Thune: Democrats’ DHS Funding Block Jeopardizes Americans’ Safety

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

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, my Democrat colleagues are at it again.

“They’re on their second shutdown in six months, and in a few short days, a lot of government workers will be missing part of their paycheck again thanks to Senate Democrats.

“Let’s just briefly review the 2026 fiscal year, Mr. President.

“At the start of the fiscal year, which is October 1 for the federal government, Democrats shut down the entire government for a staggering 43 days – the longest government shutdown in history.

“And by the time a handful of Democrat senators agreed to end the shutdown, air travel was in chaos, essential programs had been affected, and many government employees had turned to loans, credit cards, and food banks to make ends meet.

“But even the worst government shutdown in history wasn’t enough for Senate Democrats.

“Fast forward, now, to January of this year.

“Democrats and Republicans in both houses of Congress had agreed on a final Department of Homeland Security spending bill that included deescalation training for Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as $20 million for body cameras for ICE officers.

“But Democrats decided that wasn’t enough.

“And so Republicans and the White House agreed to reopen negotiations.

“Knowing that negotiation takes time, we suggested a temporary funding extension for several weeks.

“But Democrats insisted on no more than two weeks.

“And when two weeks, predictably, wasn’t enough – especially since Democrats were in no hurry to put together a legislative proposal – Democrats shut down the entire department.

“And now a whole lot of Department of Homeland Security employees are starting to miss pay thanks to Senate Democrats.

“That includes TSA agents – the people tasked with the safety of air travel in this country – as well as Coast Guard civilian employees, members of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (who do so much, I might add, essential disaster response work here at home), and many others.

“Mr. President, let’s be very clear.

“This isn’t a principled stand by Democrats against Republicans who refuse to negotiate. That’s not the case.

“The White House has not only made a lot of reforms to ICE procedures on its own; it has shown a clear willingness to legislate reforms, and has made more than one substantial offer to Democrats.

“Democrats could have recognized this and chosen to extend DHS funding while negotiations finished up.

“Or we could be considering an agreement right now!

“But instead it’s becoming abundantly clear that what Democrats really want is to keep this alive as a political issue.

“If Democrats really wanted to put reforms in place, they’d be doing everything they can to get a bill.

“Of course the White House isn’t going to sign off on every Democrat demand – no side gets everything it wants in negotiations – but Democrats could be on the verge of having substantial reforms signed into law if they were at all serious about actually implementing solutions.

“But they’re not.

“They’re interested in politics, not policy.

“And a whole lot of essential government employees are suffering as a result.

“To say nothing of the essential government work – the work of government – that is suffering.

“The deployment of cybersecurity measures to federal agencies has been delayed; states are having to wait for disaster reimbursements; FEMA training centers are closed, affecting 45,000 students per week – and the list goes on, Mr. President.

“I mentioned the air travel chaos that ensued as a result of Democrats’ first fiscal year 2026 shutdown.

“Well, the longer this DHS shutdown drags on, the more likely it is that we will start to have staffing problems at airport checkpoints, which will lead to compounding flight delays and other problems.

“Now, Mr. President, it shouldn’t need saying that it’s always a terrible idea to use the Department of Homeland Security as a political pawn.

“There are always threats to the homeland that have to be addressed, and that is exactly the work that is done by the Department of Homeland Security.

“But above all right now, with an enhanced terror threat from Iran and Iran-funded terrorist groups, it is vital that we ensure the Department of Homeland Security is fully funded and fully functioning.

“Mr. President, it’s two more days until Department of Homeland Security employees start missing part of their paychecks.

“I hope that my Democrat colleagues will finally decide to come to the table and bring their second shutdown in under six months to a close.”


Van Hollen Joins Wyden, Espaillat and Over 65 Democrats in Calling for Investigation of ICE, DHS Warrantless Purchases of Americans’ Location Data

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), and over 65 Democrats in calling for a new investigation of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), over warrantless purchases of Americans’ location data.

The members called on DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari to investigate ICE and other DHS agencies restarting warrantless purchases of Americans’ location data. The DHS Inspector General previously found that ICE’s data purchases were illegal, causing the program to shut down in 2023.

“Location data is extremely sensitive, and can reveal someone’s religion, their political views, medical conditions, addictions, and with whom they spend time. It is for that reason that ordinarily, the government must obtain a warrant from a judge in order to demand such data from phone or technology companies,” the members wrote to Cuffari.

“Given DHS’ failure to adopt a policy for the use of commercial data, coupled with ICE awarding a no-bid contract to a shady data broker that is likely violating federal law, we urge you to open another investigation into the purchase and use of location data by ICE and other DHS components,” the members continued.

ICE issued a no-bid contract to the surveillance company Penlink in 2025, which included licenses for its location tracking product, Webloc, according to a report by 404 Media. Webloc was developed by the controversial surveillance company Cobwebs Technologies, which combined with Penlink in 2023. Meta banned Cobwebs in 2021, as part of a crackdown on surveillance mercenaries after detecting the company’s customers targeting activists, opposition politicians and government officials in Hong Kong and Mexico.

ICE has stonewalled Congressional oversight of its location data purchases. In December 2025, a briefing was scheduled for February 10, 2026. One day before that briefing was to take place, ICE cancelled it with no explanation and without any offer to reschedule.

The members requested the inspector general investigate:

Whether ICE and other DHS components are purchasing illegally obtained location data about Americans and if yes, why DHS does not have policies in place to prevent taxpayer dollars from going to contractors that have invaded Americans’ privacy in violation of federal law.

How ICE and other DHS components have used location data and whether they have used it to investigate Americans for engaging in constitutionally protected activities, including those protesting ICE actions or monitoring ICE enforcement operations.

Whether ICE and other DHS components are auditing employee access to commercial location data to identify likely patterns of abuse, and if yes, whether such audits have discovered abuse.

Why has DHS still not adopted a policy for the use of commercial location data, as you recommended in 2023.

In addition to Van Hollen, Wyden, and Espaillat, the letter is signed by Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.)

It is also signed by Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.-14), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.-07), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas-20), Greg Casar (D-Texas-04), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.-02), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-51), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.-08), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.-09), Grace Meng (D-N.Y.-06), Shontel Brown (D-Ohio-11), André Carson (D-Ind.-07), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.-07), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.-02), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.-15), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.-05), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas-16), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.-21), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.-34), Lori Trahan (D-Mass.-03), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.-12), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.-12), Jesús García (D-Ill.-04), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.-08), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.-52), Lloyd Doggett (D- Texas-37), Eleanor Norton, (D-D.C.-AL), Norma Torres (D-Calif.-35), Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.-04), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.-07), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.-01), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.-03), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.-06), Luz Rivas (D-Calif.-29), John Garamendi (D-Calif.-08), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.-15), Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.-10), Adelita Grijalva (D-Ariz.-07), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.-08), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.-03), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.-05), Richard Neal (D-Mass.-05), Becca Balint (D-Vt.-All), Darren Soto (D-Fla.-09), Mark Takano (D-Calif.-41), Linda Sánchez (D-Calif.-38), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas-30), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas-29), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.-06), Kelly Morrison (D-Minn.-03), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.-14), and Mike Levin (D-Calif.-49)

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Mr. Cuffari:

We write to request that you conduct a second investigation of the warrantless purchase of cell phone location data by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Public contracting documents indicate that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently resumed buying Americans’ location data from a shady data broker that itself may be violating federal law.

ICE ended a previous program to purchase Americans’ cell phone location data in 2023, following an investigation by your office and scrutiny from Congress. In October 2020, Senators Wyden, Warren, Markey and Schatz requested that you investigate Customs and Border Protection (CBP) purchase of Americans’ phone location data. Your subsequent report, published on September 28, 2023, found that CBP, ICE and the Secret Service all violated federal law through their warrantless purchase and use of location data. In addition, your review found serious problems regarding how these agencies were overseeing their employees’ use of this sensitive data, including employees sharing accounts and passwords to phone tracking databases, a complete failure by supervisors to request or review audit logs to detect patterns of abuse, and in one instance, the misuse of data by a DHS employee to track coworkers.

Location data is extremely sensitive, and can reveal someone’s religion, their political views, medical conditions, addictions, and with whom they spend time. It is for that reason that ordinarily, the government must obtain a warrant from a judge in order to demand such data from phone or technology companies.

