Padilla, Schiff, Whitehouse, Colleagues Investigate EPA’s “Fait Accompli” Repeal of Bedrock Climate Safeguard

Senators to Zeldin: “Presidential policy preferences do not give EPA carte blanche to bypass statutory mandates to engage in good faith with sound science and public input in favor of predetermined outcomes.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.), members of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW), joined EPW Ranking Member Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and 38 other Senators in launching an investigation into Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin’s decision to repeal the 2009 endangerment finding, the bedrock scientific determination underpinning EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. From the outset, EPA’s public statements and private documents about the repeal have made clear that the rulemaking process was a fait accompli rather than a transparent notice-and-comment rulemaking.

In 2009, following the Supreme Court’s decision in Massachusetts v. EPA, EPA determined that greenhouse gases harm public health and welfare. This determination, known as the endangerment finding, provided the legal basis for U.S. climate policy. It is grounded in extensive peer-reviewed science and confirmed by successive National Climate Assessments and reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Twice, EPA’s scientific finding has withstood challenge at the D.C. Circuit, and both times, the Supreme Court declined to consider appeals.

The repeal ignores more than half a century of evidence and constitutes a formal denial by EPA that greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health and welfare — a position that defies decades of scientific evidence, agency precedent, Supreme Court rulings, and, perhaps most importantly, the lived experiences of millions of Americans. Repealing it immediately terminated greenhouse pollution standards for vehicles and sets the stage for rolling back pollution standards for power plants, airplanes, and more.

In a letter to Administrator Zeldin, the Senators pointed out that his public comments treated repeal as a foregone conclusion.

“You have described the endangerment finding as the ‘holy grail of climate change religion,’ and stated that under your leadership, EPA would be ‘driving a dagger through the heart’ of climate regulation,” wrote the Senators. “In media appearances and official communications, you framed repeal as ‘the largest deregulatory action in the history of the United States,’ emphasizing cost savings and ideological opposition rather than engagement with the statutory endangerment standard — or with the massive costs to human health and welfare that greenhouse gas-driven climate change imposes.”

Not only do the Trump Administration’s public comments make clear that it regarded repeal of the endangerment finding as a predetermined objective, but internal documents also reveal that EPA was moving to finalize the rescission before completing its required regulatory review. Before the nearly 600,000 public comments were reviewed — many of which outlined the scientific and legal infirmities of repealing the endangerment finding — Trump’s EPA was already informing agency staff of its plans for repeal. According to public reporting, “internal agency notes and presentation slides show that you ‘intend[ed] to sign off … on the final policy and legal justifications for repealing the so-called endangerment finding … climate rules for cars and trucks…’”

To justify the proposed repeal, Administrator Zeldin initially signaled that he would rely in part on a Department of Energy (DOE) pseudoscientific report written by an illegally formed federal working group of known climate deniers with close ties to fossil fuel and polluting industry actors. Rife with clear errors, cherry-picked data, and misrepresented facts, the report peddled the lie that human-caused climate change is not a threat. But, as the Senators explained, a “federal judge … ruled that the DOE violated federal law when Secretary Wright hand-picked the five researchers and convened the Working Group in secret, finding that its formation and operation breached the Federal Advisory Committee Act’s requirements for transparency, public meetings, and balanced viewpoints. … The collapse of the Working Group effort simply underscores that EPA attempted, and failed, to manufacture support for a conclusion the established scientific record does not and cannot sustain.”

“When an agency signals that the outcome of a proceeding is preordained, public participation becomes performative rather than meaningful, undermining the legitimacy of the rulemaking process and violating basic principles of administrative law. The Administrative Procedure Act prohibits agencies from engaging in rulemaking when decisionmakers have an ‘unalterably closed mind.’ … Presidential policy preferences do not give EPA carte blanche to bypass statutory mandates to engage in good faith with sound science and public input in favor of predetermined outcomes,” concluded the Senators.

In addition to Padilla, Schiff, and Ranking Member Whitehouse, the letter was also signed by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

The Senators requested documents and information from EPA concerning the agency’s legal justification and decision-making process by February 27, 2026.

Senators Padilla and Schiff have been outspoken in underscoring the catastrophic environmental consequences of the Trump Administration’s efforts to reverse the endangerment finding. Last September, Padilla and Schiff joined Representative Mike Levin (D-Calif.-49) and 41 other members of California’s Democratic Congressional Delegation in calling on EPA to keep the endangerment finding in place. Earlier last year, Padilla, Schiff, and all other EPW Committee Democrats demanded answers about Zeldin’s secretive efforts to roll back the longstanding EPA endangerment finding.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Administrator Zeldin:

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rule rescinding the December 7, 2009, endangerment finding marks a fundamental break from nearly two decades of settled law, science, and regulatory practice under the Clean Air Act. Promulgated pursuant to the Supreme Court’s direction in Massachusetts v. EPA, the endangerment finding forms the legal foundation for EPA’s greenhouse gas regulatory framework. Its repeal destroys that framework and results in a failure to faithfully execute EPA’s statutory mandate to protect human health—a mandate you acknowledged repeatedly during your confirmation hearing. But setting aside the dire implications of this final rule, the timing of and context for this entire enterprise suggest that this was a predetermined outcome, perhaps dictated more by concern for corporate interests than by an honest review of the law and science of climate change.

From the outset of the reconsideration of the endangerment finding, you have made repeated public statements characterizing its repeal as the objective rather than a question to be evaluated through notice-and-comment rulemaking. You have described the endangerment finding as the “holy grail of climate change religion,” and stated that under your leadership, EPA would be “driving a dagger through the heart” of climate regulation. In media appearances and official communications, you framed repeal as “the largest deregulatory action in the history of the United States,” emphasizing cost savings and ideological opposition rather than engagement with the statutory endangerment standard—or with the massive costs to human health and welfare that greenhouse gas-driven climate change imposes.

Your improper, conclusory statements align with internal EPA documents showing that EPA leadership was moving to finalize the rescission of the endangerment finding before EPA staff had even had the chance to complete the agency’s required regulatory review. As reported by Politico’s E&E News in September 2025, internal agency notes and presentation slides show that you “intend[ed] to sign off . . . on the final policy and legal justifications for repealing the so-called endangerment finding and . . . climate rules for cars and trucks . . . before agency staff ha[d] time to sift through all public comments — or complete the legally required regulatory impact analysis.” Reporting further stated that political appointees had told career EPA officials that the cost-benefit analysis reflected in the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) would “have no bearing on the final regulatory package.”

These statements and internal documents came to light while reconsideration was pending and before EPA had reviewed or responded to the more than 570,000 public comments submitted to the docket, many of which pointed out the proposed withdrawal’s numerous scientific, legal, and logical deficiencies. And despite those comments, you and other Administration officials have repeatedly asserted that the endangerment finding had already been discredited and that repeal was necessary to restore “common sense” and reverse what they described as an illegitimate regulatory project.

These conclusory assertions were compounded by EPA’s initial reliance on a report produced by the now-defunct Department of Energy (DOE) Climate Working Group, which the proposed rule cites as support for questioning the scientific bases of the endangerment finding. The group’s five authors, including a former BP chief scientist and other researchers known for questioning mainstream climate science on issues such as the severity of climate impacts, have extensive histories promoting views at odds with widely accepted climate science. EPA’s invocation of this body at the proposal stage represents an effort to manufacture a scientific rationale for rescission where the established record provides none.

Legal challenges quickly unraveled that effort. After a Massachusetts federal court found that the Working Group was subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act and, therefore, subject to certain transparency and public participation requirements, DOE Secretary Chris Wright disbanded the Working Group before it could finalize its report or address the legal deficiencies—presumably because doing so would expose fatal flaws in the Working Group’s methodology.

In December, the agency was ordered to produce records related to the group’s activities. A federal judge then ruled that the DOE violated federal law when Secretary Wright hand-picked the five researchers and convened the Working Group in secret, finding that its formation and operation breached the Federal Advisory Committee Act’s requirements for transparency, public meetings, and balanced viewpoints. The court’s judgement establishes as a matter of law that the report was produced through an unlawful and fundamentally compromised process, rendering its draft reports scientifically unreliable and legally unusable for any regulatory purposes. Although EPA now asserts in the final rule that it “is not relying” on either version of the Working Group’s draft report, that disavowal does not cure the deeper problem: the agency’s resort to an unlawfully constituted body, one selected to produce a predetermined narrative, reveals a desperate attempt to find any support they could, including an illegitimate scientific foundation, to justify rescinding the endangerment finding. The collapse of the Working Group effort simply underscores that EPA attempted, and failed, to manufacture support for a conclusion the established scientific record does not and cannot sustain.

