U.S. Senator Katie Britt Directly Secures Over $28 Million for the Alabama Wiregrass Through Appropriations Leadership

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), as a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, recently directly secured over $28 million for the Wiregrass through the Senate passage of three Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bills: the FY26 Labor, Health, and Human Services (LHHS) Appropriations Act, FY26 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Act, and the FY26 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Act.

The bills, part of a larger package, will be sent back to the U.S. House of Representatives for a final vote before heading to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law. Following the signing of this package into law, Senator Britt will have directly secured more than $66.5 million to the Wiregrass in FY26 appropriations funding.

“I am proud to have directly secured over $28 million for the Wiregrass through three key appropriations bills,” said Senator Britt. “This funding will procure crucial medical equipment, improve transportation infrastructure, and bolster our public safety. I’m eager to see the impact this strategic investment will have across the Wiregrass region.”

A detailed breakdown of the Wiregrass priorities secured by Senator Britt can be found below:

$3,000,000 for the City of Enterprise to procure and install a surgical robot

$500,000 for the Health Care Authority of the City of Eufaula to procure surgical and lab equipment

$15,680,000 to ALDOT for Boll Weevil Circle and SR-167 Project in Coffee County

$2,355,000 to the City of Enterprise to fund the needed infrastructure improvements on airport property

$1,500,000 to the City of Abbeville for public safety firefighting equipment

$5,000,000 to the Dothan Courthouse for critical repairs and restoration

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U.S. Senator Katie Britt Directly Secures Over $5.7 Million for the Alabama Community College System Through Appropriations Leadership

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), as a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, recently directly secured over $5.7 million for the Alabama Community College System through the passage of the FY26 Labor, Health, and Human Services (LHHS) Appropriations Act.

The bill, part of a larger package, will be sent back to the U.S. House of Representatives for a final vote before heading to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.

“I’m extremely proud to have secured $5.7 million for the Alabama Community College System,” said Senator Britt. “The funds will be used for system-wide workforce development programming, which will unlock the potential of Alabamians across our state and provide opportunities for our workforce to expand and improve.”

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U.S. Senator Katie Britt Directly Secures Over $9.7 Million for the River Region and Black Belt Through Appropriations Leadership

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), as a member of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, recently directly secured over $9.7 million for the River Region and Black Belt through the passage of two Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bills: the FY26 Labor, Health, and Human Services (LHHS) Appropriations Act and the FY26 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Act.

The bills, part of a larger package, will be sent back to the U.S. House of Representatives for a final vote before heading to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law. Following the signing of this package into law, Senator Britt will have directly secured more than $14.5 million to Alabama’s River Region in FY26 appropriations funding.

“Thanks to two key Appropriations bills, Alabama’s River Region and Black Belt will receive crucial transportation infrastructure updates and increased funding for higher education,”said Senator Britt. “I’m proud to have directly secured these investments and will continue fighting for Alabamains every single day on the Appropriations Committee.”

A detailed breakdown of the River Region and Black Belt’s priorities secured by Senator Britt can be found below:

$1,305,000 for Faulkner University to procure equipment and a vehicle for a mobile wellness unit

$5,290,000 to Tuskegee University to expand the aerospace and aero-technology program, including student scholarships

$1,145,000 to the Montgomery Regional Airport to fund the rehabilitation of the airport’s primary runway

$400,000 to the Perry County Airport for new runway lights

$1,650,000 to the City of Montgomery for the Montgomery Regional Tech and Innovation Ecosystem Initiative (MRTIEI) Hub

In the FY26 THUD bill, Senator Britt also helped to secure $10 million for the National Scenic Byways Program, which includes the Selma to Montgomery March Byway in Alabama.

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Cornyn Cosponsors Bill to Protect Unborn Lives, Prevent Child Trafficking

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) cosponsored the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, which would make it a crime to knowingly transport a minor across state lines for an abortion if parental consent or notification requirements of the state of residence are not met:

“Too often, minors are trafficked across state lines in an attempt to evade state laws and undermine the rights of parents,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By making it illegal to transport a minor to another state for an abortion without abiding by the relevant laws and parental consent requirements, this legislation would honor the rights of parents, protect children, and save our most vulnerable lives.”

The legislation is being led by U.S. Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL) and is also cosponsored by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Jim Risch (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Kennedy (R-LA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), James Lankford (R-OK), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE).

Background:

The Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act would amend federal law to make it illegal to knowingly transport a minor across state lines in order to obtain an abortion by evading a state’s parental consent and notification requirements. This legislation would also make it a crime to knowingly perform an abortion on a minor who was taken across state lines in violation of these state requirements. The bill would strengthen protections for parents and families by ensuring state parental notification and consent laws apply even when a minor is taken out of state for an abortion.

This legislation is endorsed by National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Students for Life Action, National Right to Life, Priests for Life, Americans United for Life, and March for Life Action.


Cornyn, Lee, Roy Introduce the SAVE America Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) joined Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Rep. Chip Roy (TX-21) in introducing the SAVE America Act, which would require individuals to present proof of citizenship when registering to vote as well as photo identification before voting in a federal election. The legislation would also ensure states appropriately maintain voter rolls by removing non-citizens from existing voter rolls.

“It is ridiculous that we need to pass a bill to ensure that Americans alone are the ones voting in our federal elections, but thanks to Joe Biden’s reckless open-border policies and Democrat-run sanctuary cities, this is the reality we live in,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This commonsense legislation requires an individual to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote as well as a photo ID before casting a ballot to ensure our elections are secure and solely determined by American citizens, and I’m proud to support it.”

Background:

Sen. Cornyn is an original cosponsor of the SAVE Act, which would require individuals to present proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and states to appropriately maintain voter rolls, and has supported it in multiple Congresses. The SAVE America Act builds on this legislation by also requiring individuals to present a photo ID to vote in a federal election. Texas already requires individuals to present a photo ID to vote, and this legislation would ensure other states follow Texas’ example.

Under the Biden-Harris administration, at least ten million illegal aliens poured into communities nationwide. In many states, these illegal aliens are eligible for driver’s licenses and other benefits, providing ample opportunities to illegally register to vote in federal elections. In some jurisdictions, non-citizens are even able to vote in local elections. While only U.S. citizens can legally vote in federal elections, Democrats have resisted any effort to enforce the law via ID requirements.

The SAVE America Act would protect and preserve the right of American citizens to vote in federal elections by requiring:


Cornyn Supports Bill to Prohibit State Excise Taxes on Firearms

AUSTIN – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) cosponsored the Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act, which would prohibit states from implementing excise taxes on firearms and ammunition:

“Alongside President Trump, I was proud to champion provisions to reduce the federal suppressor tax to $0 as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This bill would take it a step further by ensuring blue states can’t usurp Congressional intent and use state taxes to deter law-abiding Americans from exercising their Second Amendment right to purchase firearms and ammunition.”

Background:

To discourage law-abiding citizens from exercising their Second Amendment right, many blue states, including California, Colorado, Vermont, and New York, have implemented costly excise taxes on firearms and ammunition. Earlier this year, Virginia Democrat state legislators announced they would introduce a bill placing a $500 tax on the sale of firearm suppressors, seemingly seeking to overturn the work Sen. Cornyn and Congressional Republicans did to secure a provision in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act that removed the unconstitutional federal tax on suppressors. The Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act would prevent this type of infringement on the Second Amendment by prohibiting states from implementing excise taxes on firearms and ammunition.

The Freedom from Unfair Gun Taxes Act is led by Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) and supported by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), and National Rifle Association (NRA).


HHS Awards Over $3.1 Million to Cankdeska Cikana Community College

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded $3,154,839 to Cankdeska Cikana Community College in Fort Totten. These funds are distributed through Head Start Indian Grants.

The funds support Head Start and Early Head Start programs. These programs promote early childhood learning, health and development initiatives, as well as family and community support services.