DHS components' attempts to defend their purchase of Americans’ location data did not stand up to scrutiny. Your report revealed how ICE officials sought to evade federal privacy requirements by claiming that the location data they were purchasing is “anonymized” and therefore does not constitute Personally Identifiable Information. However, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has debunked such arguments, stating that so-called anonymized data remains sensitive. Although a retroactive CBP privacy review issued on August 12, 2024, a year after the agency stopped buying location data, claimed that “CBP only contracted with platforms that received data from data providers that verified that the information they provided was gathered from individuals who consented to having their location information sold and used by third parties,” that assertion was false. In fact, on January 14, 2025, the FTC finalized an order against Venntel, one of the data brokers from which CBP and ICE bought location data, after the FTC determined the company was illegally selling location data that was collected without consumer consent.

Consumers must explicitly consent to how their data will be used. It is not enough for an app developer to include fine print that app data will be sold or to obtain general consent to access location data. Through its recent cases against Venntel, Mobilewalla, and X-Mode Social, the FTC has made it clear that it is an unfair business practice in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act for data brokers to sell location data to the government that was obtained without consumer consent. Data brokers that continue to sell such data to the government are violating federal law.

Public reports indicate that ICE has resumed its location data purchases, even though DHS has yet to adopt all of the recommendations from your prior review. Your 2023 report noted that there was no DHS-wide policy governing component use of commercial location data. DHS created a commercial data working group in 2022, but as of April 2023, the DHS commercial data working group had yet to issue a policy. Your office recently confirmed that this recommendation remains open.

ICE issued a no-bid contract to the surveillance company Penlink in 2025, which included licenses for its location tracking product, Webloc, according to press reports. Webloc was developed by the controversial surveillance company Cobwebs Technologies, which was combined with Nebraska-based Penlink as part of a $200M private equity deal in 2023. Cobwebs gained notoriety when Meta banned the company in 2021, as part of a crackdown on surveillance mercenaries after detecting the company’s customers targeting activists, opposition politicians and government officials in Hong Kong and Mexico.

ICE is now stonewalling congressional oversight into its purchase of location data. Senator Wyden’s office requested a briefing from ICE soon after this contract was revealed in the press, in October, which was scheduled in December, for February 10, 2026. One day before that briefing was to take place, ICE cancelled it with no explanation and without any offer to reschedule.

Given DHS’ failure to adopt a policy for the use of commercial data, coupled with ICE awarding a nobid contract to a shady data broker that is likely violating federal law, we urge you to open another investigation into the purchase and use of location data by ICE and other DHS components. In particular, we urge you to investigate:

1. Whether ICE and other DHS components are purchasing illegally obtained location data about Americans and if yes, why DHS does not have policies in place to prevent taxpayer dollars from going to contractors that have invaded Americans’ privacy in violation of federal law.

2. How ICE and other DHS components have used location data and whether they have used it to investigate Americans for engaging in constitutionally protected activities, including those protesting ICE actions or monitoring ICE enforcement operations. Page 2

3. Whether ICE and other DHS components are auditing employee access to commercial location data to identify likely patterns of abuse. If yes, have such audits discovered abuse?

4. Why has DHS still not adopted a policy for the use of commercial location data, as you recommended in 2023.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.


Warnock Elevates Local Leaders’ Opposition to ICE Facility During Visit to Social Circle

Senator Reverend Warnock visited Social Circle after local leaders were blindsided by the Trump Administration’s decision to bring a new ICE detention facility to the community

Senator Warnock’s visit follows his efforts to block the purchase of warehouses that will serve as detention centers in Social Circle and Oakwood

ICYMI from The Covington News: Sen. Raphael Warnock visits Social Circle to voice opposition to ICE facility

ICYMI from the Rockdale Citizen: Warnock says he’ll take Social Circle’s concerns to Washington

Above: Senator Warnock surveys Social Circle’s wastewater treatment site, which would struggle to support a mass detention facility in the community

Social Circle, GA – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) joined local leaders in voicing opposition to the Trump Administration’s efforts to open an ICE detention facility that would severely strain local resources with no plan for federal support alleviating the anticipated harms. The Senator’s visit came after local leaders were blindsided by the Trump Administration’s decision to bring a new ICE detention facility to the community, and follows his efforts to block the purchase of warehouses that will serve as detention centers.

Senator Warnock met with local leaders who have said they do not have the infrastructure to support the facility, including Social Circle Mayor David Keener and City Manager Eric Taylor. Taylor said that the city is only permitted to use one million gallons of water per day. During the hottest temperatures, he said that 80 to 90 percent of the allotted amount is used with the city’s current population of 5,000. He added that the sewer system is operating at a capacity of 660,000 gallons per day, far more than the expected additional one million gallons per day needed for the site.

“Folks in Social Circle voted for this president overwhelmingly,” said Senator Warnock. “But here’s what they didn’t vote for — they didn’t vote for a 10,000-person detention center that will triple the size of their town, to place a massive detention center next to an elementary school. They didn’t vote for potential ‘boil water’ advisories or sewer overflows because this administration has overstrained their city’s resources. They didn’t vote for their voices to be unheard and trampled by their own federal government.”

During his visit, Senator Warnock surveyed Social Circle’s drinking water treatment site and wastewater treatment site. The Senator also visited Social Circle Elementary School where he met with concerned parents and the superintendent. He concluded his tour of the city at the site of a one-million-square-foot warehouse on East Hightower Trail where Homeland Security plans to house as many as 10,000 detainees beginning as early as April. ICE purchased the warehouse and surrounding 235 acres in February for $128 million.

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At Hearing, Trump Military Leader Admits to Warren the Hypocrisy Between Trump’s National Defense Strategy and Military Strikes in Iran

Trump military leader: Protecting Israel “one of the goals” of military action in Iran, along with overthrowing the Iranian government.

Video of Exchange (YouTube)

Washington, D.C. — At a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pressed Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby about the Trump administration’s justification for launching a war in Iran.

In January, the Trump administration released its National Defense Strategy, which committed the military to an “America First” strategy and no longer being “distracted by interventionism, endless wars, regime change, and nation building.”

Under Secretary Colby declined to provide a straight answer when asked whether starting a war with Iran was putting “America First,” saying that the goal of the campaign is to “ensur[e] it doesn't have a nuclear weapon.”

Under Secretary Colby denied that military action in Iran was interventionism, which he defined as a "kind of responsibility to protect." When Senator Warren asked him if the Trump administration launched this war to protect Israel, he said "well, that's one of the goals." Colby also denied military action is about regime change, but agreed that "the President has said this is an opportunity for the people of Iran to rise up and overthrow their oppressors."

“Interventionism—that means going to another country and bombing them. Endless wars—wars that may last we don't know how long because there is no clear endpoint. Regime change—which the President has said this is all about. And nation-building—evidently, the President seems to think he is going to come in and build a different Iran,” Senator Warren rebutted.

“[T]hat is now the policy of the Trump administration: say one thing in a campaign, write it down on paper, then go do whatever the hell you want. That is wrong,” concluded Senator Warren.

Transcript: Hearing on the National Defense Strategy

Senate Armed Services Committee

March 3, 2026

Senator Elizabeth Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, over the weekend, Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu watched illegal strikes against Iran. This war for regime change is both unconstitutional and dangerous. Now, we have already lost six service members in this war, and President Trump has said, "We may have casualties. That often happens in war."

Yesterday in his briefing to the American people on why our sons and daughters are being sent to war, Trump highlighted the quality of the White House drapes he had purchased and the gold ballroom that he is building, giving us a sense of what is top of mind for him. Under Secretary Colby, both you and I have sworn an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States.

Under the Constitution, who declares war, the President or Congress?

Mr. Elbridge Colby, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy: Congress declares war if I understand correctly.

Senator Warren: Thank you. You know, all three of my brothers served in the military. This is personal for me. I am praying for the families who have already lost loved ones and for all of our troops that the President has put in harm's way without legal justification or moral justification. Donald Trump ran on lowering prices on Day One and on a "pro-peace ticket." He called himself "The Peace President," and, of course, he claims to put “America First.”

So, Under Secretary Colby, do you think "America First” means starting another war in the Middle East?

Under Secretary Colby: Well, Senator, I would just say the administration does have a legal and moral justification and I would certainly support the idea that the President is the “President of Peace.” First of all, he has brokered multiple—

Senator Warren: Well, all I can say is boy, the justification sure seems to be changing every 20 minutes. But could you answer the question I just asked you? And that is: do you think “America First” means starting another war in the Middle East?

