Sens. Cruz and Gillibrand Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Benefits for Public Safety Officers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) introduced the Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026. This bipartisan legislation would amend the existing Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program to speed up benefit determinations and extend benefits to additional public safety officers.

Sen. Cruz said, “Officer John Barnes was critically wounded during the Santa Fe High School shooting and flat-lined twice while protecting students and teachers. Nearly eight years later, he is still waiting for the benefits he earned through his sacrifice. This delay is unacceptable. My bill ensures our brave law enforcement officers receive timely and fair support when they need it most.”

Sen. Gillibrand said, “Public safety officers risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe. When tragedy strikes and an officer loses their life or becomes permanently disabled in the line of duty, we must look out for them and their family. I’m proud to introduce this legislation, and I will keep working across the aisle to make sure first responders and their families receive the support they deserve for their sacrifices.”

Officer John Barnes said, “On May 18, 2018, my fellow officers and I ran toward danger to protect our community in Santa Fe. I was gravely injured in the line of duty, and while the physical wounds have been life-altering, the years-long wait for a determination on the benefits my family and I were promised has been incredibly difficult. No officer who puts their life on the line should have to spend years navigating bureaucratic delays just to receive the support they have earned. I am deeply grateful to Senator Cruz and Senator Gillibrand for fighting to ensure that officers and their families receive timely decisions and the certainty they deserve. This legislation is about accountability, fairness, and honoring the commitment our nation makes to those who serve and I hope to see it become law."

Representatives Randy Weber (R-Texas-14) and Dave Min (D-Calif.-47) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Click here to read the bill.

BACKGROUND:

The bill is partly named in honor of Officer John Barnes, who demonstrated exceptional bravery during the Santa Fe, Texas, shooting tragedy, suffering a disabling shotgun blast in the process. Despite applying for PSOB benefits, Officer Barnes and his family have experienced an excruciating nearly eight years of waiting for a determination from the DOJ since the 2018 shooting.

Congress established the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program in 1976 to provide death benefits to survivors of officers who have died in the line of duty. Since then, PSOB has been amended to provide disability and education benefits and to expand benefit eligibility.

Despite these amendments, beneficiaries often experience delayed adjudication of death and disability claims. Additionally, not all public safety officers who become permanently disabled as a result of a line-of-duty injury are able to receive benefits under the program’s current eligibility rules. This legislation expands eligibility and speeds up benefit determinations.

Specifically, the Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026 would:

Extend partial PSOB eligibility to officers who are permanently, but not totally, disabled and are unable to perform any gainful work as a public safety officer as a direct result of the injury

Require the BJA to complete a death or disability determination within 270 days of receiving a complete claim

Expedite processing for officers already certified for benefits through the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) or the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF)

Direct BJA to implement GAO recommendations to establish updated program processes and administrative procedures


Daines, Warner, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Increase Economic Prosperity, Strengthen CDFI Fund

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) today introduced the bipartisan “Access to Fair Financing for Opportunity and Resilient Development (AFFORD) Act.” The AFFORD Act will provide added transparency over CDFI Fund operations and strengthen its role in improving capital access and economic development in rural, tribal, and other underserved communities in Montana, Virginia, and across the country. Additionally, the bill would extend and enhance the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program to enable participation by smaller CDFIs, reauthorizes the CDFI liquidity enhancement program to increase CDFI lending capacity and reach more communities, and bolsters the role of Native CDFIs by expanding a USDA CDFI relending program that partners with Native CDFIs to deploy mortgage loans to eligible Native borrowers.

Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jim Justice (R-W.V.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (D-Miss.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined Daines and Warner in introducing the bill.

“CDFIs help hardworking families and small business owners in Montana gain access to the opportunities and capital they need for financial success, especially in Montana’s rural and tribal communities. It’s critical we improve transparency surrounding the operations of the CDFI Fund to ensure its programs continue to serve the vital role of increasing economic development and helping Montana communities thrive. I’m glad to introduce the AFFORD Act, which will do just that,” said Daines.

“CDFIs are critical in bringing capital and financial services to rural, tribal, and underserved communities, and they can be significant partners for local governments to battle rising costs and affordability. I’m proud to be introducing the AFFORD Act, which will expand the capacity of CDFIs so they can reach more communities across Virginia,” said Warner.

Read the bill text HERE.

Background:

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) play a critical role in bringing capital and financial services to a wide range of small businesses and families across Montana. The “CDFI Fund Transparency Act” would require the Secretary of the Treasury to testify annually before the Senate Banking and House Financial Services Committees regarding the operations of the CDFI Fund during the previous fiscal year.

Daines is a member of the bipartisan Senate CDFI Caucus and introduced the CDFI Fund Transparency Act. In October 2025 Daines joined his colleagues in sending a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the U.S. Department of Treasury affirming his continued support for the CDFI Fund and its role in supporting economic prosperity in underserved and rural communities.

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ICYMI: Daines on NewsNation: This is a Berlin Wall Moment for the Middle East

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines joined Katie Pavlich on NewsNation to discuss regime change in Iran and the importance of the SAVE America Act.

Watch the full interview HERE.

Daines on regime change in Iran:

It’s up to the people of Iran to do that [regime change]. I was at the Munich Security Conference, in fact, a week and a half ago. There were over 250,000 people protesting for the overthrow of the regime in Iran. It was amazing. Lindsey Graham spoke in front of that group. It was quite the moment. It was right after Marco Rubio’s great speech there in Munich. But I remember the days when the Shah was in power in Iran. We used to have an ally and a friend in the Middle East in Iran. It would be a game changer. This is a Berlin wall moment for the Middle East. I hope this regime changes. You’ve got these brave Iranians losing their lives as the current regime is slaughtering innocent Iranians. We’ll see what happens, but clearly President Trump has got enough force in the area to take action if they decide to. The administration has issued additional sanctions against Iran. That doesn’t always work, but it has worked as the broader pressure campaign against the Iranian regime. In terms of the American interest here, you have a number of administration officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance today saying that the Iranians are continuing to pursue a nuclear program. Marco Rubio, Secretary of State said that they will not even talk about their ballistic missile program with the United States or others in these negotiations, and that’s a huge problem.

…Well, I don’t trust this regime, and why should we? This is a regime that it calls out death to America, calls America the big Satan, Israel, the little Satan, the primary sponsor of Hezbollah, Hamas, the Houthis. They are disruptors of the world order. They are a threat to the homeland. This would be a game changer. And I hope the Iranian people succeed in overthrowing the current regime.

Daines on the SAVE Act:

We should put it on the floor and take an up or down vote. It is the most common sense, basic part of election integrity. This is an 80 -20 issue for the American people. You think about, you know, we both enjoy the outdoors, we enjoy hunting and fishing. You want to buy a white-tailed doe tag in Montana at Walmart. You’ve got to present a valid ID to shoot a deer, to get a fishing license, you should have to present a valid ID to vote. We should put the bill on the floor of the U.S. Senate. I think you’re going to see most Democrats oppose it, most Republicans support it, and call out the Democrats for their failure to support the most basic 80 -20 issue.

Daines discusses Democratic opposition to SAVE Act:

Well, I hope there’s enough pressure on the Democrats because I can’t answer that question, why they would oppose it. But clearly, they don’t want to see it happen. They will likely stop it, and we need to hold the Democrats accountable for stopping the most basic requirements in our election system. That is a valid idea to vote.

…We would have a majority on the Senate, but you’d need 60 votes to pass it. That’s what we’ve got to have, probably eight or nine Democrats to join us. We need to call out the Democrats for their failure to support this most common sense requirement showing the voter, showing an ID there to vote.

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Aviation Subcommittee Ranking Member Duckworth Statement on Reports that Trump’s DoD Shot Down CBP Drone in Texas

[WASHINGTON, DC] – U.S. Senator and Ranking Member of the Senate’s Aviation Subcommittee Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today issued the following statement regarding reports that the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) accidentally shot down a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) drone in Texas:

“The Trump Administration’s incompetence continues to cause chaos in our skies.

“On the heels of the NTSB confirming that the failure of DoD and FAA to effectively communicate resulted in the tragic loss of life above DCA, we now see that—a full year later—dysfunction continues to endanger our aviation system, from DoD dismissing FAA safety warnings against allowing DHS to use its counter drone laser system, to now DoD reportedly using its high energy laser C-UAS to shoot down a DHS drone paid for by taxpayers.

“The situation is alarming and demands a thorough, independent investigation. As Ranking Member of the Aviation Subcommittee, I will be calling on the Inspectors General of the Departments of Defense, Transportation and Homeland Security to launch a joint investigation into the recent scandals in El Paso and now Fort Hancock.”

