President, would be profound. It would end the tragic reality in which Americans with disabilities suffer, and in some cases die, during an unnecessary five-month delay after their disability has been officially certified by the Social Security Administration. This is a key point made in a letter supporting the bill by a broad coalition of organizations committed to the rights, dignity, and well-being of people with disabilities. Groups that advocate every day for those who need this relief most. The letter, which is signed by more than two dozen organizations, goes on to make the point that the five-month exclusion period is unnecessary and harms disabled Americans, who are often financially hanging on by a thread.

“Mr. President, the We Can't Wait Act is straightforward, compassionate and fiscally responsible. It would provide a crucial option to Americans who simply can't wait even five months for the benefits that they've worked for and desperately need. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this common sense and much needed legislation. Thank you, Mr. President.”

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Senator Collins Questions Surgeon General Nominee on Past Statements on Psychedelic Drug Use, Fraudulent Research

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, at a hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, U.S. Senator Susan Collins questioned Dr. Casey Means, nominee to serve as Surgeon General, about her past statements regarding psychedelic drug use and comments she made characterizing certain NIH-funded Alzheimer’s research as “fraudulent.”

Q&A on Psychedelic Drugs

Click HERE to watch and HERE to download

Senator Collins:

“Welcome, Dr. Means. Addiction and drug overdoses are a major problem for families and communities in my state of Maine and across the nation. I am concerned that in your book, Good Energy, that you urge readers to consider psilocybin-assisted therapy. You also said that you were inspired to try psychedelics, “in what I can only describe as an internal voice that whispered, ‘it's time to prepare.’” Illicit drug use remains a huge problem in this country. And this didn't happen in your teen years. According to your book, in 2021, you began using illicit psychedelic mushrooms. So, my questions to you are twofold: One, do you stand by what you said in your book encouraging people to try psychedelics? And second, as Surgeon General, should you be confirmed, how would you speak to the American people about the use of illicit drugs?”

Dr. Means:

“Thank you so much, Senator Collins. And I also thank you sincerely for engaging so deeply with my work and learning about me. This is a very important question, and I would start by just saying that I believe what I would say as a private citizen is, in many cases, different than what I would say as a public health official—joining a team where the purpose of this role is to communicate absolutely the best evidence-based science to the American people to keep them safe, thriving and healthy.

“And when it comes to psychedelic therapy for mental health issues, I think the science is still emerging. And so, it would certainly not be a recommendation to the American people to do that, under no circumstances. I do believe that there is exciting work being done in this area that needs to continue, on psychedelic therapies for PTSD in veterans for mental health issues. And some of the researchers who are doing this work have said it's some of the most promising and exciting of their entire careers. So, I look forward to following that, but to be very clear, under no circumstances would I recommend that to the American people in this role. Our illicit drug use problem in our country is monumental and severe, and I look forward to working with you on these issues that are so important.”

Senator Collins:

“What did you mean by saying that you heard an internal voice whispering to you, saying, ‘it's time to prepare’?”

Dr. Means:

“Yeah, in that passage of the book I'm referring to my mother's passing, which happened, she got a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer about a week after that experience. In my meditations and prayers at that time, I was having a deep sense that something ominous was coming. And so, that's what that's referring to. I think when I speak of spirituality, and you know, I do believe Americans are ready to hear about spirituality as it pertains to medicine. 80% of Americans are spiritual or religious. There's amazing evidence coming out of Columbia University, the lab of Dr. Lisa Miller, that spirituality has a large impact on health outcomes. And, you know, so certainly, that's a personal anecdote. But, you know, again, I'm committed to sharing only the best, solid science with Americans on how to be healthy.”

Senator Collins:

“I understand totally what you're saying about spirituality, and I'm sorry about the loss of your mother. It's the link to illicit drugs that I'm having a hard time with.”

Q&A on Alzheimer’s Research

Click HERE to watch and HERE to download

Senator Collins:

“I have very little time left, so I want to go to another issue, and that is in the staff interview, when you were talking about wasteful spending, you referred specifically to money that NIH spent on Alzheimer's research that ‘proved to be fraudulent.’ You were referring to the amyloid plaque research replication issue that was discussed in the New York Times. That story, however, has been largely debunked and countered.

“So, I just want to make sure that I know for certain whether you are for vigorous research, looking at a wide variety of factors, when it comes to Alzheimer's disease and other dementias?”

Dr. Means:

“Unquestionably, full-throatedly, yes. This is one of the most devastating diseases facing Americans today. It's one that I'm very passionate about, particularly in light of research showing that early-onset Alzheimer's dementia in as early as the 50s, is starting to rise at a significant rate. I believe that we need to be studying, like you said, all the different medical, genetic, lifestyle, environmental factors that can be contributing to this.

“And when I look at the research that, you know, some of the research that I'm very excited to elevate in the conversation, if I'm confirmed, I'd point to The Lancet study from 2024 about the modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's dementia, which I'm sure you're familiar with, which showed that with 14 modifiable factors, we could reduce 45% of Alzheimer's dementia cases—this is incredible. This isn't really the type of research that we've been hearing from the medical community. We hear a lot about drugs. We hear a lot about interventions that slow decline once we're sick, but that's the type of research like from The Lancet—a major medical journal—that I really look forward to elevating and supporting further research like that, that can really help Americans be empowered to prevent this disease when we can.”

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Senators Collins, Hassan Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Allow Disabled Americans to Receive Disability Insurance During Waiting Period

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) introduced bipartisan legislation to address a pressing and unnecessary hardship in the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. The We Can’t Wait Act would allow disabled claimants to have a choice: they could opt to begin receiving benefits immediately after approval, rather than waiting five months, in exchange for a modest, actuarially sound reduction in their monthly benefit amount.

Current law imposes a mandatory five-month waiting period after the Social Security Administration determines that a person is disabled and eligible to receive SSDI benefits. During those five months, no payments are made, even though the disability has already been confirmed. This delay prevents individuals from accessing the insurance they have earned at a critical time. A 2020 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report examined the severe consequences of long wait times for applicants who appealed initial denials. This report found that between Fiscal Years 2014 and 2019, approximately 48,000 individuals filed for bankruptcy while awaiting a final decision on their appeals, and from Fiscal Years 2008 through 2019, an estimated 109,725 people died before receiving a final decision.

“This bipartisan legislation is a straightforward, compassionate, and fiscally responsible step forward,” said Senator Collins. “It respects the financial integrity of the SSDI program while providing a crucial option to hardworking Americans who simply cannot wait even five months for the benefits they have worked for and desperately need.”

“People diagnosed with a terminal disease or other serious disability should not be forced to wait five months to start receiving the Social Security Disability Insurance benefits that that they earned while working,” said Senator Hassan. “This bipartisan bill is a commonsense way to give people an option to receive their Social Security Disability benefits more quickly, without increasing the cost for the federal government. I will continue working to help people who experience disabilities access the resources that they need.”

Specifically, the We Can’t Wait Act:

gives eligible individuals with disabilities the option to bypass the current five-month waiting period and receive the benefits they have earned without further delay;

maintains the actuarial balance in the SSDI Trust Fund over the 75-year projection period; and

makes no other changes to SSDI – does not alter eligibility criteria, the determination process, or benefit levels for those who choose not to bypass the waiting period.

Click here for a complete list of organizations endorsing the We Can’t Wait Act.

Click here for the complete text of the bill.

In 2019, Senator Collins cosponsored the ALS Disability Insurance Access Act, which eliminated the five-month waiting period before ALS patients could receive the Social Security Disability Insurance benefits they earned by contributing to Social Security. This bill was signed into law in 2020.

