Congresswoman Simon’s Votes Against Department of Homeland Security, ICE Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) released the following statement after voting against legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security Funding:

“Today I voted NO on legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through February 13, 2026.

“ICE and CBP do not need more funding to terrorize communities or kill more people. They need accountability. Republicans already gave these agencies an unprecedented $170 billion for immigration enforcement, funding they have used to conduct raids at schools, separate families, and deploy a masked paramilitary who refuse to identify themselves on American streets. This bill gifts them more funding without a single reform to stop unconstitutional, immoral abuses.

“The American people are demanding change. Poll after poll of Americans’ opinions show overwhelming support for requiring ICE agents to wear body cameras and prohibiting them from hiding their faces during enforcement actions. This is the bare minimum transparency standard, and this funding legislation does not even meet this low bar.

“Republicans in Congress are not serious about reining in these lawless agencies. Their refusal to make meaningful changes to the DHS funding bill has consequences that go beyond immigration enforcement. TSA agents who keep our airports safe and FEMA workers who help our communities recover from disasters are stuck in limbo due to Republican inaction.

“The Constitution does not have an exception for immigrants. Every person on American soil has rights, and federal agencies must respect them. The East Bay has made clear at the Alameda County and city level that we will hold the line against a violent ICE force and support our immigrant communities – I will continue to hold the line and our values with my votes in Congress.

###


Stanton Statement on DHS Funding Vote

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Congressman Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) issued the following statement:

“I just voted against additional funding for the Department of Homeland Security. The Arizonans I represent are sick of the violence & chaos playing out across the U.S. Masked agents are acting in ways that are illegal & dangerously escalatory, threatening the safety of our communities.

It's got to stop, and Republicans in Congress need to work with Democrats to rein in this agency operating without regard for the law.”

Stanton has been sounding the alarm about Secretary Kristi Noem’s mismanagement of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), calling for her impeachment following FEMA’s response to the Texas floods and her broader disregard for the rule of law, including excessive use of force and the overreach of federal immigration officers.

Stanton led the PUBLIC SAFETY Act alongside Reps. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) and Susie Lee (D-Nev.), legislation that would redirect nearly $75 billion in funding from congressional Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) away from ICE and toward local law enforcement agencies that invest in well-trained officers with strong ties to the communities they serve.


Rep. Subramanyam Statement After Voting Against DOD, DHS Funding Package

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) released the following statement after voting against the package of bills that included funding for the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

“I voted no on this funding package because this administration should not get any more money to start new wars, fire federal employees and contractors without cause, and let Homeland Security agents violently harass and harm U.S. citizens. Without guardrails and accountability, we are handing them a blank check and diminishing our own power of the purse.


At ICE Headquarters and Press Conference, Rep. Summer Lee Reiterates Calls to Abolish ICE and Impeach DHS Secretary Noem

Photos (Dropbox) | Press Conference (Video)

WASHINGTON, D.C.– FEBRUARY 3, 2026 — Today, Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) joined House Democrats advocates, and stakeholders, outside of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in Washington, D.C., to reiterate her call to fire Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and to abolish ICE. Rep. Lee later joined Rep. Ramirez and her colleagues to uplift their Melt ICE Act and urge House lawmakers to vote against giving ICE additional funding.

Rep. Lee spoke directly to the continued abuses by ICE and federal leadership, saying:

“No organization—no agency within our own government—should impose upon our civil rights, impose upon our communities, or operate as a terrorist organization in our own streets. Today, we’re calling on not just progressives, not just the Squad, but every single person of conscience in this country to say that we will not stand for ICE or any other law enforcement agency inhumanely detaining our family members or targeting our children and loved ones.

“This is not just about your country of origin, your race, or your religion. What we know, what I have learned, especially as a Black woman in America, is that if they come for one of us, they will come for the person next to you. If we allow anyone to trample our civil rights and erode due process, it is only a matter of time before they come for you too.”

Members of Congress emphasized strong oversight demands and called for an end to unchecked enforcement practices as they stood in solidarity with impacted communities nationwide.

Photos from the ICE rally can be found here and video footage of the Congresswoman’s remarks at the Melt ICE press conference can be found here.

Rep. Lee has consistently used her platform and oversight authority to challenge ICE abuses and demand accountability from DHS leadership.

Most recently, Rep. Lee joined her colleagues in introducing articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, citing a pattern of civil rights violations, obstruction of congressional oversight, and failure to protect due process in ICE enforcement operations. The articles followed months of escalating concerns over DHS leadership and ICE conduct nationwide.

Rep. Lee also introduced legislation alongside Reps. Delia C. Ramirez and Yvette D. Clarke to end ICE detention altogether and redirect funding toward community-based services, legal support, and humanitarian care. The legislation seeks to dismantle the detention pipeline and move federal resources away from incarceration and toward dignity-centered alternatives.

As DHS funding negotiations intensified, Rep. Lee joined Pennsylvania House Democrats in urging Senators John Fetterman and Dave McCormick to oppose DHS appropriations that fail to include meaningful reforms.

In October 2025, Rep. Lee led oversight efforts demanding answers from DHS after reports revealed ICE’s use of foreign spyware technology capable of covert surveillance. Alongside Reps. Shontel Brown and Yassamin Ansari, she pressed DHS to explain how such tools were deployed and what safeguards, if any, were in place to protect Americans’ privacy and constitutional rights.

During an attempted oversight visit to the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in August 2025, Rep. Lee and a Human Rights First advocate were denied entry despite credible allegations of abuse and the death of a detainee. The denial raised further concerns about transparency within ICE detention facilities and DHS’s resistance to congressional oversight.

Rep. Lee, alongside Reps. Maxwell Frost and Delia C. Ramirez, introduced the Oversight Access Act. This legislation is designed to protect Members of Congress from violence and retaliation while conducting official oversight duties. The bill responds to increasing concerns about threats and physical assaults faced by lawmakers as they attempt to hold agencies like ICE and DHS accountable and aims to ensure that congressional oversight can proceed safely and without interference.

Rep. Lee, serving as a Ranking Member, also joined Rep. Robert Garcia in demanding DHS explain ICE’s use of masks and unmarked vehicles during enforcement operations. She warned that these tactics terrorize communities, undermine public trust, and blur the line between lawful enforcement and intimidation.

Rep. Lee has also publicly condemned ICE raids carried out in Los Angeles under the Trump administration, calling them an abuse of power that ripped families apart and spread fear throughout immigrant communities. She emphasized that enforcement tactics rooted in punishment rather than humanity only deepen harm and instability.


Rep. Sykes Statement on Final Appropriations Package with DHS Stopgap

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the House’s passage of the final appropriations minibus with a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) two-week stopgap attached, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) released the following statement explaining why she could not support the package:

“Just weeks ago, I proudly voted for a bipartisan appropriations package that invested in families, workers, public health, infrastructure, and our servicemembers, while rejecting harmful policy riders and putting people over politics,” said Rep. Sykes. “I continue to strongly support those five funding bills and the critical investments they make in our communities.

But I cannot support this final package. The Senate attached a DHS stopgap, even for just two weeks, without any credible or transparent steps taken by President Trump or Secretary Noem to rein in Immigration and Customs Enforcement or prevent further loss of life.

For weeks, Democrats have offered reasonable reforms to stop dangerous ICE practices and bring accountability to an agency that has repeatedly put lives at risk, including the killing of American citizens. These common-sense reforms would require judicial warrants for enforcement actions, prohibit the detention and deportation of American citizens, ban excessive use of force, enhance training and use of body cameras, and prohibit masks during enforcement actions. Those reforms were rejected. The length of the funding measure does not change the fact that the administration cannot be trusted to continue DHS operations without basic guardrails in place.

I support law enforcement and public safety. But funding enforcement practices without accountability, even temporarily, undermines civil rights, due process, and human dignity.


Three Years After East Palestine, Rep. Sykes Pushes Safety Laws Republicans Have Yet to Pass

As Congress reflects on the derailment, Sykes presses for rail safety reforms blocked under House GOP leadership.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Three years after the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) renewed her call for rail safety reform and corporate accountability, warning that Congress has still failed to pass legislation to prevent another disaster.

“East Palestine has endured three years of press conferences, visits, and empty promises from Republican leaders, but not the rail safety laws needed to prevent another derailment,” said Rep. Sykes. “I am focused on results, not rhetoric, and I will keep fighting until the GOP puts people over profits.”

That is why, Rep. Sykes is introducing the Railroad Safety and Accountability Act today. The bill would codify the Railroad Safety Advisory Committee, protecting labor and public-interest representation after federal regulators moved to reduce their role in safety decision-making.

She continues to press for passage of the bipartisan Reducing Accidents in Locomotives (RAIL) Act, one of the most comprehensive rail safety proposals in Congress. The bill would require two-person train crews, increase inspections, strengthen safety standards, improve emergency notification, and raise penalties for rail safety violations.

Despite bipartisan support from Ohio lawmakers and national labor organizations, House Republican leadership has blocked the legislation from receiving a hearing in two consecutive congresses. Rep. Sykes also offered the RAIL Act as an amendment to the so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill,” but House Republicans rejected it.