Under Secretary Colby: I would say “America First” and “Peace through Strength” are served by rolling back—as the military campaign was designed to do—the threats posed by Iran's large—very large and growing—missile and one-way attack drone program, its Navy, and, of course, ensuring it doesn't have a nuclear weapon. And in fact, I think the evidence—the proof of that—is demonstrated by the global support for this initiative—

Senator Warren: So you think “America First” means starting a war anywhere, at any time. You know, I’m confused because you are here to discuss the Trump administration's National Defense Strategy, and I’ll quote it back to you: "No longer will the Department be distracted by interventionism, endless wars, regime change, and nation building."

Interventionism—that means going to another country and bombing them. Endless wars—wars that may last we don't know how long because there is no clear endpoint. Regime change—which the President has said this is all about. And nation-building—evidently, the President seems to think he is going to come in and build a different Iran.

Now, is that putting “America First” and following your own foreign policy?

Under Secretary Colby: I think I would characterize it fundamentally differently. The Defense Strategy does talk about the threat posed by Iran and the need to have credible military options and I don’t think this is—certainly as we understand from him and in the goals of the military campaign—this is not nation building. This is not going to be endless, as the President and Vice President—

Senator Warren: So this is not, in your mind, interventionism?

Under Secretary Colby: I don't think this is—no, I don’t think that’s what—nation building, endless wars, that’s definitely not—

Senator Warren: Interventionism, that’s actually the very first word in the Department of Defense—

Under Secretary Colby: Interventionism is more, I would say, a kind of responsibility to protect or something. It’s obviously not something that’s precisely defined.

Senator Warren: Really? And we didn’t do this in order to try to protect Israel?

Under Secretary Colby: I think that—well, that’s one of the goals. Obviously we’re serving our own interests—

Senator Warren: Oh, so it is interventionism? And how about the endless war part? Is there a clear goal that we will know when this is over?

Under Secretary Colby: Well, I don't think this is going to be an endless war. Well, the President is going to decide exactly how we do it. The military campaigns have clearly defined scope goals.

Senator Warren: And the regime change part? Remind me about that. The President, of course, has called it regime change. Do you disagree with him?

Under Secretary Colby: No, I think the President has said this is an opportunity for the people of Iran to rise up and overthrow their oppressors. But has he indicated that the Venezuela model is one that could—

Senator Warren: Now, he has called on them to do that. Does that sound like regime change to you?

Under Secretary Colby: I think the goals of the military—obviously, allowing the Iranian people to take this matter into their own hands is one of the options here but the American military campaign has got more scope goals.

Senator Warren: That is great. So the Trump administration first says it is going to be America first and then puts out a National Defense Strategy and then goes to war alongside Israel illegally, unconstitutionally. And that is now the policy of the Trump administration: say one thing in a campaign, write it down on paper, then go do whatever the hell you want. That is wrong.

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ICYMI: Warren Calls For Congress to Block Reckless War in Iran, Investigate Civilian Harm; Demands Accountability From Trump Administration

“Trump is lying to Americans while dragging us into yet another reckless war that is costing American lives.”

Video of Floor Speech (YouTube)

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), spoke on the floor of the Senate, calling on Congress to end President Donald Trump’s reckless war in Iran and demand accountability.

“Donald Trump decided to drag the American people into a reckless, illegal war with Iran. A war based on lies. A war launched with no imminent threat to our country,” said Senator Warren.

On Saturday, the Trump Administration and Israel launched illegal strikes against Iran.

“One single person should not have the power to drag our entire country into a reckless war — but that’s exactly what Donald Trump has done,” said Senator Warren.

Senator Warren condemned the deaths of the six U.S. service members and those affected by a missile launch that reportedly killed over 150 people at a girls’ school in Iran — including girls as young as seven years old.

Senator Warren also shared her personal story about her three brothers serving in the U.S. military, highlighting the fear and pain experienced by families of service members.

“A new generation of veterans will have to live with the horrors of war,” said Senator Warren.

“The people who will be asked to sacrifice their lives are the American people. It won’t be Donald Trump. It won’t be Pete Hegseth. It will be our sons and daughters, our nieces and nephews, our grandchildren,” Senator Warren continued.

She called on Congress to block Trump's illegal war through Senator Tim Kaine's (D-Va.) and Senator Paul’s (R-Ky) bipartisan War Powers Resolution and for a thorough investigation into the bombing of an elementary school in Iran.

Senator Warren also emphasized the need for accountability from Trump administration officials for their lies to the American people.

“I am angry at what this administration is doing… and I will keep fighting for an end to this war,” concluded Senator Warren.

Transcript: Floor Speech on Iran

U.S. Senate Floor

March 3, 2026

Senator Elizabeth Warren: We are facing a dark moment in our country’s history.

On Saturday, Donald Trump decided to drag the American people into a reckless, illegal war with Iran. A war based on lies. A war launched with no imminent threat to our nation.

Six U.S. service members are now dead and more are badly hurt.

A missile from the US- and Israeli-led bombing campaign reportedly killed over 150 people at a girls’ school in Iran — many of them little girls, some as young as seven years old.

Now violence is spreading across the Middle East, with the threat of that violence bleeding into the United States.

And for what?

For another forever war the American people do not want?

The Constitution is clear: only Congress can declare war. That is because one single person should not have the power to drag our entire country into a reckless war — but that’s exactly what Donald Trump has done.

He has given prepared remarks. He has spoken to the press. And yet, even after multiple bombing runs and the death of American service members, Donald Trump cannot give a single clear reason for this war.

Why are we at war? Donald Trump has a dozen reasons and, ultimately, no reason at all.

Worse yet, Donald Trump is dragging Americans into this war with no plan for how to end it. He has no stated objectives. No clear strategies. No way to explain when we accomplish “this,” we will leave.

Even the deaths of Americans has not given Trump pause. Instead, he has doubled down.

Every hour the Trump administration feeds us shifting justifications for this war. Every hour he contradicts a justification he used earlier.

Donald Trump said that Iran has restarted its nuclear program. But his own officials have said that’s not true.

Donald Trump claimed that Iran is developing long-range missiles that will soon be capable of hitting the United States. That directly goes against what his own government has claimed.

As recently as January, the Trump administration said they would not engage in any regime change wars. But now, they’re calling for the Iranian people to rise up and change their regime.

Khamenei was an authoritarian dictator who had the blood of Americans on his hands. But killing one leader doesn’t topple a brutal regime. The next leader could be just as bad — or even worse.

And Donald Trump’s deceptions keep coming.

In June of last year, Trump bombed Iran and claimed that Iran's key nuclear enrichment facilities had been, quote, “completely and totally obliterated.”

Now, Trump is telling the American people that he had to attack Iran on Saturday because Iran posed an imminent threat based on their nuclear capabilities.

Both of those things cannot be true.

If Donald Trump believes that Iran’s nuclear ambitions are a threat, then he had a chance to curb them. In fact, the United States had a deal that could have prevented Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.

That was President Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran — and Trump ripped up that deal and got nothing — nothing — in return.

And instead of doing the hard work of diplomacy to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, Trump is lying to Americans while dragging us into yet another reckless war that is costing American lives.

Already, six U.S. service members have been killed and others have been seriously hurt in these attacks.

My heart is with these service members and their loved ones.

But Trump doesn’t seem to care. In fact, he said he’s not ruling out sending U.S. ground troops into Iran.

He even said that while every president says, “there will be no boots on the ground,” he doesn’t say it — he’s proud of the fact that he’s willing to put American lives at risk for this war of his own choosing. It’s horrific.

The ripple effects of this violence are even broader: protestors in countries across the world are storming U.S. embassies and threatening the lives of State Department officials.

American citizens living in the region are now in the middle of a war zone, in danger and unsure if they can come home to safety.

And the violence is spreading. Iran has attacked at least nine countries since the Trump administration and Israel started this war on Saturday — putting more American service members and more American civilians abroad at risk and threatening to destabilize the entire region.

I disagree with Donald Trump, but I understand that he won the 2024 election. But when he ran in 2024, he said repeatedly that he would be a peace president. He ran on a platform of no more wars. He said he would be a president to stop wars, not start them. And Americans believed him.

But now we face an ugly reality: in the modern era, no American president has ordered more military strikes against as many different countries as Donald Trump. None.

Donald Trump’s disregard for human life seems to have no bounds.