Senator Collins introduced a prior version of the We Can't Wait Act with former Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) in 2023.

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Cornyn Introduces Bill to Ease Traffic, Improve Emergency Response on Highways

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the Need for Speed Act, which would require the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Highway Administration to develop a national infrastructure intelligence tool to identify bottlenecks, ease traffic congestion, and improve emergency response times on highways:

“Incidents like the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge have exposed critical vulnerabilities in our nation’s highway infrastructure, hampering the swift deployment of emergency responders and disrupting millions of dollars in trade and travel,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation would empower the Department of Transportation to develop a national intelligence tool that will boost interstate coordination, ease congestion, and improve roadway safety.”

Background:

The USDOT lacks a single, unified resource to assess transportation system performance and identify bottlenecks. Current datasets are fragmented and inaccessible to the public sector, impeding data-driven investments and swift, coordinated responses in emergencies. For example, the State of Maryland did not have the data to redirect commodity traffic across state lines after the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed, which exposed a broader set of vulnerabilities in our traffic and roadway response efforts nationwide. Lack of interstate coordination and siloed data can lead to delayed decisions, inadequate visibility during crises, slower response times in an emergency, and greater roadway obstacles that can impair highway travel and driver safety.

Sen. Cornyn’s Need for Speed Act would address this issue by mandating the development of a national infrastructure intelligence tool to:

Identify bottlenecks and determine causes of traffic congestion;

Integrate data into a single, actionable platform;

Enable USDOT, states, and locals to coordinate, target investments, and respond rapidly to emergencies;

And improve infrastructure resiliency, national security, and U.S. competitiveness.

The intelligence tool will use highway performance monitoring systems, commodity data, truck parking demand, urban congestion reporting, and other relevant data sets.


Cornyn on President Trump’s SOTU Address, OMB’s Efforts to Rein In Spending

WASHINGTON – Today on the floor, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) praised President Trump’s State of the Union address, discussed his guest, National Border Patrol Council President Paul Perez, and highlighted this administration’s successful efforts under Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought to rein in government spending and reduce the skyrocketing national debt. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

“It was an exciting night with members of the House, Senate, and Supreme Court gathered along with our military leadership to hear about the impressive year that we have had under President Trump here in the Congress and, of course, at the White House.”

“We had an appearance from the USA Men’s Hockey team, who recently won the gold medal at the Olympics, and the President recognized – appropriately so – so many of our nation’s heroes in a tremendous display of patriotism that I know I welcomed. Unfortunately, many of our Democratic colleagues disgracefully chose to boycott the President’s address.”

“I was honored to have as my guest the President of the National Border Patrol Council, Paul Perez, who’s worked for 29 years in the U.S. Border Patrol and has done a magnificent job leading that organization of incredible patriots when Democrats have demonized law enforcement across the country.”

“One of the accomplishments that I would like to highlight today is the improvement in our nation’s fiscal situation through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act and the work of the Office of Management and Budget director, Russ Vought.”

“Last year, we made important reforms in our mandatory spending programs to make sure that, for example, illegal aliens don’t receive free health care and strengthening work requirements for able-bodied adults who are receiving government benefits.”

“But I would argue that we need more than just trimming around the edges… we need a full change of mindset when it comes to our spending problem. That’s where Russ Vought comes in.”

“Under his leadership, the Office of Management and Budget are on track to reduce the deficit by more than $15 trillion over the next ten years.”

“Of course, this work on taxes and spending represents just one small piece of the President’s impressive record, as we were reminded last night. President Trump is helping to Make America Great Again, and his State of the Union was a powerful reflection on how far we’ve come this last year and what the future might look like – the bright future.”


PHOTO: Cornyn Meets with Montgomery County Leaders

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) met with Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce leaders to discuss bolstering infrastructure in Montgomery County and advancing workforce development programs to prepare the next generation of Texans to succeed and meet the demands of an evolving job market. See photo below.


Cramer Highlights Importance of WOTUS Landowner Clarity at EPW Hearing

***Click here for audio. Click here for video. Click here for photos.***

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing to discuss the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Civil Works Program and policies under consideration for the Water Resources Development Act of 2026. The hearing featured testimony from Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works Adam Telle and USACE Chief of Engineers and Commanding General Lieutenant General William H. Graham Jr.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chair of the EPW Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure, began by thanking Telle for his efforts to finalize the Dakota Access Pipeline Record of Decision, saying, “It's been a decade in the works and I just want you to know that those of us are living with that situation are grateful both for the urgency you've given it as well as the thoughtfulness. […] We look forward to a Record of Decision fairly soon.”

Cramer also thanked Telle for the USACE’s rollout of its “Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork” initiative, to pursue the agency’s mission more efficiently and cost-effectively. It focuses on building national infrastructure, cutting red tape, improving efficiency, transparency and accountability, and enhancing project prioritization.

“Anything that you can do to make the agency more efficient and effective in the very important work of your mission, I applaud,” said Cramer. “If there's anything we should be doing to help codify any of that, please be open with us on that. And I would really, really want to be part of that solution.”

Cramer pivoted to discuss the efficiency of jurisdictional determinations for Waters of the United States (WOTUS). The Trump administration is in the midst of finalizing its proposed WOTUS rule, and Cramer hosted the first national listening session in Bismarck last December with administration officials. Overregulation and jurisdictional ambiguity are longstanding issues with previous WOTUS regulations, and Cramer repeatedly criticized the jurisdictional determination process. He asked Telle, “as we get to finalizing a rule […] how can we help landowners know intuitively, intellectually, obviously, what is not a Waters of the United States? Is that an area of opportunity for us in efficiencies?”

Telle responded, “I think you're touching on something critically important that we're hard at work on it as part of our Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork initiative. On March 12th of last year, I'll say we've already got a walking start because the [Sackett v. EPA] decision that was rendered by the Supreme Court in 2023 was the law of the land, and on March 12 of last year, we issued interim guidance to our regulators, throughout our enterprise, about what it meant to follow the law as it stands. […] Even when we have a new law, a new rule, we still rely on the employees in General Graham’s enterprise, whether it's at the Huntington District, or the Portland District, or the St. Paul District, we rely on our regulators, who are wonderful people, to interpret the law.

“And quite often I've heard frustration from members of Congress, from the public, about the inconsistency they see across the landscape,” continued Telle. “If it's the law, it ought to be interpreted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees consistently, and it ought to be in keeping with the law. And so we began the process in the fall of a very rapid acquisition of the latest technology to make sure that we can use the tools available that we have, the never-before-seen-in-human history data that we have, to tie geographic features about what a water of the United States is back to the law, all the way back to the Clean Water Act of 1972, and through all the decisions that have come ever since. If we can provide this tool to our regulators, […] we can take subjectivity out of the equation.”

Cramer highlighted the lack of clarity, explaining “The diversity of ideas out there in philosophies—even probably among the regulators—is a bit of a problem. That's what presents a lack of clarity to the developer, a landowner, [or] an engineering firm in Bismarck […] How about the determination by the developer or the landowner themselves to see what's obviously not a wetland?”

Telle affirmed Cramer’s desire for WOTUS jurisdiction clarity, saying, “What we're trying to do would enable the public to have transparency in real time about what is and what is not a Water of the United States. These decisions should be made instantly with the technology that we have today. This is complicated by the legal wrangling that's happened over the decades, but I'm committed to looking at what the law says today and providing technology that provides clarity in real time to the public.”