Taken together, this evidence shows that EPA reached a firm conclusion about the outcome of the reconsideration well before reviewing the full administrative record or considering the substantial public comments submitted in response to the proposal.

EPA’s approach is particularly troubling because the endangerment finding rests on decades of firm science. An agency seeking to reverse such a determination is not writing on a blank slate; it must grapple with the existing record of evidence and explain how the facts have changed or why a different conclusion is now justified. Yet during the reconsideration, Administration officials publicly dismissed the underlying science and asserted without evidence that the EPA had ignored data in finalizing the endangerment finding. These statements stand in stark contrast to the extensive scientific record showing that the harms of climate change have compounded since 2009, with worsening extreme heat, flooding, wildfires, and record-breaking global temperatures documented by U.S. and international scientific bodies. They also fly in the face of not only Massachusetts v. EPA but also two D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals rulings upholding the endangerment finding—rulings the Supreme Court then declined to review.

In its final rule, EPA attempts to distance itself from the science question altogether by arguing that EPA’s 2009 endangerment finding and subsequent regulation represented a “profound misreading” of Supreme Court directive in Massachusetts v. EPA, and thus that EPA’s decision to make the finding in the first place, and to regulate based on that finding, was legally flawed. On the contrary, the Massachusetts court ordered EPA to regulate emissions of greenhouse gases from motor vehicles unless it either “determine[d] that greenhouse gases do not contribute to climate change or if it provide[d] some reasonable explanation as to why it cannot or will not exercise its discretion to determine whether they do.” This EPA does neither. EPA’s willful disregard of the applicable law, in its determination to shirk its regulatory obligation, reflects the predetermined nature of the final rollback.

When an agency signals that the outcome of a proceeding is preordained, public participation becomes performative rather than meaningful, undermining the legitimacy of the rulemaking process and violating basic principles of administrative law. The Administrative Procedure Act prohibits agencies from engaging in rulemaking when decisionmakers have an “unalterably closed mind.” Notice-and-comment procedures are intended to ensure that agency decisions are informed by evidence, expert analysis, and public input—not to be discarded or ignored so that the agency can ratify outcomes that have already been decided. That risk of prejudgment is particularly acute here in light of President Trump’s repeated attacks on climate science and regulation. Presidential policy preferences do not give EPA carte blanche to bypass statutory mandates to engage in good faith with sound science and public input in favor of predetermined outcomes.

The procedural integrity of EPA’s reconsideration is further undermined by the fact that regulated industries have already undertaken significant, difficult-to-reverse investment decisions that assume reduced or eliminated greenhouse gas regulation—despite the absence of any final agency action. Since the announcement of the reconsideration, major actors in the transportation sector have adjusted capital planning, production strategies, and retirement schedules in ways that are consistent with an anticipated rollback of federal climate regulation, rather than with the continuation of the regulatory framework established under the 2009 endangerment finding. These actions, sometimes amounting to generational shifts in investment, raise substantial questions about whether EPA has already committed to that outcome, what EPA has communicated to those industries, and whether EPA has fully disclosed any communications or assurances influencing those expectations in the administrative record.

In December 2025, for example, Ford announced a $19.5 billion write-down tied to pivot away from electric vehicles, discontinuing production of the all-electric F-150 Lightning, scrapping plans for an electric commercial van, and abandoning development of a full-size electric truck planned for 2028. General Motors reported a $6 billion charge in January and a $1.6 billion charge in October 2025 following a reassessment of its EV strategy; in the same period, it announced thousands of layoffs at locations its Factory Zero EV plant and a separate EV battery plant. Executives at the “Detroit Three” explicitly pointed to the Administration’s deregulatory posture when announcing renewed investments in gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles. Already, industry is relying on EPA’s expected retreat from federal greenhouse gas regulation.

To assist in our understanding of the bases, process, and effects of the repeal of the endangerment finding, please respond to the following questions and requests for production of documents no later than February 27, 2026:

1. Please identify and produce all communications, emails, memoranda, briefing materials, or meeting notes created or held by the Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Assistant Administrators, and senior political staff regarding the endangerment finding from January 20, 2025, through the final rulemaking announcement. Include all documents discussing the justification, anticipated outcome, or strategy for reconsideration, as well as any analyses or statements reflecting whether agency leadership had reached conclusions regarding the final rule prior to OIRA review.

2. Please identify and produce all communications, including emails, memoranda, meeting notes, text messages, and call logs between EPA leadership (including the Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Assistant Administrators, and senior political staff) and representatives of regulated industries, trade associations, or industry-funded organizations concerning the repeal or reconsideration of the endangerment finding dating from January 20, 2025, through the final rulemaking announcement.

3. Please identify and produce all communications, analyses, or internal memoranda discussing how regulated entities have relied or may rely on the 2009 endangerment finding in planning investments, capital expenditures, retirement schedules, production strategies, or other operational decisions. Include all materials reflecting EPA’s consideration of, or failure to consider, such reliance in the decision to repeal the finding.

4. Please identify all communications, including emails, meeting notes, text messages, and call logs, between EPA and the White House, OIRA, the Department of Energy, or other federal agencies regarding the outcome, timing, or scope of the endangerment finding reconsideration.

Sincerely,

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Reed Statement on Passing of Civil Rights Leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, following the passing of longtime civil rights leader and former presidential candidate Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., who was recently diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) issued the following statement:

“In 1966, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. launched the Chicago chapter of Operation Breadbasket and asked a young Jesse Jackson to lead it. In the ensuing decades, Reverend Jackson served as a powerful voice for the Black community and working class people. A Baptist minister, Reverend Jackson was also a tireless activist, organizer, and civil rights leader. He helped found the Rainbow PUSH Coalition as a way to bring people from all walks of life together, mobilize interracial and interfaith coalitions, and advance economic justice and expand opportunities for overlooked and disadvantaged communities.

“I join Rhode Islanders in mourning the passing of the Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr. He was a witness to, a participant in, and proponent of some of the most pivotal and consequential moments in civil rights history. As a presidential candidate, Reverend Jackson paved the way for a new generation of leaders. He helped advance voting rights, equal opportunity, and progressive social change. We are saddened by his loss and extend our best wishes to his family, friends, and supporters.”


What Are They Saying: Risch, Gallego Nuclear Bill is Critical to Meet Growing Energy Demands

WASHINGTON – Last week, U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) introduced the Accelerating Reliable Capacity (ARC) Act. The ARC Act would establish a risk reduction program for new commercial nuclear reactors.

The ARC Act has received significant support from industry leaders. Here’s what they are saying:

ClearPath Action CEO Jeremy Harrell: “Rising demand for clean, affordable and reliable energy highlights the role nuclear plays in unlocking American energy dominance. The faster nuclear projects get off the ground, the faster the U.S. can build new manufacturing facilities and data centers. The bipartisan ARC Act seeks to supercharge the deployment of new nuclear projects to meet this need.”

Nuclear Energy Institute President and CEO Maria Korsnick: “The Accelerating Reliable Capacity Act offers an important part of the solution to address the financial barriers that can prevent the deployment of new nuclear reactors. With essential financing solutions and consumer protections, this legislation can accelerate the commercialization of advanced nuclear technology, enhance U.S. energy independence, and strengthen our global leadership in clean and reliable energy innovation. We are grateful for the bipartisan leadership of Senators Risch and Gallego and look forward to working with Congress and other stakeholders to advance this important bill.”

Idaho National Laboratory Director John Wagner: “I want to thank Senators Risch and Gallego for their leadership on addressing barriers to advanced reactor deployment. Providing targeted cost overrun protection for first-of-a-kind projects will help accelerate commercial deployment, meet the significant growth in demand for reliable power that our industrial sector and economic competitiveness require, and ensure continued U.S. leadership in nuclear energy.”

Idaho Public Utilities Commission President Ed Lodge: “Idaho has long been a leader in advancing U.S. nuclear energy, with cutting-edge technologies being demonstrated at Idaho National Laboratory that can help meet growing demand. Senator Jim Risch’s ARC Act supports the next generation of advanced nuclear by addressing the unique risks of first-of-a-kind projects. By pairing a targeted federal financial backstop with strong safeguards, this bipartisan legislation helps reduce financial uncertainty, protect customers and ratepayers and accelerate commercialization.”

American Public Power Association Senior Vice President, Advocacy and Communications & General Counsel Desmarie Waterhouse: “The American Public Power Association (APPA) applauds Senators Risch and Gallego for their bipartisan leadership on introducing the Accelerating Reliable Capacity (ARC) Act of 2026. The ARC Act’s cost overrun protections meaningfully address financial barriers facing next-generation nuclear projects. As energy demand continues to grow nationwide, public power utilities need access to more baseload generation to ensure affordable and reliable service for the communities they serve. APPA commends Senators Risch and Gallego for recognizing the essential role nuclear energy can play in meeting rising electricity demand while preserving affordability and reliability for American households.”