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Duckworth Grills Top DoD Nominee for Refusing to Commit to Prevent Military Being Stationed Near Polling Places

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) pressed a top U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) leader, Mr. Mark Ditlevson, to assure the American people that the Trump Administration would not station troops near polling places in future elections, which is against the law and against our nation’s fundamental democratic values. When Mr. Ditlevson refused to provide that assurance at his nomination hearing today, Duckworth pressed further asking him what the American people should expect, including what distance they’d be stationed, whether they’d be in full gear with weapons and whether anyone would be at risk of being intimidated by military assets when exercising their fundamental right to vote. Mr. Ditlevson continued to waffle. Duckworth’s full remarks can be found on the Senator’s YouTube.

“As Trump continues to issue extremely worrisome threats, the American people deserve to know if the Trump Administration is seriously planning to use the military in their backyards and interfere in our elections,” said Duckworth. “It is deeply troubling that Trump’s nominees refuse to provide even basic assurances that our military will not be stationed near polling places in order to intimidate Americans trying to exercise their right to vote. That is against the law. It’s un-American. And I’m not going to stand by as Trump attempts to use our servicemembers to intimidate Americans from making their voices heard in our democracy.”

Duckworth has been a leading voice pushing back against Donald Trump’s domestic deployments into American cities to serve his own political agenda. After Ditlevson acknowledged there could be circumstances in which he would advise deploying the National Guard to polling places, he declined to explain the scope of such deployments or how they would avoid intimidating voters.

Duckworth also criticized the Administration’s failure to coordinate with state leaders, noting that Trump gave Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker just two hours to respond before moving to federalize the Illinois National Guard.

Last year, Duckworth, in a hearing she successfully secured, pushed the Trump Administration’s DoD—including Ditlveson—on Trump’s unlawful and unconstitutional domestic deployments of American military troops to intimidate citizens in their own communities.

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Duckworth Statement on Secretary Collins Abandoning his Ambush Rulemaking That Threatened to Prevent Veterans from Seeking or Accessing the Health Coverage They Earned

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) quietly rescinded its horrendous new interim final rule (IFR) that put millions of Veterans’ disability ratings and care at risk and shockingly disincentivized our nation’s heroes from both seeking earned coverage for service-connected disabilities and following recommended medical treatment plans. The VA’s announcement comes just one week after Duckworth demanded Collins rescind and apologize for implementing this shameful rule change and just days after she called him out for merely halting enforcement instead of fully rescinding it. While the VA rescinded its IFR, the Trump Administration continues to pursue its appeal of the Ingram v. Collins ruling, which protected Veterans from these attacks to begin with.

“After calling our anger over this despicable rule ‘fake news,’ let’s be clear: Secretary Collins’ decision to finally rescind this disastrous rule is a direct result of the VSOs and the thousands of Veterans who called him on his bullshit. In less than a week, over 20,000 Veterans flooded the public comment period—that Collins initially sought to circumvent—with a wave of outrage too large to be ignored.

“While it’s a relief Collins finally did the bare minimum by actually listening to the Veterans he is duty-bound to serve, this disastrous rule should never have been jammed through in the first place. It was a clear attack on our Veterans’ right to receive the benefits and quality care they’ve earned through their sacrifices for their wounds, both seen and unseen.

“But we know this fight isn’t over. The Trump Administration is still challenging the disability compensation rule in the courts, and they must withdraw their appeal immediately as well. And Republicans, Democrats and VSOs alike must work together to codify protections that would prevent the Trump Administration—and any future Administration—from implementing such shameful backdoors to cut our Wounded Warriors’ benefits. Trump and his cronies have turned their backs on Veterans over and over—and no one should be fooled that they’re going to let up now.”

Last week, the VA shamefully circumvented the normal rulemaking process and implemented without public comment a new interim final rule would change the way the VA determines disability rating from measuring the disability itself to measuring how the disability presents during a specific appointment—meaning if a Veterans is actively treating their injuries and their symptoms appear improved in that snapshot of time, that Veteran could receive a lower disability rating than they would have without treatment.

If it was ever enforced, the rule would almost certainly have resulted in fewer Veterans applying for the PACT Act benefits they’ve earned through their service. The PACT Act was a historic, overwhelmingly bipartisan victory that enabled Veterans who were exposed to toxic burn pits and similar hazardous environments during their service—which can lead to cancer and other devastating ailments—to finally get the care they need covered by the VA. But in order to claim this new coverage, a Veteran would need a new disability review, which would have taken place under the new rule and could have counterintuitively resulted in the Veteran’s disability rating actually being downgraded despite Congress’s clear intent in the PACT Act.

After public outcry from Duckworth and the Veterans’ community at large, VA Secretary Doug Collins announced the VA would be “halting enforcement” of its shameful new interim final rule—but failed to rescind the rule completely, which Duckworth decried and demanded he do immediately. In a Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) hearing this week, Duckworth railed against the new interim final rule with a panel of Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs) and warned against the Trump Administration’s shady campaign to eventually privatize the VA.

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AS THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PLANS TO INCREASE DETENTION INFRASTRUCTURE, DURBIN DETAILS INHUMANE CONDITIONS, DEATHS AT ICE DETENTION FACILITIES

Durbin during a Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting: “When human beings are dying under federal supervision, oversight is not optional. It is our responsibility.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting condemning the Trump Administration’s cruel mass deportation campaign and the inhumane conditions at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facilities. Through Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act, ICE has dramatically expanded its detention capacity. The agency is holding about 65,000 individuals nationwide, nearly double the number under the previous Administration.

During his opening, Durbin also spoke about the tragic deaths in immigration detention. In 2025, ICE reported 32 deaths—the highest number in more than two decades. Durbin also urged Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to convene a public oversight hearing with ICE and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) leadership to address the appalling excesses of this Administration’s inhumane detention and deportation campaign.

Key Quotes:

“Despite President Trump’s claims about pursuing the ‘worst of the worst,’ 86 percent of immigrants arrested last year have never been charged or convicted of a violent crime. The Administration is now planning to turbocharge its mass deportation campaign by purchasing warehouses across the country, some capable of housing up to 8,500 people. Blueprints show plans to repurpose structures built for storing and distributing consumer products, to confine thousands of human beings at a scale that raises serious concerns about crowding, safety, public health, and dignity.”

“We are only two months into the new year, and at least eight people have already died in ICE custody. These deaths were preventable. Many died of treatable diseases like heart disease, respiratory infections, and diabetes. 9-1-1 calls from these facilities highlight a system that is overwhelmed, and internal audits have documented failures to meet basic standards of care.”

“Earlier this year, Geraldo Lunas Campos died at the Camp East Montana facility in Texas. Witnesses report he was choked to death by guards. An autopsy by the county medical examiner determined his death was a homicide… Another man recently died at the same facility. Instead of transferring him to the local medical examiner, DHS moved his body to a nearby army base—which is now refusing to release the results of his autopsy.”

“To make matters worse, DHS continues to obstruct independent investigations into its failures. It has repeatedly defied court orders, tried to hide evidence, blocked Members of Congress from accessing detention facilities, and ignored congressional oversight requests.”

“It was only after the killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis and mounting public concern about her rogue agency that Secretary Noem finally agreed to come before this Committee… Next Tuesday’s hearing will be just the beginning—not the end—of our oversight responsibility. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee recently held a hearing with senior ICE, CBP, and USCIS officials. Immigration falls within the Judiciary Committee’s jurisdiction. We cannot defer this responsibility to other committees and ignore this historic injustice.”

“Mr. Chairman, I urge you to convene a public oversight hearing with these agencies to address their records. When human beings are dying under federal supervision, oversight is not optional. It is our responsibility.”

Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

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

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DURBIN, CRAPO CELEBRATE SENATE PASSAGE OF RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE FEBRUARY AS AMERICAN HEART MONTH

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Caucus, celebrated Senate passage of their bipartisan resolution to designate February 2024 as American Heart Month. The resolution reaffirms the government’s commitment to fighting cardiovascular disease by supporting research; improving access to affordable, quality care to reduce long-term disability and mortality; and recognizing and championing efforts to address the long-term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular health and mortality rates.

“As the leading cause of death in the U.S., heart disease has touched nearly every American family. We must put forward a concerted effort to research and treat those suffering from cardiovascular diseases,” said Durbin. “I’m encouraged that my Senate colleagues saw the value in raising awareness around the damaging impacts of cardiovascular disease by passing my resolution with Senator Crapo. I hope together we can use the month of February to build support for our efforts.”

“Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in Idaho and in the United States. We can all make changes to our lifestyle that will decrease our risk of heart disease, as well as the risk to our family members. As co-chair of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition, I encourage individuals to make this month and the rest of 2024 a time to improve their health for themselves and their family,” said Crapo.

