Ahead of SOTU, Senator Murray Delivers Address to Washington state, Outlines How Trump Has Failed Working Americans by Driving Up Costs and Creating Chaos

Murray to Washingtonians about Trump’s failed agenda: Americans are paying more for just about everything as Trump doubles down on tariffs, health care premiums are more than doubling, workers are faced with a weak job market, and an out-of-control ICE has shocked and horrified Americans everywhere

Seattle Times: WA small businesses struggle to keep up with health insurance hikes

Seattle Times: In WA, thousands are forgoing health insurance this year

The Columbian: ‘Middle-income people that can no longer afford their health care’: Many Clark County residents lost federal tax credits

Washington State Standard: Small business owners squeezed by Trump tariffs await Supreme Court decision

The Olympian: WA’s economy faces $2.2B hit and 32,000 job losses from tariffs

KUOW: ICE agents often ignore safety and privacy practices for detainee patients, Tacoma nurses say

KATU: US senator says ICE agents ‘sic attack dogs’ on Vancouver man

***WATCH full address here ***

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered a virtual address to people in Washington state outlining exactly how President Trump has failed hardworking Americans—whether by passing the largest cuts to health care and SNAP in history or through his catastrophic economic policies that have driven up costs and pushed countless small businesses to the brink of closure, earlier this week, Murray announced she would not attend the State of the Union in person.

“While Trump is getting ready to ramble and lie his way through his state of the union, I am not going to stay home, and yell at my TV, and get angry,” said Senator Murray. “Though I am angry, I am going to roll up my sleeves, channel that frustration, and get to work. I’m fighting for an America where universal health care is a reality. Where everyone can afford the prescriptions they need. I’m fighting for child care every family can afford and count on. Tax breaks for the middle-class—teachers and firefighters—not billionaires. I want to build more affordable housing—not a new ballroom at the White House. I’m fighting for national paid leave. A national right to abortion care… This is just some of what I’m fighting for—a more hopeful future for America is possible when we all speak out and stand up for what we believe in. This is America and no matter what Trump wants you to believe, the power belongs to the people.”

Senator Murray was also joined by Washington state constituents who shared their own personal stories, illustrating how Trump’s destructive policies are hurting American families everywhere; Leslie McNamara, Elected Commissioner of Three Rivers Hospital, whose husband is a small business owner who relied on ACA tax credits to afford health care; Olia Catala, Wilmer Toledo-Martinez’s immigration lawyer, who shared his story and spoke to how immigration enforcement has changed drastically under Trump; and Sarah Esch, International Longshore & Warehouse Workers’ Union (ILWU) Local 19 member and Legislative Committee member, who discussed how Trump’s tariff policies have impacted longshoremen, their families, and local economies in Washington state.

President Trump will be delivering the State of the Union with record low job approval among independents, as millions of Americans are increasingly fed up with Republican policies that are making it more expensive to get by, while billionaires and giant corporations are showered with deficit-busting tax breaks.

Trump and Republicans refused to take action to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits, resulting in health care premiums more than doubling and enrollment in the ACA marketplaces down by 1.3 million compared to last year. Trump’s catastrophic tariff policies, which he has already doubled down on after last week’s Supreme Court ruling, have sent the price of everyday goods surging, with the average American family paying an extra $1,300 in 2026 due to Trump’s tariffs, up from $1,000 in 2025, according to a study from the nonpartisan Tax Foundation. Even on immigration, which the President campaigned aggressively on, Trump is bleeding support with two-thirds of Americans agreeing that ICE has gone too far. All the while, the President shamelessly focuses his attention on foreign conflicts and renovating the White House as he unabashedly enriches himself and his family.

In her address, Murray outlined Trump’s failures and explained how Democrats are fighting for a more hopeful future for America—one where health care is affordable and accessible for everyone, where government is focused on building a stronger economy for the middle-class and making daily life more affordable, and where American citizens can expect humane immigration enforcement dictated by law and order rather than chaos and cruelty for the sake of cruelty. Murray emphasized that Trump’s agenda is not inevitable and that every American can make a difference and force a change using their vote and their voice.

“Our diverse hospital district serves about 70 percent Medicare/Medicaid dependent patients, many who were reliant upon insurance through the Affordable Care Act. So, I am quite concerned about our government not extending the ACA tax credits to help subsidize the rising cost of health insurance for our patients, my constituents, and my friends and neighbors. It also hits me close to home, as for the past 40 years my husband has worked, now as the sole employee, of a third-generation mom and pop style building supply store and lumberyard, which is struggling. At the end of December, the ACA subsidies ended. What used to cost us around $250 a month before taxes, with a $2,000 deductible, would now cost us almost $1,000 a month with a $6,000 deductible. This is a huge chunk out of our combined monthly income just for personal health care insurance. We simply cannot afford this hit. So, like many others, we had to make the difficult decision for him to cancel his insurance and take the risk that he remains healthy and we aren’t forced with any emergencies,” said Leslie McNamara, who is from Brewster, WA, and serves on the Three Rivers Hospital’s Board of Commissioners. Leslie’s husband owns and works at Grover’s Building Supply, a three-generation, family-owned building supply store and lumberyard. Leslie’s husband used to receive his health insurance through the ACA marketplace, after the tax credits expired his health care premiums tripled and their family was no longer able to afford to pay them. He has since been forced to go without health insurance. “Unfortunately, we are not alone. Numerous families are now in the same boat and have been forced to go uninsured. People will end up in the ER because they no longer have the means for regular health care. Our hospitals will be in jeopardy as a result. We will see increases for debt and charity care, which generally causes insurance premiums to go up for all commercial policy holders. Some hospitals may force closure, especially with the recent Medicaid cuts to our rural hospitals. When our communities lose access to local hospitals, it hurts our economies and will likely result in actual deaths. Ultimately, everyone suffers and we all pay the price…Health care should be our number one priority. We need to come back to the table, renegotiate the ACA tax credits and re-establish these subsidies…There is a health care crisis in our nation. Until we can get the entire industry under control, we need these stop-gap measures to care for our youth, our elders, our poor, and our underserved. We claim to be a society of caring and compassionate people. Our President and our elected legislators should care more about the affordability and needs of every citizen for health care in the United States. I urge our politicians to join forces and the American people some semblance of affordable health care for all.”

“We are watching due process erode in real time. Cases are predetermined. Bond hearings are denied. Liberty is taken without meaningful review. These are not abstract policy debates. These are human consequences,” said Olia Catala, Wilmer Toledo-Martinez’s lawyer. Last December, Wilmer was violently detained by ICE and mauled by an attack dog despite not resisting arrest or attempting to flee. Wilmer is married to a U.S. citizen and is the father of three U.S. born children, ages two, three, and seven, and this brutality devastated the entire family. He has since been released and is back with his family. Senator Murray was outspoken in calling for his release from the Northwest ICE Processing Center (NWIPC) and condemning the unwarranted assault by ICE. Olia is an immigration attorney from Redmond, WA, as a former refugee from Ukraine she helps families navigate the U.S. immigration system.

“I remember the last busy times in the early 2000s, when it wasn’t unheard of for Local 19 to run with 20 gangs employing 360 members on multiple shifts. Nowadays, Seattle seems to be ‘busy’ when we have 6 gangs employing 108 members on numerous days. And I can’t count the number of days within the last year when we had days with zero container work—maybe I had just a handful of jobs to dispatch at the grain terminal or on the floor. When there are just a few jobs for over 600 A members, that’s a problem. And forget about the casuals working—I spoke with one casual a couple of days ago and he told me that he’s only worked 4 shifts so far this year. That’s just what is happening in Seattle, but we’ve seen the disastrous impact of tariffs all over Washington state’s ports. I spoke yesterday with a good friend of mine at Local 32 in Everett, who is a trained crane operator, and he told me that he has only had one solid week of work in the last three months…The same story can be told for my brothers and sisters at Local 4 in Vancouver, Washington. I spoke with a Local 4 brother yesterday and he said that in his 20 years on the waterfront, last year was certainly the slowest,” said Sarah Esch, ILWU Local 19 member and Legislative Committee member, representing dock workers in Seattle. Sarah has been working on Seattle’s waterfront for over 20 years. Washington state has one of the most trade-dependent economies of any state in the country, with 40 percent of jobs in the state tied to international commerce. In 2024, Washington exported $57.8 billion of goods, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), making Washington state the 9th-largest state exporter of goods last year. “At the end of the day, I’d say what is most frustrating about the current tariff situation is the uncertainty. The constant up-and-down, on-and-off program is frustrating. Shippers and manufacturers don’t know how to plan. Costs will rise and fall, so consumers don’t know how to plan. And certainly the members of the ILWU don’t know what to expect. And never mind that we have yet to see an increase in US manufacturing, like we were promised. In contrast to the 2008 recession, we all knew that we would eventually climb out of that. However, today, in early 2026, I guess all we can do is wait for the end of this presidency and hope that we haven’t completely lost all of the work on our state’s, and our coast’s, docks.”

Senator Murray has been fighting back tirelessly against the Trump administration from the outset. Murray forcefully opposed many of Trump’s cabinet nominees even before Trump was sworn in, warning the nation about the harm they would cause, particularly anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist RFK Jr. Murray consistently raised the alarm on Trump and Musk’s DOGE mass firing federal employees and jeopardizing essential services Americans rely on, and highlighted the stories of former federal workers in Washington state. And at every juncture—Murray led Congressional Democrats in spotlighting Trump’s efforts to block already appropriated dollars—for choking off lifesaving NIH medical research, illegally withholding funding from Head Start, blocking billions of dollars for K-12 schools, and illegally impounding and freezing funding across so many other federal agencies.