Arizona Public Service President and CEO Ted Geisler: “The Accelerating Reliable Capacity Act is critical to the establishment of new nuclear assets in the United States and at home in Arizona. APS has a long history of nuclear leadership at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station which provides 4.0 GW of clean, reliable nuclear energy to over 4 million customers. We are thankful for Arizona’s Senator Ruben Gallego and Senator Jim Risch for their bipartisan leadership to help bring new nuclear to the United States.”

U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Global Energy Institute: “The ARC Act is a critical step toward addressing the unprecedented electricity demand driven by data center growth, ensuring a reliable and affordable energy future. By advancing the development and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies, this legislation provides a clean, firm power solution essential to meeting the increasing energy needs of our modern economy. Nuclear energy must play a central role in supporting this demand while maintaining grid reliability and achieving environmental goals. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly supports this bill as a vital component of our nation’s energy strategy.”

IBEW International President Kenneth Cooper: “I commend Senators Risch and Gallego for their leadership in support of the advanced nuclear industry. The IBEW has long served on the front lines of innovation in the energy sector and advanced nuclear should be no different. Federal incentives have a critical role to play in bringing new nuclear technology to market. The ARC Act represents a pivotal step of moving projects from studies and speculation to shovels in the ground and unlocking meaningful private sector investment.”

Holtec International Director of Government Affairs and Communication Patrick O’Brien: “Holtec International is encouraged by the ARC act introduction from Senator Risch and Senator Gallego in this legislative session. With our work underway to construct the first SMRs in the United States (Pioneer 1 and 2) at the historic Palisades restart project in Michigan, this is another tool in the toolbox to help ensure the industry delivers on the promise of new nuclear construction to meet rising demand from AI and electrification while helping de-risk first of a kind construction costs.”

Clean Air Task Force, which co-leads Nuclear Scaling initiative with EFI Foundation and the Nuclear Threat Initiative, U.S. Federal Policy Director Reece Rushing: “Clean Air Task Force commends Senators Risch and Gallego for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the ARC Act. This bill addresses key barriers impeding the rapid and cost-effective deployment of nuclear energy in the United States, which is needed to strengthen U.S. energy security and competitiveness while meeting rising demand for clean firm power. We look forward to working with the sponsors to achieve this critical objective.”

North America’s Building Trades Unions President Sean McGarvey: “We commend Senators Risch and Gallego for their work towards strengthening America’s energy reliability, affordability, and security through the Accelerating Reliable Capacity Act of 2026. The nuclear industry has been a bedrock for middle class sustaining jobs for decades and the men and women of the Building Trades remain ready, willing, and able to meet the demands of the next wave of nuclear construction. This legislation demonstrates bipartisan leadership, on a bipartisan issue, giving America the ability to reclaim its leadership in the nuclear industry. “

Nuclear Energy National Security Co-Chairs Daniel Poneman and Admiral Richard Mies (Ret.): “The ARC Act is a timely and strategically important step toward strengthening America’s national and energy security. By addressing key financing challenges that have slowed deployment of advanced nuclear technologies, this legislation will help ensure the United States can build the reliable, resilient energy infrastructure needed to power our economy, support critical defense missions, and compete globally. Nuclear energy is not only a clean and reliable power source – it is a strategic asset in maintaining U.S. leadership and countering geopolitical competitors. We commend Senators Risch and Gallego for their bipartisan leadership and are committed to supporting the advancement of this Act.”

Nuclear Innovation Alliance President and CEO Judi Greenwald: “NIA commends Senators Risch and Gallego for introducing the Accelerating Reliable Capacity (ARC) Act, which would reduce early-mover risk and help unlock private investment in new nuclear energy projects. As we’ve noted in our Federal New Nuclear Energy Investment Portfolio brief, innovative public-private financing mechanisms like the ARC Act are critical to accelerating the commercialization of new nuclear energy.”

U.S. Nuclear Industry Council President and CEO Todd Anrajano: “USNIC thanks Senators Risch and Gallego for reintroducing the Accelerating Reliable Capacity Act. As the United States works to deploy the next generation of advanced nuclear reactors, reducing the risk of cost overruns is critical to maintaining investor confidence and commercial success. The ARC Act takes essential action to ensure new nuclear capacity is delivered on time and on budget to help meet the United States’ growing energy demand.”


Michigan Democrats to President Trump: “Timely Opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge is Critical”

Letter Follows Trump’s Recent Threat to Block Opening of New US-Canada Border Crossing

WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Gary Peters (D-MI), and U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-6), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), Hillary Scholten (D-MI-3), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI-8), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), reiterated the importance of opening the Gordie Howe International Bridge as scheduled this year in a letter to President Donald Trump. The letter comes after President Trump threatened to stop the opening of the new United States-Canadian border crossing between Detroit and Windsor. The Michigan delegation members outlined how the new bridge will be a significant economic driver for Michigan and the entire country.

“This critical conduit of international commerce will bring jobs to the United States and support our long-standing relationship with Canada. Your recent comments put those benefits and years of bipartisan work towards the opening of the bridge in jeopardy,” the lawmakers wrote.

The letter underscored the critical trade partnership between the United States and Canada, where initial figures from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis show more than $660 billion in goods were traded across the border in 2025. The lawmakers highlighted how the relationship is particularly significant to Michigan business and workers.

“No state better embodies this relationship than Michigan, where – for the first eleven months of 2025 – our state imported nearly $40 billion in Canadian goods while exporting more than $19 billion in goods to Canada, continuing a multi-decade trend in which Michigan has been one of the top two states for exports to and imports from Canada,” the lawmakers continued. “With the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge allowing more capacity for trade flow, it is not far-fetched to suggest that those figures will only increase, cementing Michigan as the most economically significant state to the trade relationship between the United States and Canada.”

The lawmakers also expressed their “shock” at President Trump’s comments given his previous record of support for the project dating back to his first administration.

“In 2020, during your first term, the U.S. General Services Administration negotiated and entered into an agreement with Canada’s Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority for the facilities that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will operate from at the bridge. And just weeks ago, on January 30, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a rule formally establishing the Gordie Howe International Bridge as a port of entry for both immigration and customs purposes and describing the importance of the project,” the lawmakers wrote. “Not only have you seemingly approved of this project, but you have also taken every step to ensure its success and operation.”

The lawmakers concluded by reiterating their willingness to work with the administration to maintain a strong US-Canada trade relationship, but that it cannot come at the cost of the safe, timely opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

“As members of Congress from Michigan, we understand and share your desire to reduce offshoring of U.S. businesses while increasing the supply of good-paying American jobs. For our state, these opportunities are our lifeblood and have supported generations of Michiganders. Often times, our unique and highly integrated relationship with Canada has contributed to that economic development,” the letter concluded. “We implore you to work with the Canadian government, including Prime Minister Carney, to address our ongoing trade relationship as a separate issue, for which we stand ready to assist. But as these discussions move forward, it is essential that the Gordie Howe International Bride open as planned later this year.”

Read the full text of the letter here.

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Van Hollen, Alsobrooks, Ivey Press for Answers on Proposed ICE Facility in Hyattsville

Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks and Congressman Glenn Ivey (all D-Md.) pressed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for answers on a newly proposed ICE lease in Hyattsville, located in Maryland’s Fourth Congressional District.

“According to publicly available contracting documents and investigative reporting, ICE has been pursuing more than 150 leases and office expansions at locations across the country, including a proposed lease at 6505 Belcrest Road (Metro 1) in Hyattsville, located in Maryland’s Fourth Congressional District. Given the significant community concern surrounding ICE operations and the potential local impact of this expansion mere blocks from a church, a sensitive location and in the same building as a local Social Services Office of Family Investment, serving young children and families—we are requesting detailed information regarding this proposed facility,” the lawmakers wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons.

The lawmakers went on to request detailed information about the size and scope of the proposed facility, including total square footage, anticipated personnel levels, hiring timelines, and estimated taxpayer costs. They also requested clarity regarding whether the site will be administrative in nature or include enforcement operations, secure interview rooms, surveillance infrastructure, evidence storage, or holding areas, including the capacity for standing, seated, or overnight detention.

The letter further seeks information about the lease terms and duration, total estimated taxpayer cost, and whether lower-cost proposals were considered. Lawmakers also pressed DHS and ICE on whether state and local officials were consulted prior to lease negotiations and what protocols are in place to ensure operations comply with constitutional protections while avoiding unnecessary disruption to surrounding residential and commercial areas.

“Our offices have received numerous inquiries from constituents who are deeply concerned about transparency, public safety, and the potential impact of increased enforcement activity in our community. Any expansion of ICE’s footprint in Prince George’s County warrants clear and timely communication with affected communities and their elected representatives,” the lawmakers concluded.