In 2021, cardiovascular disease claimed the lives of more than 695,000 Americans, making it the leading cause of death in the United States. Cardiovascular disease disproportionately affects women and communities of color, and the rate of cardiovascular disease has been growing faster than anticipated due in part to the long-term implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. Increased awareness of cardiovascular disease can lead to prevention or treatment, ultimately saving thousands of lives annually.

Durbin is a strong advocate for advancing research and treatments for cardiovascular diseases, particularly through his work on the Senate Committee on Appropriations to secure increased funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In 2018, Durbin passed his bipartisan Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act, which extended data collection, research, and awareness efforts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for congenital heart defects, the most common and deadliest birth defect. Since the passage of the 2018 bill, Durbin has increased appropriations for the cause from $4 million to $8.25 million. Earlier this month, Durbin introduced the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2024, which would reauthorize funding for the CDC’s Congenital Heart Disease program to address congenital heart defects for the next five years.

A copy of the resolution can be found here.

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Durbin, Grassley Pass Bipartisan Online Child Safety Package Through Senate Judiciary Committee

The James T. Woods Act, comprised of three Grassley-Durbin bills, revamp key sentencing laws regarding crimes committed against children online

WASHINGTON –Today, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a bipartisan legislative package led by U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to address disturbing developments in online child exploitation.

Passed by voice vote, the James T. Woods Act is a widely supported legislative package composed of three bills: the Sentencing Accountability for Exploitation (SAFE) Act, the Ending Coercion of Children and Harm Online (ECCHO) Act, and the Stop Sextortion Act. The package would address gaps in federal law to protect kids online by prohibiting sextortion, combating violent online criminal networks, like 764, who coerce children into harming themselves or others, and directing the Sentencing Commission to update its child sexual abuse material (CSAM) sentencing guideline.

The package is named in honor of James Woods, a high school student who tragically lost his life after experiencing sextortion.

“In the digital age, predators can target our kids from anywhere. As online predators’ tactics evolve, so must our tools to combat their depravity. This package of bills revamps key sentencing laws, targets online criminal networks, and cracks down on offenders using sexual abuse material to take advantage of children. I’m proud to partner with Senator Grassley on this bipartisan issue, and I won’t stop until these bills—and other key measures to protect children online—are signed into law,” Durbin said.

“Iowans at my county meetings often ask me, ‘Why can’t Republicans and Democrats get along?’ The news media only likes to report on partisan conflicts, but I remind Iowans real bipartisanship happens, and that’s how things get done in the United States Senate. Today is a great example of that bipartisan work in action. The James T. Woods Act, named in honor of a young man who tragically lost his life as a result of online harassment, would protect American children from the darkest corners of the internet. American families have suffered unthinkable pain at the hands of evil online criminals. I’m proud to work alongside Senator Durbin to bring these individuals to justice,” said Grassley.

Durbin has used his role on the Senate Judiciary Committee to prioritize child safety online through hearings, legislation, and oversight efforts.

On January 31, 2024, while Durbin was serving as Chair, the Committee held a hearing featuring testimony from the CEOs of social media companies Discord, Meta, Snap, TikTok, and X (formerly known as Twitter). This hearing highlighted the ongoing risk to children and the immediate need for Congress to act on the bipartisan bills reported by the Committee.

Durbin and U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) joined forces to reintroduce the bipartisan STOP CSAM Act, which would combat online child sexual abuse material. The bill passed the Judiciary Committee unanimously and awaits action on the Senate floor.

In addition, Durbin’s bipartisan Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits Act of 2024 (DEFIANCE Act) passed the Senate in July 2024 and again in January 2026. The legislation would hold accountable those responsible for the proliferation of nonconsensual, sexually-explicit “deepfake” images and videos. The volume of “deepfake” content available online is increasing exponentially as the technology used to create it has become more accessible to the public. The overwhelming majority of this material is sexually explicit and produced without the consent of the person depicted.

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DURBIN, LEE INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM BILLS

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) today introduced two pieces of bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation—the Smarter Sentencing Act, to modernize federal drug sentencing policies, and the Smarter Pretrial Detention for Drug Charges Act, to provide judges additional flexibility when determining if pretrial detention is appropriate for those accused of nonviolent drug offenses. The Senators introduced these bipartisan bills as federal prison overcrowding continues to threaten the safety of officers and inmates and strain budgets for law enforcement and crime prevention.

“Outdated policies stemming from the failed ‘War on Drugs’ continue to impose lengthy, one-size-fits-all sentences for many nonviolent drug offenses. It’s costly, overcrowds our prisons, and strains budgets at the expense of other important law enforcement and crime prevention programs,” Durbin said. “Our bipartisan bills will modernize these misguided and expensive sentencing laws and allow many nonviolent drug offenders to return to their communities more quickly, without threatening public safety. I thank my colleague Senator Lee for his longtime partnership in this effort.”

“These bills protect the Fifth Amendment right of all Americans against unjust imprisonment and keep tax dollars where they’re most efficient,” said Lee. “Judges need more discretion to consider each defendant’s individual and unique circumstances, and our prisons need to be able to focus resources on the most dangerous criminals. Our bipartisan legislation will protect Americans’ constitutional rights and eliminate federal waste.”

About the Smarter Sentencing Act

Over half of federal inmates are serving sentences for drug offenses, and many were convicted of an offense carrying a mandatory minimum penalty. By lowering mandatory sentences for certain nonviolent drug offenses, the bill provides federal judges more flexibility to determine when the harshest penalties should apply on a case-by-case basis.

The bill does not repeal any mandatory minimum sentence, nor does it lower any maximum sentence. Rather, its approach allows judges to dole out the harshest penalties where they are warranted, while allowing judges to moderate sentences based on individual circumstances. Additionally, this bill only applies to nonviolent offenses.

Durbin and Lee first introduced the Smarter Sentencing Act in 2013. Since then, several important reforms first proposed in the bill were included in the landmark First Step Act, enacted into law in 2018. The central remaining sentencing reform is reducing mandatory minimum penalties for certain nonviolent drug offenses.

The bill is cosponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Angus King (I-ME), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).

The following organizations support the Smarter Sentencing Act: National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Due Process Institute, Federal Public and Community Defenders, Dream.org, Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.

Bill text is available here. A one pager is available here. A section-by-section is available here.

About the Smarter Pretrial Detention for Drug Charges Act

The Senators introduced this bill as pretrial detention rates in the federal system are increasing across all demographic groups. By eliminating the blanket presumption of pretrial detention for most federal drug charges, a tailored, individualized assessment can be conducted for each defendant on a case-by-case basis.

Under the Bail Reform Act of 1984, which governs federal pretrial detention, the release of defendants is generally presumed unless a judge finds a risk of flight or potential danger to the community. This is the appropriate standard for defendants due to the presumption of innocence.

However, this release presumption is reversed for certain criminal charges, creating a presumption of detention without regard to the circumstances and background of the accused. One example of these “presumption” charges is any drug offense that is punishable by 10 years’ imprisonment or more (the vast majority of federal drug offenses). This presumption, a relic of an antiquated and failed approach to combatting the last drug epidemic, treats nonviolent drug offenses like terrorism, hijacking, and other serious violent crimes. According to the Probation and Pretrial Services Office of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, this presumption has “become an almost de facto detention order for almost half of all federal cases.”

A 2017 Probation and Pretrial Services Office study found that this presumption does not correctly identify which defendants are higher risk. For example, it found no significant difference in rates of failures to appear between presumption and non-presumption cases, and presumption cases had fewer violent rearrests than non-presumption cases. The study concluded that the presumption of detention in drug cases has been an “unsuccessful attempt” to identify high-risk defendants based primarily on the charge and “has contributed to a massive increase in the federal pretrial detention rate, with all of the social and economic costs associated with high rates of incarceration.”

Additionally, racial disparities in pretrial release rates are evident in drug cases, with white defendants more likely to receive pretrial release than Black defendants. As a result of the presumption, defendants charged with drug offenses are detained in two-thirds of cases. Pretrial supervision only costs $11 per day, compared to $92 per day for pretrial detention, per detainee.

The bill is cosponsored by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Roger Wicker (R-MS).

The following organizations support the Smarter Pretrial Detention for Drug Charges Act: National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Due Process Institute, Tzedek Association, Drug Policy Alliance, American Civil Liberties Union, Families Against Mandatory Minimums, Dream.org, Right on Crime, Black Public Defender Association, The Bail Project.

Bill text is available here. A one pager is available here.