Since the derailment, President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Sen. Jon Husted (Ohio), EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy have all visited East Palestine or issued statements promising action. None have delivered rail safety legislation that would prevent another derailment.

During a 2025 House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing, Rep. Sykes pressed Secretary Duffy on what concrete steps the Department of Transportation was taking to prevent another East Palestine–style disaster, but he failed to provide specific reforms or commitments to support legislation.

Norfolk Southern has announced limited investments while continuing to resist stronger national safety rules, higher penalties, and increased federal oversight. The company has not accepted responsibility for long-term health monitoring or reforms that would reduce the risk of future disasters.

Since February 2023, Rep. Sykes has traveled to East Palestine, pressed federal agencies for answers, helped secure an EPA order requiring Norfolk Southern to pay for cleanup, and championed tax relief for impacted families that became law in 2024.

Three years later, Sykes said, East Palestine deserves action, not promises.


Rep. Tokuda Surprises 2025 Congressional App Challenge Winners

Hawaiʻi – U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) is announcing the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for her congressional district after surprising them with on-campus visits.

Rep. Tokuda visited Le Jardin Academy to surprise Michael Kai Hochart with the news that he took home top honors for the “ʻIwa App,” which helps to quickly identify derelict fishing nets from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery and assists with the on-site execution of large-scale marine debris removal in Papahānaumokuākea. As this year’s winner, he will be invited to #HouseofCode in Washington, D.C. where students will present their winning apps.

Also at Le Jardin Academy, Rep. Tokuda surprised Talei Ham with news of her third place win for KanuWise. She teamed up with Reese Reilly, a Mid-Pacific Institute student, who also went to campus for the surprise. Their app helps users both identify and learn about plants found in Hawaiʻi.

On Maui, Rep. Tokuda visited King Kekaulike High School to surprise Chelsey Miguel, who placed second for ReefWatch, a conservation platform that allows people to document coral reef health and update records.

“I am extremely inspired by the creativity and talent of Hawaiʻi’s students,” said Rep. Tokuda. “They are demonstrating how technology can be a powerful tool for solving real-world issues and I look forward to following their journey as they continue to make an impact on our community. A big mahalo to the teachers who guided them, and the parents and family who supported these students.”

The Congressional App Challenge is an annual nationwide competition that allows students interested in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) to create an application or “app” for mobile, table, or computer devices. Nearly 13,900 students nationwide entered the 2025 competition.

Photos of the winners can be found here.

###


Rep. Tokuda Votes Against Funding Bill That Includes DHS

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-02) released the following statement after voting against a Fiscal Year 2026 government funding package, which includes two weeks of stopgap funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

“I have supported the vast majority of bipartisan funding agreements in this bill, but I cannot, in good conscience, give a blank check to DHS whose leadership has failed in its most basic responsibility to protect Americans. Just weeks after DHS and ICE agents fatally shot Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, Republicans are demanding continued funding for aggressive immigration enforcement while refusing to confront deadly abuses of power. I will not support expanded ICE operations without guaranteed transparency, true accountability, and humane treatment. Until DHS is held to the same standards as every other law enforcement agency in this country, I will not vote to bankroll an operation that terrorizes communities, undermines our Constitution, and puts American lives at risk.”

The bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 217–214.

###


Representative Tran Opposes Funding for ICE, Demands Reforms to Protect U.S. Citizens

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Derek Tran (CA-45) issued a statement following his vote against the Senate-amended version of H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, which provides full-year funding for certain agencies and a two-week continuing resolution for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This “minibus” legislation funds the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agencies under DHS without any reforms to the agencies’ current practices. Tran’s vote comes on the heels of two deaths of U.S. citizens at the hands of ICE and CBP agents and significant concerns from constituents over public safety, in addition to the wrongful detention and endangerment of U.S. citizens.

“While I support pay raises for our servicemembers and reforms to our healthcare system, I cannot in good conscience vote to bankroll an unconstitutional assault on our civil liberties,” said Representative Tran. “I hear the fear in my constituents' voices every day—they are watching ICE rip families apart and operate as if they are above the law. We are at a breaking point where families are afraid to attend school, go to work, and attend houses of worship because of this Administration’s unchecked aggression. I will not be complicit in the wrongful targeting and killing of American citizens. We must decouple essential government funding from the enrichment of a rogue agency. ICE has lost the consent of the governed, and until meaningful, enforceable reforms are on the table, I am a 'NO’ on giving ICE another dime of taxpayer money.”

On January 29, 2026, the Senate passed a six-bill government spending package that included funding for DHS without a strong framework to conduct oversight for ICE and CBP. The appropriations package was sent back to the House of Representatives for approval, along with a continuing resolution (CR) that would provide funding for DHS at existing levels for two weeks. This CR is intended to allow lawmakers to continue negotiating oversight and accountability measures for ICE, but no significant assurances from the Administration have been made to date to protect U.S. citizens across the country. The Senate-amended version of H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026, passed the house on February 3, 2026, with a vote of 217-214.

Representative Tran continues to closely monitor ICE activity across California’s 45th district. On January 22, Representative Tran voted against H.R. 7147, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2026, when it first came to the House floor for a vote. Last week, Tran signed onto H.Res.996 a Congressional resolution to impeach DHS Secretary Kristi Noem for high crimes and misdemeanors, and has cosponsored legislation to place checks on ICE’s conduct, including:

H.R. 4176, the No Secret Police Act, to prohibit ICE agents from wearing non-tactical face coverings while on duty;

H.R. 5973, The Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act, to scale back the level of force permissible in immigration operations;

H.R. 3172, The ICE Visibility Act, to require agents to clearly identify themselves as such when interacting with the public;

H.R. 5653, the Trust Through Transparency Act, to require all ICE officials to wear body cameras when interacting with the public in immigration enforcement operations;

H.R. 944, The Access to Counsel Act, to ensure that U.S. citizens and individuals with lawful status are able to call an attorney or family member to seek legal assistance when they are detained;

H.R. 5941, The Restoring Access for Detainees Act, to require DHS to allow noncitizens who have been detained to contact their legal counsel and families, and;

H.R. 4456, Stop ICE from Kidnapping U.S. Citizens Act, to prohibit ICE from using federal funds to detain or deport U.S. citizens.

On June 12, 2025, Representative Tran, alongside Representatives Gil Cisneros (CA-31) and George Whitesides (CA-27), sent a letter to U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth demanding answers regarding the deployment of armed forces to Los Angeles. During a recent House Armed Services Committee hearing, Tran pressed Secretary Hegseth on the militarized response to domestic protests and lack of coordination with state and local law enforcement to keep those community members who are exercising their First Amendment rights safe. Tran, joined by Representatives Cisneros and Judy Chu (CA-28), also led a letter to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons condemning the agencies for unlawfully denying their entry to the Adelanto ICE Processing Facility during a statutorily-protected oversight visit conducted on June 8, 2025.

Since taking office in January 2025, Tran’s office has opened over 230 cases to assist constituents related to the adjudication of their immigration status with federal agencies.

###

Congressman Derek Tran represents California’s 45th Congressional District. Serving his first term in Congress, Congressman Tran is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and House Small Business Committee, where he is Ranking Member of the Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee. Congressman Tran is the son of Vietnamese refugees, a Veteran, and fought for consumers as an attorney before entering Congress.


Rep. Gabe Vasquez Stands Firm in Demand for DHS Reform and Accountability

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On February 3, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) released this statement following his vote to reject a DHS funding proposal that would give the agency more money without oversight, reforms, or guardrails.

“In just the last two weeks, nearly 2,000 New Mexicans have contacted my office to share their anger and frustration over the violence that is playing out across the nation. They are justifiably terrified that they or their loved ones will be detained, arrested, or jailed for exercising their First Amendment rights or profiled because of the color of their skin. They, and thousands more New Mexicans, are demanding DHS accountability and reform, and so am I.”

“I will not vote to give DHS any more funds so long as Congressional Republicans and the Administration continue to violate our Constitution and until they enter into good-faith negotiations for transparency, accountability around use of force, and commitments to comply with the law. As I’ve said before, the first step is relieving Secretary Noem of her duties. We've all seen the brutality masked agents acting with impunity have brought upon Americans with our own eyes, and it’s got to stop.”

“Additionally, DHS was granted a $150 billion dollar blank check under Congressional Republicans’ ‘One Big Beautiful Bill.’ That money is better spent helping Americans afford their health care, lowering the cost of groceries, funding critical food assistance programs, and bringing economic relief to working New Mexicans. New Mexicans’ tax money must be used to bring safety and security to our communities, not to detain and kill American citizens.”