The members have requested a full written response from DHS and ICE no later than February 27, 2026.

Full text of the letter can be found here and below.

We write regarding recent reporting that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is preparing to lease new office space in Hyattsville, Maryland, as part of a broader nationwide expansion of ICE field operations.

According to publicly available contracting documents and investigative reporting, ICE has been pursuing more than 150 leases and office expansions at locations across the country, including a proposed lease at 6505 Belcrest Road (Metro 1) in Hyattsville, located in Maryland’s Fourth Congressional District.2 Given the significant community concern surrounding ICE operations and the potential local impact of this expansion mere blocks from a church, a sensitive location and in the same building as a local Social Services Office of Family Investment, serving young children and families—we are requesting detailed information regarding this proposed facility. Specifically, please provide the following:

1. Size and Scope of the Space

The total square footage of the Hyattsville office space.

The number of ICE personnel expected to be assigned to the facility.

The number of personnel that have yet to be hired by ICE for this facility, the estimated hire dates of these personnel, and the estimated yearly cost to taxpayers for these personnel.

2. Nature and Configuration of the Facility

Whether the space will be used solely for administrative purposes or will include enforcement operations.

Whether the facility will contain secure interview rooms, evidence storage, surveillance infrastructure, or other specialized enforcement features.

Whether the facility will contain holding areas.

i. If so, the standing, seated, and lodging (overnight or 12+ hour stay) capacity of those areas.

3. Purpose and Operational Function

CE’s stated mission for this location.

The geographic jurisdiction the office will serve.

Any anticipated increase in enforcement activity in Prince George’s County or surrounding jurisdictions associated with this lease.

4. Lease Terms and Duration

The length of the lease, including any renewal options.

The total estimated cost to taxpayers over the life of the lease.

Whether lower cost proposals were received, and if so, why those proposals were rejected.

5. Community Impact and Coordination

Whether DHS or ICE consulted with state and/or local officials prior to entering into lease negotiations.

What protocols are in place to ensure operations at this site comply with constitutional protections and avoid unnecessary disruption to the surrounding residential and commercial community.

Our offices have received numerous inquiries from constituents who are deeply concerned about transparency, public safety, and the potential impact of increased enforcement activity in our community. Any expansion of ICE’s footprint in Prince George’s County warrants clear and timely communication with affected communities and their elected representatives.

We request a written response detailing this information no later than Friday, February 27, 2026.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. We look forward to your response.


Warnock Statement on the Passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson

PHOTOS available here

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statement on the passing of civil rights activist Reverend Jesse Jackson, founder and president of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition.

“America has lost one of its great moral voices. Reverend Jesse Jackson spent his life working to ensure our nation lives up to its highest ideals. From his early days as a young staffer with Dr. King onto the national stage, he fought for freedom, racial justice, equality, and for the human dignity of the marginalized and the poor. As a kid growing up in public housing while watching him run for President, Rev. Jesse Jackson gave me a glimpse of what is possible and taught me to say, “I am somebody!” As an adult, I was proud to call him a friend.

“With an eloquence and rhythmic rhetoric all his own, Jesse Jackson reminded America that equal justice is not inevitable; it requires vigilance and commitment, and for freedom fighters, sacrifice. His ministry was poetry and spiritual power in the public square. He advanced King’s dream and bent the arc of history closer to justice.

“My deepest condolences are with his family and to all those who were shaped by his witness. His legacy will remain a beacon for generations to come, and I pray it inspires us to continue the work he started.”

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Warren Statement on Trump’s CFTC Preempting State Regulation on Prediction Markets

Washington, DC - United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released the following statement on Commodity Future Trading Commission (CFTC) Chair, Mark Selig’s, announcement that the CFTC will preempt state regulation on prediction markets:

“President Trump’s CFTC Chair is trying to strip states of their authority to regulate gambling within their borders and hamstring their ability to protect Americans from getting ripped off. The CFTC should focus on ensuring our derivatives markets don’t blow up the economy again, not helping corrupt political insiders cash in.”

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Press Releases

Rep. Aguilar Delivers Over $1 Million for Cucamonga Valley Water District to Strengthen Inland Empire Clean Water Infrastructure

By proactively replacing outdated infrastructure, the project will help maintain a reliable water supply to support public safety, economic growth and Californians’ well-being

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA – Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) announced that he secured $1,092,000 in community project funding for Cucamonga Valley Water District’s (CVWD) Baseline Waterline Improvement Project. This grant funding will strengthen the resilience and dependability of the Inland Empire’s clean water infrastructure by allowing CVWD to replace 3,800 linear feet of 12-inch waterline along Baseline Road, spanning from Deer Creek Channel to Milliken Avenue.

The new waterline will directly benefit more than 100,000 people in California’s 33rd Congressional District by providing a more resilient and dependable water distribution system to ensure the delivery of clean water to residents and businesses. You can watch the full video of the press conference here and find photos from the event above and here.

“Access to clean, reliable water is crucial for the well-being and quality of life of every Californian,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “That’s why I am proud to deliver more than $1 million for Cucamonga Valley Water District’s Baseline Waterline Improvement Project. Our homes, schools, businesses and hospitals rely on our water supply to function and support daily life. That’s why water infrastructure upgrade projects like this one are such important investments for our community. By proactively modernizing this infrastructure, we’re preventing future water distribution issues that could put people’s health and safety at risk. I’ll keep fighting to deliver resources that help ensure the health of our neighbors in the Inland Empire for years to come.”

“We appreciate Congressman Aguilar’s partnership and support for this important infrastructure project,” said President Randall Reed, Cucamonga Valley Water District. “This federal investment allows us to address aging waterlines in a proactive and fiscally responsible way while reducing costs for our ratepayers.”

“This project is about reliability and resilience for the community we serve,” said Vice President Jim Curatalo, Cucamonga Valley Water District. “By proactively replacing aging infrastructure, we’re protecting public safety and ensuring dependable water service for generations to come.”

In January 2026, Rep. Aguilar helped pass the Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act of 2026, which included $7.4 million in federal community project funding grants for seven projects in California’s 33rd Congressional District.


Press Releases

Rep. Aguilar Delivers Over $1 Million for West Valley Water District to Strengthen Inland Empire Water Reliability and Cybersecurity

The funding will allow West Valley Water District to upgrade its nearly forty-year-old infrastructure, ensuring it can meet growing demand and safeguard the water supply

RIALTO, CA – Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) announced that he secured $1,092,000 in community project funding for West Valley Water District’s (WVWD) Cybersecurity and Water Reliability Project. This grant funding will strengthen the Inland Empire’s water reliability and cybersecurity by upgrading its Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system, which controls the operations of wells, pumping stations and treatment facilities.

Upgrading to a modern SCADA system will address physical and cyber vulnerabilities, streamline operations and ensure the reliability and quality of WVWD’s water service. You can watch the full video of the press conference here and find photos from the event above and here.

“As our region grows, it’s essential that our water infrastructure can keep up with people’s needs,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “That’s why I’m excited to announce that I secured more than $1 million in funding to help upgrade West Valley Water District’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition system. This project will modernize the system to prepare it for 21st-century challenges, including addressing cyber vulnerabilities and guarding against potential attacks. By proactively upgrading our water infrastructure, we can ensure that people in the Inland Empire will have reliable access to clean and safe water for years to come. I will keep working in Congress to deliver investments in our community that help make the Inland Empire the best place to call home.”

“Upgrading our SCADA system protects our water supply from cyber threats and strengthens system reliability,” said President Kelvin Moore, West Valley Water District. “Thanks to the leadership of Congressman Aguilar and our Board, we’re modernizing essential infrastructure responsibly and affordably. These improvements increase efficiency, reduce service disruptions, and ensure a dependable water system that will serve our community well into the future.”

In January 2026, Rep. Aguilar helped pass the Commerce, Justice, Science, Energy and Water Development, and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act of 2026, which included $7.4 million in federal community project funding grants for seven projects in California’s 33rd Congressional District.


Ansari to Skip Trump’s State of the Union

Sonia Almaraz, Partner of “Yari” Marquez to Join as Ansari’s Guest at Protest Event

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) announced that she would NOT attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Instead, Ansari and her guest, Sonia Almaraz, will participate in MeidasTouch & MoveOn’s “People’s State of the Union,” a rally counterprogramming Trump’s speech.

“Last year, I walked out of President Trump’s State of the Union because I refused to normalize the most corrupt and authoritarian administration in American history,” said Rep. Ansari. “This year, I am honored to be joined by Sonia, who has spent more than a year fighting for her loved one, Yari, who was stripped of her residency and imprisoned at the Eloy Detention Center, and is suffering from leukemia. Together, we will make sure Americans get an honest account of the state of our union.”