As Republicans fought to pass President Trump’s Big Ugly bill, Murray, the former Chair of the Senate Budget Committee, helped lead the fight in the Senate opposing the legislation. Murray fought the bill in committee, on the Senate floor, and at countless events both in DC and Washington state, rallying constituents to highlight exactly how devastating the massive health care and nutrition cuts would be—all to cut taxes for billionaires and blow up the national debt.

As Trump imposed painful and senseless tariffs, Murray shined a spotlight in every part of Washington state about how Trump’s reckless trade wars hurt small businesses, drove down business at ports, jeopardized relationships with our Canadian neighbors, and raised costs for families across the country. Murray has voted repeatedly to end Trump’s tariffs, and has consistently urged Republicans to do the same.

Murray was an early and vocal opponent of Trump’s immigration agenda, speaking out against the Laken Riley Act and vocally calling out the abuses by ICE and CBP, condemning Trump’s lawless and inhumane immigration policy, sharing the stories of her constituents, and demanding answers from ICE on deteriorating conditions at NWIPC in Washington state.

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

“Tonight, President Trump is going to give his state of the union—but we all know he is not going to talk about our union. He is going to talk about his favorite subject—himself.

“Maybe he’ll complain about not having a Nobel Prize. And he will almost certainly continue spreading debunked lies about the 2020 election which he lost. I’m not going to dignify his lies and sit through that in person. But you can bet, I’ll be listening. And, importantly, I’ll be ready to respond to the lies and set the record straight.

“Look, the state of our union is not measured in how many buildings Trump can name after himself or how many banners of his own face he can put up, or whatever else he rambles on about tonight. If you want to know the true state of our union, you aren’t going to get it from a billionaire who is clearly losing touch with reality.

“Instead—you talk with everyday people—longshoremen losing work from Trump’s trade wars, a local coffee shop getting crushed by Trump’s tariffs, moms and dads struggling with groceries, and energy bills. In a government of the people—the state of the union, is the state of our families and communities.

[FAMILIES]

“And right now, the state of our families is that they are struggling to get by.

“See, Trump doesn’t care about how much child care costs. His kids have never relied on the Head Start centers he tried to shut down. He doesn’t care how dismantling the Department of Education hurts kids at public schools or kids with disabilities.

“And while you see groceries are more expensive, Trump has no clue. Trump thinks affordability is a ‘scam’ and the word ‘groceries’ is quote: ‘old fashioned.’

“So that’s the perspective he’s brought to the White House and that’s why he passed the most anti-family, anti-worker legislation maybe in American history, his Big Ugly bill.

“President Trump fought tooth and nail to pass the largest ever cuts to health care and nutrition assistance. His Big Ugly Bill is kicking millions of people off food stamps for no good reason.

“Listen, I’m someone whose family needed food stamps to get by. When my dad got sick with MS, my mom had to get work training to find a better job. During that time, we relied on food stamps, but Trump is cutting families today off from that support.

“People need to know about the harm this legislation will cause and who is responsible for it. Because Republicans wrote this bill so the cuts would happen over time, not at once and not all right after they passed it. Just look at the more than $1 trillion in cuts to health care and Medicaid Republicans passed. The worst of those cuts won’t come into effect until next year and 2028.

“But hospitals in our state are already bracing for this grim reality. I’ve talked to doctors and hospital CEOs in Eastern and Central Washington, they are laying off staff and reducing hours just to try and stay open. The kicker? Trump’s health care cuts will hit rural communities hardest.

“If you’re still holding out for Trump’s ‘concepts of a health care plan’ to come to the rescues —don’t. It’s 2026—and there was never a health care plan other than sabotaging the ACA and cutting Medicaid.

“If Trump ever had a ‘plan,’ it was actually pretty simple, and pretty grim: Let people die from miscarriage, from measles, from cancer, you name it.

“What we’ve seen this last year is appalling. They confirmed an out-right anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist as Health Secretary, and we are already seeing measles cases skyrocket, and vaccine research plummet.

“Trump also outright froze and canceled NIH grants, stalling lifesaving clinical trials. A researcher at the University of Washington who works on curing cancer, told me because of Trump she had to literally pay out of pocket to keep her staff on, and her clinical trial running. NIH staff told me they can process less lab results and help fewer patients thanks to Trump’s arbitrary cuts.

“And, on reproductive health care—even post-Dobbs, Republicans are still finding new, cruel ways to attack abortion, put up barriers, and leave women without access to life saving care. Trump even issued a new rule blocking women veterans from getting abortion care at VA in the case of rape or if their health is at risk—to me that’s just sick.

“And because Republicans chose to shut down the government for over a month rather than lift a finger to save tax credits that help families afford basic coverage—right now health care premiums for millions of families are doubling, tripling, and more.

“We are only starting to get the full picture of the damage. Here in Washington state, we know 19,000 fewer people signed up for health insurance through the marketplace and 28,000 people actively dropped their health coverage. Across the country, 1.3 million fewer people enrolled in coverage. And those numbers aren’t even final yet—they will keep going up! In the end, we expect that more than 10 million Americans will lose health care because of Trump’s health care cuts.

“And if you think this doesn’t affect you because you’ve got employee sponsored health insurance you’re happy with?

“Think again—employee-sponsored plans went up by an average of 26% for this year thanks to Republican obstruction and when fewer people are insured, those people just end up going to the emergency room and when they can’t pay—you will front the bill one way or another: because either your premiums will go up or your local hospital will be forced to close.

“From health care, to education, to just affording everyday necessities Trump’s policies are crushing our families.

[ECONOMY]

“Meanwhile, the state of our economy is broken for everyone except the billionaires like Trump and Elon Musk. Because, last year, in their big scammy bill, Republicans shoveled tax breaks at billionaires, blowing up the national debt. They may not have done anything about health care tax credits, but they made darn sure the uber-rich got a tax write off for their private jets.

“Meanwhile, at the same time Republicans were giving billionaires the largest tax cut in history, Trump was single handedly hitting American families with the largest tax increase in history by illegally slapping sweeping tariffs on allies and trading partners and starting pointless trade wars across the globe.

“These tariffs did more than squeeze families’ wallets, they pushed small businesses in our state to the brink and choked our economy. And this past weekend: within hours of the Supreme Court saying his tariffs are illegal: Trump slapped a new tariff on every country in the world, and then the very next day he said he would raise that tariff! I have voted repeatedly to block Trump’s tariffs—understand, that with enough Republicans, Congress could put an end to this.

“And there are still so many other ways he is sabotaging our economy.

“Trump is waging a war on the independence of the Federal Reserve. He is driving away high-skilled workers and researchers from around the world. He is upending innovation in medicine, clean energy, and more. And Trump mass-fired hundreds of thousands of federal workers—dedicated public servants.

“You know, I spoke with a forest service ranger—a veteran—who literally fought wildfires and saved the lives of wayward hikers his salary was even covered by state fees! Trump still fired him for no reason. That shows you how thoughtless and costly these mass-firings were.

“We have to stand up to this president on the economy—and put our nation back on solid footing. And that same point goes for our national security too.

[NATIONAL SECURITY]

“Because under President Trump, the state of our national security is crumbling. His Secretary of Defense oversaw one of the most blatant national security leaks in history. His Secretary of State obliterated decades of humanitarian work—a decision that is causing death on a scale that is hard to even comprehend.

“Meanwhile, Trump doesn’t seem to know the difference between our allies and our adversaries.

“Canada is one of our closest allies—and our closest neighbor here in Washington state. But Trump has insulted them, started a trade war with them, and repeatedly inflamed tensions. There were more than one million fewer of our Canadian friends visiting our state this past year. I was in Blaine last year, speaking with local leaders on both sides of the border. Trump’s trade war, his insults and aggression—they help no one and hurt all of us.

“As if that weren’t bad enough—he is throwing NATO into crisis over his absurd fixation with Greenland. This stuff is not a joke.

“President Trump has made clear he is serious about wanting Greenland and he is not concerned about the consequences. He is burning bridges, burning our credibility on the world stage, and threatening to charge us headfirst into wars with no long-term strategy, and no concern for the servicemembers he puts in harm’s way.

“Earlier this year he ordered an act of war in Venezuela—despite lacking any authority from Congress and any plan for what happens next.

“Right now he is posturing to start a war with Iran—again without coming to Congress for approval and without actually considering how many American servicemembers a war like that would put in harm’s way. And Trump starting a new war, all on his own—is far from the only threat facing our nation at this moment.

[DEMOCRACY]

“The painful reality is that right now the state of our democracy is under attack from the inside. Our Constitution, our rights, our elections—are all under attack from this President.

“One of the first things President Trump did—was pardon January 6th insurrectionists, people who tried to violently overthrow our democracy. Now he has his spy chief seizing state election machines as he lies about the election he lost. Trump is threatening to ‘nationalize’ elections, and he’s got far-right Republicans moving heaven and earth to make it happen.

“Meanwhile, Trump has been completely ignoring Congress on tariffs, military action, spending, and more. And completely ignoring the Bill of Rights, particularly as he lets ICE and Border Patrol rampage out of control.

“Trump is trying to trample birthright citizenship guaranteed by the fourteenth amendment. He is trampling the right to free speech—as out-of-control ICE officers tear gas and even shoot protestors and observers. He is trampling the free press—trying to get critics canceled and using the independent FCC to fight his battles. He is trampling the freedom from undue search and seizure—empowering officers to smash down your door or shatter your car window—and drag you away. And he trampled the right to trial and the right against cruel and unusual punishment when he had people sent to a foreign torture prison with no due process whatsoever.