Rep. Vasquez is a leading voice in the fight for reforms and accountability at DHS, including:

Holding DHS leadership accountable by removing Secretary Noem

Requiring all DHS agents to removemasks and wear body cameras to ensure transparency, identification, and accountability

Mandating independent investigations into DHS violations of use of force

Ending reckless mass raids that unlawfully detain, endanger, and kill American citizens

Guaranteeing safe, humane conditions in detention, including medical care, legal access, and basic human dignity

Rep. Vasquez was also among the first House Democrats to call for the impeachment of Secretary Noem following the killing of Renee Good, and he remains a leading voice in calls for Noem’s removal. He has also recently called on DHS and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to provide immediate transparency and answers following a historic surge in deaths of individuals held in ICE custody. Back in September 2025, Rep. Vasquez led a group of border state Democrats in demanding transparency and accountability in how DHS planned to spend more than $150 billion taxpayer dollars newly allocated under H.R. 1.

###


Vindman Opposes DHS Funding Bill, Demands Critical, Enforceable Reforms for ICE & CBP

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today released the following statement after voting against a bill to fund ICE without making critical reforms.

“Virginians and Americans across the country are deeply concerned by how federal agents are operating and demand commonsense reforms to keep our communities safe.

“As a veteran, I know firsthand that the U.S. Army deployed overseas holds its soldiers to a higher standard than what we have seen from ICE on American streets — particularly after the deadly shootings of Alex Pretti and Renée Good in Minneapolis last month.

“Americans deserve transparency and accountability. This includes mandatory demasking, body cameras, judicial warrants, clear constitutional protections, enforceable use-of-force standards for ICE and Customs and Border Protection officers, and independent investigations when federal agents break the law. These are basic requirements.

“I am appalled that my Republican colleagues shut down the government over the weekend rather than adopt these commonsense reforms to protect our communities and ensure federal agents are held to the same standards as local law enforcement officers.”

BACKGROUND

In January, Vindman released a statement standing against a proposed ICE ‘mega-detention’ facility in Stafford County after meeting with community leaders, law enforcement, and elected officials in the region. Later that month, he voted against the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) appropriations bill which could have funded this detention center.

Following the murders of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents, he also backed a resolution to impeach DHS Secretary Noem and joined 14 fellow Democratic Veterans in the U.S. House to call for a stand down of ICE and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) interior operations.

###


Warren, Walkinshaw Lawmakers Push for Expedited Probe of ICE’s Violence After Watchdog Confirms Investigation

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.), along with Representatives James Walkinshaw (D-VA), Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.), Lou Correa (D-Calif.), and Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), led colleagues in pressing the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) to expedite its investigation into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents' use of force. The Congressional push follows violent ICE operations in Minneapolis that resulted in the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti last month, in addition to reports of ICE agents using increasingly aggressive tactics and entering homes without a warrant.

Other signers include: Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), along with Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), Madeline Dean (D-Pa.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Al Green (D-Texas), Val Hoyle (D-Ore.), Glenn Ivey (D-Md.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Bill Keating (D-Mass.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Richard Neal (D-Mass.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Scott Peters (D-Calif.), Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), and Lori Trahan (D-Mass.).

“Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have gotten out of control, using needlessly violent force against community members who are exercising their First Amendment rights and pose no threat,” wrote the lawmakers.

The DHS OIG is responsible for conducting independent oversight of the agency to identify instances of misconduct and reporting findings directly to the Secretary of Homeland Security and Congress. Since the start of the Trump Administration, ICE’s tactics have become increasingly aggressive, with reports and bystander videos showing immigration agents placing people in chokeholds during arrests, tackling people to the ground, releasing tear gas and flashbang grenades at close range, smashing windows and breaking doors, and brandishing guns.

Last month, these aggressive tactics led to the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens: a mother named Renée Good and ICU nurse Alex Pretti.

“These events underscore the urgent need for the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General to conduct an expeditious review of ICE’s and Customs and Border Protection’s brutal tactics and share its findings with Congress and the public as soon as possible,” wrote the lawmakers.

In June 2025, Senator Warren and lawmakers pressed the DHS OIG to open an investigation into ICE’s aggressive enforcement operations and answer key oversight questions. On January 8, 2026, OIG announced a new audit along the lines of the lawmakers’ request “to determine whether ICE investigates allegations of excessive use of force and holds personnel accountable” consistent with federal law and DHS and ICE policies. Since the lawmakers’ June letter, the OIG also initiated five other audits into DHS’s practices, including DHS processes for determining U.S. citizenship during enforcement operations and CBP interior enforcement.

But OIG audits typically take over a year to complete, even as ICE continues to cause severe harm on the ground. Given the urgency — and the growing risk to public safety and civil rights — the lawmakers urged OIG to expedite its audit, provide interim briefings and preliminary findings to Congress, and use escalation tools — including Management Alerts and 7-day letters — if ICE refuses to comply with OIG’s data access requests.

Recent comments from the Trump administration raise concerns that ICE agents are being told to behave illegally when conducting immigration enforcement. President Trump has consistently downplayed ICE agents’ actions, claiming that it is “inevitable” that agents will be “too rough” and “make mistakes sometimes,” while White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has suggested that ICE agents have blanket “federal immunity” when carrying out their duties. DHS recently circulated an internal memo advising agents that they could enter homes without a judicial warrant in certain circumstances.

“Given the urgency of this situation — with communities facing severe, and sometimes fatal, harm from ICE’s tactics on American streets every day — we request that your office conduct this review expeditiously and share any preliminary findings with Congress and the public on an expedited basis,” wrote the lawmakers.

The lawmakers also requested that, as part of this review, the OIG provide answers to a series of questions on ICE’s and CBP’s practices, including use-of-force claims, use of warrants in arrests, detentions and arrests of American citizens, recruitment, vetting, and training, and their process for handling professional misconduct.

Text of Letter (PDF)

###


Rep. Watson Coleman Votes Against Extending Funding for Out-of-Control DHS

Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted against a set of bills that would have allowed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to continue its lawless and dangerous actions in cities across the country.

“When speaking to constituents over the past several weeks, the most frequent concern I’ve heard is with regards to ICE’s brutality and disregard for people’s rights,” said Watson Coleman. “The actions by ICE and DHS have shown a complete lack of accountability and care. They are simply out-of-control. It’s why I called for the impeachment of Secretary Noem, who has failed to acknowledge a problem with her department, let alone put forward a plan to correct. And, it’s why I’ve called for dismantling DHS and replacing it with an immigration system that respects the rights and safety of every member of our community. When I said 'not one cent more to ICE,' I meant it."

The funding package passed the House of Representatives 217-214, extending funding for the Departments of Labor; Health and Human Services; Housing and Urban Development; Transportation; and Defense for one year while simultaneously passing a two-week continuing resolution for the Department of Homeland Security while negotiations on final funding continue.


Rep. Weber Delivers Over $3 Million to Southeast Texas as President Moves to Reopen the Government

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Randy Weber (TX-14) supported final passage of H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, which will be signed immediately by President Donald J. Trump to reopen the federal government and deliver over $3M in funding across Texas’ 14th Congressional District.

The funding includes:

$2,000,000 for Lamar State College Port Arthur to support the Advanced Terminal Workforce Development Center, preparing students to enter the workforce immediately while strengthening the efficiency, safety, and reliability of terminal operations that underpin the regional economy.

$1,000,000 for the City of West Columbia for Phase One of the City’s Street Reconstruction Project, addressing aging local roadways and improving infrastructure relied upon by families, small businesses, and first responders.

$730,000 for the City of Angleton to rehabilitate the Lexington Square building, including HVAC replacement, structural repairs, exterior improvements, and the installation of a shaded parking structure to better serve residents and visitors.

H.R. 7148 now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law, reopening the federal government and advancing Fiscal Year 2026 funding toward final completion.


Reps. Weber and Dingell Introduce Bipartisan Pipeline Cybersecurity Preparedness Act to Protect America’s Energy Infrastructure

Washington, D.C. - Congressman Randy Weber (R-TX) introduced the bipartisan Pipeline Cybersecurity Preparedness Act alongside Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI), legislation to protect America’s pipelines by placing the Department of Energy as the lead agency on cybersecurity coordination.

Cyber threats to critical energy infrastructure are increasing in frequency and sophistication, putting the pipelines that transport energy across the country at risk. While pipeline cybersecurity responsibilities are currently spread across multiple federal agencies, the Department of Energy already serves as the Energy Sector Risk Management Agency and has demonstrated its ability to respond during major incidents, including the 2021 Colonial Pipeline cyberattack.

“Texas’ 14th Congressional District helps power America, and protecting our pipelines is critical to our national and energy security,” said Rep. Weber. “This bill puts the Department of Energy’s expertise in the lead to coordinate preparedness, response, and recovery efforts to protect our pipelines.”

The Pipeline Cybersecurity Preparedness Act directs the Department of Energy to coordinate with federal, state, and industry partners to strengthen the security and resilience of pipeline infrastructure by:

Improving federal coordination and information-sharing related to cyber and physical threats;

Supporting preparedness, response, and recovery efforts following cybersecurity incidents;

Developing voluntary cybersecurity tools, technologies, and pilot projects in partnership with industry;

Strengthening workforce development and cybersecurity training for pipeline and LNG facilities;

And preserving existing agency authorities and creating no new regulatory requirements.