“Donald Trump tore my family apart. For a full year, Yari has been held in the Eloy Detention Center under horrific conditions. Every day, I fear a call telling me she didn’t make it. Her health is rapidly deteriorating,” said Sonia Almaraz. “She’s lost over 70 pounds, coughs up blood, suffers relentless headaches, and can no longer walk on her own. This is Trump’s real state of the union.”

RSVP FOR EVENT PRESS CREDENTIALS HERE, and livestream at MeidasTouch YouTube and MoveOn.org/Live

BACKGROUND

Almaraz is the partner of Arbella “Yari” Marquez, who has leukemia and has suffered severe medical neglect for over a year at the Eloy Detention Center in Central Arizona. Almaraz lives in Arizona’s Third District and will be traveling to Washington, D.C. to join Ansari as her guest for the event.

Last year, Ansari’s guest for President Donald Trump’s Address to the Joint Session of Congress was Yadira Garcia, a DACA recipient and high school math teacher from Arizona’s Third District.

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Bacon Reappointed to U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council

Washington – Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) today announced he was reappointed to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council. The Council serves as the board of trustees for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the nation’s official memorial to those who died during the Holocaust. The Museum is dedicated to the documentation, study, and interpretation of Holocaust history and to confronting genocide and antisemitism worldwide.

Since opening in Washington, D.C., in 1993, the Museum has helped educate more than 50 million visitors, including 11 million school-age children, about the Holocaust and threats of genocide around the world.

“It is an honor to continue serving on the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council,” said Rep. Bacon. “The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum is a great institution that ensures we never forget the six million Jews who were murdered during the Holocaust and the millions who have suffered from antisemitism and continue to face it today. At a time when antisemitism is rising around the world, its mission is more important than ever. We must confront hatred wherever it appears and remain committed to the principle of ‘Never Again.’ I will continue to be a strong advocate and supporter of the Museum and its vital work.”

Learn more about the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum here.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 18, 2026

Contact: jin.choi@mail.house.gov

Rep. Barragán Convenes with Housing Providers, Landlords, Advocates, and Renters to Discuss Cost of Housing in Trump’s Economy

San Pedro, CA – Yesterday, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) hosted a roundtable with housing providers, landlords, advocates, and local renters to discuss one of the highest living expenses in the district: housing. Participants spoke about the challenges Californian families face in finding housing and/or remaining housed, and how Trump and Republicans’ attempts to drastically cut essential housing programs, such as the HUD emergency housing vouchers, mean communities will struggle to keep a roof over their heads.

During the discussion, Lourdes Castro Ramirez, President and CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA), explained that the Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8, currently has a waitlist of 10-15 years. She added that the average annual income of an EHV holder is about $13,874, and roughly 20% of participants are seniors, highlighting the vulnerability of households relying on the program.

The roundtable comes as a part of House Democrats’ Day of Action on the State of Economy, where Members draw attention to how Trump and Republicans’ economic policies have only made basic living costs more expensive for Americans.

“When rent goes up, the cost of living goes up,” said Rep. Barragán, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Homelessness. “But Trump and Republicans continue to try and make drastic cuts to our affordable housing programs that make it harder and harder for Americans to remain housed. This is unacceptable. Trump and Republicans promised to lower costs on Day 1, but they have only increased the costs of our groceries, rent, utilities, child care, and elder care. Americans deserve better and House Democrats will fight for your right to remain housed.”

To find videos and photos from the roundtable, click HERE.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 18, 2026

Contact: jin.choi@mail.house.gov

Rep. Barragán Holds Day of Action on the State of Health Care Roundtable with Community Health Center Leadership and Physicians to Discuss High Cost of Health Care

South Gate, CA – Today, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) gathered leaders and physicians from the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC) and AltaMed, a Federally Qualified Health Center, for a Day of Action on the State of Health Care roundtable discussion regarding the high cost of health care and extensive cuts to federal programs like Medi-Cal (California’s version of Medicaid).

During the roundtable, participants shared with the Congresswoman their firsthand insights on patient experiences and operational impacts due to the recent cuts and how federal funding is critical to meet the needs of patients in the communities they serve. The group raised serious concerns about proposed Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grant reductions, which would eliminate hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for California and further strain the state’s community health infrastructure. These cuts would jeopardize HIV prevention programs, weaken disease surveillance efforts, and restrict access to care for underserved populations. Combined with more than $50 million in existing federal, state, and local funding reductions, along with rising operational costs, clinics have already been forced to close several sites, resulting in the loss of essential services such as vaccinations, STI testing and treatment, and tuberculosis care.

“Americans pay too much and receive too little,” said Rep. Barragán. “Due to skyrocketing health care costs, many working families are forced to have to decide between feeding their families or being able to afford to see a doctor. You deserve better. House Democrats continue to fight to restore critical federal funding, protect Medi-Cal, and extend the expired insurance premium tax credits.”

Today’s roundtable was part of a national Day of Action on the State of Health Care effort by House Democrats’ to highlight how the cost of living has skyrocketed for millions of Americans.

For photos and videos from the roundtable, see HERE.

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Barrett Conducts Oversight at Saginaw VA Hospital Ahead of Electronic Health Record System Rollout

Saginaw, Mich. — Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) today met with leaders of the Aleda E. Lutz Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center to review the hospital’s preparation for the new Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) rollout this spring. Barrett, who chairs the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, is leading oversight to ensure a smooth transition that does not disrupt care for veterans.

All four VA hospitals in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula — Saginaw, Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Battle Creek — will go live with EHRM on April 11.

Click here or the image above to watch.

“The goal of the VA’s new Electronic Health Record system is to streamline and improve health care for veterans while reducing burdens on the doctors and nurses who provide it. Unfortunately, we know from previous rollouts that a bumpy transition can cause frustrating delays and unacceptable disruptions instead,” said Barrett. “We can’t let that happen in Michigan’s VA hospitals. I’m grateful to Director Tony Colón and the team at the Saginaw VA for taking this transition seriously and filling me in on the steps they are taking to guarantee a smooth rollout. As we approach the go-live date, I’ll continue conducting the necessary oversight to ensure the VA delivers for our veterans.”

Joined by Majority staff from the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Barrett met with Tony Colón, the director of the Lutz VA Medical Center, along with other hospital officials, medical professionals, and employees. They updated Barrett about the training hospital staff have taken ahead of the EHRM rollout, the plan for switching the system overnight, and additional steps the hospital is taking to prepare for a smooth transition.

Background information:

The VA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) program was established by Congress when it passed the VA MISSION Act in 2018. The program is implementing a new EHR system that will be shared by the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense. This new digital system will enable health records to follow each service member from his or her time on active duty into retirement when the VA takes over handling care.

In recent years, the VA implemented EHRM at several hospitals across the country, but the earlier transitions were fraught with technical issues that made it difficult for VA doctors and nurses to access veterans’ up-to-date records when providing care.

In his role as chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization, which has oversight jurisdiction of the ongoing EHRM rollout, Barrett has led multiple hearings to engage with top VA officials about the transition and mitigate any potential points of failure.

Last week, in the full House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Barrett discussed EHRM with VA Secretary Doug Collins and Acting COO of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Gregory Goins.


Bresnahan, PA Attorney General Host Public Safety Roundtable, Announce $500,000 for Scranton Police

SCRANTON, PA: Today, U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) was joined by Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, law enforcement officials, and community partners for a roundtable on public safety initiatives and the importance of local law enforcement.

During the roundtable, Rep. Bresnahan announced $500,000 in federal funding for technology and equipment upgrades for the Scranton Police Department. The funding was secured through the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process and will be used for upgrading equipment and modernizing technology to increase officer safety and the effectiveness of law enforcement operations in the City of Scranton.

“Public safety is not a talking point, it is a real concern for families in Scranton and our region,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “Securing $500,000 for the Scranton Police Department is about making sure our officers have the equipment and support they need to keep our communities safe. I will always stand with our law enforcement officers and fight to make sure they have real backing from Washington, not empty promises.”

“This is an exciting opportunity for the City of Scranton. When communities aren’t safe, nothing else matters, and this investment will make a meaningful impact for the city and surrounding neighborhoods,” said Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday. “I appreciated the chance to join elected officials and law enforcement partners to emphasize the important of collaboration in keeping Pennsylvanians safe.”

Rep. Bresnahan and Attorney General Sunday were joined by Brian Gallagher, Lackawanna County District Attorney; Stephen Polishan, Pennsylvania State Trooper Association President; Michael Kozma, Pennsylvania State Trooper Association; Tom Shuster, Scranton City Council Chair; Guy Salerno, Lackawanna Chiefs of Police Chair (Blakely Borough Chief); Andy Kerecman, NEPA Chiefs of Police Association President (Throop Borough Chief); Justin Butler, EB Jermyn FOP Lodge 2 President Justin Butler; and Nate Gerace, Senator McCormick Northeast Regional Director.