“Trump has also been using the Presidency to rake in money hand over fist from bitcoin schemes to a private jet from Qatar he intends to refurbish on the taxpayer dime and then keep to the many business deals his family is doing while he is in office. Trump is even suing the government he is in charge of asking for a huge cash payout from DOJ and the IRS—$10 billion last I heard—paid for by taxpayers.

“And of course, he is turning the Department of Justice into his own personal Department of Score-Settling. Trump has been very public in ordering people investigated. Instead of following law and order, we have a DOJ that is following Trump’s orders, investigations into people Trump blames for his 2020 election loss investigations of Fed Governors Trump disagrees with, and right now, he is trying to have Members of Congress prosecuted for doing nothing more than re-stating existing DOD policy.

“Fortunately—our system of checks and balances is holding, and most of these outrageous cases have already fallen apart under serious legal scrutiny. But we know that won’t stop Trump trying again.

[CONCLUSION]

“There is no easy way around it—right now, under President Trump, the state of our union is diminished.

“But here’s the most important thing to remember in this moment: The future of our union—is up to all of us. I truly believe that—and it’s what keeps me going every day.

“Because I know our voices and our votes—still rule the day in this country. I know, that when people speak out—we can still make a change and force this administration to back down. And I know that we can still deliver results for people here, and across the country.

“And I saw the proof firsthand last week, as I visited Seattle and Everett, and discussed investments I secured in our latest funding bills. I tore up Trump’s budget—and passed my own bipartisan spending bills focused on the concerns I heard from people in Washington state.

“Of course, that’s still far from ‘mission accomplished’—certainly with Trump’s track record of sabotage, but everyone who feels disheartened needs to know—it is not ‘mission impossible’ either. We can defend our democracy. We can hold this President accountable. We can support our communities—and secure real wins for working families.

“So, while Trump is getting ready to ramble and lie his way through his state of the union, I am not going to stay home, and yell at my TV, and get angry. Though I am angry, I am going to roll up my sleeves, channel that frustration, and get to work.

“I’m fighting for an America where universal health care is a reality. Where everyone can afford the prescriptions they need. I’m fighting for child care every family can afford and count on.

“Tax breaks for the middle-class—teachers and firefighters—not billionaires. And when the top 1% and giant corporations just pay their fair share—we can get our nation’s fiscal house in order. I want to build more affordable housing—not a new ballroom at the White House.

“I’m fighting for national paid leave. A national right to abortion care. I want more resources to tackle addiction and homelessness. I want safe streets in every city. I want laws on the books that put workers first and help them negotiate fair wages and working conditions. Unions built this country and they’ll help us build its future.

“And finally, we need an immigration system that is fair and humane—where people who contribute and play by the rules, get a fair shot at a future in this country because immigrants help make America great.

“This is just some of what I’m fighting for—a more hopeful future for America is possible when we all speak out and stand up for what we believe in.

“This is America and no matter what Trump wants you to believe, the power belongs to the people. And I am so proud to be joined by voices from across Washington state who are using their voices to speak up about the problems we are facing—including those caused by this president.”

###


“Only the People Can Save the People” — Padilla Denounces Trump’s Chaos and Lies, Pushes for Better Path Forward

Video of Padilla’s speech can be found here and here.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) delivered the Spanish language response to President Trump’s State of the Union Address, exposing Trump’s harmful lies and the chaos he has created in American communities, while offering a vision for a better path forward.

Padilla laid out the truth about Trump’s disastrous agenda:

Families struggling with rising costs of living from health care, to housing, to groceries, to electricity while Republicans fund tax cuts for billionaires;

A government weaponizing its enforcement agencies and sending masked, militarized federal agents to roam American communities — starting in Los Angeles — targeting people based on the color of their skin or for speaking Spanish and violating the human and constitutional rights of immigrants and citizens alike on a daily basis;

An Administration determined to attack eligible citizens’ right to vote and undermine faith in American elections to rig the rules ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The Senator highlighted his own background as the proud son of Mexican immigrants who built a life for themselves and their children by working hard, honest jobs — his dad as a cook, and his mom cleaning houses — emphasizing that the chaos, fear, and anxiety the American public is feeling and seeing is a far cry from the American Dream that his parents, and generations of other immigrants, strived for.

Instead of Trump’s chaos and corruption, Padilla pushed for a better path forward: one that lowers costs, reins in rogue federal agencies, and safeguards our democracy. He called on the American people to stand together in the tradition of “Solo El Pueblo Salva Al Pueblo” — or “Only the People Can Save the People” — a historic cry for unity and resilience across Latin America, Puerto Rico, and the United States against fascism.

Key Excerpts:

“The truth is that the State of our Union does not feel strong for everyone. Not when the costs of rent, food, and electricity keep rising. Not when Republicans raise our medical costs to fund tax cuts for billionaires. And definitely not when federal agents — armed and masked — terrorize our communities by targeting people because of the color of their skin or for speaking Spanish — including immigrants with legal status and citizens.”

“Donald Trump will not be president forever. More importantly, the Dream that has inspired generations of Americans and immigrants will remain long after Trump is gone.”

“Last year, many of you saw when federal agents pushed me to the ground and handcuffed me for demanding answers from this Administration over its military occupation in Los Angeles. They may have knocked me down for a moment, but I got right back up. As our parents taught us: if you fall seven times, get up eight. I am still here. Standing. Still fighting. And I know you are still standing and still fighting too.”

“This country has always been shaped by people who were told they did not belong — but who persevered and kept moving forward.”

“Only the people can save the people. Our democracy shines brightest when we stand up and defend one another.”

“There is a better path. While Trump’s illegal policies and tariffs continue to drive up prices, Democrats are working to lower costs. Trump is trying to make voting harder — Democrats want to make it more accessible. And while he seeks to expand the reach of ICE, Democrats are pushing for oversight, accountability, and clear limits on its actions.”

“As Bad Bunny reminded us a few weeks ago: ‘Together, we are America.’ Together, we rise, because our faith is stronger than any disappointment or any obstacle — including Trump. And together, we will build the future our children deserve.”

Video of his remarks is available here.

The proud son of Mexican immigrants, Alex Padilla is the first Latino elected to represent California in the United States Senate. A life-long Californian, Padilla grew up in a working-class community in the San Fernando Valley before earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Returning home after earning his degree, Senator Padilla was inspired to enter public service in response to California’s anti-immigrant Proposition 187. Padilla went on to be elected to the Los Angeles City Council, the California State Senate, and as California’s first Latino Secretary of State where he oversaw a historic expansion of voting rights and voter participation, strengthening access to the ballot for millions of Californians.

First appointed to the Senate in January of 2021 to fill the vacancy of Vice President Kamala Harris, Senator Padilla went on to win a full term in November 2022. In the Senate, Padilla has been a leader on issues ranging from immigration, to voting rights, to climate change, with the goal of ensuring everyone has the same fair shot at the American dream his own family had.

Translated English transcript of Padilla’s full remarks, as prepared for delivery

Good evening, this is Senator Alex Padilla of California.

We just heard Donald Trump do what he does best: lie.

He lies about the economy.

He lies about his violent and out-of-control enforcement of immigration laws. And he’s trying to deceive us about his plans to interfere with this the elections this November.

The truth is that the State of our Union does not feel strong for everyone.

Not when the costs of rent, food, and electricity keep rising.

Not when Republicans raise our medical costs to fund tax cuts for billionaires. And definitely not when federal agents – armed and masked – terrorize our communities by targeting people because of the color of their skin or for speaking Spanish — including immigrants with legal status and citizens.

This chaos is the product of the dangerous whims of one person: Donald Trump.

Democrats are working to lower costs, put an end to the chaos, and fight corruption. Despite Trump’s lies, we know what we’re seeing with our own eyes.

We see ICE agents using excessive force: entering homes without judicial warrants and shooting at cars with families still inside. Placing people in detention centers without adequate access to doctors, healthy food, or clean drinking water.

Since January of last year, 40 people have died in ICE custody.

They have even taken the lives of two American citizens in broad daylight, simply for exercising their freedom of speech.

These operations began last year in Los Angeles, in my hometown, and have spread to communities in every corner of the country.

And that’s not the only threat. Trump wants to manipulate the next elections.

He has signed executive orders intended to prevent millions of eligible voters from exercising their right to vote. And he has suggested using ICE agents at polling places to intimidate voters. These are tactics we have seen in other countries governed by corrupt dictators.

And like them, Donald Trump is afraid of losing power. He is afraid to admit that his policies have failed and that voters will reject his agenda this November.

Donald Trump will not be president forever.

More importantly, the Dream that has inspired generations of Americans and immigrants will remain long after Trump is gone.

I know this Dream well — it is the American Dream.

I am the son of Santos and Lupe Padilla. My parents met in Los Angeles after emigrating from Mexico and raised me and my siblings in the beautiful community of Pacoima in the San Fernando Valley.

With hard work and dignity, they worked humble and honorable jobs: my father as a cook and my mother cleaning houses.

They believed in the value of honest work, their children’s education, and they always lent a hand to any neighbor who needed it.

These are the values that shaped California’s first Latino United States Senator. And it is in this spirit that I speak to you tonight.

I know many of us are tired. I see it and I understand it. My wife Angela and I are raising our children in these difficult times — so we feel it too.

I speak with parents who are afraid to drop their children off at school.

With workers who fear ICE will arrive at their workplace.

People who are afraid to go to church in person or keep their doctor’s appointment.

Instilling fear in people is not strength. Much less leadership.