"As our world becomes more digital and interconnected, strong cybersecurity is essential, especially when it comes to protecting our energy supplies,” said Rep. Dingell. “Cyber threats to our energy infrastructure are real, growing, and need action now. The Pipeline Cybersecurity Preparedness Act strengthens the Department of Energy’s role by ensuring its experts are fully engaged in federal coordination and working closely with industry to secure our pipelines. We must continue to act decisively to safeguard our critical infrastructure and our national security.”


Baldwin Secures Over $32 Million in Direct Support for 26 Projects in Southeast Wisconsin in Government Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted to pass a bipartisan government funding bill that includes over $32 million in direct support for local projects across Southeast Wisconsin. Included in the government funding package is support for projects that help Wisconsinites get good, affordable health care, connect Wisconsinites with job training and good-paying jobs, and build more affordable housing. Senator Baldwin also successfully spearheaded the effort to stop President Trump’s misguided attempt to cut funding from public education, slash cancer and other disease research, and scale back opioid and addiction services. Today, the House of Representatives passed this legislation and now awaits the President’s signature.

“At a time when costs are rising, and families are struggling to make ends meet, I fought hard to bring home investments to address their kitchen table issues and our communities’ most pressing problems,” said Senator Baldwin. “I worked closely with communities across Southeast Wisconsin to fund projects that will put high-quality health care within reach for more people, support our small businesses and entrepreneurs, and give more families the chance to buy a home. I am also proud to have stopped President Trump’s efforts to make deep cuts to education funding, slash cancer and other disease research, and take us a step back in our fight in the opioid epidemic.”

The bipartisan government funding package includes Senator Baldwin's bill to fund the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. Senator Baldwin’s bipartisan bill rejects the Trump Administration’s effort to cut funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), public schools, and addiction and mental health care, while putting up strong guardrails to ensure funding is spent as intended and without delay. The bill also sets a two-week deadline to negotiate a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that delivers accountability and puts commonsense guardrails on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The funding package included direct support for 26 projects in Southeast Wisconsin. The following projects were funded:

Hmong Chamber Innovation Hub: $1,687,000 for business development programming.

Sherman Phoenix Foundation – Pheonix Rise MKE: $959,000 to expand entrepreneurship and small business support services.

City of Whitewater: $85,000 for an immigrant liaison.

STRYV365: $100,000 for trauma-informed programs for youth, including direct services, mentoring, and professional development for youth-serving organizations.

United Way of Kenosha County: $278,000 for childhood literacy programming.

Milwaukee Jewish Federation: $312,000 for education to prevent antisemitism.

4th Dimension Sobriety: $400,000 to support and expand staffing, support a second and expanded year of restorative community implementation, peer support services training and an expansion of services for women.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Nursing: $400,000 for the construction of a rehabilitation gym and lab simulation space.

Milwaukee Area Technical College: $500,000 for a higher education scholarship.

West Care Wisconsin: $600,000 for a mobile mental health clinic.

Iron Workers Local Union No. 8 Joint Apprenticeship and Advanced Journeyman Training Trust Fund: $700,000 to purchase equipment for their training program.

Concordia University, Inc.: $753,000 to improve current nursing facilities to increase enrollment to address workforce shortages.

Employ Milwaukee: $900,000 for youth career exploration.

Walworth County: $1,000,000 to renovate a vacant 30-bed skilled nursing unit to function as a Community Based Residential Facility (CBRF).

Moraine Park Technical College: $1,325,000 to acquire robotics equipment to train students for modern manufacturing environments.

Medical College of Wisconsin: $1,600,000 to Acquire positron emission tomography (PET) equipment.

Marquette University School of Dentistry (MUSOD): $2,000,000 for a Digital dentistry and simulation center.

Versiti: $3,000,000 for the Construction of the Versiti Blood Research Institute.

Racine County: $5,000,000 for the construction of a mental health facility.

YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee: $4,000,000 for the construction of health commons facility.

City of Kenosha: $3,000,000 to construct affordable housing.

Communities of Crocus: $1,500,000 to construct affordable housing.

Acts Housing: $1,000,000 for the acquisition of affordable housing.

Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha and Jefferson Counties: $500,000 for the construction of affordable housing.

Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD): $250,000 for a schoolyard renovation.

Ozaukee Food Alliance: $246,000 to acquire a mobile food pantry.

###


Baldwin Secures Over $5 Million in Direct Support for 5 Projects in Western Wisconsin in Government Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted to pass a bipartisan government funding bill that includes over $5 million in direct support for local projects across Western Wisconsin. Included in the government funding package is support for projects that help Wisconsinites get good, affordable health care, connect Wisconsinites with job training and good-paying jobs, and build more affordable housing. Senator Baldwin also successfully spearheaded the effort to stop President Trump’s misguided attempt to cut funding from public education, slash cancer and other disease research, and scale back opioid and addiction services. Today, the House of Representatives passed this legislation and now awaits the President’s signature.

“At a time when costs are rising, and families are struggling to make ends meet, I fought hard to bring home investments to address their kitchen table issues and our communities’ most pressing problems,” said Senator Baldwin. “I worked closely with communities across Western Wisconsin to fund projects that will put high-quality health care within reach for more people, support our small businesses and entrepreneurs, and give students the strong start they deserve. I am also proud to have stopped President Trump’s efforts to make deep cuts to education funding, slash cancer and other disease research, and take us a step back in our fight in the opioid epidemic.”

The bipartisan government funding package includes Senator Baldwin's bill to fund the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. Senator Baldwin’s bipartisan bill rejects the Trump Administration’s effort to cut funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), public schools, and addiction and mental health care, while putting up strong guardrails to ensure funding is spent as intended and without delay. The bill also sets a two-week deadline to negotiate a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that delivers accountability and puts commonsense guardrails on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The funding package included direct support for 5 projects in Western Wisconsin. The following projects were funded:

University of Wisconsin-Stout: $202,000 to expand support for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Gundersen La Crosse Medical Center Campus: $750,000 for the renovation of a facility offering services to those coping with addiction.

Pablo Center at the Confluence: $900,000 for STEAM Education.

Family and Children’s Center of Wisconsin: $1,000,000 for the Construction of a mental health diagnostic center.

Vernon Memorial Healthcare Foundation Inc.: $2,213,000 for the construction of a new clinic.

###


Baldwin Secures Over $60 Million in Direct Support for Wisconsin in Government Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted to pass a bipartisan government funding bill that includes over $60 million in direct support for local projects across Wisconsin. Included in the government funding package is support for projects that help Wisconsinites get good, affordable health care, connect Wisconsinites with job training and good-paying jobs, and build more affordable housing. Senator Baldwin also successfully spearheaded the effort to stop President Trump’s misguided attempt to cut funding from public education, slash cancer and other disease research, and scale back opioid and addiction services. Today, the House of Representatives passed this legislation and now awaits the President’s signature.

“At a time when costs are rising, and families are struggling to make ends meet, I fought hard to bring home investments to address their kitchen table issues and our communities’ most pressing problems,” said Senator Baldwin. “I worked closely with communities across Wisconsin to fund projects that will put high-quality health care within reach for more people, help people land those good-paying jobs, and put shovels in the ground to build more affordable housing. I am also proud to have stopped President Trump’s efforts to make deep cuts to education funding, slash cancer and other disease research, and take us a step back in our fight in the opioid epidemic.”

The bipartisan government funding package includes Senator Baldwin's bill to fund the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. Senator Baldwin’s bipartisan bill rejects the Trump Administration’s effort to cut funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), public schools, and addiction and mental health care, while putting up strong guardrails to ensure funding is spent as intended and without delay. The bill also sets a two-week deadline to negotiate a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that delivers accountability and puts commonsense guardrails on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The funding package included direct support for 48 Wisconsin projects. The following projects were funded:

Statewide

Wisconsin Technology Council: $40,000 for regional entrepreneur workshops.

Families and Schools Together (FAST): $500,000 for after school education.

Western Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin-Stout: $202,000 to expand support for entrepreneurs and small businesses.

Gundersen La Crosse Medical Center Campus: $750,000 for the renovation of a facility offering services to those coping with addiction.

Pablo Center at the Confluence: $900,000 for STEAM Education.

Family and Children’s Center of Wisconsin: $1,000,000 for the construction of a mental health diagnostic center.

Vernon Memorial Healthcare Foundation Inc.: $2,213,000 for the construction of a new clinic.

Southeast Wisconsin

Hmong Chamber Innovation Hub: $1,687,000 for business development programming.

Sherman Phoenix Foundation – Pheonix Rise MKE: $959,000 to expand entrepreneurship and small business support services.

City of Whitewater: $85,000 for an immigrant liaison.

STRYV365: $100,000 for trauma-informed programs for youth, including direct services, mentoring, and professional development for youth-serving organizations.

United Way of Kenosha County: $278,000 for childhood literacy programming.

Milwaukee Jewish Federation: $312,000 for education to prevent antisemitism.