Senator Cramer Statement on President Trump's State of the Union Address

***Click here for audio.***

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In celebration of a successful year, President Donald Trump addressed members of Congress for his first State of the Union speech of his second term.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) issued the following statement after the historic speech:

“I just thought the president was fantastic tonight. He talks about so many things, it’s hard to boil it down to highlights.

“But what I really appreciated was he reiterated in very plain language without dwelling on any one thing. He articulated the victories of the last year, and particularly in the economy part of it. And of course, talking about the growth of American oil production and of course, the Venezuelan oil, the bringing down of gas prices and energy dominance. He was solid on that as he always is. Of course, reminding the people of just how overrun our nation was by illegal criminals, tens of millions of illegal aliens coming into our country. And the havoc they wreaked on us especially in certain cities and sanctuary cities especially. I just thought it was really good for him to remind us of how awful it was and then remind us of how good it is now with a border that's not only no longer wide open, but it's completely closed.

“Then to talk about those economic victories, the lowering of everybody’s taxes, the growth of our economy, the productivity of the economy, no taxes on tips, no taxes on overtime, the reduction for seniors in taxes. [It was] good news all the way around. I think it's important every now and then to remind people where we've been and where we are, and then he, of course, carved out a vision for where we're going, all in the context of the 250th anniversary of our great nation.

“I just thought he was fantastic, reminding us, helping us to believe that this is the Golden Age of America. I also thought, though, his emphasis on the cost of health care and bringing down prescription drug prices, that the most favored nation program for prescription drugs he's initiated was really, really a great message to emphasize.

“When he announced that the war on fraud program that he's initiating, and it's going to be led by Vice President JD Vance, I just thought it was fantastic. People intuitively know that the government has gotten so big we just sort of bleed money with fraudulent expenditures and being ripped off and we just sort of tolerate it because I think because it's other people's money. And, of course, we've put clamps on a lot of that, particularly in Medicaid, as well as in SNAP programs. Now he’s going after some of these programs that have been revealed in Minnesota, that the Minnesota governor and the state have been defrauding the federal taxpayers of billions of dollars with social programs, going after state by state at national level.

“[It was] just a lot of really good stuff. I was impressed, I was pleased, [and]I was grateful. He took some jabs at some folks. He took some jabs at Democrats, but they had it coming, for sure. When you can't even stand for grieving mothers or heroes in the chambers because you hate Donald Trump, so you can't applaud for a grieving mother? I think that's awful. He took some jabs out of it, but he was also, again, well-restrained.

“I frankly think it was his best State of the Union yet.”


Crapo, Wyden Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Boost Exports of Fruit, Vegetables, Nuts and Other Specialty Crops

Washington, D.C.—Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) introduced legislation today to help farmers fight through trade barriers and sell more fruits, vegetables and other specialty crops in foreign markets. Representative David Valadao (R-California) and Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-Oregon) are leading the House companion legislation.

The Specialty Crops Reporting on Opportunities and Promotion Act (Specialty CROP Act) responds to continued high tariffs, burdensome labeling requirements and other trade barriers that restrict U.S. products from accessing foreign markets, threatening rural communities and agricultural producers who depend on customers overseas.

“Specialty crop production is central to Idaho’s economy and our identity as a state,” Crapo said. “Idaho farmers can outgrow the world, but high tariffs and burdensome labeling requirements imposed by foreign nations threaten our rural communities and keep agricultural producers from accessing global markets. Detailed and up-to-date information from USDA and USTR will help specialty crop growers navigate foreign markets and inform congressional and presidential efforts to address trade barriers and expand export opportunities.”

“The world is hungry for grown-in-the-U.S. blueberries, potatoes, wine and other produce. But all too often our farmers and producers are stymied by unreasonable blockades in foreign markets,” Wyden said. “Our bipartisan bill will help rural Americans by identifying unfair foreign trade barriers and creating specific plans to cut through that red tape.”

The bill is cosponsored by Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Angus King (I-Maine), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan).

“Specialty crops are a cornerstone of California agriculture—especially in the Central Valley—but while our state is a top exporter, our growers have unfortunately faced many challenges over the last few years,” said Valadao. “Many of our California-grown specialty crops rely on customers overseas, but due to unfair trade practices, burdensome labeling standards, and blockades in foreign markets, it makes it difficult to stay competitive. Our specialty crop producers deserve to compete on a level playing field in the global marketplace, and this bipartisan bill would take necessary steps to identify and combat unreasonable trade barriers more effectively.”

“The specialty crops are a vital part of Oregon’s economy,” Bonamici said. “Unfortunately tariffs, market uncertainty, and other global factors have hit specialty crop growers hard. I’m pleased to introduce the Specialty CROP Act to improve the USDA’s existing specialty crops trade report to better improve the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops exports.”

The legislation will help farmers by making key improvements to the annual U.S. Specialty Crops Trade Issues Report to identify and combat unreasonable trade barriers more effectively. It would:

Improve the annual report with important updates to:

Explicitly require participation and engagement from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR);

Highlight specific trade barriers that limit the export competitiveness of specialty crops in specific markets, including tariff and non-tariff barriers;

Include an assessment of whether each trade barrier is subject to a U.S. FTA or international agreement;

Include specific information with respect to actions taken, or expected to be taken, by the U.S. government to address or resolve each trade barrier; and

Require a request for comment from both the public and the Agricultural Trade Advisory Committee (ATAC) for Trade in Fruits and Vegetables.

Require the report to be made public, while allowing for a classified annex in order to protect U.S. national security and economic strategy.

Continue to define “specialty crop” as “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.”

What they are saying:

“The North American Blueberry Council applauds Senators Wyden and Crapo for their continued leadership in advancing the Specialty Crops Reporting on Opportunities and Promotion (Specialty CROP) Act. As global demand for blueberries grows, persistent tariff and non-tariff barriers put U.S. producers at a competitive disadvantage. This legislation increases transparency around those barriers and identifies actionable opportunities to expand market access and strengthen the long-term competitiveness of American blueberry exports.” – North American Blueberry Council President Kasey Cronquist

“Apple, pear and cherry growers in the Pacific Northwest frequently face tariff and non-tariff trade barriers that limit exports in crucial markets. We appreciate Senators Crapo and Wyden introducing this legislation to understand these trade barriers and identify needed solutions so our growers can compete and expand their export opportunities.” – Northwest Horticultural Council President Mark Powers

“The National Potato Council thanks Senators Crapo and Wyden for their leadership in advancing the Specialty Crops Reporting on Opportunities and Promotion Act. The U.S. potato industry is heavily dependent on competitive export markets. Minimizing or eliminating both tariff and non-tariff barriers is essential to the continued economic health of our industry. We sincerely appreciate the foresight of Senators Crapo and Wyden in moving this legislation forward.” – National Potato Council CEO Kam Quarles

Read the text of the legislation HERE.


Curtis Reacts to President’s State of the Union Address

The full transcript of the video is below, and the video file can be downloaded here.

I just finished listening to the President’s State of the Union Address. Of course there were some political jabs, but he did a great job, and I wanted to highlight a few of my top takeaways with you.

The President took a lot of time to honor our military veterans and highlight their heroic stories and inspiring sacrifices. These were special moments to come together as a grateful nation to remember our heroes. I was honored to share the room with them.

One of the most important moments of tonight was when President Trump denounced political violence. I will always applaud calls for civility in our fractured political climate, and it was good of him to honor the fallen Charlie Kirk and recognize Erika Kirk in the gallery.

I have to say, welcoming the Team USA Men’s Hockey Team into the chamber with bipartisan applause was a top highlight for me. I love that President Trump will present goalie Connor Hellebuyck with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

On Saving the Great Salt Lake:

Although it wasn’t mentioned in his speech tonight, I’m grateful and excited that President Trump has recently pledged to “Make the Great Salt Lake Great Again.”