Last year, many of you saw when federal agents pushed me to the ground and handcuffed me for demanding answers from this administration over its military occupation in Los Angeles. They may have knocked me down for a moment, but I got right back up. As our parents taught us: if you fall seven times, get up eight. I am still here. Standing. Still fighting. And I know you are still standing and still fighting too.

This country has always been shaped by people who were told they did not belong — but who persevered and kept moving forward.

We held our heads high against degrading policies in California, in Arizona, in Texas, and elsewhere.

Just like the Irish and Italians who overcame signs that read “Need not apply.”

Like the Chinese communities who resisted the Chinese Exclusion Act.

Like Japanese Americans who persevered in the years after their internment.

Like those who refused to sit in the back of the bus, or the people who were told whom they could or could not love.

And like the veterans who served and sacrificed so much so that we could raise our voices against injustice — even when that injustice comes from our own government.

This is the history of the United States: rising from periods of darkness into brighter days.

My message tonight is simple:

Only the people save the people. Our democracy shines brightest when we stand up and defend one another.

There is a better path. While Trump’s illegal policies and tariffs continue to drive up prices, Democrats are working to lower costs. Trump is trying to make voting harder — Democrats want to make it more accessible. And while he seeks to expand the reach of ICE, Democrats are pushing for oversight, accountability, and clear limits on its actions.

I am not telling you it will be easy, but we cannot give up.

Trump does not want us to recognize our power.

And he is doing things we never would have imagined possible here in the United States. Donald Trump promised to improve the country and our lives, and many believed him — but we are living a nightmare that divides and destroys our communities.

You cannot improve our country while violating our fundamental rights. Our freedom of speech. Protection against unlawful detention. And equality under the law, for everyone. Without exception.

This November, we will have the opportunity to make real change.

We have a clear choice…

Between division or unity.

Between lies or the truth.

Between chaos or competence.

Between a future that helps the rich get richer, or a future that puts working families first.

How can the people save the people?

By raising our voices — marching — organizing our communities — and voting.

That is why I ask you something clear and urgent: prepare, starting today, for your voice to reverberate this November.

If you are eligible, register to vote. Make sure your family, your friends, your neighbors, and your coworkers do the same.

Remember the harm Trump has caused and go out this November to VOTE.

The work ahead is important.

The work to protect our democracy and defend our freedoms.

The work to build a fair economy for our families.

Yes, it is a big task — and it is the responsibility of our generation.

As Bad Bunny reminded us a few weeks ago: “Together, we are America.”

Together, we rise, because our faith is stronger than any disappointment or any obstacle — including Trump.

And together, we will build the future our children deserve.

Thank you very much for your attention tonight.

May God bless you.

And may God bless the United States.

###


Ranking Members Padilla, Morelle Demand Accountability for White House Misusing Taxpayer Funds to Lobby Congress for Anti-Voter SAVE Act

Padilla and Morelle urge GAO to address the White House’s apparently illegal website dedicated to pressuring Americans to lobby their Senators to pass voter suppression bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, and Representative Joe Morelle (N.Y.-25), Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration, urged the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate the apparent illegality of the White House’s use of taxpayer funds to create an official website dedicated to explicitly urging Americans to lobby their Senators in support of the SAVE America Act, an extreme voter suppression bill. With the Senate set to consider the anti-voter bill following its narrow, party-line passage in the House of Representatives, Padilla and Morelle asked GAO to determine whether the White House’s direct taxpayer-funded call on citizens to influence lawmakers violates the Anti-Lobbying Act and other laws, which generally prohibit the use of taxpayer funds to support lobbying campaigns urging citizens to contact Members of Congress regarding pending legislation.

“This webpage appears to be a prima facie violation of restrictions on the use of appropriations for explicit appeals to the public to contact Members of Congress to support pending legislation. In this case, this apparently illegal appeal is in favor of a bill that is designed to stoke fears of voter fraud centered on a myth of pervasive voting by noncitizens, could disenfranchise millions of Americans, and would fundamentally alter election administration activities by nationalizing voter list maintenance and forcing the use of a flawed DHS database,” wrote the lawmakers.

The public standalone webpage on the White House’s official website, states, in all caps, “ACT NOW,” and, after misleading the public with incorrect statements on the bill’s purpose and impact, the webpage concludes with an explicit call to lobby Senators, reading: “URGE YOUR SENATOR TO PASS THE SAVE AMERICA ACT.” Directly below, the webpage includes a data visualization tool to steer Americans toward their Senators’ contact information. While federal officials may communicate with Congress and the public, GAO has found in previous appeals that specifically urging members of the public to contact Members of Congress in support of pending legislation violates the Anti-Lobbying Act’s prohibition on the misuse of taxpayer funds.

Republicans’ latest attempt to pass an updated version of the anti-voter SAVE Act threatens to disenfranchise millions of eligible American citizens in an election year by creating even more burdensome documentation requirements, among other voter suppression provisions. Despite investigations repeatedly showing that voter fraud is extremely rare, Republicans’ SAVE America Act would make voting significantly harder for tens of millions of married women and rural, low-income, and minority voters, including disenfranchising up to 21 million citizens who can’t readily access their passports and birth certificates. The SAVE America Act would also fuel attacks against hardworking election officials and illegally require all 50 states to hand over their unredacted voter rolls with sensitive personally identifiable information to the Trump Administration.

The Ranking Members urged GAO to consider the anti-voter actions and rhetoric from the White House leading up to their taxpayer-funded push for Americans to lobby their Senators on the SAVE America Act. Last week, President Trump said that if “Republicans” pass the SAVE America Act, “[w]e’ll never lose a race” for 50 years. Trump has also issued an illegal anti-voter executive order attempting to enforce many of the same voting requirements and restrictions, much of which has already been blocked by federal courts. At the same time, some Republican Senators are making public calls to decimate the filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act.

Additionally, Trump has called on Republicans “take over the voting” and “nationalize” elections, while threatening to use other illegal executive orders to restrict mail-in voting and enact other anti-democratic actions. Trump has argued that the SAVE America Act would allow him to ban mail-in voting, which is a proven safe and secure voting method that approximately 30% of Americans utilize.

“It is clear that the White House’s legislative push is driven by the hope of partisan gain by changing election administration policy and that they are acting without regard to the law in their attempt to rewrite voting rules prior to the 2026 midterm elections,” continued the lawmakers.

Senator Padilla has led the charge opposing President Trump and Republicans’ reckless attempts to restrict the right to vote. Earlier this month, Padilla took to the Senate floor to condemn Congressional Republicans’ attempts to pass the SAVE America Act. Last May, he stopped Senator Mike Lee’s (R-Utah) attempt to pass the anti-voter SAVE Act through the Senate by unanimous consent. He also convened a Rules Committee Democrats spotlight forum focused on Congressional Republicans’ SAVE Act and Trump’s illegal anti-voter executive order. As President Trump marked 100 disastrous days in office, Padilla led his Democratic colleagues on the Senate floor to speak out against the SAVE Act and the Trump Administration’s attacks on election integrity. Last April, he warned Secretaries of State, Lieutenant Governors, and Chief Election Officials across the country of the devastating potential impacts of the SAVE Act, concerns that have been echoed by top election officials across the country. Padilla also led a letter sounding the alarm on the devastating impacts on voting rights in Native American communities of the SAVE Act and Trump’s executive order. Most recently, he condemned Republicans’ MEGA Act and SAVE America Act, which would impose even more severe restrictions than the SAVE Act.

Last month, Senator Padilla and Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) led 26 Senate colleagues in pressing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to stop its unlawful pressure campaign to coerce dozens of states into providing the Trump Administration their voter rolls, which include voters’ personally identifiable information. Padilla also spoke to the National Association of Secretaries of State Elections Committee, sounding the alarm on the Trump Administration’s serious threats to election administration and security, while pushing states’ chief election officials to protect the fundamental right to vote.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Acting Comptroller Brown:

We write concerning the apparent illegality of the use of official Executive Office of the President (EOP or “White House”) funds to create a dedicated webpage on the official White House website to explicitly “urge” Americans to contact their Senators in support of the SAVE America Act (H.R. 7296). We urge the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to issue a determination quickly as to whether the White House is violating the Anti-Lobbying Act through this use of taxpayer funds to influence of Congress in the consideration of this extreme anti-voter bill.

The White House official website is maintained by the Office of Digital Strategy in coordination with the Office of Communications and other EOP offices. Sometime in the past several weeks, the White House created and launched a public standalone webpage on the official White House website devoted primarily to promoting the lobbying of Congress in favor of the SAVE America Act. This bill could disenfranchise tens of millions of Americans by requiring onerous and burdensome proof of citizenship for voter registration and would force all 50 states to provide state voter list data to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), among other provisions.

Immediately upon scrolling on the landing page graphic, the relevant text states, in all-caps, “ACT NOW” and, after several inaccurate bullet points that grossly mislead the public about the content of the bill, the short page concludes with “URGE YOUR SENATOR TO PASS THE SAVE AMERICA ACT” (emphasis in original). Below that explicit call to lobby Senators, the webpage includes an online data visualization tool with the heading “Click or Search the Map Below to Contact Your Senators.” When a visitor clicks on a state, an information box appears with phone numbers and email addresses for two Senators for each state on the map.

This webpage appears to be a prima facie violation of restrictions on the use of appropriations for explicit appeals to the public to contact Members of Congress to support pending legislation. In this case, this apparently illegal appeal is in favor of a bill that is designed to stoke fears of voter fraud centered on a myth of pervasive voting by noncitizens, could disenfranchise millions of Americans, and would fundamentally alter election administration activities by nationalizing voter list maintenance and forcing the use of a flawed DHS database. The President has also stated that he believes this legislation would enable him to ban mail-in voting as well, a safe and secure voting method used by nearly 30% of American voters in 2024.