Working Families Tax Cuts Support Self-Employed Workers

Washington, D.C.—Thanks to Working Families Tax Cuts provisions advanced by U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), small businesses and entrepreneurs managing today’s deadline for Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1099 have a lighter paperwork burden than they would have if the law had not passed. The new law replaced the Democrats’ onerous IRS reporting requirements that forced third-party networks, like Venmo and PayPal, and people that hire independent contractors to file paperwork reporting small payments to casual sellers and service providers—requirements that threatened to overwhelm both taxpayers and the IRS. The new law also increased the reporting threshold to a higher, more practical standard, providing relief for millions of taxpayers.

“Small businesses and entrepreneurs help keep our economy dynamic,” said Crapo. “Cutting this red tape spares them the burden of managing unnecessary tax paperwork and protects all Americans from intrusive supervision. Now, taxpayers across the country can get back to working hard for their businesses and communities, not the IRS.”

Key wins:

Repeal of Democrats’ $600 reporting requirement for payments through third-party networks like Venmo or PayPal;

Increase of 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC reporting thresholds for small businesses and independent contractors to $2,000;

Permanent lower tax rates;

Permanent increased standard deduction; and

No tax on tips for millions of tipped workers.

What they are saying:

“These historic tax cuts lay the foundation for generational prosperity on Main Street – ushering in a new era of growth, hiring, investment, and opportunity for job creators.” – Administrator of the Small Business Administration Kelly Loeffler

Click HERE to learn more about the Finance Committee provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts.

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Daines Hails Trade Agreement Between U.S. and India

Traveled to India in January, Met with Indian Leadership

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines issued the following statement today hailing the trade agreement between the United States and India. Daines traveled to India January 17-19th, where he reaffirmed the U.S.-India strategic partnership. The trip included meetings in New Delhi with Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal, members of parliament, and U.S. and Indian business leaders.

“Today’s agreement is a tremendous step in the right direction, a win for all sides, and I commend President Trump and Prime Minister Modi for getting it done. India is the fourth largest economy in the world and increased access to its market will benefit the American economy, including American agriculture.

“In addition, India’s agreement to buy oil from the United States instead of Russia is not just an economic benefit to the U.S. but sends a signal around the world that the United States means business when it comes to leveling the playing field as well as putting an end to the war in Ukraine. There is still more to do to correct America’s trade imbalances and I look forward to helping President Trump achieve his goals through the remainder of his administration.”

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Daines Touts Widespread Support for America the Beautiful Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today announced that his bill, the America the Beautiful Act, has reached 40 sponsors in the U.S. Senate.

“Our nation is home to some of the most incredible natural beauty in the world, as well as iconic historical sites. The America the Beautiful Act will help protect our great outdoors for generations to come by strengthening the Legacy Reauthorization Fund and fixing our parks and public lands. I’m grateful to Senator Angus King for co-leading the bill and to all of our colleagues in the Senate who have committed to protecting our beautiful outdoors,” said Daines.

Daines introduced the America the Beautiful Act with Senator Angus King (I-Maine) in May 2025- read more HERE.

In addition to Daines and King, the cosponsors of the America the Beautiful Act so far are:

Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Dave McCormick (R-Penn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Jim Justice (R-W.V.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Todd Young (R-Ind.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Roger Wicker (R- Miss.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.D.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.).

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Duckworth Joins Schiff, Colleagues in Raising Alarm on EPA’s New Rule Abandoning Federal Water Pollution Protections

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) and 14 of her colleagues in opposing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)’s new Waters of the United States (WOTUS) proposed rule which threatens to undo significant progress made to restore the quality of our nation’s waters. The new rule limits the definition of waters, including removing coverage for waters that are not wet for the duration of an undefined “wet season” and excluding all waters but those with continuous surface connections. This leaves water bodies vulnerable to pollution, flood and damage and leaves communities without clean drinking water.

“The proposed rule is legally unnecessary, scientifically unsound and will harm public and environmental health by allowing more harmful chemicals into our waterways. We urge you to abandon this rulemaking and refocus your efforts on making Americans healthier,” the Senators wrote.

In a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) Adam Telle, the Senators express deep concern over the significant harm of stripping federal protections for the nation’s wetlands that don’t fall under the new WOTUS rule. Over 50 years ago, Congress set the precedent by passing the Clean Water Act (CWA)—with strong bipartisan votes—to protect America’s water resources and safeguard our nation’s public health. EPA’s new proposal would further rollback these safeguards that were already weakened in the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Sackett v. EPA.

“We all drink and use water. Municipal water utilities and their ratepayers—the American people—will disproportionately bear the economic burden of remediating the poorer quality water this rule will cause. Moreover, flood risk management and disaster response services will become increasingly overburdened from the compounding impacts of cumulative upstream watershed degradation,” the Senators continued.

“As proposed, the 2025 draft WOTUS rule ignores science, removes vast swaths of aquatic areas from federal jurisdiction, fails to protect water quality and passes the costs on to the American taxpayer. It does not simplify the ability of the agency to identify jurisdictional waters. There are reasonable policies we could pursue to simplify permitting and create union jobs in this country, but this proposed rule does not represent a viable path forward,” the Senators concluded.

In addition to Duckworth and Schiff, the letter was signed by U.S Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Edward Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

The full text of the letter is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.

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Durbin Introduces Legislation To Improve Accountability For Foreign Medical Schools Receiving Federal Student Aid

The Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act would require all medical schools outside of the U.S. and Canada to meet the same minimum requirements to receive Title IV student aid funding

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced legislation that would protect students and taxpayers by closing a loophole that gives special treatment to a small number of overseas medical schools. The Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act would require all medical schools outside of the U.S. and Canada to meet the same minimum requirements to receive Title IV student aid dollars. U.S. Representative Kim Schrier (D-WA-08) plans to introduce companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Currently, some overseas medical schools, including those in the Caribbean, are exempt from meeting the minimum standards to which other foreign medical schools are held: that at least 60 percent of their enrollment must be non-U.S. citizens and that students have at least a 75 percent pass rate on the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam (USMLE). In fact, three for-profit schools in the Caribbean—Adtalem’s American University of the Caribbean; Ross University School of Medicine; and St. George’s University—are exempt from both requirements but continue to receive nearly three-fourths of all the Title IV funds that go to students attending foreign medical schools.

“Medical schools in the Caribbean should not be able to rake in millions of dollars in U.S. federal student aid while skirting the same requirements that U.S.-based medical schools are bound to,” Durbin said. “It’s time to crack down on these for-profit medical schools’ tactics by passing the Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act. By closing the loophole that allows these for-profit medical schools to push students into debt, we can bring fairness to the eligibility requirements and increase accountability of schools that receive federal dollars.”

“The Associated Medical Schools of New York thanks Senator Durbin for introducing the Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act which would create a consistent approach to international medical schools—free of carve-outs and exemptions—and ensure that medical schools receiving federal aid are all held to the same rigorous standards,” said Jonathan Teyan, President and CEO of the Associated Medical Schools of New York (AMSNY).

“To ensure patients across the United States receive the highest quality physician care, it is essential that federal financial aid is tied to consistent, fair standards for all foreign medical schools,” said Robert A. Cain, DO, CEO and President of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM). “AACOM applauds Senator Durbin for reintroducing the Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act. This legislation helps protect students, promotes responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars and supports a physician workforce that meets the needs of patients nationwide.”

Despite receiving such a large portion of Title IV dollars relative to other foreign medical schools, these schools produce poor student outcomes while shouldering their students with mountains of debt. The median student loan debt is $409,518 at Adtalem’s American University of the Caribbean, $440,593 at Ross University School of Medicine, and $437,924 at St. George’s University. Compare this to U.S. medical schools, where the median debt is $215,000, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges.

These foreign medical schools also are much less successful at ensuring students’ success. While U.S. medical schools have an on-time completion rate of 82 to 84 percent, the three for-profit, Caribbean-based medical schools have an average on-time completion rate of 44 percent, with Ross University School of Medicine’s average on-time completion rate as low as 20.24 percent in 2023.

Students who are able to graduate from these schools do so with more debt and more difficulty securing a residency, which is mandatory to practice medicine in the United States. In 2024, foreign-trained American graduates had a residency match rate of just 67.8 percent, compared to 93.5 percent of graduates of U.S. allopathic medical schools and 92.6 percent of graduates of U.S. osteopathic medical schools.

The Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act has earned the endorsement of the Associated Medical Schools of New York, Association of American Medical Colleges, American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine, and American Osteopathic Association.

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Durbin Lays Out Senate Democrats’ Demands To Rein In ICE

Durbin: “The American people support orderly immigration enforcement that removes violent criminals from our streets. But how we do it matters. The indiscriminate and violent round-up of American citizens, legal residents, and people with no criminal record erodes civil liberties and threatens the rule of law. The American people have seen this play out with their own eyes, and they’ve had enough.”

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, urged his Republican colleagues to join Democrats to pass common sense reforms to rein in President Trump’s immigration enforcement operations. On Friday, the Senate passed five bipartisan government funding bills and a two-week stop gap funding measure for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) while Democrats negotiate with the White House and Republicans on legislative solutions to restore order and public safety. Durbin began his remarks by condemning the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis.

“Renee Good and Alex Pretti should still be with us today… the President said he is going after the ‘worst of the worst’ and instead, two people in Minneapolis lost their lives. Were they the ‘worst of the worst?’ Renee Good, a mother of three, and Alex Pretti, a nurse at the VA hospital in Minneapolis? [They were both] American citizens. Neither one of them fit the categories the President railed against during his rallies,” said Durbin.

“Instead, these two innocent people were taken from their families and their communities far too soon, in instances of senseless violence at the hands of the United States government. Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement operations have not restored so-called ‘law-and-order’ that he promised and have not targeted ‘the worst of the worst’—they’ve done the exact opposite. In every place DHS’s roving squads have descended—whether Chicago, Minneapolis, or any other city—they have brought chaos, disorder, and fear. These operations have created a public safety crisis, with families terrified to leave their homes—I’ve seen it firsthand in Chicago… Parents and school administrators are struggling to explain ICE attacks to children, and Americans [are] desperately trying to protect their neighbors,” Durbin said.

“The American people support orderly immigration enforcement that removes violent criminals from our streets. But how we do it matters. The indiscriminate and violent round-up of American citizens, legal residents, and people with no criminal record erodes civil liberties and threatens the rule of law. The American people have seen this play out with their own eyes, and they’ve had enough,” Durbin continued.

Last week, Senate Democrats laid out their proposals to reform federal immigration enforcement agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). As part of those negotiations, Democrats are demanding the following common sense measures: first, federal immigration agents need to remove masks, turn on their body cameras, and wear visible, clear identification. Second, Democrats want to end the roving patrols. This is a nation of laws guided by the Constitution that everyone—including ICE—must abide by. This means that federal immigration officials must stop racial profiling and end random arrests; and agents must obtain a judicial warrant signed by a neutral judge—not an administrative warrant—to enter private property. They also cannot detain Americans for hours or use excessive force against them just for peacefully protesting in support of their neighbors and friends. Third, Democrats are demanding accountability. ICE and Border Patrol squads cannot indiscriminately smash in car windows, use tear gas on protestors, and shoot at people without any accountability.

“A uniform code of conduct will rein in aggressive and excessive immigration enforcement, bring about accountability, and hopefully begin the long process of restoring trust. And when immigration agents fail to follow that code of conduct, the Department of Homeland Security must coordinate with state and local officials to conduct a fair and independent investigation,” Durbin continued.

Durbin said, “As these negotiations continue to play out, I will continue to do my part to hold this Administration accountable. After I asked Secretary Noem of the Department of Homeland Security to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee all last year, she refused. Now she says she just might be available in four weeks… She has a lot of explaining to do [and] we should hold her to account for it—both Democrats and Republicans.”

Durbin also noted that his office will continue to document and report any-and-all instances of excessive force and abuse at the hands of immigration agents in Chicago and elsewhere. The Trump Administration repeatedly appears to have violated the constitutional rights of individuals in Illinois during “Operation Midway Blitz,” and the officials responsible for these violations are acting with impunity. Under 18 U.S.C. § 242, it is a federal crime for any person acting “under color of any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, or custom” to “willfully subject[] any person . . . to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States.” Anyone who willfully violates another person’s Fourth Amendment rights by engaging in warrantless arrests or use of excessive force under color of law may be held liable under Section 242. If this Administration fails to pursue charges, the statute of limitations will permit the next Administration to prosecute officials who acted unlawfully.

“One day, the Trump presidency will end. The statute of limitations for these crimes, however, will extend beyond that date,” Durbin concluded, “The Department of Justice—free from its weaponized quest of retribution against Trump’s perceived enemies—will have all the information it needs to pursue criminal charges against government officials who are actually violating people’s rights. In the meantime, my colleagues and I will continue to shine a light on these abuses, uphold the tenets of basic human decency, and defend the rule of law. And I urge my Republican colleagues to swiftly agree to these Democratic reforms [to the] DHS funding [bill] so that we may actually put a check on this national terror campaign.”

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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Durbin Meets With ATF Director Nominee

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement after a courtesy meeting with Robert Cekada, nominated to be the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF):

“Almost one year after Attorney General Bondi’s confirmation, the Justice Department has become a shell of its former self. It’s been weaponized to fulfill one President’s political goals.

“ATF could play an important role in tackling our gun violence epidemic and keeping the American people safe, but the Trump Administration’s threatened budget cuts and realignment at ATF jeopardize its existence.

“I look forward to asking more questions of Mr. Cekada on his plans to protect this vital agency at his hearing.”

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Gillibrand, Schumer, Alsobrooks Demand Accountability For Trump Administration’s Abuse Of Social Security Data

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), the top Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, along with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), demanded a full investigation into the Trump administration’s mishandling of Social Security data.

This letter follows the Trump administration admitting in court documents that staff from the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) may have used Social Security worker and beneficiary data to work with an advocacy group seeking to “overturn election results in certain states.” Additionally, the court filing revealed multiple flagrant violations of federal data security and personally identifiable information requirements.

“The unauthorized harvesting of Americans’ Social Security data is a breach of public trust and a violation of federal laws,” said Senator Gillibrand. “At a time when seniors trying to access their checks are already facing skyrocketing wait times and delayed benefits, the Social Security Administration must focus on serving the public, not handing over our private data to political extremists. I will keep holding the administration’s feet to the fire until they fully investigate this incident and develop a comprehensive plan to protect our data in the future.”

“Americans work hard their whole lives, paying into Social Security, and deserve to trust their personal information will be kept confidential. Trump’s own Department of Justice is now admitting that Trump granted ‘DOGE’ staffers unprecedented access to Americans’ private information with a complete disregard for privacy protections, violating the law and hardworking Americans’ trust,” said Senator Schumer.“This could leave tens of millions of Americans vulnerable to identity theft costing billions of dollars. We need an immediate investigation, a full accounting of all of DOGE’s impropriety and a comprehensive plan to protect Americans’ data to ensure their private information is not exploited like this ever again.”

“It is deeply concerning that after repeated denials, we now know that DOGE – through its reckless actions – compromised private and sensitive information of the public,” said Alsobrooks. “It is incumbent on the wellbeing of our citizens that an independent and immediate investigation is conducted so that we know the size and scope of this data transfer, and those responsible for it are held accountable.”

As the top Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, Senator Gillibrand is a staunch supporter of Social Security. She recently introduced three bills to boost and protect benefits for seniors:

Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act: would provide a $200-per-month increase to Social Security checks until July 2026.

Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act: would increase Social Security benefits by leveraging the formula used to calculate yearly cost-of-living adjustments to better account for seniors’ expenses.

Keep Billionaires Out of Social Security Act: would help undo President Trump’s damage to the Social Security Administration.

In response to Trump administration cuts and overhauls at SSA, Senator Gillibrand has rallied alongside seniors and unions to demand a reversal of staffing and service cuts and advocated against the closure of SSA field offices across the country and in New York. Following Senator Gillibrand’s advocacy, SSA reversed its decision to restrict certain phone services that serve as lifelines to beneficiaries seeking to access and maintain benefits. She also invited Commissioner Bisignano to join her in a visit to an SSA field office in New York so they can evaluate the impact the Trump-era changes have had on SSA response times, communication, and outreach.