4th Dimension Sobriety: $400,000 to support and expand staffing, support a second and expanded year of restorative community implementation, peer support services training and an expansion of services for women.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Nursing: $400,000 for the construction of a rehabilitation gym and lab simulation space.

Milwaukee Area Technical College: $500,000 for a higher education scholarship.

West Care Wisconsin: $600,000 for a mobile mental health clinic.

Iron Workers Local Union No. 8 Joint Apprenticeship and Advanced Journeyman Training Trust Fund: $700,000 to purchase equipment for their training program.

Concordia University, Inc.: $753,000 to improve current nursing facilities to increase enrollment to address workforce shortages.

Employ Milwaukee: $900,000 for youth career exploration.

Walworth County: $1,000,000 to renovate a vacant 30-bed skilled nursing unit to function as a Community Based Residential Facility (CBRF).

Moraine Park Technical College: $1,325,000 to acquire robotics equipment to train students for modern manufacturing environments.

Medical College of Wisconsin: $1,600,000 to Acquire positron emission tomography (PET) equipment.

Marquette University School of Dentistry (MUSOD): $2,000,000 for a digital dentistry and simulation center.

Versiti: $3,000,000 for the construction of the Versiti Blood Research Institute.

Racine County: $5,000,000 for the construction of a mental health facility.

YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee: $4,000,000 for the construction of health commons facility.

City of Kenosha: $3,000,000 to construct affordable housing.

Communities of Crocus: $1,500,000 to construct affordable housing.

Acts Housing: $1,000,000 for the acquisition of affordable housing.

Habitat for Humanity of Waukesha and Jefferson Counties: $500,000 for the construction of affordable housing.

Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD): $250,000 for a schoolyard renovation.

Ozaukee Food Alliance: $246,000 to acquire a mobile food pantry.

Central Wisconsin:

Northcentral Technical College: $3,207,000 for firefighter education and workforce development.

South Central Wisconsin

Prevention and Response Columbia County: $97,000 for school and afterschool-based youth prevention.

Madison Area Technical College: $660,000 to expand nursing, health, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) programs to address healthcare workforce shortages.

Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness: $750,000 for programming to enhance economic security and family stability for at-risk women and families.

Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin: $970,000 for apprenticeship navigators, certified pre-apprenticeship training, and apprentice supports.

Upland Hills Health: $2,000,000 for the construction of a senior living campus.

City of Janesville: $5,000,000 for the removal of blight.

Northeastern Wisconsin

Skanikulat, Inc.: $125,000 to preserve and expand community access to the endangered Oneida language.

Boys & Girls Club Fox Valley, Inc.: $1,000,000 to support mental and behavioral health issues, with an emphasis on at-risk youth.

Green Bay Metro Fire Department: $5,000,000 for the construction of a new fire station.

Veterans 1st of NEW: $480,000 for the construction of affordable housing.

Northern Wisconsin

Bayfield County: $300,000 to establish a Rural First Responders Lift Assist Team.

GLITC Adolescent Wellness Recovery Center: $4,700,000 to establish a 36-bed residential center supporting Native American youth with opioid addiction and co-occurring mental behavioral health conditions.

Boys & Girls Club of the Northwoods: $1,000,000 to expand facilities.

Wild Rivers Habitat for Humanity: $500,000 for the construction of affordable housing.

###


Baldwin Secures Over $6.5 Million in Direct Support for 4 Projects in Northeast Wisconsin in Government Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted to pass a bipartisan government funding bill that includes over $6.5 million in direct support for local projects across Northeast Wisconsin. Included in the government funding package is support for projects that help Wisconsinites get good, affordable health care, connect Wisconsinites with job training and good-paying jobs, and build more affordable housing. Senator Baldwin also successfully spearheaded the effort to stop President Trump’s misguided attempt to cut funding from public education, slash cancer and other disease research, and scale back opioid and addiction services. Today, the House of Representatives passed this legislation and now awaits the President’s signature.

“At a time when costs are rising, and families are struggling to make ends meet, I fought hard to bring home investments to address their kitchen table issues and our communities’ most pressing problems,” said Senator Baldwin. “I worked closely with communities across Northeast Wisconsin to fund projects that will put high-quality health are within reach for more people, support our first responders, and give more families the chance to buy a home. I am also proud to have stopped President Trump’s efforts to make deep cuts to education funding, slash cancer and other disease research, and take us a step back in our fight in the opioid epidemic.”

The bipartisan government funding package includes Senator Baldwin's bill to fund the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. Senator Baldwin’s bipartisan bill rejects the Trump Administration’s effort to cut funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), public schools, and addiction and mental health care, while putting up strong guardrails to ensure funding is spent as intended and without delay. The bill also sets a two-week deadline to negotiate a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that delivers accountability and puts commonsense guardrails on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The funding package included direct support for 4 projects in Northeast Wisconsin. The following projects were funded:

Skanikulat, Inc.: $125,000 to preserve and expand community access to the endangered Oneida language.

Boys & Girls Club Fox Valley, Inc.: $1,000,000 to support mental and behavioral health issues, with an emphasis on at-risk youth.

Green Bay Metro Fire Department: $5,000,000 for the construction of a new fire station.

Veterans 1st of NEW: $480,000 for the construction of affordable housing.

###


Baldwin Secures Over $9 Million in Direct Support for 6 Projects in Southcentral Wisconsin in Government Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted to pass a bipartisan government funding bill that includes over $9 million in direct support for local projects across Southcentral Wisconsin. Included in the government funding package is support for projects that help Wisconsinites get good, affordable health care, connect Wisconsinites with job training and good-paying jobs, and build more affordable housing. Senator Baldwin also successfully spearheaded the effort to stop President Trump’s misguided attempt to cut funding from public education, slash cancer and other disease research, and scale back opioid and addiction services. Today, the House of Representatives passed this legislation and now awaits the President’s signature.

“At a time when costs are rising, and families are struggling to make ends meet, I fought hard to bring home investments to address their kitchen table issues and our communities’ most pressing problems,” said Senator Baldwin. “I worked closely with communities across Southcentral Wisconsin to fund projects that will put high-quality health care within reach for more people, support our small businesses and entrepreneurs, and help people land those good-paying jobs. I am also proud to have stopped President Trump’s efforts to make deep cuts to education funding, slash cancer and other disease research, and take us a step back in our fight in the opioid epidemic.”

The bipartisan government funding package includes Senator Baldwin's bill to fund the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. Senator Baldwin’s bipartisan bill rejects the Trump Administration’s effort to cut funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), public schools, and addiction and mental health care, while putting up strong guardrails to ensure funding is spent as intended and without delay. The bill also sets a two-week deadline to negotiate a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that delivers accountability and puts commonsense guardrails on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The funding package included direct support for 6 projects in Southcentral Wisconsin. The following projects were funded:

Prevention and Response Columbia County: $97,000 for school and afterschool-based youth prevention.

Madison Area Technical College: $660,000 to expand nursing, health, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) programs to address healthcare workforce shortages.

Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness: $750,000 for programming to enhance economic security and family stability for at-risk women and families.

Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin: $970,000 for apprenticeship navigators, certified pre-apprenticeship training, and apprentice supports.

Upland Hills Health: $2,000,000 for the construction of a senior living campus.

City of Janesville: $5,000,000 for the removal of blight.

###


Baldwin Secures Over $9.5 Million in Direct Support for 5 Projects in Northern Wisconsin in Government Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, voted to pass a bipartisan government funding bill that includes over $9.5 million in direct support for local projects across Northern Wisconsin. Included in the government funding package is support for projects that help Wisconsinites get good, affordable health care, connect Wisconsinites with job training and good-paying jobs, and build more affordable housing. Senator Baldwin also successfully spearheaded the effort to stop President Trump’s misguided attempt to cut funding from public education, slash cancer and other disease research, and scale back opioid and addiction services. Today, the House of Representatives passed this legislation and now awaits the President’s signature.

“At a time when costs are rising, and families are struggling to make ends meet, I fought hard to bring home investments to address their kitchen table issues and our communities’ most pressing problems,” said Senator Baldwin. “I worked closely with communities across Northern Wisconsin to fund projects that will put high-quality health care within reach for more people, support our first responders, and give more families the chance to buy a home. I am also proud to have stopped President Trump’s efforts to make deep cuts to education funding, slash cancer and other disease research, and take us a step back in our fight in the opioid epidemic.”

The bipartisan government funding package includes Senator Baldwin's bill to fund the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. Senator Baldwin’s bipartisan bill rejects the Trump Administration’s effort to cut funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), public schools, and addiction and mental health care, while putting up strong guardrails to ensure funding is spent as intended and without delay. The bill also sets a two-week deadline to negotiate a bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that delivers accountability and puts commonsense guardrails on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The funding package included direct support for 5 projects in Northern Wisconsin. The following projects were funded:

Northcentral Technical College: $3,207,000 for firefighter education and workforce development.

Bayfield County: $300,000 to establish a Rural First Responders Lift Assist Team.

GLITC Adolescent Wellness Recovery Center: $4,700,000 to establish a 36-bed residential center supporting Native American youth with opioid addiction and co-occurring mental behavioral health conditions.