The context of the White House’s taxpayer-funded call for the public to lobby Congress is also important for GAO to consider. On February 19, 2026, President Trump said that if “Republicans” pass the SAVE America Act, “[w]e’ll never lose a race. For 50 years, we won’t lose a race.” The President has also issued an Executive Order that attempted to impose some of these requirements which has been enjoined in federal court, stated that Republicans should “takeover” election administration in certain states, and threatened additional illegal Executive Orders to mandate elements of this bill and other anti-voter policies if the Senate fails to send the bill to his desk. It is clear that the White House’s legislative push is driven by the hope of partisan gain by changing election administration policy and that they are acting without regard to the law in their attempt to rewrite voting rules prior to the 2026 midterm elections.

This request is also timely. The President and his allies are calling for this legislation to be considered in the Senate very soon in the upcoming work period. This legislation has already passed the House of Representatives on an extremely narrow, overwhelmingly party-line vote, and the President and some Senators are publicly calling for even changing Senate rules to ensure passage of this legislation.

The Senate Rules and Administration Committee and the Committee on House Administration have jurisdiction over the legislation at issue. GAO’s responsibilities with regards to the oversight of appropriations laws includes providing opinions to Members and Committees of Congress concerning the uses of funds, including the prohibition on lobbying with appropriated money (18 U.S. C. § 1913). Over the years, GAO has addressed similar issues arising within various federal agencies and has consistently stated that clear appeals to the public to contact Members of Congress about pending legislation are the types of public communications that are prohibited. We look forward to a response as soon as possible in this case given the potential timing of the legislation pending before the Senate.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

###


“Solo el Pueblo Salva al Pueblo” — Padilla denuncia el caos y las mentiras de Trump y propone un mejor camino hacia adelante

El discurso de Padilla se puede encontrar se aquí y aquí.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Hoy el senador estadounidense Alex Padilla (demócrata de California) presento la respuesta en español al discurso sobre el Estado de la Union del presidente Trump, exponiendo las dañinas mentiras de Trump y el caos que ha creado en las comunidades estadounidenses, al tiempo que ofreció una visión de un mejor camino hacia adelante.

Padilla revelo la realidad detrás de la agenda de Trump:

Familias luchando contra el aumento del costo de vida — desde la atención médica, la vivienda y los alimentos, hasta la electricidad — mientras los republicanos financian recortes de impuestos para multimillonarios.

Un gobierno que utiliza sus agencias para intimidar y envía agentes federales armados y con máscaras a vigilar comunidades — empezando en Los Ángeles — atacando a personas por el color de su piel o por hablar español — y violando a diario los derechos humanos y constitucionales tanto de inmigrantes como de ciudadanos;

Una Administración decidida a atacar el derecho al voto de ciudadanos elegibles y a debilitar la confianza en las elecciones estadounidenses para manipular las elecciones del 2026.

Habló de su historia personal como el hijo orgulloso de inmigrantes mexicanos que construyeron una vida para ellos y sus hijos trabajando en empleos humildes y honrados — su padre como cocinero y su madre limpiando casas — enfatizando que el caos, el miedo y la ansiedad que el pueblo estadounidense siente y observa no reflejan el Sueño Americano que sus padres, y generaciones de otros inmigrantes persiguieron.

En lugar del caos y la corrupción de Trump, Padilla propuso un mejor camino hacia adelante: uno que reduzca los costos, controles a las agencias federales fuera de control y proteja nuestra democracia. Hizo un llamado al pueblo estadounidense a unirse bajo la tradición de “Solo El Pueblo Salva al Pueblo” — un histórico llamado a la unidad y la resiliencia en America Latina, Puerto Rico y Estados Unidos contra el fascismo.

Pasajes clave:

“La verdad es que el Estado de nuestra Unión no se siente fuerte para todos. No cuando los costos de la renta, los alimentos y la electricidad siguen subiendo. No cuando los republicanos suben nuestros costos médicos para financiar recortes de impuestos a multimillonarios. Y definitivamente no cuando agentes federales, armados y enmascarados, aterrorizan nuestras comunidades atacando a personas por el color de su piel o por hablar español. Incluyendo inmigrantes con estatus legal y ciudadanos.”

“Donald Trump no sera presidente para siempre. Más importante, el sueño, que ha inspirado a generaciones de americanos e inmigrantes, permanecerá mucho después de Trump.”

“El año pasado, muchos de ustedes vieron cuando agentes federales me empujaron al suelo y me esposaron por exigir respuestas de esta administración sobre su ocupación militar en Los Ángeles. Quizás me tumbaron por un momento. pero me levante luego luego. Como nos enseñaron nuestros padres: si te caes siete veces, levántate ocho. Yo sigo aquí. de pie. sigo luchando. y sé que ustedes también siguen de pie y siguen luchando.”

“Este país siempre ha sido forjado por personas a quienes les dijeron que no pertenecían, pero perseveraron y salieron adelante.”

“Solo el pueblo salva al pueblo. Nuestra democracia brilla fuerte cuando nos levantamos y nos defendemos uno al otro.”

“Hay un camino mejor. Mientras las pólizas y aranceles ilegales de Trump siguen aumentando los precios, demócratas trabajamos para reducir los costos. Trump intenta dificultar el ejercicio del voto, demócratas queremos hacerlo más accesible. Y mientras él pretende expandir el alcance de ICE, demócratas estamos impulsando controles, supervisión y límites claros a sus acciones.”

“Como Bad Bunny nos recordó hace unas semanas: ‘Juntos, somos América.’ Juntos, sobresalimos, porque nuestra fe es más fuerte que cualquier decepción o cualquier obstáculo, incluyendo Trump. Y juntos, vamos a construir el futuro que nuestros hijos merecen.”

El video de sus declaraciones esta disponible aquí.

El hijo orgulloso de padres inmigrantes mexicanos, Alex Padilla es el primer latino elegido para representar a California en el Senado de los Estados Unidos. Californiano de nacimiento y de corazón, Padilla se crio en una comunidad trabajadora del Valle de San Fernando antes de obtener un título en Ingeniería Mecánica del Instituto Tecnológico de Massachusetts. De regreso en California después de graduarse, el senador Padilla se sintió inspirado y decidió dedicarse al servicio público en respuesta a la Proposición 187, una iniciativa antiinmigrante que marco a toda una generación. Su trayectoria lo llevo al Concejo Municipal de Los Ángeles, al Senado Estatal de California, y finalmente a hacer historia como el primer latino en ocupar el cargo de Secretario de Estado de California. Desde este puesto logro una expansión histórica de los derechos de voto y de la participación electoral en el estado, ampliando y fortaleciendo el acceso a las urnas para millones de californianos.

Designado al Senado en enero de 2021 para ocupar la vacante dejada por la vicepresidenta Kamala Harris, en noviembre de 2022, obtuvo la elección para un mandato completo en el Senado. En el Senado, ha estado al frente de iniciativas sobre inmigración, la protección del derecho al voto, y el combate al cambio climático, trabajando para que cada persona tenga la misma oportunidad de lograr el sueño americano que transformo la vida de su familia.

Transcripción del discurso de Padilla

Good evening y muy buenas noches, soy el senador Alex Padilla de California.

Acabamos de escuchar a Donald Trump hacer lo que mejor sabe hacer: mentir.

Miente sobre la economía.

Miente sobre su aplicación de las leyes de inmigración de manera violenta y fuera de control.

Y pretende engañarnos sobre sus planes para manipular las elecciones este noviembre.

La verdad es que el Estado de nuestra Unión no se siente fuerte para todos.

No cuando los costos de la renta, los alimentos y la electricidad siguen subiendo.

No cuando los republicanos suben nuestros costos médicos para financiar recortes de impuestos a multimillonarios.

Y definitivamente no cuando agentes federales, armados y enmascarados, aterrorizan nuestras comunidades atacando a personas por el color de su piel o por hablar español. Incluyendo inmigrantes con estatus legal y ciudadanos.

Este caos es el producto de los caprichos peligrosos de una sola persona: Donald Trump.

Los demócratas estamos trabajando para reducir los costos, poner un fin al caos, y combatir la corrupción.

A pesar de las mentiras de Trump, nosotros sabemos lo que vemos con nuestros propios ojos.

Vemos a agentes de ICE usando fuerza excesiva: entrando a hogares sin orden judicial, y disparando a autos con familias adentro.

Colocando a personas en centros de detención sin acceso adecuado a doctores, alimentos saludables, ni agua potable.

Desde enero del año pasado, 40 personas han fallecido bajo custodia de ICE.

Hasta les han quitado la vida a dos ciudadanos estadounidenses en plena luz del día, solo por ejercer su libertad de expresión.

Estas operaciones empezaron el año pasado en Los Ángeles en mi cuidad natal, y se han extendido a las comunidades en todos rincones del país.

Y no es la única amenaza.

TRUMP QUIERE MANIPULAR LAS PROXIMAS ELECCIONES –

THAT’S RIGHT, DONALD TRUMP IS TRYING TO STEAL THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS.

Ha firmado órdenes ejecutivas con la intención de prevenir que millones de votantes elegibles puedan ejercer su derecho al voto. Y, ha insinuado el uso de agentes de ICE en centros de votación para intimidar.

Estas son tácticas que hemos visto en otros países gobernados por dictadores corruptos.

Y como ellos, Donald Trump tiene miedo perder el poder.

Teme admitir que sus pólizas han fracasado y que los votantes rechacen su agenda este noviembre.

REMEMBER THIS: DONALD TRUMP WILL NOT BE PRESIDENT FOR EVER –

DONALD TRUMP NO SERA PRESIDENTE PARA SIEMPRE.