The letter can be found here and below:

Dear Acting Inspector General Anderson,

In a January 16, 2026, Department of Justice (DOJ) court filing, the Administration acknowledged that DOGE affiliated personnel improperly accessed and transmitted Social Security Administration (SSA) – maintained personally identifiable information to outside parties. The DOJ disclosure follows repeated assurances from the Administration and SSA that worker and beneficiary data had not been compromised in any manner by DOGE actions in 2025.

On November 20, 2025, we wrote to your office requesting a review of a series of disclosures made by former SSA Chief Data Officer Charles Borges regarding the violation of significant agency data requirements, as well as for a recommended remediation plan, if needed.

This subsequent disclosure further elevates the urgent need for the Office of the Inspector General to conduct its own investigation, and to present its findings to the U.S. Congress and to the American public. For over ninety years since its enactment in 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Social Security has served as our nation’s primary program to combat poverty. American workers, retirees, and families expect, and rely upon, the SSA to operate in compliance with relevant privacy and IT laws, regulations, and protocols, and most importantly, for their Government to act on behalf of their interests and to do its best to safeguard their sensitive, personal information.

We look forward to a prompt reply regarding our renewed request.

Sincerely,

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Gillibrand Statement On Court Injunction Allowing Sunrise Wind Construction To Resume

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand released the following statement on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia’s preliminary injunction allowing the Sunrise Wind project to resume construction following the Trump administration’s stop work order, which constituted another brazen attack on New York’s energy economy:

“Today’s court decision allowing Sunrise Wind to immediately resume construction is a win for New York’s working families and our economy. As energy costs continue to soar, the Trump administration’s ridiculous attempts to halt this project would have killed good-paying jobs and raised energy costs on New Yorkers — all to score political points and benefit powerful special interests. I will continue pushing back on the Trump administration’s brazen political attacks on New York that are raising costs and hurting families. New Yorkers should not be forced to pay more because of reckless and politically motivated interference by the Trump administration.”

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Capitol Hill Report, 02-02-26

Audio from this afternoon’s call is available HERE.

Topic’s discussed: ICE, Gaza ceasefire agreement, government funding, DOJ, the Federal Reserve and midterms.


Grassley, Blackburn, Schiff Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Care for Veterans with Hearing Loss

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) joined Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) in introducing the Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act to improve access to over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for eligible veterans through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“Hearing loss limits a person’s ability to participate in conversations, work productively and even travel safely. That’s why I helped spearhead the effort to enact the bipartisan Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act that enhances access to high-quality, effective hearing aids. However, the millions of Americans who suffer from hearing loss, including veterans, need better access to hearing care. Our bill will help cut red tape so more veterans can access hearing aids,” Grassley said.

“Every veteran deserves to receive the benefits and care they earned in a timely manner. Unfortunately, we know that veterans experiencing hearing loss often face long wait times when attempting to access the care they need, especially in rural and high-demand areas. Our bipartisan Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act would position the VA to more efficiently serve the 400,000 veterans who call Tennessee home without compromising the quality of care they receive,” Blackburn said.

“Our servicemembers have made many sacrifices to protect Americans and our country. I am proud to work with Senator Blackburn on legislation that will broaden veterans’ access to hearing aids and ensure those who served our country have access to the health care benefits they deserve,” Schiff said.

The Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act would establish a two-year pilot program to evaluate the use of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved OTC hearing aids for veterans with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, subject to clinical supervision and VA oversight. In addition, the bill would:

Require the VA Secretary to select at least two VA medical facilities in different Veterans Integrated Services Networks to conduct the pilot; and

Require an interim report after the first year and a final report to Congress evaluating the program’s findings, effectiveness and fiscal impact of the program on the VA.

This legislation is supported by the Hearing Loss Association of America, American Legion, Consumer Technology Association (CTA) and American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

Find bill text HERE.

Background:

Grassley has led the effort to streamline access to high-quality, effective hearing aids. In 2017, Congress passed the FDA Reauthorization Act, which included Grassley’s and Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s (D-Mass.) Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Act requiring the FDA to make hearing aids available for over-the-counter purchase.

Hearing loss is the most prevalent service-connected disability among American veterans. While FDA-cleared OTC hearing aids are intended to expand access to hearing care options, many veterans experience long wait times for audiology appointments, particularly in rural or high-demand areas.


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

WASHINGTON – Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) are introducing the Student Loan Bond Expansion Act of 2026 this week to reduce financial barriers for college students looking for lower interest loans. The legislation would exempt Qualified Student Loan Bonds (QSLB) from the private activity bond volume cap and the alternative minimum tax, broadening access to loans with lower interest rates. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa) is leading companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

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

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

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

Find bill text HERE.

Background:

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

The Student Loan Bond Expansion Act empowers state-based nonprofit lenders to provide more students with favorable financial terms and free counseling. In turn, this helps students make informed choices that meet their individual circumstances and curb overborrowing.

The legislation is supported by the Education Finance Council (EFC).


E&E News: Hill Democrats probing Trump’s mineral megadeals

Top House and Senate Democrats are investigating the Trump administration's unprecedented move to directly invest or take equity stakes in more than a half-dozen mining and mineral companies.

Senate Energy and Natural Resources ranking member Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), House Natural Resources ranking member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and House Oversight ranking member Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) are demanding documents and a briefing from the secretaries of Energy, Defense, Commerce and Interior.

“By privileging select corporations through direct ownership — essentially picking winners and losers — the government may undermine broader market competition and the development of innovative technologies or mineral or material substitutions,” the lawmakers wrote in letters to the agencies Monday.

When asked about the letters, White House spokesperson Kush Desai said the president "remains committed to reshoring critical manufacturing and supporting American companies with a full policy suite of tariffs, tax cuts and deregulation."

Desai said the administration’s equity stakes in private companies represent "how we are investing in the long-run success of American technology and manufacturing" and that "the safeguarding of America’s supply chain cannot be further delayed by more red tape and bureaucracy."

The administration has moved to directly invest or take equity stakes in at least seven companies. Last month, it signaled its intent to take an equity stake and inject the largest amount to date — $1.6 billion — into USA Rare Earth, an Oklahoma-based firm angling to expand the production of rare earth elements outside China.

Before that, the government moved to take direct equity stakes in companies like MP Materials, Lithium Americas, Trilogy Metals, Vulcan Elements and the U.S. operations of Korea Zinc, arrangements that have raised eyebrows on and off Capitol Hill. Trump officials have said more deals are in the offing.

The Democrats on Monday demanded the legal justification for the equity stakes, the criteria for selecting the companies and policies in place to prevent conflicts of interest.

"To date, there has been no public disclosure of procedures or safeguards in place to ensure these ownership stakes do not influence permitting decisions, regulation generation, alteration, or enforcement, contracting decisions, or any other agency decisions relating to these mining and minerals projects," they wrote.

The lawmakers are also probing whether administration officials, their families, Trump campaign donors or Trump Organization affiliates hold personal stakes in any of these companies — and what happens to taxpayer money if the deals go sideways.

The Democrats accused the administration of moving to "shield its dealmaking from scrutiny" when the president issued an executive order last year that waived congressional notification requirements under the Defense Production Act for projects exceeding $50 million.

The order waived Securities and Exchange Commission disclosure requirements that normally force mining companies to prove their projects are economically viable before attracting investors, protections designed to prevent American taxpayers and investors from getting burned on speculative ventures, wrote Huffman, Heinrich and Garcia.

The GOP megabill, they added, provided nearly $13 billion for direct DPA grants and about $350 billion in available financing for critical minerals and related projects, which the lawmakers said gave the administration “no-strings-attached resources to buy stakes in private companies."

The administration also recently expanded to funding equity deals through a $39 billion fund created by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022.


KOAT: New website accepting applications for radiation exposure claims

It's been a long time coming, but finally, compensation will be coming to New Mexicans and their families who were exposed to radiation from the testing of atomic weapons in the 1940s.

Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), who was instrumental in getting Congress to expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, announced Friday that the U.S. Department of Justice has launched an online portal for people to apply for RECA claims.