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DURBIN MARKS 36TH ANNIVERSARY OF BANNING SMOKING ON AIRPLANES WITH SPEECH ON SENATE FLOOR

Durbin’s legislation to ban smoking on two hour domestic flights was a tipping point for changing public opinion on smoking in American society

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) yesterday delivered a speech on the Senate floor to mark the 36th anniversary of landmark legislation to ban smoking on airplanes. In 1988, Durbin’s legislation became law, banning smoking on domestic flights that were two hours or less, which was then expanded to all domestic flights in 1990. Soon, this ban created a cultural change in American society, and smoking was prohibited in restaurants, hospitals, offices, and stores. Expanded no smoking areas, increased taxation of tobacco products, and better awareness of the harms of smoking gradually resulted in significant reductions in American smoking rates.

Durbin began his remarks by recalling the words of an airline counter attendant who reminded him that Congress could act to ban smoking on flights.

“One of the best votes I ever cast in the House or the Senate was the result of a challenge from a complete stranger. The year was 1986. I was running late to the airport heading back to Chicago from Phoenix, Arizona. Those were the days when you could get a ticket at the airline counter at the last minute, but if you were too late, the good seats in the plane would all be gone. When I was handed my boarding pass in Phoenix, I saw that I was put in a middle seat in the smoking section at the back of the plane,” Durbin recounted.

“I asked the United Airlines attendant, ‘Isn’t there something you can do about this?’ She looked down at my ticket and my title and said, ‘No, but Congressman, there is something you can do about it,’” Durbin said.

“I thanked her and made the flight. As I squirmed in my seat to try and avoid the smoke clouds, I began to look around the plane. And in front of me, only a few rows away, was an older person. Near him was a new mom with a baby. I thought to myself, ‘This makes no sense at all. These people are supposed to be sitting in the non-smoking section. I’m in the smoking section, yet here they are just a few rows ahead, breathing the same secondhand smoke that I’m breathing,’” Durbin said.

Upon returning to Washington, D.C., Durbin gathered his staff and proposed his plan to ban smoking on airplanes. Despite Big Tobacco’s looming presence and resources on Capitol Hill, Durbin pushed for support for his legislation, motivated by his desire to protect Americans from the danger of smoking, which had caused his own father’s death.

“The tobacco industry was the most powerful lobby force in Washington, with support from the top leadership of both political parties… Here I was, a relatively new Member of Congress, who wanted to take on the tobacco lobby. Everyone said I didn’t have a shot,” Durbin said. “With the leadership on both sides against me, I didn’t have a prayer.”

“But this was personal to me and a lot of people who served in Congress. My father died of lung cancer when I was 14 years old. He was 53 years old. He smoked two packs of Camels a day. I thought of him when I was sitting on that flight from Phoenix, and I remembered him as I began to pursue this cause,” Durbin continued.

Determined to pass a smoking ban, Durbin personally lobbied his fellow Members of Congress, including those who smoked themselves, to work alongside him.

“One thing I did have going for me was that the U.S. House of Representatives was the largest frequent flyer club in the world. Many other Members told me privately they hated breathing in cigarette smoke on airplanes just as much as I did. But to pass the bill, we would need to overcome the opposition from some of our colleagues who were avid smokers, including the then-Chair of the House Public Works Committee,” Durbin said.

“One of those colleagues was on the Appropriations Committee where I served, the late Congressman Marty Sabo of Minnesota. He had the power to make or break our bill, and he was a chain smoker. I went up to him and I said, ‘Marty, what’s the longest you can go without a cigarette?’ He told me, ‘Two hours,’” Durbin said. “So I said, ‘Two hours it’ll be.’ We introduced a bill that would ban smoking on all domestic flights that were two hours or less.”

“We passed the bill in the House by some miraculous chain of events, after the Rules Committee literally defied the Speaker and let me offer the amendment. The Chair of the Rules Committee was a man named Claude Pepper…Thanks to his help and the help of the late Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, the bill cleared the Senate shortly thereafter,” Durbin recalled.

Durbin continued on, explaining that this ban on smoking on two-hour domestic flights was a catalyst for change. Two years later, the ban was expanded to all domestic flights. Shortly after its enactment, smoke-free areas were expanded, and smoking was banned from public spaces. As a result, the rate of teen smoking decreased from almost 30 percent in 2000 to down to just two percent today.

“Today is the 36th anniversary of that law prohibiting smoking on all domestic flights. It is also the anniversary of one of the biggest tipping points in the fight against smoking and Big Tobacco. After my ban passed, Americans started asking obvious questions like ‘If secondhand smoke is dangerous on an airplane, why isn’t it dangerous in a bus or a train or an office building or a restaurant or a hospital?’” Durbin said. “And as more Americans asked these questions, smoking disappeared gradually from public life.”

Durbin then thanked his allies in the fight against Big Tobacco, acknowledging the hard work of lawyers, scientists, flight attendants, and concerned citizens.

“This accomplishment is more than my own, and I’m not taking personal credit for it. It is the culmination of work for decades by activists, lawyers, doctors, and so many other people who took a stand against Big Tobacco against the odds. Their bravery and efforts deserve recognition. Their contributions are felt every time we take a breath of fresh air in public,” Durbin said.

Durbin concluded his speech by reminding Americans of their own ability to bring about positive change.

“I tell this story because more Americans, especially young people, feel that they have no control over their destiny. They see endless doom on their social media and feel as if their lives are controlled by the powerful forces with the money, resources, and time to dictate policy,” Durbin said. “But that can be overcome. It may not feel like it, but in our democracy, there is no limit to what we can accomplish in defense of the public good.”

“The tobacco lobby was the big boy in town. They had billions of dollars, lawyers, politicians, more money than friends, and investigators ready to squash any threat. Yet I beat them. We beat them. They still lost to a group of concerned citizens who had fewer resources and far less power than they did. But these citizens had the truth, a noble cause, and resilience,” Durbin concluded.

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

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

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

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Fetterman, Colleagues Reintroduce Bipartisan Railway Safety Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) joined Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Jon Husted (R-OH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Roger Marshall (R-KS), and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) in reintroducing the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2026 to enhance rail safety by improving hazardous materials oversight, strengthening emergency response support, and raising overall rail safety standards.

Senator Fetterman was a co-lead of the original Railway Safety Act of 2023, joining then-Senator JD Vance (R-OH) and former Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to introduce the bill in March 2023, just weeks after the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. That bipartisan bill, which is nearly identical to this new legislation, was passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee in 2023 but did not receive a vote on the Senate floor during the 118th Congress.

“It’s been three years since the toxic train derailment in East Palestine––a complete tragedy and something we could have prevented. Congress still hasn’t done anything about it,” said Senator Fetterman. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing the Railway Safety Act, a commonsense bill that will hold railroads accountable and make our communities safer. I urge the full Senate to work with us to get this bill passed.”

“The Railway Safety Act will make communities across the country safer,” said Senator Cantwell.“It has been over three years since the Norfolk Southern derailment disaster in East Palestine, Ohio, and it is past time for Congress to act. Our bill requires railroads to deploy technology that could have prevented the East Palestine derailment, holds large railroad companies accountable through stiffer fines and ensures that trains carrying hazardous materials are held to a higher safety standard.”

“Three years ago, many Ohioans understandably lost faith in the safety and reliability of our nation’s railways after the accident in East Palestine, Ohio,” said Senator Husted. “Since then, we have learned valuable lessons about the necessity of extensive consultation with the rail industry, emergency responders and local communities. By using a balanced, data-driven approach to advancing rail safety, my bill would protect Ohio’s communities while supporting the freight rail industry across the country.”

The Railway Safety Act of 2026 responds to the lessons learned after the derailment disaster, including NTSB recommendations. The legislation requires use of defect detectors, expands hazardous materials train safety restrictions and ensures railcars are properly inspected and maintained. It maintains key provisions to support first responders, reforms the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) programs to ensure fire departments can purchase personal protective gear, requires railroads to tell states what materials trains are carrying through their communities, and creates a program to make fire departments–like those in Beaver, Lawrence, and Washington counties that responded to the East Palestine derailment–whole after responding to a derailment.

“The reintroduction of the Railway Safety Act is a critical and welcome step forward,” said East Palestine resident and rail safety advocate Misti Allison. “Communities like mine know firsthand that rail safety is not a political issue. It is a public safety, environmental, and public health issue. When a train derails, it’s not just tracks and cargo that are affected but our air, water, soil, and the long-term health of families. We owe it to communities like East Palestine and to towns across this country to strengthen oversight, increase accountability, and ensure disasters like this never happen again.”

“As America’s largest transportation labor federation, proudly representing the nation’s skilled freight rail workers, we have continually sought federal legislative and regulatory action on commonsense rail safety measures. We commend Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Jon Husted (R-OH) for leading re-introduction of the bipartisan Railway Safety Act and Senators Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Bernie Moreno (R-OH) and John Fetterman (D-PA) for being original cosponsors. It’s unacceptable that communities across the country have endured more than 3,100 derailments since the 2023 toxic Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Rail workers and communities living near railroad tracks deserve the peace of mind that Congress will take action on commonsense reforms and move us towards a safer rail network,” said Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO.