Más importante, el sueño, que ha inspirado a generaciones de americanos e inmigrantes, permanecerá mucho después de Trump.

Conozco bien este sueño, es el sueño americano.

Soy hijo de Santos y Lupe Padilla. Mis padres se conocieron en Los Ángeles después de emigrar de México y nos criaron a mí y a mis hermanos en la bella comunidad de Pacoima en el Valle de San Fernando.

Con esfuerzo y dignidad trabajaron en empleos humildes y honorables: mi padre como cocinero y mi madre limpiando casas.

Creyeron en el valor del trabajo honesto, la educación de sus hijos, y siempre dieron la mano a cualquier vecino que lo necesitaba.

Estos son los valores que formaron al primer senador federal latino de California.

Y es con este espíritu que les hablo esta noche.

Sé que muchos estamos cansados. Lo veo y lo entiendo. Mi esposa Angela y yo estamos criando a nuestros hijos en estos tiempos difíciles – Así que nosotros también lo sentimos.

Hablo con padres que tienen miedo dejar a sus hijos en la escuela.

Con trabajadores que temen que ICE llegue a su lugar de trabajo.

Personas que temen ir a la iglesia en persona o a su cita con su doctor.

Infundir miedo en la gente no es fortaleza. Mucho menos liderazgo.

El año pasado, muchos de ustedes vieron cuando agentes federales me empujaron al suelo y me esposaron por exigir respuestas de esta administración sobre su ocupación militar en Los Ángeles.

QUIZAS ME TUMBARON POR UN MOMENTO. PERO ME LEVANTE LUEGO LUEGO. COMO NOS ENSEÑARON NUESTROS PADRES: SI TE CAES SIETE VECES, LEVANTATE OCHO.

YO SIGO AQUÍ. DE PIE. SIGO LUCHANDO. Y SE QUE USTEDES TAMBIEN SIGUEN DE PIE Y SIGUEN LUCHANDO.

Este país siempre ha sido forjado por personas a quienes les dijeron que no pertenecían, pero perseveraron y salieron adelante.

Mantuvimos nuestra frente en alto en contra de políticas denigrantes en California, en Arizona, en Texas, y en otras partes.

Igual como los irlandeses e italianos que superaron letreros que decían “no se aceptan solicitudes” de trabajo.

Como las comunidades chinas que resistieron la Ley de Exclusión.

Como los japoneses americanos que perseveraron en los años después de su internamiento.

Como quienes se negaron sentarse en los asientos atrás del autobus o a las personas que les trataron de prohibir a quien podían amar.

Y como los veteranos que sirvieron y sacrificaron tanto para que podamos alzar la voz contra la injusticia, incluso cuando esa injusticia viene de nuestro propio gobierno.

Esta es la historia de los Estados Unidos: sobresalir de los momentos de oscuridad a días más brillantes.

This is the history of the United States: rising from periods of darkness into brighter days.

Mi mensaje esta noche es simple:

SOLO el PUEBLO SALVA al PUEBLO

Nuestra democracia brilla fuerte cuando nos levantamos y nos defendemos uno al otro.

Si, hay un camino mejor.

Mientras las pólizas y aranceles ilegales de Trump siguen aumentando los precios, demócratas trabajamos para reducir los costos.

Trump intenta dificultar el ejercicio del voto, demócratas queremos hacerlo más accesible.

Y mientras él pretende expandir el alcance de ICE, demócratas estamos impulsando controles, supervisión y límites claros a sus acciones.

No les digo que será fácil, pero no podemos rendirnos.

Trump no quiere que reconozcamos nuestro poder.

Y está haciendo cosas que nunca nos hubiéramos imaginado posible aquí en los Estados Unidos.

Donald Trump prometió mejorar el país y nuestras vidas, y muchos le creyeron, pero estamos viviendo una pesadilla que divide y destruye a nuestras comunidades.

No se puede mejorar nuestro país violando nuestros derechos fundamentales.

El derecho a la libertad de expresión.

La protección contra detenciones ilegales.

Y la igualdad ante la ley, para todos. Sin excepción.

Este noviembre, tendremos la oportunidad de hacer un cambio real.

Tenemos una opción clara….

Entre división o unidad.

Entre mentiras o la verdad.

Entre el caos o capacidad.

ENTRE UN FUTURO QUE AYUDA A LOS RICOS HACERSE MAS RICOS, O UN FUTURO QUE PONE A FAMILIAS TRABAJADORAS PRIMERO.

¿Cómo puede el pueblo salvar al pueblo?

ALZANDO NUESTRAS VOCES – MARCHANDO – ORGANIZANDO NUESTRAS COMUNIDADES – Y VOTANDO.

Por eso les pido algo claro y urgente: prepárense desde hoy para que su voz retumbe este noviembre.

Si eres elegible, regístrate para votar. Asegúrate de que tu familia, tus amigos, tus vecinos y compañeros de trabajo también lo hagan.

Recuerda el daño que ha causado Trump y salgan este noviembre a VOTAR.

El trabajo por delante es importante.

Trabajo para proteger nuestra democracia y defender nuestras libertades.

Trabajo para construir una economía justa para nuestras familias.

Si, es un trabajo grande y es el cargo de nuestra generación.

Como Bad Bunny nos recordó hace unas semanas: “Juntos, somos América.”

Juntos, sobresalimos, porque nuestra fe es más fuerte que cualquier decepción o cualquier obstáculo, incluyendo Trump.

Y juntos, vamos a construir el futuro que nuestros hijos merecen.

Muchísimas gracias por su atencion esta noche.

Que Dios los bendiga.

Y que Dios bendiga a los Estados Unidos.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

February 17th, 2026

Contact: Press_Paul@paul.senate.gov, 202-224-4343

Dr. Rand Paul Introduces the End the Vaccine Carveout Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) introduced the End the VaccineCarveoutAct, legislation to remove special liability protections that shield manufacturers and administrators from civil claims when Americans are harmed. This bill was introduced in the House by Congressman Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-09), and is cosponsored by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT).

Federal law grants vaccine manufacturers, including COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers, special legal protections not afforded to producers of other medical products from liability, even if their products cause injury or death. The End the Vaccine Carveout Act reforms the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) by allowing individuals who suffer vaccine-related injury or death to pursue direct civil action in state or federal court without first being forced into a federal no-fault system that limits recovery and restricts legal options. Under current law, injured individuals are generally required to file a petition through VICP before seeking judicial relief. Dr. Paul’s legislation removes those barriers, as well as the current immunity shield for COVID-19 vaccines pursuant to the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act.

The End the Vaccine Carveout Act also amends the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act by excluding COVID-19 vaccines from the definition of “covered countermeasures.” This change ends the broad immunity currently shielding manufacturers, distributors, and administrators from most COVID-19 vaccine injury claims, even years after the public health emergency has ended.

“If a drug hurts someone, you can sue the company in court. You can hold them responsible through the normal legal process. But when it comes to vaccines, and in many cases the COVID vaccine, the rules are rigged: you’re funneled into a federal no-fault program that limits damages, restricts your options, and — in many cases — leaves people without real justice. That’s cronyism,” said Dr. Rand Paul.

“I strongly support the Senate companion legislation introduced by Senator Paul to my bill, the End the Vaccine Carveout Act. No product should be shielded from accountability simply because it is labeled a vaccine. Americans deserve equal protection under the law, full transparency, and the right to seek justice when harmed. This legislation restores fairness, strengthens trust, and puts patients—not special interests—first,” stated Congressman Paul Gosar.

“Pharma giants are hiding behind legal protections to avoid being sued by Americans experiencing serious vaccine side effects,” said Senator Mike Lee. “Americans have a constitutional right to a trial by jury, but current laws allow Big Pharma players to dodge accountability and bar victims from pursuing their cases. Many of these patients were forced to get vaccinated or lose their jobs during the pandemic and are now dealing with permanent and very serious complications. Our bill will end these unconstitutional vaccine carveouts so that all Americans can receive the justice they deserve and hold Big Pharma accountable.”

Read the bill HERE.

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Reed Statement on Trump’s State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, DC – Tonight, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) released the following statement on President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address:

“The President’s speech was a much like his presidency – all about him and largely ignored the needs and concerns of everyday Americans.

“Much of the president’s polarizing bluster was based on false, misleading, or made up claims. The truth is Americans across the country are financially struggling under the weight of Trump’s chaotic tariff taxes and erratic mismanagement.

“He extolled his massive tax windfall for billionaires. He claimed to be concerned about health care costs, but rammed through $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid, and he tried to take credit for a drug negotiation law passed by Democrats without a single Republican vote.

“Under Trump, the wealthy and well-connected benefit disproportionately while hard working people who sacrifice to make ends meet bear a heavier burden.

“Instead of lowering prices, President Trump’s policies are making life more expensive and putting the American Dream further out of reach for many. His executive overreach undermines and erodes the very ideals on which our country was founded.

“Instead of making America safer, he is steering our nation toward multiple conflicts around the world. He has brought our nation to the brink of war with Iran—an enormous gamble—without explanation or justification. And Trump’s self-inflicted fraying of alliances with key security partners could further unravel U.S. security.

“Too many Congressional Republicans have served as a rubber stamp and failed to provide a constitutional check on presidential abuses of power. That must change.

“The American people are resilient. But they are clear that President Trump has the country headed in the wrong direction and Congress must listen. Americans deserve thoughtful, principled public servants who are capable of building trust and consensus to meet public needs, wisely tackle our country’s biggest challenges, and make life better for all Americans.