Lujan, along with Sen. Martin Heinrich and Representatives Melanie Stansbury, Terese Leger Fernandez, and Gabe Vasquez, sent an open letter to New Mexico's holders of health care records, birth and death records, tax records and school records. and all necessary documents, asking for their full cooperation in helping compensate New Mexican exposed to radiation.

Tina Cordova, co-founder of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium, said early reports from people applying for claims on the portal said it will make the process much easier.

"Our hope is that the Department of Justice actually has enough staff to handle all the claims that will now be submitted through the online portal," Cordova said. "We want everybody that's entitled to receive a one-time payment of $100,000 on behalf of themselves because they've been sick or on behalf of a loved one that's been sick."

Cordova said she knows at least a dozen people who filed through the mail and have already received a direct deposit of $100,000.

She also cautioned about bad actors using the online address of downwinders.com, pretending to be her organization, are saying they will file claims for them in exchange for a slice of whatever they get.

"They say, by simply contributing 6% of your claim to the downwinders organization, we will file the claim on your behalf, and we'll get you to the front of the line, and we can guarantee results," Cordova said. "And all of that is fraud."

The link to the RECA claims online portal is reca.justice.gov/ClaimsPortal


ICYMI: ENR Ranking Member Heinrich Hosts Roundtable on Trump Administration Policies Raising Americans’ Electric Bills

WASHINGTON – Last week, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, hosted a roundtable with his Senate colleagues, including ENR Committee Democratic members, a local elected official, union representatives, a small business owner, and electrification and efficiency advocates to discuss how the Trump Administration’s policies – from stalling permits of more than 500 clean energy projects to sunsetting critical investments that make energy cheaper for consumers – have raised utility costs on working families.

“President Trump said he would cut electricity prices in half, but electricity prices have risen 13% nationwide since he took office over a year just over a year ago. Instead of saving money, hard-working Americans around the country, and certainly in my home state of New Mexico, are wondering how they're even going to keep the lights on and the heat running this year. Simultaneously, energy demand is growing across the country at a rate we have not seen in recent history,” said Ranking Member Heinrich.

Heinrich continued, “At a time when we need the cheapest electrons on the grid, the President is taking every opportunity to stop electrons from reaching the grid altogether. The bottom line is that the Trump Administration is failing the American people.”

VIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, hosts roundtable on skyrocketing energy costs, January 29, 2026.

Heinrich was joined by U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Angus King (I-Maine), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), who spoke with Alfonso “Fonze” Martinez, Business Manager of IBEW Local Union 611; Patrick Crowley, President of Rhode Island AFL-CIO; Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard of Mt. Vernon, New York; Mark Wolfe, Executive Director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association and Co-Director of the Center on Energy Policy and Poverty; Paula Glover, President of Alliance to Save Energy; Ari Matusiak, Founder & CEO Rewiring America; and Scott Libby, Owner of Royal River Heat Pumps; on how the Trump Administration’s actions have impacted consumers, and solutions they have implemented to help lower costs in their communities.

“Already, my local union has seen the Kit Carson battery storage project in Taos canceled by this Administration’s Department of Energy, putting over 60 of my members out of work, as well as millions of dollars for the PNM virtual power plant project being frozen for purely political reasons. What this means for our local on top of putting folks directly out of work, is that a steady pipeline of highly skilled workers can’t be built without project certainty,” said Alfonso “Fonze” Martinez, Business Manager of IBEW Local Union 611 in New Mexico. “Without project certainty, we can’t bring in and train apprentices. Our model is, will you earn, will you learn? If we don't have the work for you, for these apprentices, we can't bring them in. So, contracts in the pipeline for these jobs reverberate across our industry. The jobs lost and opportunities lost represent real cost to the IBEW, but they will also hurt all families in New Mexico.”

“I represent 80,000 working-class Rhode Islanders, including many of whom have been hurt by federal actions against job-creating clean energy projects like the 704-megawatt Revolution Wind,” said Patrick Crowley, President of Rhode Island AFL-CIO. “While I'm happy to say my members are back to work, I'm afraid the damage has been done. Working-class families in Rhode Island are struggling with expensive, and rising energy bills, and too many Rhode Islanders, too many Americans, are still struggling to make a good living and support our families.”

“Energy costs are devastating families. Electricity and gas prices in Westchester are amongst the highest,” said Mayor of Mt. Vernon, New York, Shawyn Patterson-Howard. “Spiking energy costs force impossible choices, and every dollar saved on stable energy costs is $1 that keeps food on the table, supports local businesses, saves for a child's education, or invests in a home. Energy price stability isn't just a utility issue; it ripples throughout our local economy and strengthens families. I urge you, please act, support commonsense, clean energy solutions that protect families, strengthen communities, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.”

“Up to 4 million households faced utility shut-offs in 2025, nearly half a million more than in 2024. Low and moderate-income families now spend six to 10% of their income on energy, three to five times this year, paid by higher-income households,” said Mark Wolfe, Executive Director of the National Energy Assistance Directors Association and Co-Director of the Center on Energy Policy and Poverty. “When energy costs rise, families are forced to choose between keeping the lights on, buying groceries, paying rent, or filling prescriptions.”

“Across the country, utilities are facing rapid, low growth driven by data centers, AI, electrification, and manufacturing. Demand is rising much faster than new generation and transmission can be built, creating a widening gap between near-term needs and long-term infrastructure timelines. And when that gap widens, the cost of new infrastructure often falls on families and small business owners, many of whom are already struggling with rising energy bills,” said Paula Glover, President of Alliance to Save Energy.

“We're not building enough new power or bringing it online, and there is more demand on the system for power,” said Ari Matusiak, Founder and CEO of Rewiring America. “But there's actually a really amazing opportunity in front of us that creates a win-win for all of your constituents and all of our communities. It turns out that 50 to 100% of the energy that these data centers need can be furnished by households, by putting rooftop solar, batteries, heat pumps in people's homes creates enough space on the grid for the electricity that the data centers themselves need.”

“I've built a company with close to 40 employees representing 40 families, over 80 children in my company... With the loss of the tax credit, we've seen the adoption of heat pumps go down,” said Scott Libby, Owner of Royal River Heat Pumps. “Like many small business owners, I'm dealing with higher input costs on equipment, copper shortages from data center demand, and rising health care premiums. My employees get 100% medical, dental, vision, long-term, short-term, disability, and life insurance. I'm seeing those prices skyrocket. But this is not a time to retreat. As we work to reduce electricity costs, we should double down on efficiency and electrification.”


Hirono, Colleagues Introduce Resolution to Overturn Trump Administration Rule Ending Life-Saving Abortion Care for Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and 11 colleagues, including the rest of the SVAC Democratic senators, in introducing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the Trump Administration’s new rule ending abortion counseling entirely and abortion care for veterans who have been raped or whose pregnancy is threatening their health.

“Our veterans shouldn’t have to face barriers to accessing the reproductive health care they need, especially in instances of rape or when their pregnancy put their health at risk,” said Senator Hirono. “As Trump and Republicans continue to attack these fundamental rights, I am proud to stand with my colleagues and introduce this CRA resolution to fight back against this administration. I will continue doing everything in my power to ensure that all who have bravely served our country, regardless of circumstances, have access to the abortion counseling and care they need.”

This CRA follows a new final rule filed by the Trump Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to end VA’s ability to provide these services to veterans. A CRA resolution is an oversight tool Congress can use to overturn final rules issues by federal agencies with a simple majority vote. House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Health Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Ranking Member Mark Takano (D-CA) also introduced a companion CRA resolution in the House to overturn this rule.

In September 2022, VA began to offer abortion counseling to all pregnant veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries, and abortion in cases of rape, incest, or life or health endangerment of the veteran or CHAMPVA beneficiary. This was in response to the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling, which created urgent risks to the lives and health of pregnant veterans and CHAMPVA beneficiaries in states that banned or otherwise severely restricted access to abortion.

Prior to the publication of the final rule, the Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a memo banning this abortion care and counseling at VA, and the VA issued its own internal memo implementing this new policy immediately. This follows the VA’s announcement in August of its intent to issue this change in a proposed rule.