The drying lake is, as you know, one of the greatest challenges we face in Utah. Having the President’s commitment to providing funding for state-driven proposals to save the Great Salt Lake is an exciting development and opens the door to resources that could help the lake survive and keep our communities healthy and safe.

On Tax Relief for Utah Families:

The President is putting the economy front and center. I know Utahns are feeling the pressures from a rising cost of living. Prices were unfortunately made permanently high by the reckless policy decisions of the previous Administration, but with inflation now at its lowest level in five years, wages up, taxes down, and a pro-business regulatory environment, families will see the stability and price certainty they deserve.

Furthermore, the policies in our Big Beautiful Bill will continue to put more money back into the pockets of American families through policies like the expanded child tax credit; a higher standard deduction; and permanent, lower taxes for Utah’s nearly 250,000 small businesses.

On American Energy Dominance:

We often treat energy as just one of many vertical issues—like healthcare or education. That is a mistake. Energy is the horizontal issue that cuts across the challenges that are top of mind for the country, including inflation.

When energy prices go up, the price of everything goes up—from the food on our tables to the materials we use to build our homes. Which is why I was grateful to hear President Trump tout efforts to expand domestic energy production by approving permit applications, reviving nuclear energy, and redirecting resources toward practical, consumer-driven energy solutions.

An-all-of-the-above approach like this will help us meet the enormous energy demands of the 21st century and ensure our energy future is affordable, reliable, and clean.

On American Border Security:

Border security is national security. One of the President’s and Republicans’ greatest achievements has been securing the border. Illegal border crossings have plummeted to their lowest level since the 1970s. In fact, The U.S. achieved negative net migration in 2025. These efforts are helping keep our communities safe by halting the flow of fentanyl trafficking at the southern border.

To Conclude:

Overall, this was a good night for our nation. We heard from the President policy and practical solutions to move our country forward. I am proud to represent you here in the Senate, and I hope to see you all in Utah soon.


Daines Secures Commitments from BLM Nominee to Support Montana Priorities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Steve Pearce, President Trump’s nominee to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. They discussed the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and forest management.

Watch the full exchange HERE.

Daines and Pearce discussed the importance of the LWCF:

Daines: First of all, I want to give a heartfelt thanks to each of you and your willingness to serve in these very important roles. I truly look forward to working with each one of you once you are confirmed. Assistant Secretary Haustveit, it’s great to have a Butte-grad here. As we say in Montana, it’s not Butte, Montana, it’s “Butte, America.” To graduate from Montana Tech, it’s a great institution and pleased to have a little bit of that DNA here in Washington. Congressman Pearce, we previously served together in the House of Representatives when I was an incoming freshman in 2013. We served on behalf of two great western states: New Mexico and Montana. During the years that you served in the House, you sponsored a number of natural resources bills, including ones that sought to serve the interests of tribes, of ranchers, of recreationists. In fact, one of those bills was the Making Public Lands Public Act, which directed a portion of the Land and Water Conservation Fund for increasing public access for hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting. In fact, in Montana, where we are famous for a lot of things, but the movie, “A River Runs Through It”, where Brad Pitt suddenly discovered fly fishing and ruined it for the rest of us. 75% of our fishing access, where I’ve had fly rod since I was 11 years old from my Grandpa Daines as a kid growing up in Montana. Seventy-five percent of our fishing access sites were funded by LWCF. We have access to these amazing rivers and streams because of the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and it’s been successfully used to unlock access to public lands that prior were inaccessible due to checkerboard land ownership. Under President Trump, we permanently authorized and funded LWCF in that very bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act, that many said was the greatest conservation win in 50 years. My question, Congressman Pearce, if confirmed will you continue your support for expanding hunting, fishing, and recreation access on BLM lands through the LWCF program?

Pearce: Absolutely, Senator.

Daines emphasized the need to reverse the 9th Circuit Cottonwood decision and reform forest management:

Daines: Congressman Pearce, we also had a great conversation about the need for forest management when you stopped by my office, and the need for reforms as it relates to forest management. BLM manages 1.3 million acres of forestland in Montana and the Dakotas. Yet simple projects get bogged down in red tape and sadly endless litigation. However, we are making progress in helping to remedy that. I’ve got a bill that will fix that 9th Circuit Court Cottonwood decision. It has passed this committee by voice, so we have a really strong bipartisan support for us, and it’s included in the Fix Our Forests Act. Congressman Pearce, do you agree that we need to increase the pace and the scale of forest management on BLM lands and pass reforms like the Cottonwood fix, the Root and Stem Act, as well as the Fix our Forest Act?

Pearce: Absolutely, Senator.

Daines: We’ve watched some remarkable outcomes from proper thinning in our forests. These trees are a bunch of straws in the ground, and they’re pulling water out, and you thin them out, and the trees remaining grow a lot faster. Suddenly, you see springs that you never knew existed are refurbished. It’s quite remarkable what happens to the ecosystem when we do proper forest management, wildlife habitat, not to mention reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfire. And by the way, jobs for loggers and our sawmills as well, which is also an endangered species now in Montana. When I was a kid growing up, we had 30 active sawmills. We’re down just a handful because of the loss of access. This has become increasingly a very bipartisan issue. Fire knows no boundaries as we know. I have a few more questions, but I will submit those for the record.

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ICYMI: Daines Lauds Affordability, Strength on the World Stage Following Trump’s State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined CNBC, Fox News, Bloomberg TV, and Fox Business to react to President Trump’s State of the Union address as well as the latest updates in Iran. Read highlights below.

Daines on CNBC’s Squawk Box

I thought for a moment, what if Kamala Harris would have won the 2024 election? What if she was giving that speech last night? Where would we be at? Millions of illegals continuing to come across our southern border. As the president said, he’s sealed the southern border. Fentanyl flows are down 56 percent over the course of the last year because of the work this administration has done to keep our communities safe. Think about taxes. We’d be talking right now about a 30 percent tax increase for most businesses across the United States because the Democrats would have let the Trump tax cuts expire. Instead, we made them permanent. Think about capital investment, R&D investment, interest costs. Those are all now 100 percent expensed as a result of what we’ve done, working with President Trump. That would be jet fuel for the economy as we move forward.

Watch the full interview on CNBC HERE.

Daines on Fox News

The Iranians understand force, they understand strength. You go back to 1979, and we had the overthrow there, the Ayatollah overthrew the Shah. You had American hostages there in Tehran. Jimmy Carter couldn’t solve that problem. Who solved that problem? Ronald Reagan. Why? Because they feared the strength of America. What President Trump is doing is exactly right. You put all options on the table. But this regime is a regime that says “Death to America,” says, “we are the big Satan and Israel, the little Satan.”

I’m grateful for President Trump’s moral clarity in this difficult time, knowing that this is a Berlin Wall moment, perhaps, for the Middle East. This regime needs to go. It’ll be the Iranian people that do that. But you think about what this would do to reset the Middle East, as the president said last night, the leading sponsor of terror in the world, John, this is a moment. And I’m sure President Trump is going to do what’s right for our country and for the people of this nation.

Watch the full interview on Fox News HERE.