I want to make one more point here. And it’s about something very personal to me.

All three of my brothers served in the military. My oldest brother served off and on in Vietnam for 6 years, running 266 combat missions.

I remember the fear our family felt with every late-night phone call or official-looking letter—could my brother be hurt or dead? It is still hard to find the words to describe the pain we put American families through when we ship a generation off to war.

Mommas are worried sick that their son or daughter will not make it home.

A new generation of veterans will have to live with the horrors of war. Live with the trauma of witnessing innocent victims of war take their final breath. Live with their own injuries and prolonged recoveries.

The people who will be asked to sacrifice their lives are the American people. It won’t be Donald Trump. It won’t be Pete Hegseth. It will be our sons and daughters, our nieces and nephews, our grandchildren.

Trump is right to note that people die in war. That happens as surely as night follows day. And that means that the leaders who send young people to die must take the consequences of this conflict with the seriousness it deserves—with life-and-death seriousness.

Instead, they seem to be treating war with Iran like a game, as if Commander in Chief was a costume, “Secretary of War” is a fun pretend title, and the lives lost are just numbers on a board with the title card "Operation Epic Fury."

Forty-eight hours after he started this war, Trump finally addressed the American people and took questions. He spoke to the people who are worried sick about what this war means for them and for the people they love.

Instead of offering a plan, however, he talked about renovations to his gold-encrusted ballroom. It’s sickening. And it is time for Congress to make him stop.

Here’s what we need:

First, Donald Trump started this war illegally – without the consent of Congress – and he cannot continue it. There’s too much at stake.

Every single Senator must support Senator Kaine’s War Powers Resolution to block this reckless war. This isn’t about politics. This is about life and death for young Americans who will be called on to serve and for civilians who will end up in harms’ way.

Second, the U.S. must investigate the bombing of an elementary school in Iran. Israel claims its military was not aware of any operations in the area by their own IDF. That raises the question of whether it was a US strike and how that happened.

The U.S. military’s Central Command has said it needs to look into the incident. As we regularly do following a catastrophe of this size with the possible involvement of the US military, we must find out what happened and hold those responsible to account.

And third, we need to hold accountable every single Trump administration official who lied to the American people about this unconstitutional war. People have a right to the truth from their government, and nowhere is that more crucial than in the life-and-death decisions surrounding the decision to go to war.

We must hold our elected officials accountable if they don’t level with the people who will be sent to fight and possibly to die.

Along with many of you, I am angry at what this administration is doing. I feel grief for those killed in this conflict. I feel anguish for the families at home trying to make sense of why their beloved husbands, wives, sons, daughters, moms, and dads are sent into a war that no one can explain. And I will keep fighting for an end to this war.

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Welch Grills Secretary Noem on DHS Abuses and Mismanagement: “Let’s get serious.”

Welch secures commitment from Noem to provide answers about compensation her “special advisor” may have received as a result of taxpayer-funded DHS contracts

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, today grilled Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi for bypassing a competitive bidding process to award a $220 million ad campaign to firms with which she and her senior advisers have personal ties. The advertising campaign featured Noem on a horse in Mount Rushmore.

Sen. Welch: This is on a U.S. government website that says that contract for $143 million was a no-bid contract. Public documentation says the contract of $143 million went to the Safe America company, created [7] days before they got an award. That company then subcontracted with the strategy group, and you are familiar with many of the principles in the strategy group, correct?

Sec. Noem: I know one of them.

Sen. Welch: Mr. Yoho—let me show you a photograph: that’s Mr. Yoho standing next to you, correct?

Sec. Noem: Yes.

Sen. Welch: Now, Mr. Yoho is also the husband of your former spokesperson, is that correct?

Sec. Noem: Correct.

Sen. Welch: Tricia McLaughlin—so, your former Assistant Secretary and her husband are the ones that got the subcontract from Safe America? That’s what the record shows—any dispute about that?

Sec. Noem: No.

The Senator previously called on the Inspector General of DHS in November to investigate the legality of Secretary Noem’s use of a “national emergency” to issue these taxpayer-funded contracts.

Watch Senator Welch’s full remarks below:

The Senator also pressed and received a commitment from Noem that Secretary Noem would provide answers about whether Corey Lewandowski, President Trump’s former campaign manager and current adviser to Noem, profited from taxpayer-funded DHS contracts:

Sen. Welch: So, I have a question: did Mr. Lewandowski receive any compensation, directly or indirectly, from Safe America or from the Strategy Group?

Sec. Noem: Senator, I don’t have any information to that. I can’t speak to that.

Sen. Welch: Would that be of interest for you to find out?

Sec. Noem: Sure.

Sen. Welch: Well, so will you ask Mr. Lewandowski: did he get any compensation directly or indirectly from these contracts?

Sec. Noem: Are you asking me to go ask him?

Sen. Welch: Yes, I am. Ask your “special” government adviser.

Sec. Noem: I can do that.

Sen. Welch: And you’ll get back to us?

Sec. Noem: Yes, absolutely.

Sen. Welch: We will want that.

…

Senator Welch has been outspoken in his opposition of Secretary Noem’s leadership of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Senator called for Noem’s resignation in July, citing her mishandling of FEMA and management of President Trump’s cruel and illegal mass deportation campaign. In January, Senator Welch led his colleagues in demanding that if Noem does not resign, she should be fired or impeached by Congress.

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Welch Slams Secretary Noem for Inhumane and Incompetent Leadership at DHS During Judiciary Committee Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, today grilled Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem about how her mismanagement of taxpayer dollars and poor leadership over DHS have led to a complete loss of the American people’s confidence in her ability to lead the department and keep their families safe.

In his remarks, Senator Welch pressed Noem to apologize for inaccurately labeling Alex Pretti and Renee Good, American citizens who were shot and killed by ICE agents in Minneapolis, as, “domestic terrorists”:

Sen. Welch: On the question of Alex Pretti and Renee Good . . . knowing what you do know, do you want to take an opportunity to apologize to their families; that you characterized them—on the basis of the information you had at the time—that they were engaged in domestic terrorism?

Sec. Noem: I certainly offer my condolences to these families, and for their loss. It was a tragic situation that we saw in Minneapolis, and we continue to work to make sure those situations are handled appropriately.

Sen. Welch: That’s not an apology. Can I be precise in my question? I understand you’re offering condolences. You said something that accused them of being domestic terrorists: a 37-year-old mother of three; a 37-year-old veterans administration nurse. One question: Do you want to apologize for the characterization that they were domestic terrorists?

Sec. Noem: I will continue every day to get up and to work hard to give everybody factual information and do all I can to portray—

Sen. Welch: I want to move on.

Watch Senator Welch’s full remarks below:

The Senator also criticized Secretary. Noem for pledging to destroy FEMA rather than to reform the agency to better serve average Americans:

Sen. Welch: You said at a cabinet meeting on March 24th [2025] that: “We are going to eliminate FEMA.” Is that correct?

Sec. Noem: Eliminate FEMA as we know it, that it was no longer going to be a politicized disaster response agency, that President Trump was going to ensure it was there to respond—

Sen. Welch: We need FEMA reform. The people of Vermont have suffered. We had floods in July of 2023, 2024, and 2025. We need local control. We can’t have a FEMA that is abolished or a Secretary that promotes abolishing FEMA and not providing services that our citizens and all our states need when they’re on the receiving end of a monster storm.

Senator Welch has been outspoken in his opposition of Secretary Noem’s leadership of DHS. The Senator called for Noem’s resignation in July, citing her mishandling of FEMA and management of President Trump’s cruel and illegal mass deportation campaign. In January, Senator Welch led his colleagues in demanding that if Noem does not resign, she should be fired or impeached by Congress.

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Whitehouse Calls for Passage of Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act Following CBO Report Warning

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) today called for passage of his Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act after the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) released its projections showing that Medicare’s main trust fund will be depleted 12 years earlier than expected in 2040, and Social Security’s main trust fund will be exhausted one year earlier than anticipated in 2032.

“Unless billionaires start paying their fair share into the system, Medicare and Social Security will have to start cutting benefits earlier than expected,” said Whitehouse, a member of the Senate Finance Committee. “This is a shameful outcome of President Trump and MAGA Republicans’ Big, Beautiful-for-Billionaires law, which rewarded their wealthy donors with generous tax breaks on the backs of retirees. Without raising taxes a single penny on those making less than $400,000, and with no injustice to the mega-rich, we can fulfill the promise of a dignified retirement for all Americans.”

The Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act, introduced by Whitehouse and Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (D-PA-02), would require taxpayers earning more than $400,000 to contribute a fairer share to Social Security and Medicare. The Social Security and Medicare actuaries each found that the legislation would extend the solvency of both programs by at least 75 years – the full actuarial window.


Chairman Wicker Leads SASC Hearing on the National Defense Strategy

Watch Video Here

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today led a hearing on the Department of Defense’s 2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS). Chairman Wicker questioned Elbridge Colby, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, on how the NDS will shape U.S. defense policy.

Read Chairman Wicker’s hearing opening statement as delivered.

The committee meets this morning to discuss the 2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS).

This NDS comes at a time of upheaval as the Axis of Aggressors seeks to undermine an American-led 21st century. Last month marked the beginning of the fifth year of Vladimir Putin’s ruthless war of choice in Europe. Then, over the weekend, President Trump rightfully struck Iran to end forever the Ayatollahs’ quest to use both conventional and nuclear weapons to threaten America and our allies. And of course, China’s massive military buildup casts a pall across the Indo-Pacific. Beijing looks to dominate Asia and supplant U.S. leadership around the world.

Given such threats, the importance of this NDS cannot be overstated. These uncertain times call for strong U.S. leadership, a crystal-clear articulation of the threats we face, and a prioritized set of achievable objectives for how we will defend our interests. This was the approach we saw in President Trump’s first defense strategy – a consequential document that focused on homeland defense, acknowledged the return of great power competition, and correctly identified China as the pacing threat.

Our witness this morning, Mr. Elbridge Colby, the department’s Undersecretary for Policy, helped lead that first process, and for that, he deserves considerable credit. Thank you, sir. The first Trump administration’s realistic approach to China policy enabled a long overdue departure from the wishful hope of previous administrations, who sought to view China as a strategic partner rather than the enemy it clearly is. There are certainly parallels between the 2018 and 2026 versions of the NDS: for example, the prioritization of homeland defense, the identification of China as the pacing threat, and the importance of equitable burden sharing with our allies. I welcome the consistency in these themes, as the underlying concerns have only worsened in the intervening years.

Unfortunately, these common themes also highlight some flaws in the new 2026 NDS. Principally, I believe this strategy document fails to acknowledge the global nature of the threat posed by the Axis of Aggressors working together. The 2026 NDS rightly makes clear that our adversary’s best strategy is to act in “a coordinated or opportunistic fashion across multiple theaters.” However, it nonetheless draws the wrong conclusion about what to do about this. It is no secret that we are currently unprepared to compete against the Axis of Aggressors. We need to do more and the administration proposes to do more. But right now, we lack the industrial capacity to alter this condition in the near term. This committee has spent considerable time working with Secretary Feinberg and Secretary Duffey. Together, we are supercharging our defense industrial base to meet the production demands for this type of competition and to build a more resilient American economy in the process. We have much work to do. Particularly, we must continue incorporating new weapons and new companies with advanced manufacturing capabilities that can contribute rapidly.

Until we fix our industrial base, we need to get more creative in how we support our allies and partners, particularly when they represent the front line of our adversaries’ aggression. The president issued a call to arms to our allies and partners, urging them to spend 5% of their GDP on defense. That call has been remarkably successful, congratulations Mr. President, but any clear-eyed assessment of the military situation in Europe makes it clear we cannot fully delegate the Russia problem to our European allies. In my view, the NDS essentially ignores the implications of the war in Ukraine to U.S. security. The document downplays both America’s interest in denying Putin the benefits of his criminal aggression and the threat his success would pose to U.S interests in Europe, should he be successful. Currently, Europeans are paying for every weapon that America is supplying. I do not see a concerted strategy to get new types of weapons to Ukraine, particularly those weapons that are not in high demand for U.S. military forces at the present time. I think, for example, of programs like the low-cost ERAM cruise missile. We have got to do better there.

The NDS also says little about our vital interests in the Middle East. This seems out of step with repeated military actions to deal with the ongoing threat of Iran. President Trump is demonstrating that we can and will do more than just one thing. He is exercising limited but decisive force in order to ensure that the region, and the world, will not be threatened by a nuclear Iran or its terrorist proxies. And of course, the president’s National Security Strategy proclaims that the U.S. will reassert its preeminence in the Western Hemisphere. But the 2026 NDS does not describe how the department will achieve this objective. It does not describe what this enhanced focus means in terms of force posture or investment priorities. The reality is that President Trump’s actions in the Western Hemisphere, the Middle East, and Europe are inextricably linked to our overall struggle against the Chinese Communist Party. Tailored use of military force and support in Venezuela, Iran, and Ukraine has thwarted Chinese and Russian objectives and denied their access to resources and technology.

The 2026 NDS articulates the president’s vision for our allies and partners to step up and get far more serious about their defense. And they are doing just that and I applaud that. But we cannot ask our allies to do more for us while we do less for them. In that regard, this NDS signals a diminished intent to deter existential threats posed by Russia and North Korea. So, we need more clarity on how America’s military will continue to support our allies in new and different ways in deterring these threats.

Another specific critique of the strategy is that it, in effect, obfuscates the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party, and they are our pacing threat. Granted, Beijing remains the focal point. The strategy is clear in its focus on what it describes as the “First Island Chain,” this seems to be a way of talking about Taiwan without mentioning Taiwan. But the unclassified NDS does not mention Taiwan at all, even though the National Security Strategy directly identifies it. This seems to be an example of what the NDS calls a “strong but not unnecessarily confrontational” posture toward Beijing. This equivocation has real consequences as it risks misinterpretation of U.S. support for this island’s democracy. This perception is furthered by our failure to execute previously authorized and appropriated assistance to Taiwan. Authorized and appropriated by the Congress and signed into law.

Finally, and perhaps most troubling of all, the NDS is nearly silent on the role of nuclear weapons. The U.S. faces an unprecedented set of strategic threats. They are worsening every day as we move toward a world with Russia and now China as nuclear peers. The lack of any significant statement on these developments raises the question are we ignoring the existential dangers that China, Russia, and North Korea pose to our way of life.

On the other hand, there is much to like in this strategy—particularly its priorities and emphasis. But I still believe we have much work to do. I believe we must be clear-eyed about the long-term threats of the Chinese Communist Party. And I think we need to take the president’s successful peace-through-strength approach used in the Middle East and the Western Hemisphere and apply it to Europe and Asia. We should do that as we give our allies and partners better clarity on the appropriate role of U.S. forces in the future.


Wyden, Espaillat and 70 Democrats Call for Investigation of ICE, DHS Warrantless Purchases of Americans’ Location Data

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-NY., and 70 Democrats called for a new investigation of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), over warrantless purchases of Americans’ location data.

The members called on DHS Inspector General Joseph Cuffari to investigate ICE and other DHS agencies restarting warrantless purchases of Americans’ location data. The DHS Inspector General previously found that ICE’s data purchases were illegal, causing the program to shut down in 2023, following an investigation requested by Wyden, with Senators Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., Edward Markey, D-Mass., and Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii.

“Location data is extremely sensitive, and can reveal someone’s religion, their political views, medical conditions, addictions, and with whom they spend time. It is for that reason that ordinarily, the government must obtain a warrant from a judge in order to demand such data from phone or technology companies,” the members wrote to Cuffari.

“Given DHS’ failure to adopt a policy for the use of commercial data, coupled with ICE awarding a no-bid contract to a shady data broker that is likely violating federal law, we urge you to open another investigation into the purchase and use of location data by ICE and other DHS components,” the members continued.

ICE issued a no-bid contract to the surveillance company Penlink in 2025, which included licenses for its location tracking product, Webloc, according to a report by 404 Media. Webloc was developed by the controversial surveillance company Cobwebs Technologies, which combined with Penlink in 2023. Meta banned Cobwebs in 2021, as part of a crackdown on surveillance mercenaries after detecting the company’s customers targeting activists, opposition politicians and government officials in Hong Kong and Mexico.

ICE has stonewalled congressional oversight of its location data purchases. Senator Wyden’s office requested a briefing from ICE soon after this contract was reported in October 2025. In December 2025, a briefing was scheduled for February 10, 2026. One day before that briefing was to take place, ICE cancelled it with no explanation and without any offer to reschedule.