Boys & Girls Club of the Northwoods: $1,000,000 to expand facilities.


WATCH: Senator Baldwin Presses NIH Director on Trump Admin Cutting 2,000 Grants

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) questioned National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Jayanta Bhattacharya in front of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee on the Trump Administration's massive cuts to lifesaving research into cures for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS, and more. Dr. Bhattacharya and the Trump administration implemented a misguided multi-year funding policy that resulted in the NIH funding 2,000 fewer grants than the previous year. Senator Baldwin questioned Dr. Bhattacharya on the multi-year funding scheme that resulted in these deep cuts that shortchanged researchers and slashed the number of projects funded last year.

NIH has historically funded more than 80 percent of its research grants on an annual basis. Many NIH grants are awarded for 3- to 5-year research studies, but the funding is provided to institutions one year at a time. This is common practice in many federal grant programs, and at the NIH, it means that the agency can stretch it’s $48 billion budget to support as many research studies as possible in a given year. However, last year, Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought directed NIH to begin multi-year funding significantly more of its grants, a goal of 50% starting in Fiscal Year 2025 and 100% in Fiscal Year 2026. This policy shift would mean funding multiple years of a research study up front in one lump sum and would tie up billions of research dollars for years, ultimately cutting the number of projects NIH could fund by the thousands. Indeed, implementing this approach in FY2025 resulted in NIH funding 2,000 fewer grants. That is 2,000 fewer opportunities to find new treatments and cures for diseases millions of American families face.

Senator Baldwin, Ranking Member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS), led the bipartisan government funding bill for Fiscal Year 2026 that not only rejects the catastrophic 40% cut to NIH proposed by President Trump, but provides a $415 million increase for NIH with targeted investments in research for cancer, Alzheimer's disease, ALS, women’s health, and more. The bill includes a new provision, spearheaded by Senator Baldwin, that prevents the Trump administration from implementing this multi-year funding scheme that is significantly cutting the number of research grants NIH awards.

Senator Baldwin also pressed Dr. Bhattacharya on the Trump administration’s political interference at NIH, and the impact it is having on scientific leadership and ultimately the research that is funded. More than half of NIH’s 27 Institute and Center Director positions are currently vacant. Over the last year, the Trump administration has pushed out 12 NIH Institute Directors and Dr. Bhattacharya has ended a longstanding practice of including external scientists in the search committee process for recruiting the best and brightest leaders to fill these critical leadership positions, since they have the final say in which grants are funded. Senator Baldwin expressed concern about maintaining scientific integrity in NIH’s funding decisions, and ensuring that Institute Directors are the best, most qualified leaders in their fields. The LHHS bill includes a new requirement, spearheaded by Senator Baldwin, that all NIH Institute Director search committees include external scientists and stakeholders with relevant expertise.

A full video of Senator Baldwin’s questions is available here.

###


Senator Banks Advocates for Fair Healthcare Research Funding at Indiana Universities

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) discussed the importance of fair health research funding for Indiana universities with National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Bhattacharya during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing titled “Modernizing the National Institutes of Health: Faster Discoveries, More Cures.”

See the full introduction here.

See remarks below:

Sen. Banks: “Indiana is home to three R1 research institutions, Indiana University, Purdue, and Notre Dame. Just to give a few examples, IU is making groundbreaking discoveries into early onset Alzheimer’s research treatments. Purdue is focused on treatments for opioid addiction and pioneering the science of suppressing cancer-related genes is just one example. Notre Dame is exploring how to make malaria less resistant to antibiotics. Those are just a few examples of the type of important research is going on in my great state to make Americans healthier…Despite having the country’s largest medical school at Indiana University and several top-notch research institutions, Indiana only got about $350 million of NIH funding last year… To contrast that, the state of Massachusetts, which is virtually the same size as my state, received nearly $3 billion last year in NIH funding. What’s going on here? Can you explain why schools on the coasts seem to get more NIH funding than schools and or states like my state that’s doing a lot of research as well?”

Dr. Battacharya: “I’ve been around the country… I’m hoping to visit Indiana and I’ve been Kansas, a whole bunch of places. There are great ideas everywhere, Senator. What happens is the NIH, the way that we fund the facilities is tied to having great researchers already there that can win NIH money. But there’s a catch -22 here, right? In order to attract great researchers, you have to have great facilities. You see the problem, right? It’s a catch-22… I would love to work with Congress to find a way to break that link so that maybe introduce a market for facility support. So if Purdue can have a square for the lab space more inexpensively than some other institution, that they would get a leg up in getting that money, introduce sort of market thinking into distributing the facility support and unlink it from the grants of the projects… linking the projects to the facility support, I think, is what leads to that concentration that you’re talking about.”

###


Republicans Fight to Enforce the Law. Democrats Fight to Weaken Law Enforcement.

“Today, Democrats continue to choose illegal immigrants over American citizens. Democrats are the party of defund the police. Now, they want to defund our safety, our security, and our borders. Republicans refuse to allow this dangerous agenda to succeed.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, today spoke on the Senate Floor about how Republicans strengthened border security and made American communities safer. Meanwhile, Democrats put illegal immigrants ahead of the safety and security of American citizens.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.

Sen. Barrasso’s remarks:

“America faces a critical choice about our safety. This debate is not complicated. Republicans are fighting to enforce the law. We want to keep the border secure. Democrats are fighting to weaken law enforcement. Democrats want to reward illegal immigrants who break our laws.

“Right now, criminals who are here illegally are among the most dangerous threats to our nation’s safety. These are violent offenders – murderers, rapists, drug dealers, child traffickers. The worst of the worst. Many entered our country when Joe Biden and Democrats threw open our borders. Over 10 million illegal immigrants flooded in.

“During the 2024 election, the American people spoke clearly. Americans voted for more border security, not less. For more law enforcement, not less. And yes, for deporting criminal illegal immigrants, not permitting them to stay. Republicans understand that safe communities begin with secure borders.

“Today, Democrats continue to choose illegal immigrants over American citizens. Democrats are the party of defund the police. Now, they want to defund our safety, our security, and our borders. You’ve seen them protesting – eliminate ICE. Eliminate Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. They don’t want the law enforced. Republicans refuse to allow this dangerous agenda of the Democrats to succeed.

“Since retaking the majority, Republicans have made public safety a top priority. Republicans secured the border in record time. Illegal border crossings at the southern border are now at the lowest level in 50 years.

“Republicans passed the Laken Riley Act. It was the first bill we passed last year. It was the first bill signed into law by President Trump. The Laken Riley Act simply says that illegal immigrant criminals must be detained.

“Republicans then passed the Working Families Tax Cuts. That law invests over $170 billion to secure the border and safeguard communities. Republicans secured the largest investment in border security and law enforcement in America’s history. It includes $46 billion to finish the Wall, and $75 billion for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It helps hire, train, and retain more agents. It gives agents a $10,000 bonus so experienced officers remain on the job.

“Republicans ended Catch and Release. For eight consecutive months,

zero illegal immigrants were released into the country. Zero. Republicans strengthened enforcement in our country. More than 400,000 illegal immigrants charged with or convicted of a crime have been arrested and removed from our country.

“The lesson is clear. When we enforce the law and support law enforcement, Americans are safer.

“So, what have the Democrats done? Democrats continue to put illegal immigrants ahead of law-abiding American citizens. Last week, the Senate voted to complete funding for 96 percent of the federal government. Democrats blocked the bipartisan Homeland Security appropriations bill – a bill Democrats helped write. The Homeland Security Appropriation Bills funds TSA agents. It funds Federal Emergency Management Agency. It funds the Coast Guard. These are critical functions that keep Americans safe. Democrats are willing to treat all of it as collateral damage in their war against law enforcement.

“During the vote, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont offered a targeted amendment. The Sanders Amendment targeted Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Democrats wanted to defund ICE to the tune of $75 billion. It sought to redirect that money to pay for fraud. Every single Senate Democrat voted yes. That’s how radical Democrats have become. The Senate rightly rejected this amendment. The Sanders Amendment exposes Democrats’ open borders goals.

“When given the choice between protecting Americans and defunding law enforcement, Democrats side time and time again with illegal immigrants every single time. We’re trying to keep Americans safe, their trying to protect illegal immigrants. It’s that clearly defined. We’ve seen it on the sign as they protest in the streets, ‘Abolish ICE.’ Republicans believe government must protect law-abiding citizens from criminals. Democrats are choosing illegal immigrants ahead of law-abiding citizens.

“The events of the past few weeks are serious. These tragedies are no excuse to defund law enforcement. If Democrats want to have a debate about American safety, we welcome it. I am going to stand on the side of the American people. Democrats stand on the side of illegal immigrants.

“Republicans will continue to stand with the men and women who keep us safe – as Democrats try to defund the police and defund border security.”

###


Blackburn Touts Wins for Tennessee in Government Funding Package Signed into Law by President Trump

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement on the wins for Tennessee in the appropriations package, which was signed into law today by President Trump. This package includes provisions of legislation sponsored and co-sponsored by Senator Blackburn as well as critical funding for Vanderbilt University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Tennessee, and the University of Memphis.