“When rail safety falls short and a train derails, local communities bear the immediate burden of protecting residents, evacuating homes and deploying first responders,” said Clarence E. Anthony, CEO and Executive Director of the National League of Cities. “Americans with rail in their communities should not have to worry if they will be the site of the next rail disaster. We thank the leaders in Congress for reintroducing the bipartisan Railway Safety Act and for working to put it on the President’s desk before another catastrophic derailment like East Palestine happens again.”

“Counties across America are essential partners in enhancing the safety and efficiency of our nation’s freight rail infrastructure. The Railway Safety Act of 2026 takes critical steps to enhance rail safety, protect residents and ensure our transportation network supports both economic growth and public well-being. Counties urge Congress to swiftly pass this legislation on a bipartisan basis,” said Matthew Chase, National Association of Counties Executive Director.

The Railway Safety Act of 2026:

Mandates the use of defect detection technology to make railroads stop trains when something is wrong which could have prevented the East Palestine derailment. The bill requires hotbox detectors to be deployed an average of every 15 miles, compared to every 25 miles currently.

Expands the list of hazardous materials that are subject to higher safety standards, like vinyl chloride carried by the East Palestine train, and require speed restrictions, better braking and route risk analysis.

Improves emergency response by notifying states about the hazardous materials being transported by rail through their communities and strengthening railroad emergency response plans.

Prevents improper railcar inspections and mandates a new requirement that ensures railcars are properly maintained. It’s been shown that Norfolk Southern recommends only 30-seconds for railcar safety inspections.

Increases civil penalties for rail safety law violations from $100,000 to $10 million to ensure safety laws are taken seriously.

Requires two crewmembers to operate a train to prevent a situation where only one person is on the train in an emergency.

Ensures firefighters are made whole after responding to major derailments. The DOT can reimburse first responders for overtime, equipment costs, and health care assessments.

Expands the existing Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness grants to allow fire departments to purchase the personal protective gear that keeps them safe.

The legislation is supported by unions across the country including the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, SMART Transportation, Transport Workers, IAM, Brotherhood of Railway Carmen Division, and the Transportation Communications Union.

“Our nation doesn’t need another rail disaster like what we all saw in East Palestine. Inaction by the rail industry since that derailment and fire three years ago demonstrates that we can’t trust that the major railroads will raise safety standards without action by Congress. The Class I railroads continue to move in the wrong direction by running longer trains, holding fewer and shorter inspections, and having an over-reliance on automation. This has increased safety risks for railroaders and the 80 million Americans who live near a Class I railroad track. Two-person train crews, modern braking systems, stronger and more frequent inspections, tougher penalties, and improved hazardous materials notification are essential to protecting railroad workers and the public. These reforms will only happen if Congress passes the Railway Safety Act of 2026. The members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen have been seeking these needed reforms. We salute the sponsors of this important bipartisan legislation designed to keep trains running safely across this great country, Ohio Senator Jon Husted and Washington State Senator Maria Cantwell. It also must be said that we would not have reached this point without the strong and continued commitment of Vice President J.D. Vance to reforming rail safety standards,” said Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen National President Mark Wallace.

“Just over three years ago, our country was rocked by a catastrophic train derailment that occurred in East Palestine, OH. Not only did that incident release an unforgettable mushroom cloud that could be seen from miles away, but it also contaminated the air, the soil, and the water of the village, causing the residents to suffer a multitude of medical conditions. However, despite the known causation and contributing factors to the derailment, the risk is still present as no meaningful change has taken place in the railroad industry, which is why we are extremely proud to endorse the Railway Safety Act and to offer our sincerest gratitude to Senators Jon Husted and Maria Cantwell for their willingness to change this dangerous trajectory and make rail safety a priority in the United States of America,” said Jared Cassity, National Safety & Legislative Director of the SMART Transportation Division.

“The Rail Safety Act would dramatically improve freight rail safety standards and hold greedy railroad executives accountable when they prioritize short-term profits over safety and hardworking TWU members. The TWU strongly endorses the Railway Safety Act and urges Congress to swiftly pass it,” said John Samuelsen, President of the Transport Workers Union.

“IAM Rail Division members see firsthand the consequences of precision-scheduled railroading and Wall Street-driven cost cutting that have hollowed out safety practices across this industry,” said Josh Hartford, Special Assistant to the International President for the IAM Rail Division. “This legislation restores common-sense safety standards by ensuring that trained, qualified railroaders — not the lowest-cost alternative — are performing critical inspections. Our members have been raising these concerns for years. Congress must move swiftly to advance this bill and put safety ahead of corporate profits.”

“I’d like to thank this bipartisan group of Senators for introducing the Railway Safety Act in the Senate,” said Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) National President Matt Hollis. “TCU has been advocating for this legislation for years. It’s time for Congress to act and pass this bill to not only ensure our members can perform the jobs they are trained to do, but to improve the safety and reduce the risk of another East Palestine for every community that our trains roll through.”

“This legislation is important to every Carman at every Class I railroad,” said Brotherhood of Railway Carmen Division General President Don Grissom. “Every safety-sensitive industry knows how important it is to have the right person doing the right job. This bill does just that. Right this minute we have unsafe trains that have not been properly inspected rolling through communities. Statistically, it is very likely that either today or tomorrow there will be a derailment in this country that could’ve been prevented if our Carmen are simply allowed to do their job. That should scare the hell out of everyone. It’s time for Congress to step in.”

“On the ground, our members are being pressured every day to rush inspections or allow trains to depart with known defects,” said Reece Murtagh, IAM District 19 President and Directing General Chair. “The Railway Safety Act reinforces what railroaders have always known: thorough inspections by skilled Carmen and Machinists save lives and prevent disasters. Congress must act to protect railroad workers and the communities we serve.”

Read the full text of the bill here.


Fischer, Nebraska Delegation Announce Military Service Academy Days

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and U.S. Representatives Mike Flood (NE-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Adrian Smith (NE-03) announced four Military Service Academy Days across Nebraska.

Service Academy Days serve to inform high school students about the process to apply for a congressional nomination to a United States military service academy. Service academy representatives and alumni will be present.

“Nebraska is home to thousands of dedicated service members who set the standard for those looking to serve. It is my pleasure to host Academy Days as an opportunity for students to learn about our nation’s exceptional military service academies and take the first steps towards becoming the future of the United States Armed Services,” said Fischer.

“Nebraska’s commitment to our Armed Forces is second to none. Each year, I honor that commitment by nominating outstanding young Nebraskans to attend our United States service academies. I encourage high school students from across our state to attend these Service Academy Days to learn more about the nomination process,” said Ricketts.

"America’s military service academies became the best in the world by developing unparalleled leaders for our nation’s Armed Forces. Our Congressional Delegation’s Academy Days provide an excellent opportunity to learn more about the nomination process and what it takes to earn a spot at one of these distinguished institutions. If you are interested in applying to a service academy, I encourage you to attend one of these events so our teams can help you begin your application journey with confidence,” said Flood.

“As a veteran who served nearly 30 years in the Air Force, I cannot share enough how much my military career meant to me and these academies help our youth get a start on their own exciting and fulfilling careers. I encourage our high school students to check out each of the academies and wish them the best as they start their application process,” said Bacon.

“For generations, Nebraskans have served others in their communities, across our state, and around the world. This tradition of service remains one of our greatest strengths. I am proud to partner with our congressional delegation to host Academy Days and provide the next generation of military leaders an opportunity to learn about the nomination process and explore the possibilities our nation’s service academies offer," said Smith.

All high school students, parents, and guidance counselors who have an interest in the nation’s service academies are welcome and no preregistration is required. The targeted audience is high school freshman through juniors.

See below for dates, locations, and more information:

Bellevue

March 14, 2026

8:00am-12:00pm

Bellevue University, John B. Muller Admin Building, 812 Bruin Blvd, Bellevue, NE

Columbus

March 18, 2026

6:00pm-8:00pm

Columbus Chamber of Commerce, 753 33rd Avenue, Columbus, NE

North Platte

March 28, 2026

9:00am-12:00pm

Mid-Plains Community College, 1101 Halligan Drive, North Platte, NE

Norfolk

April 1, 2026

6:00pm-8:00pm

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, 609 West Norfolk Avenue, Norfolk, NE

Additional locations to be announced.

Please contact Kevin Huebert, Senator Fischer’s Director of Military and Veterans Affairs, at (402) 391-3411 with any questions.