The letter is signed by Senators Alex Padilla, Calif., Richard Blumenthal, Conn., Andy Kim, N.J., Chris Van Hollen, Md., Adam Schiff, Calif., Brian Schatz, Hawaii, Raphael Warnock, Ga., Angela Alsobrooks, Md., Peter Welch, Vt., Ben Ray Luján, N.M., Cory Booker, N.J., Jeff Merkley, Ore., Edward J. Markey, Mass., Elizabeth Warren, Mass., and Tammy Duckworth, Ill.

It is also signed by Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, N.Y., Pramila Jayapal, Wash., Joaquin Castro, Texas, Greg Casar, Texas, Jim McGovern, Mass., Sara Jacobs, Calif., Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ill., Yvette Clarke, N.Y., Grace Meng, N.Y., Shontel Brown, Ohio, André Carson, Ind., Ro Khanna, Calif., Nydia Velázquez, N.Y. , Robin Kelly, Ill., Zoe Lofgren, Calif., Mary Gay Scanlon, Pa., Veronica Escobar, Texas, Paul Tonko, N.Y., Jimmy Gomez, Calif., Lori Trahan, Mass., Rashida Tlaib, Mich., Nanette Barragán, Calif., Lateefah Simon, Calif., Jesús García, Ill., Stephen Lynch, Mass., Juan Vargas, Calif., Lloyd Doggett, Texas, Eleanor Norton, D.C., Norma Torres Calif., Madeleine Dean, Pa., Doris Matsui, Calif., Suzanne Bonamici, Ore., Maxine Dexter, Ore., Andrea Salinas, Ore., Luz Rivas Calif., John Garamendi Calif., Ritchie Torres, N.Y., Dan Goldman, N.Y., Adelita Grijalva, Ariz., Robert Menendez, N.J., Delia Ramirez, Ill., Mike Quigley, Ill., Richard Neal, Mass., Becca Balint, Vt., Darren Soto, Fla., Mark Takano, Calif., Linda Sánchez, Calif., Jasmine Crockett. Texas, Sylvia Garcia, Texas, Seth Moulton, Mass., Kelly Morrison, Minn., Eric Swalwell, Calif., and Mike Levin, Calif.

The members requested the inspector general investigate:

Whether ICE and other DHS components are purchasing illegally obtained location data about Americans and if yes, why DHS does not have policies in place to prevent taxpayer dollars from going to contractors that have invaded Americans’ privacy in violation of federal law.

How ICE and other DHS components have used location data and whether they have used it to investigate Americans for engaging in constitutionally protected activities, including those protesting ICE actions or monitoring ICE enforcement operations.

Whether ICE and other DHS components are auditing employee access to commercial location data to identify likely patterns of abuse, and if yes, whether such audits have discovered abuse.

Why has DHS still not adopted a policy for the use of commercial location data, as you recommended in 2023.

The full text of the letter is here.

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Young Participates in Tax Reform Roundtable in Fort Wayne

FORT WAYNE – On Friday, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) participated in a roundtable discussion with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Greater Fort Wayne Inc., and northeast Indiana business leaders focused on the pro-growth business tax provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The event was held at First Gear Engineering & Technology in Fort Wayne.

The law, also known as the Working Families Tax Cut, is a forward-looking, pro-growth set of policies that are vital to maintaining America’s prosperity and competitive edge and will create new opportunities for Hoosier workers and businesses. More information on the law, which Young supported, can be found here.

“The One Big Beautiful Bill includes numerous pro-growth policies that will help Hoosier small businesses and workers, including my legislation to restore full expensing for domestic R&D,” said Senator Young. “I am grateful to First Gear in Fort Wayne for hosting this important conversation.”

“Small and mid‑sized businesses are the backbone of our local economy, creating jobs, driving innovation, and supporting our communities,” said John Urbahns, President and CEO of Greater Fort Wayne Inc. “Making the 2017 tax cuts permanent has given these employers the long‑term certainty they need to plan ahead, reinvest in their operations, and stay competitive. When businesses can count on a stable tax environment, they’re far more confident about hiring, expanding, and taking the kinds of risks that fuel economic growth.”

Photos from the event:

Senator Young and Hoosier business leaders participate in roundtable discussion at First Gear Engineering & Technology.

Senator Young meets team members at First Gear Engineering & Technology.

Senator Young with Vice President of the Great Lakes Region at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Kevin Courtois, President & CEO of Greater Fort Wayne Inc. John Urbahns, and President & CEO of Indiana Chamber Vanessa Green Sinders.


Aderholt Highlights Testimony from Two Alabama Leaders at Community Colleges Hearing

This office is located on the backside of the Cullman Dental Arts building up the handicap ramp. It serves Cullman and Winston Counties.

We encourage you to make an appointment before coming into the office so that our constituent services representatives can pull up relevant information beforehand to help with your request of a federal agency.

This office serves Marshall, DeKalb, and Blount Counties.

We encourage you to make an appointment before coming into the office so that our constituent services representatives can pull up relevant information beforehand to help with your request of a federal agency.

This office serves Fayette, Lamar, Marion and Walker Counties. It also serves the portion of Tuscaloosa County north of the Black Warrior River, but also down the western side of the county to include the Ralph, Fosters areas.

We encourage you to make an appointment before coming into the office so that our constituent services representatives can pull up relevant information beforehand to help with your request of a federal agency.

This office serves Colbert and Franklin Counties. It also serves residents of Lauderdale County from roughly Center Star, west to the Mississippi line.

We encourage you to make an appointment before coming into the office so that our constituent services representatives can pull up relevant information beforehand to help with your request of a federal agency.

This office is located on the backside of the Cullman Dental Arts building up the handicap ramp. It serves Cullman and Winston Counties.

We encourage you to make an appointment before coming into the office so that our constituent services representatives can pull up relevant information beforehand to help with your request of a federal agency.

This office serves Marshall, DeKalb, and Blount Counties.

We encourage you to make an appointment before coming into the office so that our constituent services representatives can pull up relevant information beforehand to help with your request of a federal agency.

This office serves Fayette, Lamar, Marion and Walker Counties. It also serves the portion of Tuscaloosa County north of the Black Warrior River, but also down the western side of the county to include the Ralph, Fosters areas.

We encourage you to make an appointment before coming into the office so that our constituent services representatives can pull up relevant information beforehand to help with your request of a federal agency.

This office serves Colbert and Franklin Counties. It also serves residents of Lauderdale County from roughly Center Star, west to the Mississippi line.

We encourage you to make an appointment before coming into the office so that our constituent services representatives can pull up relevant information beforehand to help with your request of a federal agency.


Smith Promotes IRS Free File Program

Today, Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03), a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee, questioned Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Chief Executive Officer Frank Bisignano about his efforts to improve the IRS Free File program.

During the hearing, Smith highlighted his efforts to end the Biden Administration’s burdensome Direct File program which was launched without proper Congressional approval.

Image

Click the image above to watch a video of Congressman Smith's questioning

Click here to download audio

Click here to download video


Rep. Green: Briefing Showed No Imminent Threat to U.S. Before War; Will Back War Powers Resolution

(Washington, D.C.) — On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, Congressman Al Green delivered remarks on the House floor during one-minute speeches following his attendance at a classified briefing that showed there was no imminent threat to the United States before the war. Congressman Green also stated that he intends to vote in support of the War Powers Resolution.

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s speech on his official YouTube page or by clicking here. The floor speech highlighted is also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).


Ansari, Stanton, Grijalva, Kelly, Gallego, Demand Equitable Colorado River Protections

Arizona Democratic delegation calls Bureau of Reclamation's draft EIS unworkable for Arizona, underscores impact on tribes, semiconductor and agriculture Industries

Today, Representatives Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03), Greg Stanton (D-AZ-4), and Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07, along with Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego raised concerns with the Bureau of Reclamation on the recently released Post-2026 Operational Guidelines and Strategies for Lake Powell and Lake Mead Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

In their letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Andrea Travnicek, the Arizona lawmakers stress that the proposed alternatives in the current DEIS are not viable for Arizona's water security while reaffirming Arizona remains committed to continued negotiations with the Basin States, Reclamation, and the Department of the Interior to reach a balanced, durable long-term framework for the Colorado River.