Bynum Celebrates Delivery of Funding to Milwaukie and Oregon City

Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) joined local leaders to celebrate the delivery of federal funding to communities in Oregon’s Fifth Congressional District. The Congresswoman first celebrated $1,092,000 in funding for the Water Transmission Main Project at Oregon City Hall, which will provide clean drinking water for generations of Oregonians. Rep. Bynum also celebrated $850,000 in funding for the Kellogg Project at Milwaukie City Hall, to improve infrastructure over Kellogg Creek.

“Access to clean drinking water and infrastructure investments is fundamental to the success of our communities and the well-being of Oregonians,” Rep. Janelle Bynum said. “I am proud to deliver over $1.9 million in federal funding for these essential projects and will continue to fight to bring money home for our communities.”

“Milwaukie staff and residents have been working on removal of Kellogg Dam and replacement of the bridge since at least the late 1990s,” said Milwaukie Mayor Lisa Batey. “This will upgrade infrastructure that's vulnerable to an earthquake, and reconnect the downtown to Milwaukie Bay and the Willamette River. We’ll have less flood risk and more access for residents to greenspaces along Kellogg Creek, with salmon and steelhead swimming through downtown Milwaukie. We really appreciate the crucial support from Representative Bynum.”

“On behalf of the COC I’d like to thank Representative Bynum for helping us acquire the remaining funds to complete the Henrici Reservoir Project,” Oregon City Mayor Denyse McGriff said. “This important and vital water infrastructure project supports the goal of the City of Oregon City to invest in our infrastructure. With this investment, we are able to enhance our system to maintain safe and reliable drinking water now and into the future for our residents and businesses.

In total, Congresswoman Bynum has secured $14,725,250 for Oregon’s Fifth Congressional District through Community Project Funding.


60 members of Congress submit amicus briefRep. Smith, Sen. Cassidy lead bicameral amicus brief in support of stopping the Biden FDA's illegal mail-order abortion scheme

Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), Co-Chair of the House Pro-Life Caucus, Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), and 58 other members of the House and Senate joined together to file an amicus brief in support of Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’s lawsuit seeking to restore the in-person dispensing requirement—negligently reversed by the Biden-era Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—for the chemical abortion drug, mifepristone.

“Mifepristone is baby poison that starves the innocent unborn child to death and is extremely dangerous to women,” said Rep. Chris Smith. “Under ‘Abortion President’ Joe Biden, the FDA recklessly circumvented the law to remove the in-person dispensing requirements for mifepristone, allowing women to easily receive it through the mail and ignoring the dangers these powerful abortion drugs pose to women.”

Smith has long emphasized the FDA’s irresponsible actions with regard to mail-order mifepristone. “The FDA has engaged in gross negligence and a massive cover up of mifepristone’s harmful effects on women. A historic report released by the Ethics and Public Policy Center found that more than one out of ten (10.93%) women who take the chemical abortion drug mifepristone experience sepsis, infection, hemorrhaging, or another serious adverse event within 45 days—over 22 times higher than the rate currently admitted by the FDA,” Smith continued.

“I thank Attorney General Murrill for defending women and babies in Louisiana and across the country. Chemical abortion drugs kill innocent children and put mothers’ lives at risk,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Safeguards protecting against coercion, such as the in-person dispensing requirement, must be reinstated immediately.”

In the brief, the 60 members write: “[B]y expressly authorizing mail-order chemical abortion drugs, the FDA is endangering women’s health and safety by eliminating a medically necessary in-person examination to screen for contraindications.” Moreover, they raise concerns that “a woman seeking an abortion may be facing coercion or intimate partner violence (IPV), and without an in-person evaluation, a provider’s ability to discern that is limited.”

In removing patient safeguards, the members argue that “the Biden FDA reached a predetermined and politically motivated conclusion to expand access to abortion drugs, despite lacking enough evidence to show the change would be safe. This is a clear violation of the FDA’s legal responsibilities…”

The amicus brief notes that Plaintiff Rosalie Markezich was personally coerced into taking the abortion pill. They write, “A doctor did not examine Ms. Markezich nor detect the coercion she experienced. Her boyfriend ordered mifepristone from a California doctor and coerced Ms. Markezich to take it, resulting in her great distress and the loss of her baby.”

The brief calls upon the Court to grant the preliminary relief requested by the Plaintiffs, affirming that “the FDA’s job is to ensure drug safety, not to encourage the risky use of drugs just to further former President Biden’s pro-abortion agenda. Exceeding its mandate is illegal and also harmful, both to the separation of powers and to women taking mifepristone.”

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Congressman Cohen Announces $1.3 Million in Immunology Grants to St. Jude

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will receive two grants totaling $1,389,167 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for research on engineering high-fidelity regulator T-cells and defining their sustainability. The work is under the direction of Dr. Yongqiang Feng of the Department of Immunology.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“This investment in immunology research will lead to new discoveries, and possible therapies that may improve and extend lives. I commend St. Jude and Dr. Feng for undertaking this critical work.”

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Congressman Cohen Will Not Attend Trump State of the Union

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), who has boycotted previous State of the Union and inaugural addresses by President Trump, will again avoid the speech scheduled for Tuesday evening. He will instead attend the People’s State of the Union organized by the progressive advocacy group MoveOn and the media company MeidasTouch.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“I have not attended Trump State of the Unions in the past and there’s even less reason to attend this year. What would I hear if I did – more defense of ICE immigration crackdowns and border patrol lawlessness? More justification for tearing down the iconic East Wing of the White House for an unneeded vanity ballroom and for slapping his name on the Institute of Peace and the Kennedy Center? More excuses for pardoning fraudsters, January 6 felons, political whores and Trump’s sports heroes? False claims of bringing down the cost of utilities and the affordability of groceries? Fantasies of creating a new health care program? I don’t need to hear the lies and predicable banality from this offensive and out-of-touch president.”

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Comer Announces 2026 Congressional Art Competition for 1st District High School Students

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.) is inviting all high school students in Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District to participate in the 2026 Congressional Art Competition. The annual competition provides local students with an opportunity to showcase their creativity and compete for national recognition. The winning artwork from Kentucky’s 1st District will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol as part of a national exhibit featuring artwork from congressional districts across the United States.

“I encourage every high school student in Kentucky’s 1st District with an interest in art to participate in this year’s competition,” said Congressman Comer. “The Congressional Art Competition is a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their talent, gain national recognition, and represent Kentucky in the United States Capitol. I look forward to seeing the incredible creativity this year.”

Each spring, Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor a nationwide high school arts competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent from across the country. The competition is open to all high school students residing in Kentucky’s 1st Congressional District. Artwork may be mailed to or dropped off at Congressman Comer’s District Offices. All entries must be received no later than Monday, April 20, 2026.

For more information about the Congressional Art Competition, including official rules for students and teachers, please visit Congressman Comer’s website or contact his office.


Rep. Crane Applauds the Trump Administration for Protecting Veterans’ Second Amendment Rights

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced new steps to protect and restore the Second Amendment rights of American veterans.

In a reversal of a decades-long policy, the VA will no longer report veterans to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) as “prohibited persons” for simply having a fiduciary manage their VA benefits.

The Department confirmed that this nearly thirty-year procedure violated both the Gun Control Act and veterans’ constitutional guarantees since no judicial or quasi-judicial determination was ever made before these reports were submitted.

Additionally, the directive restores Second Amendment rights to thousands of veterans who were deprived of their ability to exercise them due to this policy. VA leadership stated that they are working with the FBI to remove all past VA-initiated NICS entries tied solely to fiduciary appointments.

Over the past few years, Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) has attempted to bar this practice and retroactively restore these protections to those whose names were wrongfully submitted to the NICS list. In the 118th Congress, he introduced H.R.9053 and H.R.9054, which would nullify all prior VA submissions to NICS and prohibit the VA from participating in state-level gun confiscation proceedings. He has since reintroduced the reforms in this Congress as H.R.496.

During the FY25 appropriations process, Rep. Crane successfully passed an amendment to the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Bill clarifying that any veteran reported to NICS by a VA fiduciary was done so unlawfully and requiring the VA Secretary to direct the Attorney General to remove these names from the system. However, the legislation stalled in the U.S. Senate, preventing the measure from becoming law.

With yesterday’s announcement, Rep. Crane celebrated an end to this unconstitutional policy and urged Congress to prevent future administrations from reversing course.