More than 462,000 women veterans of reproductive age are enrolled in VA health care, and more than 112,000 women of reproductive age are enrolled in CHAMPVA. More than half of these women live in states that have enacted abortion bans or restrictions.

The CRA is endorsed by Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Vet Voice Foundation, Minority Veterans of America, Common Defense and twelve other organizations dedicated to protecting the rights and freedoms of our nation's veterans, including Modern Military Association of America, Service Women’s Action Network, Reproductive Freedom for All, National Partnership for Women & Families, American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, American Society for Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproductive Rights, Guttmacher Institute, National Council of Jewish Women, National Women's Law Center Action Fund, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and Power to Decide.

Senator Hirono has been a staunch advocate for veterans’ reproductive health care, previously leading her colleagues in calling on the VA to take immediate administrative action to offer abortions and all abortion-related services to veterans and eligible dependents, following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in June 2022.

In addition to Senators Hirono, Blumenthal, Murray, and Schumer, the joint resolution is also cosponsored by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Angus King (I-ME), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI).

The full text of the resolution is available here.

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Moreno Statement on Democrat Judge Halting Trump TPS Order

WASHINGTON – Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) released the following statement after a Democrat judge postponed the expiration of Joe Biden’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for Haitian migrants.


Padilla, Schiff Pledge to Oppose Federal Reserve Chair Nominee Until Trump Ends Weaponized Assault on the Fed’s Independence

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.) issued the following statement in reaction to Donald Trump’s new nomination of Kevin Warsh to serve as Chair of the Federal Reserve:

“Donald Trump has relentlessly pursued a campaign of political coercion and retribution against the Federal Reserve, weaponizing our justice system to pressure members of the Board of Governors to deliver the interest rates and monetary policy of his choosing.

“The most important criteria for a new Fed Chair will be their ability to withstand political pressures and make decisions independently from the White House. Kevin Warsh’s willingness to alter his views on monetary policy to appease the President should be deeply concerning to everyone. At a time when the administration’s economic policies are driving up inflation and putting basic affordability further out of reach for more Americans, it is particularly important for us to make sure the Federal Reserve is acting in the public’s best interest and not simply complying with the personal whims of the executive.

“The President’s war on the Fed and its independence must end, and until it does, we will oppose every one of his nominees to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, including this one.”

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Padilla Statement on Republicans’ Latest Attempt to Pass SAVE Act to Suppress the Right to Vote for Millions of Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and California’s former Secretary of State, issued the following statement as Republicans in Congress introduced the SAVE America Act, an updated version of the anti-voter SAVE Act which threatens to disenfranchise millions of eligible American citizens by creating even more burdensome documentation requirements, among other voter suppression provisions:

“Once again, extremist Republicans are proving that they will stop at nothing to cause chaos in the midterm elections, pushing an even worse version of the anti-voter SAVE Act to mask their unaffordable and unpopular agenda. Instead of working to hold ICE and CBP accountable, Donald Trump and Republicans are focused on restricting the right to vote based on baseless conspiracy theories and anti-immigrant fearmongering.

“Let me be clear: voting by noncitizens in federal elections is already a felony and it is extremely, extremely rare. This bill does nothing to secure our elections while seeking to disenfranchise millions of married women, military members and spouses, and rural, low-income, and minority voters. It also punishes voters in states that do not comply with Trump’s illegal pressure campaign for state voter information.

“This effort is nothing but a blatant voter suppression tactic in service of an out-of-control Trump Administration, and I will fight to ensure it’s dead on arrival in the Senate.”

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Senate Passes Schatz Measure To Extend Medicare Telehealth Coverage For Additional Two Years

Washington – On Friday, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan funding bill that included a provision authored by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) that will extend telehealth access for Americans enrolled in Medicare through the end of 2027. Schatz has been leading efforts to expand telehealth for more than a decade, authoring the CONNECT for Health Act, which was first introduced in 2016 and is considered the most comprehensive legislation on telehealth in Congress. Since its introduction, several provisions of the bill have been enacted into law or adopted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, including provisions to remove restrictions on telehealth services for mental health, stroke care, and home dialysis.

“Telehealth is helping people get the care they need, and it’s here to stay. This two-year extension will mean Medicare patients will continue to see their doctors no matter where they live,” said Senator Schatz.

Telehealth provides essential access to care with nearly a quarter of Medicare beneficiaries accessing telehealth in the past year.

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Shaheen Joins Colleagues in Searching for Answers About How New Regional Data Centers will Drive up Energy Costs for New England Communities

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) joined Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jack Reed (D-RI), Ed Markey (D-MA) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in leading a letter requesting answers from ISO New England President and CEO Vamsi Chadalavada about how the grid operator plans to protect residential ratepayers from data center-driven price increases.

The average residential electricity price nationally increased 13% in the first 9 months of 2025 alone. Although some cost increases are associated with updating aging infrastructure, data centers have driven steep regional demand growth, leading to higher prices both in wholesale and retail electricity markets.

The Senators wrote, in part: “As Senators representing New England, we are deeply concerned that data center growth will drive up energy costs and degrade reliability for our constituents. As the Independent System Operator New England (ISO-NE) continues with its own market reforms, it is essential that service remains affordable and reliable for residential consumers. We believe it is necessary to require tech companies, not American families, to foot the bill for their load. We request further information on the strategies that ISO-NE plans to implement to protect residential ratepayers from data center-driven price increases.”

They continued, “Forecasts suggest that, after two decades of stagnation, U.S. electricity demand could increase as much as 5.7% through 2030, a level of growth not seen since the 1960s. The share of electricity serving data centers is expected to triple from 2023 levels, accounting for 11.7% of U.S. power demand.”

“While demand is increasing, so are electricity costs. The average residential electricity price increased 13% in the first nine months of 2025 alone. Data centers are one of the key factors driving steep demand growth in certain regions, leading to higher prices both in wholesale and retail electricity markets. At PJM’s annual capacity auction in July of this year, which aims to secure resources to meet future peak demand, prices hit $329.17 per megawatt/day, a 22% increase from the 2024 auction, and a nearly 1000% increase from 2023.”

The Senators highlighted that data centers have been slow to arrive in New England, in part because the region already has high power prices, “This dramatic price increase occurred even with a negotiated price cap in place, which reduced capacity auction prices by 38%, or nearly $10 billion. Without an extension or other reforms, this cap will expire, and prices are likely to rise even further. These high prices are being passed on to households across the PJM region. New England already suffers from historically high energy prices. It is essential that our constituents do not face the same fate.”

“Rapid demand growth also threatens the reliability of the electric grid. Despite setting record prices in its capacity auction, PJM was unable to meet its planning reserve margin. ISO-NE likewise experiences a tighter reserve margin while ill-advised efforts by the Trump Administration to stall offshore wind have delayed our region’s planned addition of this reliable, clean, and affordable power generation. Should New England see an influx of data centers coming online, pressure on the margin will only worsen.”

They concluded, “ISO-NE has a central role in making sure residential ratepayers are not unjustly burdened by data center growth. As the ones who stand to benefit most, the multi-billion-dollar AI industry should be responsible for these costs. With data centers emerging across New England, how will ISO-NE work to protect residential customers from these costs? We appreciate the work that ISO New England does to operate our region’s bulk power system. We share a common goal of maintaining reliable, affordable electricity for all customers as more data centers come online.”

The full text of the letter can be found HERE.

At a time when the cost of living is a top concern, Shaheen has led the charge in Washington to protect federal programs that help Granite Staters afford their energy bills and make energy efficiency updates that save money. Due to Shaheen’s efforts, the Administration recently released federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding, which more than 57,000 Granite Staters rely on to help pay their home heating bills – providing critical assistance to families during New Hampshire winters. Shaheen has also previously condemned efforts by the Trump Administration to eliminate staff responsible for administering the LIHEAP program.