“We cannot take our focus off securing an agreement that acknowledges the environmental realities of a region plagued by megadrought but demands equitable conservation efforts by all Basin States. But in the DEIS, Reclamation risks pursuing an unsustainable distribution of reductions and responsibilities across the Basin States, placing our constituents and their livelihoods in harm’s way,” the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers emphasized that the proposal places the burden of reductions on Arizona and the Lower Basin despite the state’s continued conservation efforts: “Arizona has and will continue to do its part to protect the Colorado River, but we cannot do it alone. We are deeply troubled that Reclamation all but abandons its increasingly critical role in ensuring the Upper Basin States fulfill their delivery obligations under the Colorado River Compact of 1922 (Compact). However, the DEIS alternatives impose required reductions exclusively on the Lower Basin, despite the region accounting for approximately 75 percent of the Basin’s population and economic output. And each alternative, though broad in scope, will translate in practice specifically as drastic reductions to Arizona’s water supply.”

The delegation also warned that drastic cuts to Colorado River deliveries could have serious consequences for communities across Arizona that rely on the river for their water supply: “Across Arizona, you will find communities whose primary—if not sole—source of water is the Colorado River. The DEIS itself acknowledges that “widespread impacts on social and economic conditions may also be possible,” including circumstances in which municipalities may need to pursue alternative or even hauled water sources to maintain basic services. Drastic cuts could have cascading consequences for human health and safety and destabilize the lives and livelihoods of Arizonans, tribal communities, and critical industries that rely on Colorado River supplies.”

The lawmakers stressed that any long-term framework for the Colorado River must fully account for tribal water rights and the federal government’s trust responsibility to Arizona’s tribal nations: “Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, many of whom hold significant Colorado River entitlements that underpin economic and community development, public health, and long-planned water infrastructure investments. Any post-2026 framework for the river must fully account for the unique water rights and needs of tribal communities to fulfill the federal trust responsibility, which the current DEIS fails to meet.”

The lawmakers also highlighted the risks the proposed reductions pose to Arizona’s economy, including agriculture and the state’s growing semiconductor manufacturing sector: “Arizona’s agricultural industry supplies essential products—including fresh produce, dairy, beef, and forage crops—that ensure regional and national food security. Reductions of the magnitude contemplated in the DEIS would reverberate across rural communities and throughout the domestic food supply chain. [...] Arizona also boasts the largest concentration of advanced semiconductor manufacturing investment in the country, representing roughly $200 billion in announced projects since 2020. A reliable domestic chip supply is critical to military modernization, artificial intelligence leadership, and global economic competitiveness. The scale of reductions contemplated in the DEIS places these strategic investments at risk.”

Absent a durable seven Basin State agreement, a decision on river operations could be handed down from Interior as early as July. A plan for post-2026 river operations must be in place before October 1, to fulfill federal treaty obligations with Mexico and provide certainty for Colorado River water users as they enter a new water year.

The lawmakers closed by urging Reclamation to work with the Basin States to develop a durable and balanced long-term framework for the Colorado River: “Arizona remains committed to working collaboratively with the other Basin States, Reclamation, and the Department of the Interior to reach a balanced and sustainable agreement that protects both the river system and the communities and industries that depend upon it.”

Click here to read the full letter.

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Rep. Ansari Delivers Floor Speech in Support of Bipartisan War Powers Resolution

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) delivered a floor speech in support of the bipartisan War Powers Resolution.

“The Islamic Republic is a barbaric, corrupt regime that has murdered, imprisoned, and terrorized its own people for decades. As the daughter of Iranian immigrants who fled this regime, I know personally what its violence means,” said Rep. Ansari. “At the same time, as an American Congresswoman who swore an oath to the United States Constitution, I am deeply concerned by President Trump’s decision to launch an illegal war against Iran without Congressional authorization and without presenting a clear plan to the American people. Ultimately, this vote is about the legitimacy of our democracy and our constitution, and that is why I will be voting yes on the War Powers Resolution.”

WATCH

Below is a transcript of Rep. Ansari’s full remarks as delivered on the House Floor:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Islamic Republic is a barbaric, corrupt regime that has murdered, imprisoned, and terrorized its own people for decades.

As the daughter of Iranian immigrants who fled this regime, I know personally what its violence means.

Members of my family and friends have been brutalized and murdered by the Islamic Republic. My grandfather was imprisoned by the regime, and my family member was beheaded by them. The horror stories go on.

So let me be very clear: I have spent my entire life opposing the Islamic Republic and its brutality, and I celebrate the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

At the same time, as an American Congresswoman who swore an oath to the United States Constitution, I am deeply concerned by President Trump’s decision to launch an illegal war – because it is, in fact, illegal – against Iran without Congressional authorization and without presenting a clear plan to the American people.

War carries profound and deadly consequences for our troops, for the American people, and for the entire world. It’s the most serious decision that a nation can make, and the American people deserve debate, transparency, and accountability before that decision is made.

The Constitution is clear: the power to declare war rests with Congress. I want nothing more than a free Iran and safety and security for innocent Iranians. That requires more than force. It requires seriousness, accountability, and a real plan to support the Iranian people in determining their own future.

Donald Trump has shown at every instance that freedom for the people of Iran is not his priority. Every few hours the administration jumps to a new justification or objective for this war, but never is a democratic transition and self-determination for Iranians a part of the discussion. This was echoed last night by senior administration officials at the briefing to members of Congress.

Ultimately, this vote is about the legitimacy of our democracy and our constitution, and that is why I will be voting yes on the War Powers Resolution.

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Buchanan, Soto Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Combat AI-Enabled Impersonation Scams

“The AI Fraud Accountability Act Makes Clear That If You Use AI To Defraud Americans, You Will Be Prosecuted.”

Legislation Modernizes Federal Law to Protect Americans from Digital Fraud

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Congressman Darren Soto (D-Fla.) announced the introduction of the AI Fraud Accountability Act. Senators Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would crack down on highly realistic AI-generated impersonation scams designed to defraud Americans.

“As artificial intelligence becomes more advanced, criminals are exploiting it to scam hardworking Americans,” said Buchanan. “We are seeing a disturbing rise in AI-generated voice clones and deepfake videos that convincingly impersonate loved ones, business executives, government officials and trusted institutions to steal money. Congress must act to stay ahead of these threats by modernizing federal law to keep up with emerging technology. The AI Fraud Accountability Act makes clear that if you use AI to defraud Americans, you will be prosecuted.”

“As AI rapidly evolves, it is critical for us to ensure that the technology isn’t being misused to cause harm,” said Soto. “We’ve unfortunately seen cases where it is used to create realistic impersonations of real people. I’m proud to join this bipartisan legislation to set guardrails and prevent these deceptive practices from taking place.”

“Artificial intelligence will help unleash innovation, opportunity, and prosperity in the 21st century economy, but we must ensure it is not a tool for fraud,” said Sheehy. “The AI Fraud Accountability Act modernizes federal law to crack down on AI fraudsters targeting American families, seniors, and businesses while safeguarding technological innovation and First Amendment rights.”

“With more Americans using AI every day, we need to do all we can to cut down on AI-related fraud.” said Rochester. “Our AI Fraud Accountability Act would ensure our statutes are updated to meet this current moment. Thank you to Senator Sheehy for his partnership, and I look forward to working together on this urgent issue.”

The AI Fraud Accountability Act was first reported by POLITICO Pro. Read the exclusive here.

Artificial intelligence tools have made it easier than ever to create highly realistic audio and visual impersonations of individuals. While these technologies have many legitimate uses, they have also created new opportunities for bad actors to commit fraud and identity-based scams.

The AI Fraud Accountability Act closes this gap by creating a new offense under the Communications Act[SP1] prohibiting individuals from falsely posing as a real or imaginary person through a highly realistic digital impersonation with the intent to defraud someone of money or other things of value. The prohibition would apply to AI-generated or technologically manipulated audio or visual depictions that are indistinguishable from an authentic depiction to a reasonable person. Violators would face criminal penalties, including imprisonment, fines and forfeiture of proceeds, as well as civil enforcement under the Federal Trade Commission Act for unfair or deceptive acts or practices enforced by the Federal Trade Commission.

The legislation is supported by Microsoft, National Consumers League, AARP, American Association of Senior Citizens, Center for AI Safety Action Fund, Bank Policy Institute, Business Software Alliance, Global Anti-Scam Alliance, North America Chapter and the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship.