Davids Delivers Valentine’s for Veterans at Lenexa VA

LENEXA, KS – Today, Representative Sharice Davids delivered Valentine’s Day cards at the Lenexa VA as part of her eighth annual “Valentine’s for Veterans” program. After calling for community submissions, Davids’ team received more than 650 cards from all corners of Kansas’ Third District. Davids, whose mother served in the Army for 20 years, also highlighted the support available to Kansas City-area veterans through her office.

“It’s an honor to once again deliver valentine’s cards to veterans, their families, and caregivers in our community,” said Davids. “As the daughter of a veteran, I understand firsthand the sacrifice our veterans make while serving our country. Spending time with them at the VA is always incredibly meaningful — especially after extreme efforts last year to gut the VA and undermine the care our veterans have earned. I’m thankful for the Kansans who participated and look forward to next year’s program.”

Davids has worked hard to ensure Kansas veterans are supported after returning home from active duty. She passed bipartisan legislation to help veteran succeed when starting a small business and pushed back on extreme attempts to gut the VA. She also helped pass the Honoring our PACT Act, which expands Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) health care eligibility to 3.5 million American veterans exposed to burn pits and toxic airborne hazards while deployed.


Davids Hosts Johnson County Small Business Roundtable to Discuss Growth, Challenges

OVERLAND PARK, KS – Today, Representative Sharice Davids hosted a roundtable discussion with Johnson County small business owners and economic development leaders to talk about the successes and challenges facing local businesses and to highlight new data on the region’s growing small business ecosystem. She has hosted similar discussions in each of the other counties across Kansas’ Third District to ensure local perspectives are shaping her work in Congress.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy — and here in Kansas, they’re driving real growth,” said Davids. “We’re seeing more entrepreneurs step up, more new businesses open their doors, and more jobs created right here at home. But at the same time, these businesses are facing challenges, like reckless tariffs that are raising their costs and forcing tough decisions. My job is to make sure Washington is working for them — lowering costs, strengthening supply chains, and ensuring they have the tools they need to succeed.”

Davids previously released an updated report on the state of Kansas’ small business ecosystem. The report, which builds on her initial 2022 analysis, outlines recent growth trends and details the steps she is taking in Congress to support entrepreneurs — including voting to strengthen domestic supply chains and introducing legislation to support underrepresented business owners, including women, veterans, and Native Americans.

Key findings from the report include:

In 2023, 10,704 new business applications were filed in Kansas’ Third District — up 12.6 percent since 2022 and 42.7 percent since 2019.

Out of Kansas’ 33,268 new small business applications in 2023, Johnson County led the state with 8,272 new applications.

The Kansas Small Business Development Center (SBDC) served 1,399 clients in 2023, leading to $94 million in annual sales, 4,714 jobs created, and 52 new businesses.

In 2023, Kansas’ Third District had 16,374 small businesses employing 169,254 people — accounting for 92.4 percent of all employers in the district.

During her time in Congress, Davids has worked across the aisle to support small businesses. As a former member of the House Small Business Committee, she pushed back against reckless tariffs that raise costs for small business owners, called for strong oversight of pandemic relief programs to prevent fraud, and focused on strengthening domestic supply chains to support small- and medium-sized manufacturers. She has also prioritized efforts to reduce excessive paperwork for small businesses and support individual workers, including veterans, women, and people in recovery.

Participants in the roundtable included representatives from:

030 Holding Company

Abovo LLC

Engage Insurance Group

Hope Roots Collective

Johnson County Community College

Kansas City Women’s Business Center

Kansas Small Business Development Center

Landworks Studio

Learning Tree Toys

Navitas

Poole Fire Protection

Ralph F. Munyan Attorney at Law, LLC

Springboard Creative

Sweet Tee's Coffee Shop

Davids emphasized that continued collaboration between federal, state, and local partners is critical to adequately support Kansas’ small businesses.


Congressmen Davis, Johnson Introduce Legislation Improve Support for Rural Water Systems

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressmen Don Davis (NC-01) and Dusty Johnson (SD-At-Large) introduced H.R. 7530, the Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2026, to provide the Department of Agriculture (USDA) with additional authorities to provide grants, zero-interest and low-interest loans, loan forgiveness, and loan refinancing to certain rural water, wastewater, or waste-disposal facilities. The legislation is endorsed by the National Rural Water Association.

“Every eastern North Carolinian deserves access to reliable water infrastructure. Water systems are the backbone of our communities, determining whether a rural area can attract new housing, welcome manufacturers, or keep essential places open. The Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act is a game-changer, providing the essential support we need to make vital improvements a reality,” said Congressman Don Davis. “By investing in our water systems, we’re building healthier communities, stronger local economies, and a more resilient future.”

“Reliable water infrastructure is essential to the health, safety, and economic vitality of our communities,” said Congressman Dusty Johnson. “Prioritizing rural water investment opens doors for South Dakota to support growth, attract businesses, and expand housing opportunities. Modernizing USDA water programs to better meet the needs of rural America is critical.”

“This legislation is transformational by modernizing the USDA Water programs to address the current financial challenges that many rural water systems are facing,” said Matthew Holmes, Chief Executive Officer of the National Rural Water Association (NWRA). “This Bill includes significant improvements to the base program, including new long-term financing options that will preserve the affordability of services for rural Americans, maintain public health standards, and ensure access to safe drinking water and clean wastewater services, especially in lower-income and economically distressed communities. NRWA applauds Congressmen Don Davis and Dusty Johnson for their leadership and commitment to better serve the needs of rural America.”

"This new legislation is a bold step forward in making infrastructure financing more affordable and accessible to small, rural, and tribal systems," said Olga Morales-Pate, CEO of the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP). "RCAP has seen firsthand how rising costs and limited financing options create challenges for rural systems in providing affordable service. Kudos to Congressmen Don Davis and Dusty Johnson for answering the call with practical solutions in the form of new USDA financing and servicing tools. Through their leadership on this bill, they will bring clean water, improved health outcomes and sustainability of systems in economically distressed rural areas for decades to come."

In the Senate, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (NH) and Thom Tillis (NC) introduced companion legislation, S.783, the Assistance for Rural Water Systems Act of 2025, last year.


Elfreth Joins Maryland & Virginia Members of Congress in Urging Public Transparency, Long-term Response Plan from DC Water

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03) and nine additional members of Congress who represent Maryland and Virginia wrote to DC Water CEO and General Manager David Gadis, expressing serious concern over the public health and environmental impacts of the disastrous sewage spill into the Potomac River following the collapse of a major sewer line last month – and called for the utility to take a series of actions and increase public transparency as the response and recovery efforts continue.

Congresswoman Elfreth joins Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) and U.S. Representatives Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Johnny Olszewski (MD-02), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Eugene Vindman (VA-05), and James Walkinshaw (VA-11) on this letter.

“We write to express our serious concern around the collapse of the Potomac Interceptor sanitary sewer line that was discovered on January 19 along Clara Barton Parkway and the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Canal National Historical Park in Montgomery County, Maryland. The failure of this 72-inch diameter pipe, which conveys approximately 60 million gallons of wastewater per day from communities in Maryland and Virginia to the Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant in Washington, D.C., resulted in a massive discharge of raw, untreated sewage into the Potomac River,” the lawmakers began. “This is one of the largest sewage spills in our country’s history, and its consequences for public health, the environment, and our communities demand a comprehensive and sustained response as well as clear communication with the public.”

They thanked DC water employees and contractors for braving difficult conditions to conduct critical containment and repair work, but also underscored the ongoing risks to the public and the environment in the wake of this disaster, writing, “while we appreciate the ongoing emergency response, we remain deeply concerned about the near-term public health and environmental impacts of this spill. Independent testing conducted by University of Maryland researchers and the Potomac Riverkeeper Network, as well as DC Water’s own testing, have revealed alarming contamination levels in the river, and the full scope of the environmental damage is still not fully understood.”

The lawmakers went on to urge DC Water to commit to the following actions as the repair and recovery work continues:

Frequent and transparent public communication;

Develop a comprehensive environmental impact assessment and remediation plan;

Regular public briefings with opportunities for direct community engagement with DC Water;

Continued water quality monitoring through spring and summer; and

Ongoing communication with the regional Congressional delegation.

“We are closely monitoring this situation and stand ready to assist in any way we can. Our offices will continue to relay the concerns of our constituents to DC Water and work with all relevant stakeholders to ensure a full and effective response to this crisis. Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to your response,” the lawmakers concluded.

Text of the letter can be viewed HERE.

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Elfreth, Van Hollen, Alsobrooks Deliver Over $8 Million in Federal Funding to Advance Anne Arundel County Priorities, Support Local Nonprofits

WASHINGTON DC– Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth and U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (all D-Md.) joined local leaders and nonprofit partners in Anne Arundel County to highlight over $8 million in Fiscal Year 2026 Congressionally Directed Spending they fought to deliver for infrastructure, public safety, and community resource projects.