“I will continue working to help build a better future, make America more affordable, defend our democracy, and make the federal government more effective, responsive, and accountable to the people it serves.”


Risch Statement on State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) released the following statement at the conclusion of President Trump’s State of the Union address:

“Under Republican leadership, Idahoans have more opportunity, more freedom, and more money in their pockets. In 2025 alone, we secured the border, delivered record tax relief for working families, killed the Lava Ridge project, eliminated excessive regulations, and reined in the wasteful federal spending that fueled inflation,” said Risch. “President Trump’s first year back in the White House produced significant victories for Idaho, but our work is not over. I am committed to achieving even more for Idaho in the year ahead by partnering with my Senate colleagues to lower costs, ensure election integrity, and unleash American nuclear energy.”


Schatz Statement On State Of The Union Address

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement in response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address.

“A year into this administration, what is clear is that they are not doing enough to make life more affordable for people in Hawai‘i. Costs are going up, people are losing their health care, and housing remains unaffordable. People need relief, and I will work with anyone who is serious about lowering costs and helping working people get ahead.”

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SCHUMER TO BRING LONG ISLANDER ALESHANDRA FERNANDES, A UNION IRONWORKER FOR OFFSHORE WIND PROJECTS, AS HIS PERSONAL GUEST TO PRESIDENT TRUMP’S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

Aleshandra Fernandes’s Job Working On Offshore Wind Projects Has Faced Repeated Delays Because Of Trump’s Continued Attacks On Offshore Wind And American Energy At Large

Schumer Says Trump Admin’s Reckless Attempts To Halt Offshore Wind Projects, Including New York’s Empire Wind 1 And Sunrise Wind, Kills Jobs Like Aleshandra’s, Raises Energy Costs & Threatens Grid Reliability

Schumer: Interrupting Offshore Wind Projects Not Only Puts Electricity For 1.1 Million Homes At Risk, But It Impacts The Livelihood Of Hardworking New Yorkers Like Aleshandra

U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer today announced he will bring Long Islander Aleshandra Fernandes, a union ironworker for offshore wind projects, as his personal guest to attend President Trump’s State of the Union. Trump’s Department of the Interior (DOI) has abruptly paused leases for five offshore wind projects, including two off the coast of New York, threatening to raise electricity bills, kill good-paying union jobs, and undermine grid reliability. Earlier this month, Trump received his 5th straight loss in the courts in his crusade to stop offshore wind and kill thousands of jobs, allowing New York’s Empire Wind 1 and Sunrise Wind Projects to resume construction.

“Dedicated union workers like Aleshandra have been faced with extreme job uncertainty as Trump has ramped up his attacks on offshore wind projects,” said Senator Schumer. “His repeated attempts to halt fully permitted, under-construction offshore wind projects risks permanent harm, including increasing electricity costs for families, job elimination, and weakened electric grid reliability in New York and across the country.”

Recent analyses show that Americans could be forced to pay $45 billion more for energy over the next decade if these offshore wind projects are blocked from completion. Offshore wind helps bolster reliability margins, keep the lights on, and keep prices lower and more predictable, mitigating price spikes so families aren’t surprised with sky high energy bills.

“Trump is losing his war against offshore wind and I won’t stop fighting to make sure these projects and the thousands of good-paying jobs they create move forward to help reduce energy costs for the whole country,” Schumer added.

“I’m proud to be a Union Ironworker, and I’m proud of the work we’ve done on offshore wind,” said Aleshandra Fernandes. “These projects mean real jobs for real people. They mean paychecks that support families like mine. When these projects get slowed down or held up, it’s not politicians who feel it first. It’s me and people just like me. It’s wondering if the next layoff call is coming or how we’re putting food on the table next week. We just want to work. We want to build.”

Aleshandra is from Southampton, NY and has been a union ironworker for nearly a decade. She worked on the South Fork Wind project (Ørsted) and spent one month at sea working on each turbine. Her job on Sunrise Wind has been delayed multiple times because of Trump’s repeated interference.

Schumer said construction is underway for Empire Wind 1, by Norwegian developer Equinor, and Sunrise Wind, by Danish developer Ørsted, and would deliver a combined 1,734 megawatts of power to New York’s electric grid, enough to power approximately 1.1 million homes. If the projects are paused by President Trump again, thousands of union workers risk losing their jobs and tens of millions of dollars in wages.

Schumer warned halting these projects comes at a time of rising energy costs and shrinking reliability margins for all New Yorkers. The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), the nonpartisan, independent electric reliability entity for New York State, has cited both Empire Wind 1 and Sunrise Wind as projects critical to ensuring near term reliability in the New York City and Long Island regions, respectively. Completion of these projects will also help lower energy bills for New Yorkers, with expected savings reaching up to $77 million in a single cold month, when gas is most expensive and least available in the Northeast.

“New York’s energy needs are vast, and so is the need to protect New York’s workers and families,” Schumer said.

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Shaheen Commends DHS Decision to Cancel Plans for ICE Processing and Detention Facility in Merrimack

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today released the following statement commending news that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is cancelling its plans for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) processing and detention center in Merrimack, New Hampshire, after overwhelming public opposition and advocacy from Shaheen and the entire New Hampshire Congressional delegation:

“I’m glad to hear that DHS may be cancelling its plans in Merrimack—this positive step is due in no small part to community members and leaders speaking up and demanding more accountability. I commend these Granite Staters for making their voices heard.

“Granite Staters were justifiably disturbed by the lack of transparency around ICE’s plans for Merrimack, and their concerns are shared by Americans across the country and across the aisle who are grappling with a lack of accountability around ICE’s actions.

“It’s critical that we stop what happened in Merrimack from happening in other communities—that’s why, just yesterday, I introduced legislation that would give cities and towns the power to stop ICE from opening facilities without their knowledge or consent.”

Senator Shaheen has been vocal in her opposition to the lack of accountability and transparency around DHS’s plans for Merrimack. To directly address the community’s concerns, Shaheen introduced legislation that would require DHS to solicit public comments and receive written approval from state and local officials before constructing, acquiring or operating any new ICE processing facility or detention center. The bicameral Respect for Local Communities Act would also require the Secretary of Homeland Security to notify relevant Congressional committees prior to initiating such activities.

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Statement by Senator Shaheen on President Trump’s State of the Union Address

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today released the following statement on President Trump’s State of the Union Address to Congress:

“President Trump promised the American people that he would bring down the cost of living and bring order to an unsettled world. More than a year into office, it is abundantly clear that he has failed to deliver on both counts. No amount of rhetoric from the President tonight changed the reality that Americans feel every day.

“Families in New Hampshire and across the country are struggling with high prices in every aspect of their budget: from housing to health care, energy and food. The President has unambiguously worsened this cost of living crisis through tariffs that make life more expensive, while also contributing to tens of thousands of manufacturing job losses. Instead of reaching across the aisle to Democrats eager to work to bring down prices, the President rammed through legislation that managed to kick millions of Americans off their health insurance, slash food assistance, explode the deficit and give huge tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans – in addition to tens of billions of dollars for out of control immigrant enforcement. I stood ready to work towards a bipartisan agreement that would have extended the ACA premium tax credits that tens of millions of Americans rely on. Disappointingly, the President never came to the table.

“Abroad, America’s enemies are emboldened and our allies are questioning the very foundation of our relationship. Conflicts rage unabated in Ukraine and in hot spots around the globe. The President has launched open-ended military operations and now appears poised for another, with no articulated strategy for why he is considering putting our men and women in uniform in harm’s way. America is at its strongest when we confront adversaries and instability arm-in-arm with our partners. Instead, the President has led a historic retreat across the global stage: from the alliances that keep us safe, from the institutions that advance our interests and values and from the playing field of the great power competition that will define the 21st century. Our most potent adversary, China, has filled the vacuum created by President Trump. Beijing and the Kremlin are the key beneficiaries of this retreat while every American pays the price.

“The American people want and deserve better than what they have seen from this Administration over the past year. If the President fails to adjust course and deliver on his promises, Americans will again send an unmistakable message at the ballot box in November.”

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Thune on Democrats’ DHS Shutdown

Clickhereto watch the video.

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

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, later this evening, we’re going to hear from President Trump in his State of the Union address.

“In a little more than a year, President Trump and Republican majorities in Congress have delivered on our promises to the American people.

“From a secure border.

“To more money in Americans’ pockets.

“And as the American people will hear tonight, we’re just getting started.

“Mr. President, the Department of Homeland Security has been shut down for 11 days now.

“It’s the second time in less than six months that Democrats have needlessly shut down all or part of the federal government.

“Senators will have another opportunity today to vote to proceed to the Department of Homeland Security funding bill.

“Democrats have previously opposed getting on this funding bill.

“They opposed a continuing resolution that would have temporarily funded Homeland Security agencies while negotiations continued on immigration enforcement.

“And all signs suggest that our Democrat colleagues will once again vote against moving to DHS funding this afternoon.

“Mr. President, the Department of Homeland Security houses a number of critical agencies.

“And shutting down this department has real consequences.

“Democrats are threatening the work of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

“Of the TSA.

“Of key cybersecurity offices.

“FEMA training centers – like the U.S. Fire Academy in Maryland – are closed.

“Roughly 45,000 Americans who are in training at one of these centers can’t go to class right now.

“We’re hosting the World Cup in a few months, and some security training for that event is on hold right now because of the shutdown.

“Civilian Coast Guard employees won’t get a full paycheck at the end of this week.

“And thousands more Americans – from disaster response personnel at FEMA to TSA agents – are worried about potentially missing pay as soon as next week.

“Mr. President, as I said, this is the second time in six months that Democrats have shut down all or part of the federal government.