The appropriations package funds the U.S. Departments of War, Treasury, State, Health and Human Services, Labor, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Education, and other federal agencies through September 30, 2026. Congress rejected the Democrats’ push to defund the U.S. Department of Homeland Security by voting to maintain current funding levels through a continuing resolution.

“This appropriations package will provide a pay raise for American troops, invest in the next generation, accelerate critical research and development projects, and strengthen communities in Tennessee and across America,” said Senator Blackburn. “In addition to moving federal agencies off of a bloated Biden-era budget and onto a Trump budget, this package includes my bills to lower the cost of prescription drugs, ensure Americans with disabilities aren’t forced to retire to keep their Medicaid coverage, and empower Tennesseans to choose the health care that works for them.”

WINS FOR TENNESSEE

Funding for Vanderbilt University and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory to develop secure, reliable, and trustworthy AI models intended for development by the Air Force in real-world autonomous systems and operations.

Funding for the Vanderbilt University Pathfinder–Air Assault program that supports an expansion of this successful project with special forces units stationed at Fort Campbell to include the Tennessee National Guard.

Funding for the University of Tennessee System to improve recovery outcomes for wounded service members and reduce the need for follow-on surgeries.

Funding for the University of Memphis test facility for unmanned aerial and autonomous systems to support the U.S. Department of War’s priorities and strengthen workforce development in the region.

Funding for a new University of Memphis-based hypersonics ground test facility developed with the Naval Surface Warfare Center that will strengthen the local defense industrial base.

Funding for a partnership between the University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and industry partners to advance next-generation batteries, materials, and charging systems for electrified vertical take-off and landing unmanned aircraft.

Funding for Oak Ridge National Laboratory to strengthen domestic defense supply chains and accelerate next-generation aerospace and hypersonics production.

Funding for Fort Campbell to convert organic waste into onsite energy, reducing operational costs, improving installation resilience, and supporting Army sustainability priorities.

Provision authorizing Tennessee to make Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) Program payments through Fiscal Year 2027. This program provides crucial federal financial assistance to hospitals serving a large number of Medicaid and uninsured patients.

Provision encouraging the Federal Highway Administration to continue working with theTennessee Department of Transportation and local stakeholders to advance the completion of I-69 in West Tennessee.

BACKGROUND

The appropriations package includes the following legislation sponsored by Senator Blackburn:

Patients Before Middleman Act:Lowers the cost of prescription drugs by delinking the compensation of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from drug price and utilization. It also ensures fair treatment of all pharmacies by requiring Medicare Part D plans to contract with any willing pharmacy that meets reasonable terms and conditions.

Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-in Programs Act:Ensures working Americans with disabilities are not forced to retire to keep their Medicaid coverage and benefits.

Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act: Extends certain in-home cardiopulmonary rehabilitation flexibilities established in response to the COVID–19 pandemic.

The appropriations package includes the following short-term extensions of provisions from legislation co-sponsored by Senator Blackburn:

Telehealth Modernization Act: Extends telehealth access for Americans enrolled in Medicare.

Preserving Patient Access to Accountable Care Act: Extends incentive payments for Medicare clinicians who participate in qualifying alternative payment models that tie reimbursement to quality performance and financial accountability.

Senior Savings Protection Act: Ensures low-income seniors, people with disabilities, and caregivers can access personalized guidance to navigate Medicare, helping to lower their health care costs and get the care they deserve.

Hospital Inpatient Services Modernization Act: Expands hospitals’ at-home-care programs by extending the Acute Hospital at Home Waiver program, which currently allows thousands of Americans to safely receive hospital-level care in their homes.

RELATED

Blackburn Celebrates Tennessee Priorities in 2026 Military Construction-VA and Agriculture-FDA Appropriations Bills Passed by Senate


Livestream Today: Blumenthal & Robert Garcia to Hold Forum to Receive Testimony on Violent Use of Force by DHS Agents

[WASHINGTON, DC] – On Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 3 PM ET, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and U.S. Representative Robert Garcia (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, will hold a bicameral public forum to receive testimony on the violent tactics and disproportionate use of force by agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The following witnesses will offer testimony today:

Marimar Martinez: Ms. Martinez is a U.S. citizen and resident of Chicago, Illinois. In October, she was shot five times by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents. After being shot by the Border Patrol Agent, Ms. Martinez was later charged with assaulting the agents who shot her. All charges were dropped by the U.S. Attorney's Office six weeks later.

Aliya Rahman: Ms. Rahman is a U.S. citizen and resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is also a person with autism and a traumatic brain injury. In January, she was violently dragged from her car by immigration agents after telling them she had a disability; she was then detained without immediate access to medical care or accommodations.

Martin Daniel Rascon: Mr. Rascon is a U.S. citizen and resident of San Bernardino, California. Last August, Mr. Rascon was in a car with family members unlawfully stopped by ICE and CBP agents when a CBP agent fired on the car multiple times.

Brent Ganger: Mr. Ganger is the brother of Renee Nicole Macklin Good, a U.S. citizen and resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota who was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in January.

Luke Ganger: Mr. Ganger is the brother of Renee Nicole Macklin Good, a U.S. citizen and resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota who was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in January.

Antonio Romanucci: Mr. Romanucci is an attorney representing the family of Renee Nicole Macklin Good, a U.S. citizen and resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota who was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in January.

Seth Stoughton: Mr. Stoughton is a former police officer and Professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he is the Faculty Director of the Excellence in Policing & Public Safety (EPPS) Program.

Today’s event is the second public forum Blumenthal and Garcia have hosted as part of their ongoing inquiry into the lawless and abusive tactics used by federal immigration agents. In December, Blumenthal and Garcia received testimony from five U.S. citizens who were assaulted, detained, and denied their constitutional rights by agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

WHO: U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)

U.S. Representative Robert Garcia (D-CA)

Members of the Senate and House of Representatives, including members Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

Three U.S. citizens violently assaulted by DHS agents; two brothers of Renee Nicole Macklin Good and the attorney representing their family; an expert on law enforcement use of force

WHEN: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 3 PM ET

WHERE: G50 Dirksen Senate Office Building

Washington, DC

LIVESTREAM: A livestream will be available here.

*Reporters and producers interested in speaking with any of the witnesses at Tuesday’s

forum should email Maria McElwain in Senator Blumenthal’s office to be connected

with their representatives. Please note that Brent and Luke Ganger will not be doing any interviews today.*

-30-


Witness Testimony: Blumenthal & Robert Garcia Receive Testimony About U.S. Citizens Assaulted, Shot at & Killed by DHS Agents

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), and U.S. Representative Robert Garcia (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, held a bicameral public forum to receive testimony on the violent tactics and disproportionate use of force by agents of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The following Americans shared their personal experiences with the lawless and deadly tactics used by DHS agents:

Marimar Martinez: Ms. Martinez is a U.S. citizen and resident of Chicago, Illinois. In October, she was shot five times by Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents. After being shot by the Border Patrol Agent, Ms. Martinez was later charged with assaulting the agents who shot her. All charges were dropped by the U.S. Attorney's Office six weeks later.

“I know that what happened to me in the matter of seconds on October 4 will unfortunately be with me for a lifetime. The physical scars will always be there,” Ms. Martinez said. “And perhaps even worse, the mental scars will always be there as a reminder of the time my own government attempted to execute me and when they failed at that to vilify me.”

“I know that by being a survivor it is my duty to be here today to let you elected officials know what is happening on the streets of our country because silence is no longer an option. This needs to stop now!”

Ms. Martinez’s written testimony is available here.

Aliya Rahman: Ms. Rahman is a U.S. citizen and resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is also a person with autism and a traumatic brain injury. In January, she was violently dragged from her car by immigration agents after telling them she had a disability; she was then detained without immediate access to medical care or accommodations.

“I now cannot lift my arms normally. I was never asked for ID, never told I was under arrest, never read my rights, and never charged with a crime,” Ms. Rahman said.

“Before I blacked out on the cell floor, my cell mate pleaded over and over to get me emergency medical care. A voice outside said ‘We don't want to step on ICE's toes.’ When I opened my eyes at Hennepin County’s emergency room, I learned I was brought there to be treated for assault.”

Ms. Rahman’s written testimony is available here.

Martin Daniel Rascon: Mr. Rascon, who goes by Daniel, is a U.S. citizen and resident of San Bernardino, California. Last August, Mr. Rascon was in a car with family members unlawfully stopped by ICE and CBP agents when a CBP agent fired on the car multiple times.

“I will never forget the fear and having to quickly duck my head as the shots were fired at the passenger side of the car. Any one of those bullets could have killed me or two people that I love,” Mr. Rascon said.

Mr. Rascon’s written testimony is available here.

Luke and Brent Ganger: Luke and Brent Ganger are brothers of Renee Nicole Macklin Good, a U.S. citizen and resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota who was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in January.