“I’m proud to join County Executive Pittman and Senators Van Hollen and Alsobrooks in delivering over $8 million in federal funding for Anne Arundel families. This funding will strengthen public safety, deliver critical services for veterans, support survivors of domestic violence, combat food insecurity, and protect our most vulnerable. With these projects, we’re walking and chewing gum at the same time: combating the harmful policies of this Administration while delivering for our communities,” said Congresswoman Elfreth.

“It was great to join local leaders in Anne Arundel today to deliver these federal investments in our communities. We fought for these funds with a key goal in mind: building stronger communities in Anne Arundel County. These federal dollars will support the County’s emergency response capabilities and strengthen other critical community services, especially for families in need, and I’m glad to see these investments go to where they can make the most difference,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Appropriations Committee.

“It was such a joy to be in Anne Arundel today to share the work we do that truly matters. Every day that I walk into the Senate chamber, I remember the real responsibility that we have to the people who sent us to Washington – to fight for all Marylanders. That means bringing home critical investments so Maryland can continue to thrive, advocating for those without a voice, and making Maryland safe and welcoming for all who live here,” said Senator Alsobrooks.

The federal lawmakers first visited the YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, where they were joined by Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, to highlight $697,000 in federal funding secured to support victims and survivors of domestic violence and abuse. With this funding, the YWCA will bolster its domestic violence prevention initiatives, as well as its education and rehousing resources.

“The YWCA is incredibly grateful for the support afforded by this appropriation. A critical component in ensuring the safety of survivors is consistent and secure housing for the individual and their children. Through this funding, the YWCA is excited to house individuals through a step down program, support the individuals’ regaining their independence, and help break the cycle of intergenerational violence. We are especially honored that our elected officials, Sen. Van Hollen, Sen. Alsobrooks and Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth are equally focused on seeing people advance. For both the YWCA and our clients, we look forward to affecting meaningful and sustained change,” said Molly Knipe, CEO of the YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.

Later, they were joined by Anne Arundel County leaders, including County Executive Steuart Pittman, to highlight $7,650,000 in direct federal funding they secured to purchase equipment and technology for the County’s Joint 911 Public Safety Center, rehabilitate the Meyer Building at the Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park with amenity spaces, and support gun violence prevention efforts in the County’s neighborhoods. They also highlighted $133,000 in federal dollars secured for the Anne Arundel County Food Bank to purchase a new refrigerated vehicle, which will support the Food Bank’s weekly donation pickups and ensure the safe delivery of items to the warehouse for distribution to low-income residents.

“We are fortunate to have strong federal advocates who understand that investing in local projects directly improves the lives of residents,” said Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman. “Thank you to Senator Van Hollen, Senator Alsobrooks, and Congresswoman Elfreth for their work to secure this funding for our communities.”

“The Anne Arundel County Food Bank is grateful to Senators Van Hollen and Alsobrooks and Congresswoman Elfreth for securing this critical funding to support our mission to alleviate food insecurity in Anne Arundel County. The purchase of a new, refrigerated vehicle will strengthen our fleet and help build our capacity to procure food donations from across the county. It will ensure the stability of fresh items during transportation and enable optimal safe food handling prior to distribution to our neighbors experiencing food insecurity,” said Leah Paley, CEO of the Anne Arundel County Food Bank.


Finstad, Costa Lead Congressional Soils Caucus

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) and Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) announced the launch of the bipartisan Congressional Soils Caucus for the 119th Congress.

“I know firsthand that farmers are the best caretakers of the land because our livelihood depends on it. The soil under our feet is our nation’s most valuable resource; it grows the food we eat, the fiber we wear, and the fuel that runs our vehicles. I’m proud to help establish the bipartisan Congressional Soils Caucus, bringing together Members from across the aisle to promote the importance of soil health and soil health science. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance policies that strengthen farmers’ ability to maximize yields, reduce input costs, and protect their land, ensuring they can pass their greatest asset down to the next generation,” said Rep. Finstad.

“As a third-generation Central Valley farmer, I’ve seen firsthand how the health of our fields and the vitality of our soils shape the future of our farms, our water supplies, and our rural communities. Healthy soil is the foundation upon which productive agriculture and resilient landscapes depend. I’m proud to join Congressman Finstad in launching the bipartisan Congressional Soils Caucus to elevate soil health science, support voluntary conservation, and invest in practices that strengthen our food systems while safeguarding the environment for the next generation. Advancing these priorities — from strong farm policy to responsible stewardship — remains vital to farmers and families across the country,” said Rep. Costa.

“Soils are not just an environmental issue, they’re an economic one,” said Jim Cudahy, who serves as CEO of the Soil Science Society of America as well as the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America. “Devoting attention, resources, and energy to our national soils is vital. We applaud the relaunch of the Congressional Soils Caucus to provide genuine leadership to a resource that we cannot take for granted. This is the epitome of what can and should be a bipartisan effort, to showcase research, support and accelerate innovation, and ensure that our producers have access to the tools and technical assistance that will deliver higher yields, strengthen farm viability, stabilize food costs, and keep U.S. agriculture competitive on a global basis.”

“As a fourth-generation farmer, I’m passionate about soil health on our family farm because the practices we’re investing in lead to a stronger bottom line while also preserving our land for the next generation. Soil health is truly our most important asset, and we applaud Rep. Brad Finstad for his leadership in forming the Congressional Soils Caucus to promote voluntary practices that are improving our natural resources and leading to a stronger farm economy.” – Darin Johnson, President, Minnesota Soybean Growers Association

“Minnesota farmers know that healthy soil is essential to everything we do. It supports our crops, protects our water, and sustains our rural communities for generations to come. The creation of the bipartisan Congressional Soils Caucus is an important step toward elevating farmer-led, voluntary conservation practices and advancing practical, science-based policies that work on real farms. We appreciate Representatives Finstad and Costa for recognizing that strong soil health policy strengthens both agriculture and the long-term resilience of our nation’s food system,” said President Dan Glessing, Minnesota Farm Bureau Federation.

“Soil health is critical to maintaining the long-term productivity of our nation’s farmland and ensuring that farmers can produce the food and fuel consumers rely on every day. That’s why the Minnesota Corn Growers Association is proud to support efforts like the Congressional Soil Caucus that advance bipartisan, farmer-led solutions to elevate soil health science and protect natural resources. We appreciate the leadership of Congressman Finstad on this important issue and look forward to working with him and his colleagues to maintain productive agricultural land.” – Wes Beck, President, Minnesota Corn Growers Association

“Minnesota producers know that healthy soil is the foundation of everything we do—from strong yields to clean water to the long-term vitality of rural communities. This bipartisan caucus elevates the kind of practical, science-based, farmer-led stewardship that works in the fields. By connecting research with on-farm practice, it helps turn innovation into real economic value—strengthening farm profitability while protecting the natural resources future generations will depend on.” – Brian Buhr Dean, College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences Director, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station

Congressional Soils Caucus Key Objectives:

Advance bipartisan leadership on soil health as the foundation for productive agriculture, clean water, and resilient landscapes.

Elevate soil health science and stewardship, recognizing soils as a vital, non-renewable natural resource essential to food, fuel, feed, and fiber production.

Support farmer-led, locally driven conservation, emphasizing voluntary, science-based practices tailored to regional soils and cropping systems.

Strengthen farmer economic stability by promoting soil health practices that improve yields, reduce input costs, and enhance long-term profitability.

Protect and enhance natural resources, including water quality, wildlife habitat, and soil carbon, while keeping working lands productive.

Increase awareness and education through bipartisan briefings and stakeholder engagement on emerging soil-related challenges and opportunities.

Promote resilience to natural disasters and climate extremes, including droughts, floods, and wildfires, through improved soil management.

Preserve agricultural land for future generations by ensuring farmers can protect and pass down their most valuable asset—their soil.

First Congressional Soils Caucus Event


Congresswoman Fischbach in Crookston

Minnesota District 7 -- Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach recently visited Crookston while she was touring the Seventh Congressional District. While there, she toured RiverView Health, where she saw the renovations they have been working on to continue to provide healthcare to the rural parts of the district. RiverView Health is a Critical Access Hospital and provides vital resources to the area. The congresswoman is a strong advocate for maintaining and providing quality healthcare, especially in the rural areas of our country.

Many rural healthcare facilities are struggling to maintain their operating costs. To address these unsustainable pressures, Congresswoman Fischbach is closely monitoring the implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) and advocating for the approval of the state’s Directed Payment Program (DPP). These initiatives are essential to ensuring hospitals receive fair federal matching funds and can keep their doors open to provide the families with the care they deserve.