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Gallego in The Hill: Drug Pricing Reform Must Deliver Real Savings – Not Slogans

WASHINGTON – In an op-ed published in The Hill, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) outlines a plan to lower prescription drug prices by fixing a system that allows savings to disappear before they reach patients.

“Big announcements don’t lower your pharmacy bill,” Gallego writes. “Savings don’t count if families never see them.”

After the Trump administration announced new agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers to implement “Most Favored Nation” (MFN) pricing in Medicaid, Senator Gallego sent letters to major drug companies demanding answers on how those arrangements would affect patients’ out-of-pocket costs and whether savings would actually reach patients at the pharmacy counter. Senator Gallego has also been outspoken against Trump RX, which would leave Americans paying more, not less.

In the op-ed, Gallego argues that Americans need structural reforms, not press conferences, to bring down drug prices. He calls for:

Strengthening and accelerating Medicare drug price negotiations

Increasing transparency and accountability in pricing agreements

Ensuring negotiated savings are passed directly to patients

Eliminating excessive markups and aligning cost-sharing with actual net drug prices

The op-ed highlights the story of Marshall Militano, a North Phoenix resident who relies on Medicare and Social Security to afford medication. Before the new $2,000 annual out-of-pocket cap took effect, Militano was paying roughly $400 per month for his prescription. Without the cap, those costs could reach $1,400 per month.

“The $2,000 cap is real progress,” Gallego writes. “But families are still stretched thin before they ever reach it.”

Gallego also emphasizes that lowering drug prices and supporting medical innovation are not mutually exclusive, calling for protections for research funding while cracking down on price gouging.

“This debate isn’t about branding,” Gallego writes. “It’s about whether our government has the courage to deliver real results.”


Gallego Presses Trump on Reckless Tariffs, Demands Refunds to American Families and Small Businesses

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) urged President Donald Trump to ensure that any refunds from the Supreme Court’s decision striking down his administration’s International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)-based tariffs are used to deliver relief to American families and small businesses, not large corporations.

“Absent action from this administration, over $100 billion in tariff revenue collected under those unlawful tariffs will not make it into the hands of American families and small businesses, but instead will remain either in government coffers or in corporate accounts,” Senator Gallego wrote to President Trump. “The invalidation of these IEEPA tariffs is a chance to make American families and small businesses whole – not to retain unlawfully collected funds or enable additional corporate profit.”

Gallego warned that without a clear plan to return unlawfully collected tariff revenue, billions of dollars could remain with the federal government or large corporations instead of reaching the families and small businesses that bore the costs through higher prices.

“Since your first invocation of IEEPA to impose sweeping tariffs on countries, Americans have borne the brunt of higher prices. The chaotic and expansive nature of the IEEPA tariffs, often used to dole out punishments and rewards unrelated to rectifying unfair trade practices, also created conditions for large companies with market power to raise prices above the increased input costs,” the Senator continued.

“Without your administration providing a structured process to determine refunds should be distributed, American families and small businesses will once again be left behind. Additionally, the continued neglect of your Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate tariff-enabled corporate price gouging compounds the risk of consumer harm in this chaotic moment,” the Senator continued. “The American people deserve clarity on whether and how they will be made whole following the unlawful imposition of these tariffs.”

In the letter, Senator Gallego asked the administration to clarify whether it plans to issue refunds, how eligibility would be determined, and what safeguards will prevent large corporations from capturing the majority of refunds while families and small businesses are left behind.


Gallego Slams Republicans for Protecting Epstein Class

WASHINGTON – Today Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) spoke at a press conference with Senate Democrats on Trump’s Department of Justice continuous attempts to block the release of the Epstein files.

“What the Republicans are proving right now, with the help of Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi, is that if you are part of the Epstein class – if you are rich enough, you are powerful enough – you can do some really horrific things: raping children, raping women, engaging in sex trafficking,” said Senator Gallego.“And this administration, the Republicans, will engage in an active cover up for you.”

Senator Gallego has been a leading voice in the call to release the Epstein files.

He has twice introduced a resolution calling on the DOJ to release the files; read excerpts of Epstein survivor Virginia Guiffre’s memoir on the Senate floor; joined Democratic members of the Homeland Security and Governmental Security Committee in sending letters calling to release the files; and sent a letter condemning the transfer of Epstein’s accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas.

Watch the full remarks HERE or read below:

“Princes, CEOs, the most powerful men in the world, are being held accountable everywhere except the United States, where we are supposed to be a country of equal justice under the law. We are actually proving quite the opposite.

“What we’re proving here right now – what the Republicans are proving right now, with the help of Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi – is that if you are part of the Epstein class – if you are rich enough, you are powerful enough, you can do some really horrific things: raping children, raping women, engaging in sex trafficking. And this administration, the Republicans, will engage in an active cover up for you.

“Now we’re getting more reports of some real serious allegations of this president from a minor – a woman who was a minor – that is accusing the president of some very serious, serious crimes. The American public deserves to know what happened, who was involved – not just President Trump, but everyone else involved, all these powerful men that are still walking around the United States right now.

“We’re only talking about a couple years removed, a decade removed from a lot of these allegations. These men are still in power. These men are still potentially victimizing women, victimizing children, and the fact that this administration is actively covering up past crimes potentially means they’re covering up current crimes.

“It’s time for us to have full transparency. It’s time for us to have accountability. It’s time for us to throw some people in jail that did some really horrible stuff against kids in this country. The fact that Donald Trump and Republicans, after talking a big game for so many years about going after pedophiles, are actively covering up for pedophiles right now, should tell you exactly what is wrong with this administration.

“I unfortunately am going to have to go read those redacted files next week. It’s one of those things that you don’t want to do. The disgusting nature of what I’m going to find on there is going to probably make me very ill, but because we have an administration is actively covering up for pedophiles, we have to take that step.

“We have to take that step to keep them accountable and to expose all these pedophiles that are still in power right now all over this country.”


WATCH: Gallego Presses Regulators on the Trump Family’s World Liberty Financial Bank Charter Bid

WASHINGTON – Today, during a Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee hearing, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) pressed senior banking regulators on how they vet bank charter applicants, including Trump family venture World Liberty Financial, questioned whether political connections influence the process, and why the National Credit Union Agency (NCUA) rolled back overdraft fee transparency.

Watch Senator Gallego’s questioning HERE and read excerpts below.

On Bank Charter Vetting and Background Checks

Gallego questioned Comptroller of the Currency Jonathan Gould on whether background checks are conducted on senior officials, including parent company executives when reviewing bank charter applications, highlighting the Trump family’s World Liberty Financial venture.

Gallego: “Do you conduct background investigations on senior officers including those at the parent company?”

Mr. Gould: “I’m not sure what you mean by background investigation. We are certainly looking at the management team and their capabilities.”

Gallego: “Let me read you a quote. […] ‘You can literally sell shit in a can wrapped in piss, covered in human skin for a billion dollars if the story is right, because people will buy it. I’m not going to question the right and wrong of all that.’ Do you know who said that? […] A gentleman named Chase Herro. Do you know who that is?”

Mr. Gould: “I do not.”

Gallego: “[Chase Herro] is a co-founder of World Liberty Financial. This is from their website. Is this the type of thing you would ask about when conducting interviews with applicants?”

Senator Gallego also highlighted the Trump family’s close ties to World Liberty Financial.

Gallego: “This gentleman seems to be involved with a lot of people that are fairly powerful, especially if their application will be going forward … including Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Barron Trump. Do these sound familiar? Let’s add Steven Witkoff, Zach Witkoff, Alex Witkoff – a lot of family members. I urge you to take a serious look at the people who make up this company.”

On NCUA’s Decision to Stop Publicly Publishing Income Generated by Overdraft and Insufficient Fund Fees

Gallego then questioned NCUA Chairman Kyle Hauptman over his decision to stop requiring credit unions to publish data on their income from overdraft fees.


Gillibrand Applauds Committee Passage Of Her Bipartisan Legislation To Protect Living Organ Donors

Legislation would promote organ donation by protecting living organ donors from financial and employment-related barriers

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement following the passage of her legislation, the Living Donor Protection Act, out of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP). The Living Donor Protection Act would ensure living donors do not face discrimination from insurance companies, codify Department of Labor (DOL) guidance that covers living donors under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in the private sector and civil service, remove barriers to organ donation, and provide certainty to donors and recipients.

“It is heartbreaking that so many Americans die while waiting for the lifesaving organ transplants they need. My Living Donor Protection Act will encourage organ donation by making sure that people who are willing to donate can do so without jeopardizing their job security and facing barriers to insurance coverage. I am proud to see this legislation pass out of committee, and I encourage my colleagues in Congress to bring it to a vote immediately.”

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Gillibrand Statement On Death Of Nurul Amin Shah Alam

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement on the death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, following reports that immigration agents dropped him at a coffee shop in Buffalo miles away from his home.