Shaheen was a key supporter of the Inflation Reduction Act and a lead negotiator of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, legislation that made landmark investments in energy efficiency. In the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Shaheen helped secure $3.5 billion in additional funding for the Weatherization Assistance Program, including $18 million for New Hampshire. Shaheen has long-championed the Weatherization Assistance Program to lower energy costs for low-income families in New Hampshire, as well as the State Energy Program, which assists states with the development of energy efficiency renewable projects. In December of last year, the New Hampshire delegation called on the Department of Energy to immediately release the remaining $9 million in funding for weatherization from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In addition, Shaheen led the delegation in opposing the Environmental Protection Agency’s efforts to terminate a $43 million grant for New Hampshire to support community solar and other solar projects that would reduce residents’ utility bills by 20% or more.

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Sullivan Honored to Announce 2026 Military Service Academy Nominations

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) today announced the names of 33 young Alaskans he nominated to the U.S. Military Service Academies. Senator Sullivan made his selections with the help of an Academy Review Board, comprised of eleven members from across Alaska, many of whom are service academy graduates. The board reviewed applications, interviewed each of the applicants, and made recommendations to the Senator.

“It is a highlight of my job to nominate young Alaskans to our nation’s prestigious military service academies,” said Sen. Sullivan. “These students, from across Alaska and with diverse backgrounds, show the incredible ways our young people are involved in our communities, schools, churches, and homes. They are not only hard workers, but well-rounded, caring individuals who have a desire to serve their country as leaders in the military. My board and I are so pleased to get to know them better and provide them this opportunity to compete to attend an academy.”

“I also want to thank the dedicated members of the review board for volunteering countless hours of their own time to strengthen this process. We hope to see more applications next year and encourage young Alaskans to research the academies and the programs they offer.”

Members of the Alaska congressional delegation work closely with one another to maximize the opportunities for Alaska men and women to receive nominations to the academies. The nominations allow the applicants to compete for appointments to the academies. Appointments are offered individually by the academies.

Senator Sullivan’s Class of 2030 U.S. Military Service Academy nominees are as follows:

U.S. Air Force Academy:

Austin Johnson, Ketchikan

Keena Bennett, Anchorage

Abigail Sullivan, Military Dependent

John McGaughan, Military Dependent

Kelsey Barrett, Anchorage

Macey Harper, Anchorage

Lane Hillyer, Soldotna

Michael Porter, Eagle River

Luke Hillyer, Soldotna

Nalani Mendez, Military Dependent

Morgan Ainsworth, Palmer

Rick Benedict, Wasilla

Aiden Smith, North Pole

Cavan Dick, Anchorage

Garin Ludwig, Anchorage

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy:

Donovan Mahoney, Eagle River

Evan Dash, Ketchikan

Benjamin Houser, Wrangell

Scott Johnson, Fairbanks

Keena Bennett, Anchorage

Isabelle Limauro, Anchorage

Michael Porter, Eagle River

Rick Benedict, Wasilla

Aodhan Nakada, Anchorage

U.S. Military Academy:

Alyssa Hansen, Fairbanks

Nina Carstens, Anchorage

Aidan Koontz, Eagle River

Elodie Bennett, Anchorage

Ansley Smith, Military Dependent

Mary Burke, Fairbanks

Maximilian Andrysiak, Military Dependent

Elayna Tunney, Anchorage

Michael Porter, Eagle River

Rick Benedict, Wasilla

Aodhan Nakada, Anchorage

Gabriel Austin, Anchorage

Keena Bennett, Anchorage

U.S. Naval Academy:

Mary Burke, Fairbanks

Maximilian Andrysiak, Military Dependent

Reese Woodward, Eagle River

Elayna Tunney, Anchorage

Isabelle Limauro, Anchorage

Sarah Baisden, Anchorage

Aodhan Nakada, Anchorage

Nicholas Boring, Anchorage

Gabriel Austin, Anchorage

Keena Bennett, Anchorage

Nina Carstens, Anchorage

Macey Harper, Anchorage

Rick Benedict, Wasilla

Michael Porter, Eagle River

NOTE: The U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a Congressional nomination for their application.


Thune on the Senate’s Fiscal Year 2026 Appropriations Work

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

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, on Friday the Senate passed five of the six remaining appropriation bills – defense appropriations; Transportation and Housing and Urban Development; Financial Services and General Government; Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education; and National Security and Department of State.

“In all, five appropriation bills that funds all those various programs and agencies, Mr. President.

“It’s been a long road to get here, with the process most notably interrupted by the Democrats’ 43-day shutdown in the fall.

“But I’m proud to be able to say that the Senate has passed 11 full-year appropriations bills.

“Mr. President, when I became leader, I made it very clear that I wanted a return to regular-order consideration of appropriations bills.

“Too many times, the Senate has resorted to long-term continuing resolutions and omnibus bills written behind closed doors.

“That’s not how I wanted to do things.

“And I’m proud that despite some hiccups along the way, we have returned the lead to the committees and have now considered 11 of the 12 individual bills on the Senate floor.

“The advantages of a member-driven process are myriad.

“First and foremost, it empowers senators – of both parties – to make their voices, and the voices of their constituents, heard.

“And it provides for genuinely serious consideration of spending priorities.

“This year’s appropriations bills together spend less than if we had simply extended current spending levels under a continuing resolution.

“We are saving taxpayer dollars by doing full-year appropriations bills.

“We are also supporting our national defense.

“Endless continuing resolutions aren’t good for any part of the government, but they’re especially dangerous for our military readiness.

“Under CRs, or continuing resolutions, the military can be prevented from starting essential new projects, current projects can face delays and cost overrun, and the appropriate resources may not always be available for operations.

“Funding the military through the yearly defense appropriations bill – instead of through CRs – is essential.

“And I’m very pleased that we passed the full-year bill on Friday.

“Before I close, I want to extend my gratitude to Appropriations Committee Chair Collins and Vice Chair Murray – and all the members of the Senate Appropriations Committee – for their tireless work this year.

“Appropriations work is demanding.

“And I appreciate all they have done to make it possible for us to pass 11 of the 12 fiscal year 2026 bills.

“Now, Mr. President, on that 12th bill –

“We had a bipartisan agreement on the Homeland Security appropriations bill that included funding for deescalation training for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as … body cams for ICE officers.

“Nevertheless, Republicans agreed to Democrats’ request for additional time to allow for additional consideration of this bill before final passage.

“But any conversation – any conversation, Mr. President – has to include a discussion of how to make it safer for our federal law enforcement agents to effectively carry out their duties.

“We need to address not only issues like increased training for ICE officers but things like preventing the constant harassment – and worse – that officers have faced for simply trying to do their jobs.

“The president’s border czar, Tom Homan, recently traveled to Minneapolis at the president’s request, and his efforts have gone a long way to restoring order in that city and ensuring that immigration operations can be carried out safely.

“One thing he’s trying to accomplish is increased cooperation between local law enforcement and ICE.

“That’s another thing, Mr. President, that Democrats should be willing to address in the coming days.

“It’s notable how much more peaceful things have been in cities where local law enforcement has been authorized to cooperate with ICE, and it’s time to bring an end to the dangerous practice of local jurisdictions refusing to cooperate with federal law enforcement.

“So I hope there will be a set of issues like those that Senate Democrats and the administration … can find consensus around.

“But one thing is clear: If Democrats’ goal is simply to make it harder to detain and deport dangerous illegal aliens, then they will find no interest on this side of the aisle.

“I hope that is not the case, because the stakes are high.

“Republicans provided for ICE enforcement in the Working Families Tax Cuts, but the Homeland Security bill funds a number of other critical agencies, including the TSA, the Coast Guard, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency – agencies that we cannot leave behind.

“We need to give these agencies the security of a full-year funding bill without delay.

“Mr. President, I once again thank Senate appropriators for helping us to get to this point.

“And I look forward to finishing our 2026 appropriations work in the coming days.”


Van Hollen Joins Klobuchar, Heinrich, Merkley in Raising Concerns About National Trail Program

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, and colleagues in pressing the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service for more information about problems identified in an internal report on the National Trail Program.

“We write with strong concerns regarding a December 2025 report published by the U.S. Forest Service on the status of the U.S Forest Service’s National Trail Program,” the Senators wrote in their letter. “The report warns of significant challenges in sustaining trail operations and recreation access, as well as potential loss of decades of investments in trail infrastructure.”