“The Department of Homeland Security employs thousands of Americans.

“We should want the most talented and most dedicated individuals serving in these roles, but when these Americans – and their families – are routinely used as political pawns, morale suffers.

“Think of what that means for these agencies’ ability to recruit and retain the very best.

“But I guess none of that matters to Democrats.

“Mr. President, Republicans want to get to an agreement on Homeland Security funding.

“So does the White House.

“And we’ve acted in good faith throughout these negotiations.

“The Trump administration has taken a number of actions on its own in Minneapolis, including deploying body cameras, tailoring its mission to criminal illegal immigrants, and requiring identification for officers.

“On top of those actions, the White House put forward a very serious offer to legislate reforms almost two weeks ago.

“It took Democrats five days to respond – and when they did respond, it was with a counteroffer that was essentially the same as their first.

“Which raises the question – and that is, are Democrats actually interested in a solution here? Or are they just interested in a political issue?

“There’s room for compromise here, Mr. President, but only if both sides give room.

“Democrats aren’t doing that.

“Mr. President, I shouldn’t need to remind my Democrat colleagues that the Department of Homeland Security does critical work.

“Border security and immigration enforcement is one part of its mission.

“And it is an important mission.

“We need to have a secure border.

“And we need to deport criminal illegal immigrants.

“Now, we can have a debate about how these tasks are undertaken.

“But we’re not going to support anything that makes it impossible for law enforcement to carry out its job.

“We’re not going to support anything that makes it more dangerous for officers to do their jobs.

“Unfortunately, that’s what some of the Democrats’ proposals would do.

“Mr. President, old habits die hard.

“And unfortunately, the party of ‘defund the police’ seems to be slipping back into calls to defund law enforcement.

“I hope that’s not the position of the Democrats here.

“I hope our colleagues are actually willing to come to a solution.

“But if they are, it’s time to show it.

“This shutdown is already hurting hardworking Americans and impacting efforts to preserve both public safety and national security.

“And it’s time to end it.”


Thune: President Trump and Republicans Are Delivering Results for Hardworking Americans

Clickhere to watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) issued the following statement after President Trump’s State of the Union address to Congress:

“Over the past year, President Trump and Republicans in Congress have worked together to get our country moving again and deliver real results for working families in South Dakota and across our nation,” said Thune. “With President Trump’s leadership, we have turned the page on four years of failed policies and have passed landmark legislation to secure our border, restore America’s energy independence, and rebuild our military to promote peace through strength. Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, Republicans delivered permanent tax relief for families, small businesses, farmers, and ranchers, so folks can keep more money in their pockets and small businesses can grow, invest in their workers, and create good-paying jobs.


Van Hollen Joins Alsobrooks, Warren, Wyden, Schumer, Colleagues in Blasting White House For Fed Interference, Hiding The Cost Of Tariffs

U.S. Senator Chirs Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Banking Committee Ranking Member Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and colleagues in demanding answers from White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett following his suggestion that Federal Reserve staff be “disciplined” over an independent report concluding that tariffs are harming American businesses and consumers.

In a letter to Director Hassett, the Senators demanded that Director Hassett formally retract his suggestion that civil servants be punished for producing data demonstrating the true cost of the Trump tariffs. The Senators requested answers to four questions regarding the protection of career civil servants, the independence of the Federal Reserve, and whether the White House has interfered with or pressured agencies responsible for publishing other economic data – like the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ monthly jobs report.

“We are deeply troubled with your public suggestion on February 18, 2026, that Federal Reserve officials be disciplined for an evidence-based study which concluded that American consumers and businesses are bearing the economic burden of President Trump’s chaotic tariffs. Your comments undermine the Federal Reserve’s independent research, call into question the integrity of its future data, and suggest the Trump Administration is more interested in prohibiting Americans from learning the cost of its tariff regime than meaningfully lowering costs for American families,” wrote the senators.

“Demanding professional retribution against non-partisan staff is yet another example of the Trump Administration’s effort to take over the Federal Reserve, which generates uncertainty in the markets; distracts the Federal Reserve from its statutory mandate; and does nothing to address the affordability crisis,” continued the senators.

Other signers include Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.).

Text of the letter can be viewed here and below.

Dear Director Hassett:

We are deeply troubled with your public suggestion on February 18, 2026, that Federal Reserve officials be disciplined for an evidence-based study which concluded that American consumers and businesses are bearing the economic burden of President Trump’s chaotic tariffs. Your comments undermine the Federal Reserve’s independent research, call into question the integrity of its future data, and suggest the Trump Administration is more interested in prohibiting Americans from learning the cost of its tariff regime than meaningfully lowering costs for American families.

A February 12, 2026, report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (NY Fed) studied tariff price increases in 2025 and concluded that “90 percent of the tariffs’ economic burden fell on U.S. firms and consumers.” The report aggregates data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. International Trade Commission, and the Federal Reserve. The report also states that the bulk of the cost increases from Trump’s chaotic tariffs are borne by the U.S. importers—not foreign exporters—which are then passed down supply chains to consumers.

The NY Fed’s report is consistent with other studies. The Yale Budget Lab found the median cost of Trump’s sweeping tariffs to be $1,400 per household, hitting working family households who “spend a larger fraction of their income on goods subject to tariffs” hardest.

The Kiel Institute estimated American businesses and consumers are paying 96% of Trump’s tariff costs, with foreign exporters absorbing only 4 percent.

The National Bureau of Economic Research similarly found passthrough from Trump’s tariffs to be 94 percent, with the highest upward price pressure on food. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that many companies raised prices in 2025 due to Trump’s chaotic tariffs and would continue doing so in 2026 as stockpiles expired.

In September 2025, you said the Federal Reserve should be “fully independent” of political influence, yet, less than six months later, you used the platform of the National Economic Council and the White House to call the NY Fed’s independent report “an embarrassment” and suggested the officials responsible for drafting it be “disciplined.” Your comments are especially concerning as they continue a pattern of attempts by the Trump Administration to suppress negative economic data from the American people and the report in question concluded what Americans already know—that the chaotic and in many cases illegal tariffs are taking money out of their pockets.

Demanding professional retribution against nonpartisan staff is yet another example of the Trump Administration’s effort to take over the Federal Reserve, which generates uncertainty in the markets; distracts the Federal Reserve from its statutory mandate; and does nothing to address the affordability crisis.

Within 30 days, we request you respond to these inquiries:

1. A February 20, 2026, article suggested you retracted your comments that NY Fed officials should be disciplined. Do you agree that your comments were inappropriate and commit that the NEC/White House will not use its platform to influence objective economic data from the Federal Reserve Board, regional reserve banks, or other agencies?

2. Do you believe Federal Reserve staff, either at the Federal Reserve Board or in the regional reserve banks, should ever be disciplined for the economic analyses they produce?

3. Has the White House interfered with or pressured agencies responsible for publishing other economic data—such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics—to produce data in alignment with the White House’s desired policy outcomes?

4. Are your recent comments consistent with your September 7, 2025, statement on Face the Nation that “the Federal Reserve’s independence is really, really important monetary policy should be fully independent of political influence?” If so, how?

Thank you for your attention to this matter.


Warner Slams Global Entry Suspension

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) slammed the Trump administration today for suspending Global Entry during the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) lapse in appropriations, issuing the following statement:

“Global Entry allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers expedited entry into the United States. According to the Trump administration’s own data, in 2025 over 18 million travelers used Global Entry, saving over 300,000 officer hours at 79 ports of entry. Notably, both Global Entry and its domestic equivalent TSA PreCheck were operational in 2025, including during the shutdown of October 1-November 12. Global Entry increases efficiency for travelers and customs agents alike, and the administration’s claims don’t pass the smell test. The administration should be focused on working with us on real solutions, not on inflicting pain for American travelers as a political stunt.”

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Warner Statement on 4th Anniversary of Russian Invasion of Ukraine

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement:

“Four years ago, Vladimir Putin launched his brutal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, expecting a swift victory. Instead, he has been met with the extraordinary courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people, who continue to defend their country, and the cause of democracy, against overwhelming odds. And, as allies and partners united in support of the Ukrainian people, Putin has been met with what he fears most: a NATO that is stronger than ever.

“We must be clear about what’s happening on the battlefield. According to a recent unclassified analysis, Russia is suffering staggering losses in this conflict – on the order of roughly 1.2 million troops killed, wounded, or missing, including hundreds of thousands killed, since February 2022. To put that in perspective, these are among the highest casualty rates that any major power has faced since World War II. The Russian military is being dealt a devastating blow, and it is happening without sending a single American service member into combat.

“That reality should shape how we think about this conflict. Supporting Ukraine is not just the right thing to do morally. It is also squarely in America’s national security interest. The Ukrainians are fighting on the front lines of freedom, and in the process, they are delivering a significant strategic setback to Russia’s military for years to come.

“But the Trump administration is failing to meet the moment. From the widespread use of drones, to the pervasive use of electronic warfare, to the integration of commercial systems on the battlefield, the war in Ukraine has demonstrated that modern combat has dramatically changed. There are lessons unfolding every day that should be informing how we equip and train our own forces to prepare for the threats of tomorrow. By not moving more aggressively to provide additional weapons systems and expand training efforts, we are not only shortchanging Ukraine – we are shortchanging our own security. By scaling back U.S. support to Ukraine, President Trump is ceding these lessons to Russia and China and making Americans less safe.

“On this solemn anniversary, we honor the extraordinary sacrifices of the Ukrainian people. And we must recommit ourselves to ensuring they have the tools they need to prevail, because their fight is not just about Ukraine’s sovereignty. It is about defending the democratic values and principles that protect our very own freedoms.”

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