The senator followed up on her public statement below with a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott demanding a full accounting of the events and actions taken by federal agents while Mr. Shah Alam was in their custody.

“The family of Nurul Amin Shah Alam and our community deserve answers on the events that led to his death. I am deeply disturbed by reports that after taking him into custody, Border Patrol agents left Mr. Shah Alam at a Tim Hortons, miles from his home, without notifying his family or attorney before he was found dead. If true, this is absolutely unacceptable. The Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, and local law enforcement must provide a full accounting of what has occurred and ensure this never happens again.”

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Sens. Gillibrand And Cruz, Reps. Min And Weber Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Expand Benefits For Public Safety Officers

Legislation would amend the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program to speed up benefit determinations and extend benefits to permanently disabled officers currently excluded from the program

Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026. This critical legislation would amend the existing PSOB program to speed up benefit determinations and extend benefits to additional public safety officers. Representatives Dave Min (D-CA-47) and Randy Weber (R-TX-14) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Public safety officers risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe. When tragedy strikes and an officer loses their life or becomes permanently disabled in the line of duty, we must look out for them and their family,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation, and I will keep working across the aisle to make sure first responders and their families receive the support they deserve for their sacrifices.”

“Officer John Barnes was critically wounded during the Santa Fe High School shooting and flat-lined twice while protecting students and teachers. Nearly eight years later, he is still waiting for the benefits he earned through his sacrifice. This delay is unacceptable. My bill ensures our brave law enforcement officers receive timely and fair support when they need it most,” said Senator Cruz.

“The Public Safety Officers’ Benefit Program ensures that peace officers can go to work knowing their families will be in good hands if the unthinkable happens and they are severely injured or killed in the line of duty,” said Rep. Min. “For too long, the families of fallen officers have been denied the benefits they are owed because of bureaucratic backlogs and outdated rules. This bipartisan bill makes sure we are following through on the duty we owe to our law enforcement agents, who risk their lives every day, by setting firm timelines for benefit determinations and expanding eligibility to officers who are partially but permanently disabled. When first responders answer the call without hesitation, the federal government must do the same.”

“I will never forget what Santa Fe, Texas endured almost eight years ago. When evil walked into Santa Fe High School, Officer John Barnes showed extraordinary courage. What he should not have had to endure was waiting more than seven years on Washington bureaucracy for an answer. That is wrong,” said Rep. Weber. “The Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026 sets clear deadlines, expands eligibility to officers who are permanently disabled and unable to return to duty, and improves the process so families are not left waiting for years. When someone puts on the badge to protect our communities, we have a responsibility to stand with them and their loved ones.”

Congress established the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance’s (BJA) Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program in 1976 to provide death benefits to survivors of officers who have died in the line of duty. Since then, PSOB has been amended to provide disability and education benefits and to expand benefit eligibility.

Despite these amendments, beneficiaries often experience delayed adjudication of death and disability claims. Additionally, not all public safety officers who become permanently disabled as a result of a line of duty injury are able to receive benefits under the program’s current eligibility rules. Gillibrand and Cruz’s legislation would help expand eligibility and speed up benefit determinations.

Specifically, the bill would:

Extend PSOB eligibility and partial benefits to officers who are permanently, but not totally, disabled and are unable to perform any gainful work as a public safety officer as a direct result of the injury

Require the BJA to complete a death or disability determination within 270 days of receiving a complete claim

Expedite processing for officers already certified for benefits through the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) or the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF)

Direct BJA to implement GAO recommendations to establish updated program processes and administrative procedures

This legislation is endorsed by over 30 organizations and unions, including: the Sergeants Benevolent Association of NYPD, National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), FDNY EMS Local 2507 Uniformed EMTs Paramedics & Fire Inspectors Union, Firefighter’s Association of the State of New York, NYLEAP, Nassau County Superior Officers Association, Voices Center for Resilience, Town of Brighton Police Department, NYPD Captains Endowment Association, Port Authority Police Lieutenants Benevolent Association, Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers, New York State Association of Chiefs of Police, Port Authority of NY & NJ Detectives Endowment Association, Peace Officers Research Association of California, Pittsford Volunteer Ambulance, Inc., United States Deputy Sheriff’s Association, California Association of Highway Patrolmen, Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York, Friends of Firefighters, Police Chiefs’ Association of Orange County, City of Syracuse New York Fire Department, Village of Tuckahoe Police, National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC), City of Utica Fire Department, Riverside Sheriffs’ Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, City of Syracuse Police Department, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

“My father Michael Ansbro, who had served as Chief of the New York City Transit Police Department, passed away more than two and a half years ago as a result of cancer that he developed after being exposed during his time at Ground Zero on September 11th and the months that followed. Over the years, my family and far too many New York City firefighters and other first responders have unfortunately experienced delayed adjudication of death and disability benefit applications,” said Uniformed Firefighters Association President Andrew Ansbro. “On behalf of our members, I’d like to thank Senator Gillibrand and her colleagues in the House and Senate for introducing this important legislation to ensure that all of our first responders and their families receive the support they need. I am also grateful that if passed, this bill will expedite benefits processing for 9/11 first responders already certified through the World Trade Center Health Program and the Victim Compensation Fund.”

“On May 18, 2018, my fellow officers and I ran toward danger to protect our community in Santa Fe. I was gravely injured in the line of duty, and while the physical wounds have been life-altering, the years-long wait for a determination on the benefits my family and I were promised has been incredibly difficult. No officer who puts their life on the line should have to spend years navigating bureaucratic delays just to receive the support they have earned. I am deeply grateful to Senator Cruz and Senator Gillibrand for fighting to ensure that officers and their families receive timely decisions and the certainty they deserve. This legislation is about accountability, fairness, and honoring the commitment our nation makes to those who serve, and I hope to see it become law,” said Officer John Barnes.

“The National Fraternal Order of Police strongly supports the Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act, which will help the program make timely claim determinations, increasing accountability, and providing interim benefits so families are not left waiting during bureaucratic delays,” said Fraternal Order of Police National President, Patrick Yoes. “The FOP appreciates the leadership of Senators Gillibrand and Cruz leadership in ensuring the families of our fallen officers are provided the support they need.”

“The Public Safety Officer’s Benefits Program is a vital lifeline for officers and families who have just experienced a horrible tragedy, providing much-needed death, disability, and education benefits. Unfortunately, the current state of the Program does little to instill confidence in officers and their families that the federal government will do its part to take care of them,” said Bill Johnson, Executive Director of the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO). “The Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act of 2026 would make vital improvements to the program and ensure that the survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty and officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty are provided every available resource and benefit in a timely and transparent manner. NAPO stands with Senators Gillibrand and Cruz in support of this important bill and thanks them for their efforts on behalf of our nation’s law enforcement community.”

“The Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefit Program Expansion Act provides significant and needed reforms to the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program that will ease the burdens faced by disabled officers and the families of fallen officers when applying for earned PSOB benefits,” said President Vincent Vallelong of the NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA). “This legislation includes several longstanding SBA priorities, most notably expediting the claims process for 9/11 first responders with World Trade Center-related health conditions. We are grateful for the leadership of Senators Gillibrand and Cruz in working with us to address legacy issues with the PSOB Program and to ensure that it provides timely assistance to the families of those who have fallen in the line of duty.”

For a full list of endorsement quotes, please click here.

The full text of the legislation can be found here and a summary of the legislation can be found here.

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Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Landmark Online Child Safety Package

WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee today voted to advance a bipartisan legislative package led by Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) to address disturbing developments in online child exploitation.

The James T. Woods Act, named after a high school student who tragically lost his life after experiencing sextortion, passed by voice vote. The James T. Woods Act is a widely supported legislative package composed of three Grassley-Durbin bills: the Sentencing Accountability for Exploitation (SAFE) Act, the Ending Coercion of Children and Harm Online (ECCHO) Act and the Stop Sextortion Act. The package would update lax federal sentencing laws penalizing child sex abuse material and create two new crimes to address sextortion and violent online criminal networks, like 764, who coerce children into harming themselves or others.

The Sentencing Commission is currently prohibited from updating sentencing laws without congressional action, and there is currently no law that explicitly prohibits sextortion or the coercion of children into hurting themselves or others.

“Iowans at my county meetings often ask me, ‘Why can’t Republicans and Democrats get along?’ The news media only likes to report on partisan conflicts, but I remind Iowans real bipartisanship happens, and that’s how things get done in the United States Senate. Today is a great example of that bipartisan work in action. The James T. Woods Act, named in honor of a young man who tragically lost his life as a result of online harassment, would protect American children from the darkest corners of the internet,” Grassley said. “American families have suffered unthinkable pain at the hands of evil online criminals. I’m proud to work alongside Senator Durbin to bring these individuals to justice.”