Daines on Bloomberg TV

Number one, President Trump has unleashed certainly more Made-In-America energy. We’ve seen gas prices now the lowest in five years. That’s an important win for the American people, something you’re reminded of usually weekly when you’re gassing up your vehicle. Number two, when you address affordability, part of the affordability equation is getting more money in the pockets of the American people and we’ve seen that with the Working Family Tax Cut bill is just now starting to go into effect. These are new tax laws that started in 2026. The average U.S. taxpayer is going to see about a $3,700 a year benefit from lower taxes. Of course, that’s Social Security and no tax for 90 percent of seniors and Social Security will be affected by that. There’s also the no tax on tips, the no tax on overtime. These are just some of the benefits that have yet to be realized by the American people. They’re going to see more of that as we get close to the election. So affordability is not just reducing prices, but also providing more dollars in the paychecks of the American people to close that gap.

Watch the full interview on Bloomberg TV HERE.

Daines on Fox Business’ Varney & Co.

The regime, the current regime, is calling America the big Satan, and Israel the little Satan. They chant, “death to America.” There’s only one thing this current regime respects and understands, and that is force. It is strength. That’s why you’re seeing the president upping the military presence right now around Iran, given the maximum negotiating leverage. But this could be an unprecedented shift in the Middle East if there were regime change. The Iranian people will drive that, but this could be a Berlin Wall moment in the Middle East. Because you and I both remember the days when Iran was a friend of the United States. We could work with them.

Watch the full interview on Fox Business HERE.

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Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing On Nominee To Be Assistant Attorney General For Newly Established National Fraud Enforcement Division At DOJ

Durbin: “Trump appointees have contributed to the waste, fraud, and abuse by misusing government resources and taxpayer dollars for their own benefit.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nomination of Colin McDonald to be the Assistant Attorney General for the National Fraud Enforcement Division, a newly established division at the Department of Justice (DOJ). Last week, Durbin and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) pressed Attorney General Pam Bondi about the proposed new Division. In the letter, the Senators asked about the new Division’s operations, staffing, and enforcement responsibilities and priorities. Additionally, they requested clarification on comments from Vice President Vance about the Division being “run out of the White House,” which puts the new Division’s prosecutorial independence and insulation from political interference into question.

During his opening, Durbin also highlighted new whistleblower information he received regarding Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel’s excessive use of FBI aircraft for personal travel. These disclosures were provided after Patel was spotted celebrating with the U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team shortly after their win over Canada in the gold medal game. The credible whistleblowers told the Senate Judiciary Committee that Patel’s excessive misuse and mismanagement of FBI-controlled aircraft and resources impacted or delayed high-profile investigations, including the Charlie Kirk and Brown University shootings.

Key Quotes:

“Over the last year, the Trump Administration has systematically dismantled Justice Department offices responsible for rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs. It has done the same with components that police fraud against consumers and investors.”

“Last April, Attorney General Bondi disbanded the team responsible for prosecuting cryptocurrency crimes. Last September, she dissolved the Consumer Protection Branch in the Department of Justice, which enforced federal laws prohibiting fraud against consumers.”

“The Administration also did away with the Justice Department’s Tax Division, which was established a century ago by Robert Jackson and led efforts to prosecute tax fraud. And the Attorney General has gutted the Public Integrity Section, [which is] responsible for enforcing laws against public corruption.”

“None of this comes as a surprise. Because the worst examples of waste, fraud, and abuse in recent years are coming from inside the Trump Administration. Want to root out fraud? Start at the top… Fraudsters who have made huge contributions to the President have regularly been rewarded with pardons.”

“In April 2024, the founder of Binance was sentenced to prison and ordered to pay a $50 million fine for his role in a money laundering scheme. He then brokered a deal to channel $2 billion into the Trump family’s crypto business. President Trump pardoned him. Just this week, we learned that Binance accounts have funneled about $1.7 billion to Iranian entities with links to terrorist groups. But the Trump family’s crypto company, World Liberty Financial, continues to partner with Binance.”

“Trump appointees have contributed to the waste, fraud, and abuse by misusing government resources and taxpayer dollars for their own benefit.”

“FBI Director Kash Patel has shamelessly exploited the FBI’s private government jet to support his jet-setting lifestyle, including for a golf getaway in Scotland and to watch his girlfriend perform at a wrestling match.”

“Most recently, he flew to Italy to chug beers with the U.S. Olympic hockey team. As a whistleblower told the Committee, the tone was set early in Director Patel’s tenure when he told FBI agents, ‘If you have golf, hockey, fishing, or hunting and beautiful sights, you’re going to see a lot of me.’”

“There are many unanswered questions about the so-called National Fraud Enforcement Division… Justice Department officials cannot agree whether the Division will absorb staff and resources from the existing Civil and Criminal Division fraud offices or whether it will hire new staff.”

“We should not move ahead with this nominee when such questions [are] unanswered.”

Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations.

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Durbin, Duckworth Meet With Illinois State Association Of Counties

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today met with members of the Illinois State Association of Counties to discuss the impact of the Trump Adminsitration’s so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which slashed $1 trillion from federal Medicaid funding and nearly $200 billion from SNAP, dramatically shifting cost burdens to local governments and cutting services for Illinoisans. During today’s meeting, the Senators and the county leaders also discussed the need for affordable housing and local infrastructure priorities ahead of the next surface transportation reauthorization, as Bipartisan Infrastructure Law programs and funding runs through September 30, 2026.

“The decisions the President makes in the White House have real impacts on the people of Illinois. He has repeatedly targeted our state by freezing promised federal funds, jeopardizing critical transportation and infrastructure projects, and it has harmed our economy and threatened Illinoisans’ jobs,” Durbin said. “While the President and congressional Republicans are busy scheming to cut health care programs and halt transportation projects, Senator Duckworth and I remain committed to fighting for Illinoisans.”

“Whether it’s illegally freezing funds or destroying Medicaid, Trump is hurting the same families he swore to protect by jeopardizing programs they rely on,” Duckworth said. “I’m glad I had the chance to meet with the leaders of the Illinois State Association of Counties alongside Senator Durbin to discuss how Trump’s chaos is driving up costs for communities across Illinois. We’ll keep pushing back and sticking up for families.”

Photos of the meeting are available here.

Counties represented at the meeting included:

Champaign County

Cook County

Effingham County

Iroquois County

Kane County

Kankakee County

Lake County

McHenry County

Peoria County

Stephenson County

Tazewell County


DURBIN INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO CREATE NATIONAL HISTORIC PARKS IN CHICAGO, MARYLAND, VIRGINIA, & SOUTH CAROLINA TO HONOR LEGACY OF JULIUS ROSENWALD

The legislation would establish a Rosenwald Schools National Historic Park network with locations in Chicago, Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina in honor of Julius Rosenwald

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today reintroduced the Julius Rosenwald and Rosenwald Schools National Historical Park Act, legislation to establish a Rosenwald Schools National Historic Park network with locations in Chicago, Maryland, Virginia, and South Carolina in honor of Julius Rosenwald. The legislation would also require the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) to provide information on the life and legacy of Rosenwald at his boyhood home in Springfield, Illinois, which is already part of the Lincoln Home National Historic Site.

Son of German Jewish immigrants, Julius Rosenwald made Sears, Roebuck and Company the retail powerhouse of the 20th century, and he used his wealth to fund his philanthropic efforts. During the Jim Crow era, Rosenwald partnered with the Tuskegee Institute, Booker T. Washington, and nearly 5,000 Black communities in the South to build schools, across 15 states, for children without educational opportunities. A total of 5,357 Rosenwald School facilities were constructed, educating one-third of Black Americans in the South, including alumni Congressman John Lewis, Medgar Evers, and Maya Angelou.