“The public land recreation economy contributes over $350 million every day to our national economy, $128 billion every year, and the National Forest System (NFS) plays a significant role in that contribution. There are over 164,000 miles of trails in the NFS, with 84 million people annually visiting trails and 143,000 jobs supported by recreation and tourism spending. Considering the importance of the National Scenic and Historic Trails statutorily created by Congress for the Forest Service to manage, and the Forest Service National Trail Program in general, the report findings that public access and overall recreation satisfaction ‘will continue to decline in 2026 and beyond without direction to prioritize investments into these programs,’ is troubling,” the lawmakers concluded.

Along with Van Hollen, Klobuchar, Heinrich, and Merkley, the letter was signed by Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.).

The full text of the letter can be found here and below:

Dear Chief Schultz:

We write with strong concerns regarding a December 2025 report published by the U.S. Forest Service on the status of the U.S Forest Service’s National Trail Program. The report warns of significant challenges in sustaining trail operations and recreation access, as well as potential loss of decades of investments in trail infrastructure.

The public land recreation economy contributes over $350 million every day to our national economy, $128 billion every year, and the National Forest System (NFS) plays a significant role in that contribution. There are over 164,000 miles of trails in the NFS, with 84 million people annually visiting trails and 143,000 jobs supported by recreation and tourism spending. Considering the importance of the National Scenic and Historic Trails statutorily created by Congress for the Forest Service to manage, and the Forest Service National Trail Program in general, the report findings that public access and overall recreation satisfaction “will continue to decline in 2026 and beyond without direction to prioritize investments into these programs,” is troubling.

The report draws on input from 290, mostly district-level, Forest Service staff to assess current challenges facing Forest Service trail operations. It found that workforce shortages and loss of trails expertise, low morale, poor communication, operational gaps, and stalled and unfunded contracts and agreements threaten decades of investments into the Forest Service’s trail system. The report’s conclusions raise serious questions about the public’s ability to enjoy National Forest Trails, particularly as the Forest Service adjusts to a workforce that has declined by at least 16 percent in the last year.

A key finding of the report is that workforce vacancies, hiring freezes, and lost skills are weakening the agency’s ability to maintain trails and effectively leverage partners’ contributions to the upkeep of trails. Beyond staffing challenges, the Forest Service National Trail Program identifies unclear priorities, inconsistent messaging, and misalignment of priorities and resources as ongoing barriers to trail maintenance. The report also highlights deficiencies in grants and agreement (G&A) management as a primary challenge to maintaining Forest Service trails. Given the importance of this issue, we request responses to each of the following questions no later than February 18, 2026, on the Forest Service’s plan to address the immediate needs listed in the report.

1. What is the Forest Service’s plan and timeline for addressing all of the issues raised in the report?

2. Is the Forest Service planning to extend externally funded and disaster-funded Permanent Seasonal Employee (PSE) positions?

3. Please describe the steps the Forest Service is planning to take to increase G&A capacity in the trail program.

4. How will Forest Service leadership provide accurate, consistent direction and resources to all levels of the agency to ensure the trails program can implement its mission?

5. Will the Forest Service consider restoring direct hire authority for the Youth Conservation Corps program?

6. How is the Forest Service planning to ensure appropriate staffing levels are restored and maintained?

7. How will the Forest Service invest in training for partners, and volunteers on trail maintenance and operations?

8. The National Trails System Act of 1968 requires the Forest Service to provide for the development and maintenance of the National Scenic and Historic Trails (NSHT) under its jurisdiction. Given the report’s findings, what is the Forest Service’s plan for ensuring all statutory requirements of the National Trails System Act of 1968 are met for the NSHT under the Forest Service’s jurisdiction?

Forest Service staff and partners are critical to maintaining the over 164,000 miles of trails in the National Forest System. The challenges and impacts in the Program report are deeply concerning and raise questions about what steps the Forest Service will take to maintain the public’s ability to access and use Forest Service trails. We look forward to your timely response on this important matter.

Sincerely,


Van Hollen, Joins Warren, Colleagues in Opening New Investigation into Trump Ripping Legal Status Away From Haitian Workers

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen joined Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), along with Representatives Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), and Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), and over 50 members of Congress in writing to LeadingAge, the National Domestic Workers Alliance, National Nurses United, MASS Senior Care Association, and The Arc of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Nurses Association, SEIU 509, and the Association of Developmental Disabilities Providers, asking them to share how the end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for people from Haiti would affect the health care, elder care, and disability care workforce and patients.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

Dear Organization Leaders:

President Trump has systematically stripped legal immigrants of their legal status — including 1.5 million people on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) who have lived and worked in the United States for years, sometimes decades. This mass de-legalization has left various

segments of the American workforce, from health care to construction to hospitality, without the workers they depend on. Notably, the termination of TPS for Haiti — scheduled for February 3, 2026 — threatens to seriously disrupt the health care, senior care, and disability care workforce. We request your assistance with helping us understand the impact of TPS terminations for Haiti and other countries on the provision of health care, elder care, and disability care in the United States.

Immigrant communities across the board are a key part of the direct patient care workforce. While immigrants make up around 20 percent of the U.S. civilian labor force, they make up “[m]ore than a quarter of an estimated 4 million nursing assistants, home health aides,

personal care aides and other so-called direct care workers.” The share of immigrant workers reaches almost one-third for home health aides and long-term care workers. In some states, that average share is higher: for example, in Massachusetts, immigrants make up 22 percent of the state’s overall workforce but almost 40 percent of health aides, and in Florida, immigrants make up 27 percent of the workforce yet 48 percent of health aides and 64 percent of home health aides.

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

Despite Haitian TPS holders’ critical contributions as care providers, on February 3, 2026, the Trump Administration plans to strip TPS status — which allows immigrants from countries undergoing dangerous conditions to lawfully reside in the United States — from over

300,000 Haitians currently on TPS in the United States. We are gravely concerned that the end of TPS for Haiti will threaten access to health care, elder care, and disability care for American families. Experts have warned that TPS terminations will contribute to “serious disrupt[ions]” of “health care facilities, which already struggle to hire enough workers.” Care facilities have already lost or are preparing to lose critical Haitian immigrant workers due to President Trump’s immigration policy changes. For example: in 2025, an elder care facility in Florida had to fire dozens of Haitian employees who represented almost 10 percent of the staff; a Boston hospital that relies heavily on Haitian Certified Nursing Assistants is bracing for staffing shortages; and a senior housing and health care facility in Virginia was forced to lay off Haitian employees and then struggled to fill their roles.

These changes risk harming the quality and availability of care for Americans. One medical director of five nursing homes noted that “hospices and home health care providers…rely on immigrants, sometimes for the majority of the workforce ‘[a]nd suddenly a large portion of that will just evaporate,’” with some facilities “bracing to lose up to 20% of their staff.” Another provider noted that his home care locations “turn down clients all of the time because we don't have enough people,” and that the de-legalization of immigrant workers “is making a very difficult problem worse.”

At precisely a time when the United States needs more elder care providers for its aging population, and health care facilities report difficulties filling nursing, home care, and other provider vacancies, the Trump Administration is forcing legal, trained care providers out of the workforce. This trend of de-legalizing legal immigrant workers will not make Americans safer. It will simply leave our communities with fewer options for quality, affordable care.

We have asked the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Labor (DoL), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) how they anticipate TPS terminations will impact the health care workforce. The Administration’s response did not address our concern.

Given your organization’s work with direct care providers, we ask that you share any data, stories, or other information you have related to the following questions by February 17, 2026:

1. Thus far, have you observed any impacts of TPS terminations, cancelations of parole, and other immigration policy changes since January 20, 2025 on the health care or elder care workforce?

2. What impact do you anticipate TPS terminations will have on the health care and elder care workforce over the coming months or years?

a. How, if at all, have you seen TPS terminations or uncertainty around immigration status affect patient/client access to care, continuity of services, or provider capacity within health care and elder care settings?

3. How do you anticipate the end of TPS for Haiti in particular would impact the health care and elder care workforce?

We appreciate your time and attention to this matter.

Sincerely,