“In the digital age, predators can target our kids from anywhere. As online predators’ tactics evolve, so must our tools to combat their depravity. This package of bills revamps key sentencing laws, targets online criminal networks, and cracks down on offenders using sexual abuse material to take advantage of children. I’m proud to partner with Senator Grassley on this bipartisan issue, and I won’t stop until these bills—and other key measures to protect children online—are signed into law,” Durbin said.

The Committee also voted to advance Gregory Gilmore’s nomination to be United States Attorney for the Central District of Illinois, by a vote of 20-2.

Watch the executive business meeting HERE. Read Grassley’s opening statement HERE.


Senator Hassan Recognizes Avah Fiske of Loudon as February’s Granite Stater of the Month

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Avah Fiske of Loudon as February’s Granite Stater of the Month. Avah has advocated for mental health awareness since her 12-year-old brother Ryan died by suicide in 2020, when Avah was just six years old. Although her family was stunned by this tragedy, Avah has, as her mom says, risen like a phoenix from the ashes and worked to make a difference for other families.

Avah plans to one day start her own organization to build awareness around mental health, but in the meantime, she has written and recorded public service announcements for her local radio station encouraging people to reach out to youth mental health services and the 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. She regularly presents information on youth mental health and the 988 lifeline at health fairs and community events. Avah’s compassion and dedication to her community are why Senator Hassan named her February’s Granite Stater of the Month.

The 988 National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a confidential, free resource for individuals in mental health crisis. You can call, text, or chat the number at any time to be connected with a mental health professional.

Senator Hassan launched the “Granite Stater of the Month” initiative in 2017 to recognize outstanding New Hampshire citizens who go above and beyond to help their neighbors and make their communities stronger. To nominate a New Hampshire citizen to be a “Granite Stater of the Month,” constituents can complete the nomination form here.

To read Senator Hassan’s statement for the Congressional Record, see below.

I am honored to recognize Avah Fiske of Loudon as February’s Granite Stater of the Month. Since her brother Ryan died by suicide, Avah has advocated for mental health awareness and made New Hampshire a better and safer place.

Avah’s older brother Ryan died by suicide in 2020 at age 12, when Avah was just six years old. Avah’s entire family was stunned by the tragedy, especially because they had never heard Ryan talk about his struggles. But Avah has turned this pain into purpose — or, as her mom puts it, she has risen like a phoenix from the ashes — and she’s dedicated herself to helping people talk about their feelings in order to prevent similar tragedies from happening to other families.

Avah wrote and recorded four public service announcements for her local radio station, encouraging people to reach out to youth mental health resources and the 988 National Suicide Crisis Lifeline. She also walked in the annual Out of Darkness Walk hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and she regularly presents information on youth mental health and the 988 lifeline at health fairs and community events.

Avah’s work is not done, and she is committed to continuing to educate Granite State families about mental health resources. Avah even plans to one day start her own organization to build awareness around mental health. In the meantime, she plans to record more PSAs and keep spreading the word.

Avah’s determination to carry on her brother’s memory and use her loss to help other families is a beautiful example of the Granite State spirit of community. Her compassion, even at such a young age, is why I am honored to name her February’s Granite Stater of the Month.

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Hawley, Merkley Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Ban Wall Street from Buying Single-Family Homes

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) introduced the Homes for American Families Act and an update of the HOPE for Homeownership Act, a comprehensive package to prohibit large institutional investors from buying up single-family homes. Their legislation is a response to the homeownership crisis in America, which has been exacerbated by deep-pocketed Wall Street investors flooding the housing market and purchasing homes.

“Wall Street has exploited the American housing crisis, turning the nation’s housing stock into a portfolio of rental properties,” said Senator Hawley. “Families deserve to be able to buy their own homes and achieve the American dream without competing with big investment companies that irrevocably drive up housing prices. That’s why I am introducing legislation to ban Wall Street from buying single family homes once and for all.”

“Houses in our communities should be homes for families, not profit centers for hedge funds,” said Senator Merkley. “As corporate investors invade the housing market nationwide, we need action to protect hardworking Americans achieving the dream of homeownership. Now with bipartisan support, we have wind in our sails to finally crack down on billionaire corporations gobbling up American homes. I’m ready to work with the President, Republicans, and Democrats to get this over the finish line.”

The Homes for American Families Act would:

Prohibit large institutional investors from purchasing single-family homes, townhouses, and condominiums.

Empower the Department of Justice with enforcement authority for civil violations and prioritized antitrust review for purchases of residential real estate by large institutional investors.

Senator Hawley is also joining Senator Merkley in introducing an updated version of the HOPE for Homeownership Act, which would push large institutional investors and hedge funds to divest their holdings of single-family homes through tax changes.

Read the full bill text for the Homes for American Families Act here.


Heinrich Statement on Senate Passage of Black History Month Resolution

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed a resolution celebrating Black History Month, which he is an original cosponsor of:

“American history cannot be told without Black history. And Black history is American history – full stop. Black Americans have played an integral role in building and shaping America – from trailblazing innovations in medicine, science, transportation, and the arts, to fighting for the civil rights that every one of us enjoys today. This month and every month, we must be intentional about honoring and telling the story of the incredible contributions Black Americans have made to our great nation. And we must also fully, honestly, and openly admit to the terrible wrongs that Black Americans have had to overcome throughout that same history.

“I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Black History Month resolution that passed the U.S. Senate, and I will continue to stand firm to fight for equity and justice for all New Mexicans, in every community, in every county, without exception.”

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Ranking Member Heinrich, Vice Chair Murray, and Resident Commissioner Hernández Criticize DOE for Illegally Cancelling Puerto Rico Energy Projects

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Vice Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations and Ranking Member of the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Subcommittee, and Puerto Rico Resident Commissioner Pablo Hernández (D-Puerto Rico), sent a letter alongside 17 lawmakers to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) slamming the agency for illegally cancelling energy projects designated under the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund and requested that the cancelled awards be reinstated.

“We write to express strong opposition to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) decision to cancel the remaining projects under the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund (PR-ERF),” the lawmakers began.

After making clear that the “cancellation of the obligated contracts was illegal,” lawmakers stated, “Congress recognized that centralized grid investments alone failed to reach vulnerable households—and that distributed energy resources were necessary to protect the lives, health, and economic security of all Puerto Ricans when outages occur. This was enshrined in statute, which explicitly says funding shall be made available ‘including grants for low- and moderate-income households and households that include individuals with disabilities for the purchase and installation of renewable energy, energy storage, and other grid technologies.’”

In conclusion, the lawmakers asked the Department of Energy to “immediately reverse course and reinstate the cancelled PR-ERF awards so that projects proceed as Congress intended.”

In addition to Heinrich, Murray, and Hernández, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii.), and U.S. Representatives Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), and Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.).

Read the full letter here and below:

Dear Secretary Wright:

We write to express strong opposition to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) decision to cancel the remaining projects under the Puerto Rico Energy Resilience Fund (PR-ERF). On January 9, 2026, DOE notified PR-ERF grantees that their awards were cancelled effective immediately. At the time of cancellation, $364.3 million in remaining funds had not yet been disbursed. The justification given was that “continuation is not in the best interest of the Federal Government.” However, none of the awardees violated the terms of their contract—so the cancellation of the obligated contracts was illegal.

Congress authorized and appropriated $1 billion to the PR-ERF through the FY2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act and DOE competitively awarded projects beginning in 2023. Congress recognized that centralized grid investments alone failed to reach vulnerable households—and that distributed energy resources were necessary to protect the lives, health, and economic security of all Puerto Ricans when outages occur. This was enshrined in statute, which explicitly says funding shall be made available “including grants for low- and moderate-income households and households that include individuals with disabilities for the purchase and installation of renewable energy, energy storage, and other grid technologies.”

The cancelled awards totaled approximately $539 million, although $174.8 million of these funds had already been distributed. Award recipients relied on DOE’s commitment to its signed contracts in good faith by hiring workers, securing equipment, and promising families relief from persistent power outages—only to have the Department abruptly pull the rug out from under them in order to score political points.

This action to illegally terminate obligated awards not only runs afoul of Congressional intent, but represents another broken promise to the people of Puerto Rico who continue to live with the consequences of a fragile and unreliable grid.

Puerto Rico continues to experience frequent blackouts and high electricity prices. Funds appropriated for grid resilience remain available; however, DOE has chosen to terminate obligated awards and abandon the very communities Congress directed it to serve. That outcome is neither prudent nor lawful, and it is certainly not in the best interest of the Federal Government.

We request that the Department immediately reverse course and reinstate the cancelled PR-ERF awards so that projects proceed as Congress intended.

Sincerely,