“A Springfield native, Julius Rosenwald was instrumental in narrowing the wide gap in educational opportunities for Black children during the Jim Crow era. His philanthropic efforts led to the opening of 5,300 schools dedicated to teaching Black youth in the South,” said Durbin. “Today, I’m introducing this legislation to preserve the story of these Rosenwald schools and ensure that modern-day Americans can learn about the life and legacy of Julius Rosenwald and the revered alumni of his schools, including the late Congressman John Lewis.”

If passed, the bill would establish a Chicago site that encompasses portions of the 40-acre site that once made up the Sears merchandising complex. Additional sites would be located at the San Domingo School in Wicomico County, Maryland, the Saint George Rosenwald School in Saint George, South Carolina, and the Woodville Rosenwald School in Gloucester County, Virginia.

Today’s legislation builds on Durbin’s now-passed Julius Rosenwald and the Rosenwald Schools Act, which required NPS to conduct a Special Resource Study (SRS) on the life and legacy of Rosenwald and his schools.

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) are cosponsors of the legislation.

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DURBIN, PADILLA, KELLY BLAST DHS FOR WRONGFULLY TARGETING & REMOVING DACA RECIPIENTS

In response to a letter the Senators sent in September, DHS confirmed that 261 DACA recipients have been arrested and 86 have been removed from the country since the start of Trump’s second term

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and lead author of the Dream Act, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, and U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) today released the following statement after U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested 261 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and 86 have been removed from the country between January 1, 2025 and November 19, 2025.

This information from DHS came in response to a letter the Senators sent in September where they pressed Secretary Noem on the Trump Administration’s wrongful targeting of DACA recipients in its mass deportation scheme.

“News of DACA recipients being arrested and deported is deeply troubling. These arrests disrupt families, harm communities, and inflict unnecessary social, emotional, and economic costs. And it is a waste of taxpayer dollars,” the Senators said. “Secretary Noem’s response to our letter claims that 241 of the 261 DACA recipients arrested had ‘criminal histories,’ without providing any further details. DACA recipients go through strict background checks every time they renew this protection, and the Trump Administration has not hesitated to arrest immigrants with no serious criminal convictions and falsely label them the ‘worst of the worst.’ In the face of this Administration’s actions, it is important for Congress to protect young people who know no other home than the United States and continue the critical work to find a pathway to citizenship for them. We won’t accept partial information, and we demand that Secretary Noem provide more information on their basis for arresting and deporting DACA holders immediately.”

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DURBIN QUESTIONS NOMINEE TO BE ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR NEWLY ESTABLISHED NATIONAL FRAUD ENFORCEMENT DIVISION AT DOJ DURING SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE HEARING

Mr. McDonald dodged Durbin’s questions related to DOJ’s Weaponization Working Group, insurrectionist Jared Wise

WASHINGTON – During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned Colin McDonald, the nominee to be the Assistant Attorney General for the National Fraud Enforcement Division, a newly established division at the Department of Justice (DOJ). Durbin first asked Mr. McDonald about working with Ed Martin.

After Mr. Martin’s failed nomination to be U.S. Attorney for D.C. was withdrawn, President Trump appointed him to serve in non-Senate-confirmed positions like Pardon Attorney and Director of the Weaponization Working Group. Mr. Martin was pushed out of DOJ headquarters earlier this year for improperly handling grand jury materials that were part of an investigation targeting the President’s political enemies.

“You’ve been identified as co-chair of the Weaponization Working Group. Mr. Martin talked about that as a group getting even with people who are critical of the President. Are you co-chair of that group?” Durbin asked.

Mr. McDonald dodged Durbin’s question.

“So, the answer is yes, you are co-chair of the Weaponization Working Group?” Durbin asked.

Instead of answering Durbin’s question directly, Mr. McDonald responded, “Senator, I am involved in the work of the Weaponization Working Group. That’s been one of my many responsibilities in the Office of the Deputy Attorney General.”

“You are very tactful in your answer. The President is explicit—he’s going after the people that he thinks went after him. As many of us believe, that should come to an end. But you have been a part of Mr. Martin’s effort and I want to put that on the record,” Durbin said.

Durbin then asked about Mr. McDonald’s involvement with Jared Wise, a January 6 insurrectionist who egged on a violent mob that was attacking Capitol Police Officers, yelling “kill ‘em!” Mr. Wise is now a senior advisor at DOJ—and a member of the Weaponization Working Group.

“What was your involvement in the decision to hire him [Mr. Wise]?” Durbin asked.

Mr. McDonald again dodged, responding, “I am not today going to get into any personnel matters with respect to the Department of Justice.”

“I understand why you don’t want to answer the question. Here’s the story on Jared Wise. Jared Wise was here on January 6 with the insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol. He was filmed saying to the police officers, ‘You guys are disgusting, you are [the] Nazis, you are the gestapo.’ He [joined] the violent mob that was attacking police officers saying, ‘F them! Kill them!’ The man was prosecuted for his conduct and he was subject to the full and unconditional pardon by President Trump and then went to work for the Justice Department in your Division. Do you have any problems with his background?” Durbin asked.

Mr. McDonald refused to answer the question.

“I’m asking if you know about Jared Wise and his background and [if you] were part of the decision to make him an employee of the Justice Department after what I just described. It’s a simple question—you can say that ‘yes I was involved’ or no ‘I wasn’t involved,’” Durbin said.

Mr. McDonald again refused to answer Durbin’s question and stated only that he was not involved in the hiring decisions.

“Do you have any problem with his background working for the Justice Department?” Durbin asked.

Mr. McDonald refused to answer Durbin’s question and instead replied, “I would refer to my answer that the weaponization work in the Department of Justice currently is critical work.”

“Let me ask, were you involved in the decision to disband the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team?” Durbin asked.

Mr. McDonald didn’t directly respond and instead stated that the personnel working on cryptocurrency matters have been assigned to other divisions within the Justice Department.

Video of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available herefor TV Stations.

Last week, Durbin and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) pressed Attorney General Pam Bondi about the proposed new Division. In the letter, the Senators asked about the new Division’s operations, staffing, and enforcement responsibilities and priorities. Additionally, they requested clarification on comments from Vice President Vance about the Division being “run out of the White House,” which puts the new Division’s prosecutorial independence and insulation from political interference into question.

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DURBIN TALKS CLEAN ENERGY WITH IMEA/IMUA

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today met with members of the Illinois Municipal Electric/Utilities Association (IMEA/IMUA) to discuss Illinois’ electric systems as new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, place new strains on the sector. In today’s meeting, Durbin and IMEA/IMUA members talked about the need for data center operators to be transparent about the expected power and water usage associated with running these centers.

Additionally, Durbin spoke out against congressional Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included a provision to end wind and solar tax credits implemented through the Inflation Reduction Act. As a result of the discontinuation of these tax credits, dozens of clean energy projects have been cancelled just as the electric grid is seeing increased strain.

“Our technologies are evolving, and the demands on our energy sector are evolving with them. Today, I spoke with IMEA/IMUA members about how our state can expect the energy sector to be impacted by incoming data centers, as well as how we can prioritize transparency related to the expected power and water usage associated with these centers,” Durbin said.

Photos of the meeting are available here.

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Ernst Calls for Accountability for COVID Fraudsters

WASHINGTON – Today, Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) highlighted widespread fraud in Small Business Administration’s (SBA) COVID relief programs and called on Congress to pass her SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act before the statute of limitations for both of these programs expire, to give investigators the time they need to hold bad actors accountable.

Ernst underscored that, while pandemic relief programs like the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) provided a critical lifeline to small businesses, weak oversight and reliance on self-certification opened the door to an estimated $200 billion in fraudulent loans that must be clawed back.

Watch Senator Ernst’s remarks here.