“Our family is a very American blend. We vote differently, and we rarely completely agree on the finer details of what it means to be a citizen of this country. We attend various churches and some, not at all. Despite those differences, we have always treated each other with love and respect,” said Luke Ganger. “We have gotten even closer during this very divided time in our country, and we hope that our family can be even a small example to others to not let political ideals divide us. To be Good, like Renee.”

“Renee is not gone from us—she’s in the light that finds us on hard days. She’s in the resilience we didn’t know we had until we needed it. She’s in the laughter, the memories, the love that continues to grow,” said Brent Ganger.

Luke and Brent Ganger’s written testimony is available here.

Antonio Romanucci: Mr. Romanucci is an attorney representing the family of Renee Nicole Macklin Good, a U.S. citizen and resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota who was shot and killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in January.

“I have handled excessive force cases across the country for decades. My colleagues and I are deeply distressed at these invasions onto fellow Americans’ civil rights by our own government that have gone well beyond the initial scope of removing criminals,” said Mr. Romanucci. “The occupation by ICE and CBP in our cities is way beyond their mission, leading to unnecessary provocation that causes needless harm and death.”

Mr. Romanucci’s written testimony is available here.

Seth Stoughton: Mr. Stoughton is a former police officer and Professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law, where he is the Faculty Director of the Excellence in Policing & Public Safety (EPPS) Program.

“The current administration’s approach to immigration enforcement falls far short of professional norms This is not policing. It is not normal. And it is not professionally acceptable,” said Mr. Stoughton.

Mr. Stoughton’s written testimony is available here.

-30-


Boozman Welcomes Confirmation of Fowlkes as U.S. District Court Judge

Boozman Introduced Fowlkes to the Senate Judiciary Committee in November 2025.

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) applauded Senate confirmation of David Clay Fowlkes to serve as a judge on the United States District Court for the Western District of Arkansas.

“I am pleased to congratulate Clay Fowlkes on his confirmation and have great confidence his temperament, tireless dedication and extensive experience in pursuing justice will serve him well,” said Boozman. “He is committed to upholding and following the law, and I look forward to his success on the bench.”

Fowlkes is a Harrison native currently serving as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Arkansas, which includes 34 counties stretching from Texarkana and El Dorado to Fayetteville and Fort Smith. He is a graduate of Arkansas State University and the University of Arkansas Law School. Boozman introduced Fowlkes at his Senate Judiciary Committee hearing and encouraged support for his nomination.


Capito Attends White House Bill Signing of Appropriations Package, Including Bill She Authored

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) Appropriations Subcommittee and a member of Senate Republican Leadership, today joined President Donald J. Trump at the White House as he signed a five-bill Appropriations package into law. The bill includes legislation authored by Chairman Capito. The package passed the Senate by a vote of 71 to 29 and passed the House of Representatives today.

“I was honored to join President Trump at the White House today for the signing of the five-bill appropriations package. I’m especially proud to see my Labor-HHS bill included in this final agreement – a bipartisan product that reflects months of thoughtful work and targeted priorities that will help many in West Virginia. While there’s always more work ahead, today’s signing is a meaningful step forward for families and communities in West Virginia and across the country,” Senator Capito said.

As the chairman of the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee, Senator Capito led the crafting and negotiating of the FY26 Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The legislation includes a multitude of wins that will help West Virginians and entities throughout the state.

BILL HIGHLIGHTS:

National Institutes of Health: $48.7 billion for biomedical investments in research, including targeted investments for research on Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes, ALS, maternal health, Lyme and tick-born disease, rare diseases, and women’s health. The legislation also provides funding for the National Cancer Institute, including $30 million for Senator Capito’s Childhood Cancer STAR Act.

Combatting the Opioid Epidemic: The bill includes funding for the State Opioid Response Grants; the Substance Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grant; and the Rural Communities Opioid Response program to support efforts to combat the opioid epidemic and other substance use disorders. Funding provided in the bill will also support strengthening the workforce, especially in rural communities, and expanding research for critical needs, such as funding alternative pain medications.

Mental Health: More than $5.5 billion for mental health research, treatment, and prevention, including funding for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) suicide prevention Lifeline, 9-8-8, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, the National Institute of Mental Health, and school-based mental health grants at the Department of Education.

Health and Human Services Preparedness: $3.7 billion for the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, including funding for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), Project BioShield, and the Strategic National Stockpile.

Rural Health: $418 million for the Health Resources and Services Administration’s rural health programs and $6 million for the CDC Office of Rural Health.

NIOSH: The bill includes funding for the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA); Mining Research; and the National Firefighter Cancer Registry.

Early Education: Funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant and Head Start.

K-12 Formula Grants: Funding for Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies and for IDEA State Grants.

Rural Education: Funding for the Rural Education Achievement Program and for the Rural Postsecondary and Economic Development Grant Program.

Pell Maximum Award: Maintains the maximum Pell award at $7,395 for the 2026-2027 school year.

Maintains Legacy Riders: The bill maintains long-standing riders, including Hyde and Hyde-Weldon conscience protections, needle exchange prohibition, NLRB electronic voting prohibition, and the Dickey Amendment.

Last week, Senator Capito delivered a speech on the Senate floor where she highlighted the many wins included in the Labor-HHS bill. Click here to watch the full speech.

# # #


Cassidy, Kennedy, Republican Colleagues Call for End to Biden-Era Flood Insurance Premiums

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) led the charge with U.S. Senators John Kennedy (R-LA), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Jim Justice (R-WV), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and John Cornyn (R-TX) to call on the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to terminate the Biden-era Risk Rating 2.0 policy, which has caused skyrocketing premiums and forced tens of thousands of homeowners to drop coverage. This call is a follow-up to a letter Cassidy led in June to FEMA demanding an end to this policy.

“In Louisiana and other flood-prone states, premium increases of well over 100 percent have forced tens of thousands of homeowners to drop coverage altogether,” wrote the senators.

“Each year Risk Rating 2.0 remains in place, participation continues to erode, the insurance pool weakens, and taxpayer exposure grows. Immediate action must be taken to stop the actuarial death spiral,” continued the senators.

Read the full letter here or below:

Dear Acting Administrator Evans,

We write to follow up on our June 9, 2025 letter to then-Acting Administrator David Richardson regarding FEMA’s implementation of Risk Rating 2.0 under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). At that time, we raised concerns that steep and sustained premium increases would reduce participation in the program and undermine its long-term viability. Subsequent data now confirms those concerns.

Since Risk Rating 2.0 took effect, flood insurance premiums have increased in every state, and FEMA estimates that approximately 77 percent of policyholders now pay more than they would have under the prior system. In Louisiana and other flood-prone states, premium increases of well over 100 percent have forced tens of thousands of homeowners to drop coverage altogether. These trends are not isolated—they reflect a nationwide contraction in NFIP participation driven by affordability pressures.

FEMA’s November 2025 response to our letter emphasized that Risk Rating 2.0 is necessary to maintain actuarial soundness and reflect true risk. It further emphasized that FEMA shares in our goal of increasing participation in the program. While the NFIP must be financially responsible, recent peer-reviewed research demonstrates that Risk Rating 2.0 is producing outcomes that threaten the program’s stability. A December 2025 study published in the Journal of Catastrophe Risk and Resilience finds that Risk Rating 2.0 has resulted in an 11–39 percent decline in new NFIP policies and a 5–13 percent decline in existing policies, depending on the size of premium increases. These declines are largest in communities least able to absorb repeated annual rate hikes.

This loss of participation is a structural problem for the NFIP. Flood insurance depends on a broad risk pool to function effectively. As policyholders exit the program, risk becomes more concentrated, premiums face additional upward pressure, and volatility increases. At the same time, uninsured homeowners are more likely to rely on post-disaster federal assistance, shifting costs away from a pre-disaster insurance model and onto taxpayers. Rather than reducing federal exposure, Risk Rating 2.0 risks increasing long-term disaster costs while weakening the insurance base Congress intended the program to rely upon.

We are also concerned by FEMA’s continued lack of transparency surrounding Risk Rating 2.0. FEMA has not released the underlying data, assumptions, or modeling used to generate premium increases, nor provided a mechanism for meaningful external review. Without transparency, homeowners cannot understand rate changes, communities cannot plan mitigation investments with confidence, and Congress cannot assess whether the pricing system is operating as intended.

For these reasons, we respectfully urge FEMA to take the following actions:

Terminate the Risk Rating 2.0 pricing methodology, halt premium increases exceeding the statutory minimum, and work with Congress to restore a rating structure that supports broad participation and program stability.

Provide full transparency into NFIP rate-setting, including publication of all data inputs, modeling assumptions, and actuarial analyses used to justify premium increases.

Time is of the essence. Each year Risk Rating 2.0 remains in place, participation continues to erode, the insurance pool weakens, and taxpayer exposure grows. Immediate action must be taken to stop the actuarial death spiral. We urge FEMA to act promptly to correct course and ensure the NFIP fulfills its core mission of protecting homeowners, communities, and federal taxpayers alike.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We look forward to continued engagement on this issue.

###