Ernst’s full remarks as delivered:

“Nearly six years ago, the Small Business Administration’s pandemic relief programs provided a much-needed lifeline for small businesses in Iowa and across America.

“Millions of small business owners and their employees were saved from closure and mass layoffs thanks to Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds awarded by the SBA.

“But as we’ve seen time and again, when government funds seem ‘free’ for the taking, bad actors are ready to steal and scam.

“But government programs should never be able to be exploited at the American taxpayer’s expense in the first place.

“However, the lack of oversight mechanisms in SBA’s COVID relief programs, coupled with the quick disbursement of funds to save shuttered businesses, allowed swindlers to rob taxpayers of $200 billion in pandemic relief loans.

“The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee, or PRAC, sounded the alarm years ago on how allowing applicants to self-certify their eligibility increases fraud. Self-certification allows the government to rely on an applicant’s promise that they meet program requirements.

“The SBA Office of Inspector General repeatedly echoed their concerns about this system.

“Unfortunately for taxpayers, the Biden administration ignored repeated watchdog warnings, allowing blanket forgiveness without additional verification on PPP loans under $150,000 and potentially allowing a large swath of fraud to escape meaningful scrutiny.

“Self-certification was known to be a major problem as more pandemic relief programs were created.

“Consider the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) and Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) programs.

“These opened a menu of fraud for the taking.

“In 2024, music artist Chris Brown exploited these awards to the tune of $10 million.

“Half of these funds were paid directly to the singer himself.

“Additional funds were spent on an $80-thousand-dollar birthday party.

“The SBA never should have been running a drive-thru for fraudsters.

“However, even though the RRF program had a 20-location limit for franchisees, restaurant chain CoreLife Eatery – with 29 locations – still got served $7.8 million from taxpayers that it never should have been allowed to receive.

“But talk about fast fraud made to order, one Oregon dentist – known for illegally distributing pharmaceuticals – used his personal address and fictitious restaurant names in Florida to generate nearly $8 million in RRF payments.

“To date, PRAC has diligently helped law enforcement partners expose more than $2.4 billion in estimated fraud loss.

“IG Kirk’s recent appointment as PRAC Chair highlights how critical it remains to claw back these funds, especially across SBA programs.

“Last July, the SBA OIG flagged an astonishing $544 million of potential improper payments in the SVOG program, yet the Biden administration continued ignoring the problem. Ultimately, officials from the previous administration did not refer a single case to Treasury.

“Fraudsters can’t be left off the hook just because time has passed.

“Congress must pass my SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act to extend the statutes of limitations for SVOG and RRF programs and give investigators the time they need to continue going after crooks.

“Without my legislation, as soon as April, fraudsters who stole funds will escape justice.

“You heard me right, folks, in a little over a month, some of SBA’s COVID programs can no longer be prosecuted.

“The good news is my statute of limitations bill has already passed the House, and this Committee.

“It is now pending before the full Senate.

“I call on Democrats to stop blocking this legislation, so there can be real accountability.

“I am grateful the current administration knows that the job is not finished.

“The SBA is conducting manual reviews of more than 10,000 RRF awards totaling over $3 billion.

“Just over 1,000 of these awardees did not submit the required post-award report documenting how the money was spent.

“SBA also sent demand letters to an additional 8,000 awardees who were not a part of the manual review and never submitted a post-award report, totaling over $1.2 billion in RRF disbursements.

“Additionally, last year the SBA issued hundreds of demand letters to SVOG grant recipients. The total grant value of recipients who have not responded totals over $150 million.

“The SBA has been dealt an incredibly difficult hand: reviewing the entirety of both programs before the statutes of limitation end and referring all fraud to investigators. This critical work must continue.

“A few weeks ago, Administrator Loeffler suspended more than 110,000 California borrowers who took home over $8.5 billion in potentially fraudulent COVID relief funds.

“The recent fraud investigations in Minnesota have uncovered at least $9 billion from state and federal programs, including $400 million in PPP loans, and Administrator Loeffler acted quickly to remedy the issue.

“Republican Members of this Committee sent a letter to Administrator Loeffler earlier this month applauding her work to shut down these schemes.

“I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record our January 8th letter requesting information from the SBA on its efforts to uncover fraud in SBA programs. Without objection, so ordered.

“I look forward to hearing from our federal watchdog partners today on how they are tackling fraud and recovering taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars.

“Thank you for your service, and I look forward to hearing your testimony.”

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Gallego, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration to Immediately Rescind New Rule that Would Slash Disability Ratings for Thousands of Veterans

WASHINGTON – Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), a Marine combat veteran and member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee joined colleagues from both chambers in demanding Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins immediately rescind the Trump Administration’s new interim final rule that would change how veteran disability ratings are evaluated. This rule would lower disability ratings and compensation awards for disabled veterans who rely on medications to manage their health conditions by not taking into account the true severity of their disabilities.

“We write to request the immediate rescission of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) interim final rule entitled “Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication” (RIN: 2900-AS49),” wrote the lawmakers in a letter to VA Secretary Collins. “Though halting enforcement of the rule was a necessary acknowledgment of the widespread concern about its implications, the change made by the interim final rule is current law and remains in the Code of Federal Regulations. Without a complete and permanent recission, veterans across the country will have to confront the unnecessary dilemma of continuing life-improving treatment for their conditions even though it could lead to a reduction in the benefits they have earned and desperately need.”

While VA Secretary Collins temporarily halted implementation of the rule last week following backlash from veterans and Veterans Service Organizations, he has not outright rescinded the rule—leaving veterans’ benefits at risk of being lowered. More than 18,000 public comments have been made opposing the rule, which was made without providing advance notice to or consulting with veterans or Congress. The lawmakers stressed the harm the rule could cause by forcing veterans to make an “impossible choice” of following their prescribed treatment plan or risk losing their benefits.

The lawmakers continued raising alarm over this rule and the Administration’s secret process publishing it: “This rule is a short-sighted and ill-timed reaction to the Ingram v. Collins decision. The appeal of that case is still ongoing, and VA’s attempt to circumvent the judicial process by publishing this rule is troubling…We agree with the court’s precedential holding in Ingram and believe VA must discount the beneficial impact of medication when rating disability compensation claims. Veterans and Veteran Service Organizations have also made it clear that veterans should not be penalized for complying with treatment. Veteran Service Organizations have made their voices heard in the wake of this rule, but have repeatedly not been included in the conversations leading up to VA policy changes. This is a troubling trend, as it signals a desire to cut veteran voices out of the system designed to provide for them.”

The lawmakers demanded urgent answers, including a description of the steps VA has taken to suspend implementation of the rule; a timeline for the rule’s rescission or replacement; action VA is planning regarding its appeal of the Ingram v. Collins decision; and information regarding what conditions and diagnoses are meant to be targeted by this rule and the estimated number of veterans who will be impacted. They also formally requested VA and the National Archives and Records Administration preserve all stored communication regarding matters related to the development and issuance of this rule.

Last week, VA published an interim final rule to change how veteran disability ratings are evaluated without an appropriate public comment period. This new rule reverses the previous standard established in 2025 by the Ingram v. Collins court case, which required VA to discount the impact of medication when evaluating the severity of claims for certain disabilities. Instead, the rule directs examiners to rate veterans’ disabilities as they present and to disregard the impact of medication. This would require VA to issue a lower disability ratings, despite evidence showing veterans meet the requirements for higher ratings.


Gallego Questions Trump’s BLM Nominee on Grand Canyon, Building Housing on Public Lands

WASHINGTON – Today, during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) questioned Trump administration nominees to lead the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Steve Pearce, on the administration’s plans to roll back protections for the Grand Canyon National Monument and build housing on federal lands.

Gallego began his questioning by asking Pearce whether he supports the administration’s reported plans to roll back protections for the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni, the Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument.

“We are lucky to have such a beautiful state, the most beautiful in the country. Within this land we have national monuments that highlight the beauty and culture of the state. One of the ones we always talk about is the Grand Canyon, the footprints of such,” said Senator Gallego. “I would like to know if you have plans to roll back protections for the Grand Canyon.”

Senator Gallego then asked the nominee how he would ensure the administration’s plans to build housing on public lands do not benefit billionaires at the expense of local communities and veterans. Following the administration’s announcement of a federal initiative to explore housing development on public lands, Gallego wrote to cabinet officials urging transparency, community engagement, and safeguards to protect public access.

“The administration announced housing on federal lands with little detail. Done smartly, especially for rural Arizona, this can be very good to help the cost. After the announcement I asked the President for details because I wanted to make sure we don’t have the best lands given away to the richest men and women, […] and we stop our communities from being able to access land that is important for fishing, hunting, and camping. […] I want to make sure anything going forward is thoughtful and is actually accessible to working-class people,” Senator Gallego continued. “As a veteran, many of us use public lands as a public therapy. It’s great way to destress and think about what’s going on in our lives. […] BLM land is often the front yard for rural veteran communities.”


Gillibrand Demands An End To Trump’s Tariff Chaos, Reimbursements For Small Businesses And Consumers

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) held a virtual press conference to demand that President Trump end his tariff chaos and refund American consumers and small businesses what they paid in tariff cost increases.

“New Yorkers deserve better than President Trump’s tariffs and cost-increasing chaos. Prices are up for housing, groceries, electricity, and other everyday essentials because of President Trump’s tariffs,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Last week, the Supreme Court confirmed what Democrats have been saying for months—President Trump’s tariffs are illegal. I’m demanding that the Trump administration follow the law, end these harmful tariffs once and for all, and refund small businesses and consumers for the costs they incurred from the illegal tariffs.”

Senator Gillibrand’s demands follow the Supreme Court’s decision last week to strike down President Trump’s sweeping reciprocal tariffs. These illegal tariffs generated over $130 billion in revenue, an estimated 96% of which came from American businesses and consumers, and affected nearly all imported goods. Trump’s overall tariff scheme costs New York families $4,200 per household annually.

This week, Senator Gillibrand demanded that the Trump administration immediately begin issuing refunds to small businesses for the additional costs they incurred from the illegal tariffs and ensure that those funds are passed through to consumers.

Senator Gillibrand has opposed President Trump’s tariffs since the start of his administration. Last year, she joined 14 of her colleagues in introducing the Small Business RELIEF Act to end Trump’s Tariff Tax and refund small businesses their duties paid. She also sent a legal brief with 206 members of Congress emphasizing to the Supreme Court that these tariffs are illegal.

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Major Law Enforcement, Child Safety Groups Laud Bipartisan Child Safety Package Ahead of Committee Vote

WASHINGTON – Over two dozen law enforcement and child safety organizations voiced their support for Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin’s (D-Ill.) bipartisan child safety bills ahead of tomorrow’s Judiciary Committee vote. The Sentencing Accountability for Exploitation (SAFE) Act, the Ending Coercion of Children and Harm Online (ECCHO) Act and the Stop Sextortion Act would address dangerous developments in online child exploitation by targeting lax federal sentencing laws, violent online criminal networks and sextortion.

The national and local organizations backing the legislative package include: the Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents Association, the National Association of Assistant United States Attorneys (NAAUSA), the Conservative Political Action Conference’s (CPAC) Center for Combating Human Trafficking, the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), Thorn, Snap, Inc., the National District Attorneys Association, the National Center for Victims of Crime, the National Children's Alliance, Enough is Enough, Nurses United Against Human Trafficking, Paving the Way Foundation, the Genesis Project, the 3Strands Global Foundation, the World Without Exploitation, Exodus Cry, Global Hope 365, the Yellowstone Human Trafficking Task Force, Not On Our Watch Texas, the Survivor Leader Network of San Diego, the California Survivor Coalition, the Traffick Refuge, Street Grace, South Carolina Legislative Roundtable, the Alliance to End Human Trafficking, the Child Rescue Coalition and Breaking the Cycle. The Child Safety Coalition endorsed the SAFE Act; Sandy Hook Promise endorsed the ECCHO Act and Internet Works endorsed the Stop Sextortion Act and ECCHO Act.

Here's what they’re saying:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents Association:

“The Federal Bureau of Investigation Agents Association (FBIAA) supports this package of legislation as an important step toward closing loopholes that have too often made it difficult to fully prosecute child predators. These bills modernize federal law to reflect today’s online threats by criminalizing harmful conduct that could not be effectively charged before and ensuring offenders are held accountable for the full scope of their life-altering abuse. The FBIAA looks forward to continuing to work with Congress to further strengthen these laws.”

The National Association of Assistant United States Attorneys:

“On behalf of the National Association of Assistant United States Attorneys (NAAUSA), we write to express our strong support for the bipartisan legislative package introduced to protect children from online exploitation and coercion… Collectively, this legislative package equips federal prosecutors with modernized statutes and sentencing tools that reflect the realities of online child exploitation, strengthen deterrence, improve sentencing consistency and prioritize victim protection. These reforms will enhance the Department of Justice’s ability to hold offenders accountable, while ensuring federal law keeps pace with evolving technologies and criminal tactics.”

The Conservative Political Action Conference’s (CPAC) Center for Combating Human Trafficking:

“Protecting children from online exploitation is a necessity in the digital age, and lawmakers need to act swiftly to combat these new forms of abuse. CPAC’s Center for Combating Human Trafficking is proud to stand with Chairman Chuck Grassley and support this bipartisan package to strengthen accountability, disrupt criminal networks, and equip law enforcement with the tools needed to shut down the digital pipelines that enable abuse. We look forward to working alongside the bill sponsors to prioritize the safety of the next generation as these proposals will put survivors first and hold offenders fully accountable for their crimes.”

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN):

“With technology moving faster than ever, predators are finding new ways to exploit kids. They can increase their access to children by contacting them online and soliciting child sexual abuse material, then distributing it or using the threat of distribution to harm kids even further. Sometimes predators are doing this as a part of broad networks, often posing as minors online to get victims to trust them. It’s time for U.S. law to catch up with these new forms of child exploitation. These bills will bring our laws into the present and ensure accountability for predators is not lost to the past.”

Enough is Enough:

“Children are being targeted, groomed and exploited by predators who seek them on social media, gaming and other tech platforms. The FBI is warning about an online group called 764 that is targeting children online, demanding victims send them photos that are then used to extort them. The three bills introduced by Sens. Grassley and Durbin will confront these grave threats to children online. Congress should pass these three pieces of legislation to ensure our laws catch up with the criminality happening to our children online.”

Background:

The SAFE Act, cosponsored by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.), would revamp outdated federal sentencing laws. The Sentencing Commission is currently prohibited from updating sentencing laws without congressional action. Read bill text HERE.

The ECCHO Act, cosponsored by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ashley Moody (F-Fla.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), would criminalize violent online networks by prohibiting the coercion of children to hurt themselves or others. There is currently no law that explicitly prohibits this type of coercion. Read bill text HERE.

The Stop Sextortion Act, cosponsored by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) and John Kennedy (R-La.), would criminalize the extortion and coercion of children using child sex abuse material, known commonly as “sextortion.” There is currently no law that explicitly prohibits sextortion. Read bill text HERE.