“The threat of AI generated scams and deepfake fraud call for urgent, bipartisan action. The AI Fraud Accountability Act provides legal tools to protect consumers and hold bad actors accountable. Thank you, Senators Sheehy and Blunt Rochester and Representatives Buchanan and Soto for leading this effort to combat fraud. We strongly support this legislation and look forward to continuing to work across Congress to help build a safer digital ecosystem for everyone,” said Brad Smith, Microsoft President.

“The AI Fraud Accountability Act sends a clear message: criminals using deepfakes and sophisticated AI to commit fraud will face serious consequences. It also reinforces that innovation should not come at the expense of consumer safety. AARP appreciates efforts to advance this legislation for the protection and dignity of older Americans,” said Bill Sweeny, AARP Senior Vice President of Government Affairs.

“As artificial intelligence continues to advance in capability, so do the scams used by bad actors to steal from vulnerable Americans. The American Association of Senior Citizens is proud to support the AI Fraud Accountability Act, which seeks to modernize federal efforts to address AI-driven scams that use fake voices and videos to steal from senior citizens. We applaud Representatives Vern Buchanan and Darren Soto, along with Senators Sheehy and Rochester, for leading this bipartisan effort to protect seniors, strengthen law enforcement tools, and hold fraudsters accountable,” said Saulius "Saul" Anuzis, American Association of Senior Citizens President.

“The Center for AI Safety Action Fund (CAIS AF) is proud to endorse the AI Fraud Accountability Act. This bill addresses the rising issue of AI-enabled impersonation, which already costs Americans billions. Existing fraud laws were not designed for a world where anyone with a laptop can clone voices or faces within minutes. The AI Fraud Accountability Act aims to close that gap by criminalizing the use of realistic digital impersonations for fraud, empowering the FTC with clear enforcement authority, and promoting international cooperation to target foreign perpetrators. This is exactly the kind of practical, narrowly tailored legislation we need to keep pace with advancing AI capabilities,” said the Center for AI Safety Action Fund.

“AI-powered deepfakes are accelerating at a pace that outstrips our current defenses against fraud and scams. The bipartisan AI Fraud Accountability Act is a critical step in building those defenses, sending an unambiguous signal that this is a national priority and giving law enforcement the cross-border tools to pursue scam criminals who operate far beyond U.S. borders,” said Nils Mueller, Global Anti-Scam Alliance North America Chapter Director.

Buchanan has long been a leader in advancing legislation to combat fraud, protect consumers and ensure emerging technologies are used responsibly. As Vice Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, he continues working to safeguard hardworking Americans from financial exploitation and evolving digital threats.

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ICYMI: Buchanan Highlights Early Impact of Working Families Tax Cuts During IRS Hearing

“199A is Another Powerful Tool Where You Get Some Parity with Corporate America”

Discusses Tax Relief for Workers, Support for Small Businesses and Faster Refund Processing

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, highlighted the early impact of Republicans’ Working Families Tax Cuts during a full committee hearing with Internal Revenue Service Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano. The hearing focused on how recent Republicans’ tax reforms are delivering relief to workers, seniors and small businesses while improving service at the IRS.

During the hearing, Buchanan emphasized the importance of pro-growth tax policies that support entrepreneurs and job creators, including full expensing and the Section 199A small business deduction. He also highlighted new tax relief provisions, including his “No Tax on Tips[RA1] ” provision, as well as the elimination of taxes on overtime, and reductions in taxes on Social Security benefits for many seniors.

Witnesses included the Honorable Frank J. Bisignano, Chief Executive Officer of the Internal Revenue Service.

Click here to watch Congressman Buchanan’s remarks.

Here’s what Buchanan said about the impact of tax relief for working families and small businesses:

On the importance of small businesses to the American economy

Buchanan: “We have similar backgrounds in a sense. I was in business for 30 years, but I also chaired the Florida Chamber [of Commerce]. We had 130,000 businesses that were in that chamber. Part of my job was to try to work with a lot of mid-size and small companies. That’s always been my focus coming up here. People said why are you so focused that way? I said because they’re the job creators.

“Most of those 130,000 businesses weren’t big companies. There were quite a few that were. Most of them—93 percent—were pass-through entities. That’s why I’m so excited about what we’ve got done on the tax front, and I know you feel the same way ... I’m excited about the idea of full expensing, it’s a powerful tool, whether you’re buying or selling. Also, 199A is another powerful tool where you get some parity with corporate America in terms of areduction of 20 percent.”

On tax relief for workers, seniors and families

Buchanan: “What I’m hearing back home in Florida is they’re very excited about no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, minimal tax on Social Security ... Give me your thoughts ... in terms of where that’s at. I know you’ve hired quite a few people, but the big thing is, they want to make sure they get their benefits.”

Bisignano: “Well, daily, myself—as I have my whole career—and the Treasury Secretary review the stats of the IRS and our most important stat is serving the American public, both what comes in and how quick it goes out, and you heard me talk about building new technology so items that took 16 weeks like a mandatory return are down to 1 week. I applaud your passion for small business. Through my career, I was with the largest technology provider to small businesses across Americaand I understand, to me it’s the lifeblood of America, right? And many small businesses are owned by an entrepreneur that, in fact, really is a risk taker because they’re risking their whole family’s income on their ability to operate. Our ability to deliver for them is so darn important.”

Buchanan: “Let me just add to it ... My wife’s here today. We started a company together, two of us, and it ended up being a billion dollars. So that’s the America that I believe in, that anything’s possible.”

On improving the IRS experience for taxpayers and businesses

Buchanan: “One of the questions I get a lot is, in terms of dealing with the IRS, people have had struggles where they have a challenge from the IRS. Many times, that could go on for three or four years. You got legal fees, you got accounting fees, you got everything else. What can we do to expedite or help push to expedite that so people can get back on their feet quicker, in terms of small business people?”

Bisignano: “I like to talk about the governance model, sir, that we’re running the IRS under, which is a pretty consistent governance model, and I’m going to hit on one element of it. Obviously, the staff and I get together every week, two hours, once a month, all day, to go through everything in the agency to ensure we’re delivering. Once a week, we look at ... the key operating indicators of the business. And we have two levels deep coming in, representing their numbers. And we now implement aging. How old is the oldest item? We talk about beating whatever the best record ever had and then beating it again. I talked about the weekly risk meeting, and we look at every item we procure for over $300,000. It’s a governance model designed to serve the American public. Most of the indicators are about how are we serving the American public. I look at them daily, and so does the Treasury Secretary.”

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Carbajal to Support Bill to Rein in Trump’s Military Powers

“The ongoing conflict in Iran was ordered with no credible justification and little regard for the men and women who are being asked to risk their lives. Trump’s war has already claimed the lives of six servicemembers, and sadly, more will be put in harm’s way,” said Rep. Carbajal. “The American people do not want another forever war in the Middle East. They do not want to see young Americans lose their lives. They do not want to see billions of taxpayer dollars being poured into this conflict. Families want solutions to the problems they face here at home, such as an end to the cost-of-living crisis. This administration is operating without restraint or reason; therefore, I will be voting in support of the war powers resolution to rein in their reckless and dangerous actions.”


WATCH: Rep. Smith delivers remarks for the NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking's 2026 Law Enforcement Conference

The following are excerpts of remarks delivered by Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), author of the landmark Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) of 2000 and four additional anti-human trafficking laws, for the NJ Coalition Against Human Trafficking's 2026 Law Enforcement Conference in Eatontown, NJ:

Special thanks to every survivor-leader, law enforcement officer, prosecutor, service provider, and expert for your commitment to ending the scourge of human trafficking.

I especially want to recognize and thank Gina Cavallo—not only as an organizer, but as a survivor-leader, whose courage and commitment are helping to transform how we respond to human trafficking in New Jersey and across our country. When survivors lead, systems improve. When law enforcement listens, justice becomes more effective. And when we work together, lives are saved.

This conference could not be timelier.

In just a short time, the world will turn its eyes to our region for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Major international events bring celebration, tourism, and economic opportunity. But they also bring increased vulnerability. Traffickers look for moments of evil opportunity, chaos, high demand, and anonymity. They exploit crowded venues, transient populations, and online platforms to sell both sex and forced labor.

We must be clear: human trafficking is not inevitable during large events—but prevention requires preparation.

That is why this conference is so important.

You are equipping officers with survivor-informed and trauma-informed training. That means recognizing the signs of coercion and exploitation.

It means understanding how trauma affects memory and behavior. It means knowing that a victim may not self-identify.

And it means approaching every potential victim not as a suspect—but as someone who may be under force, fraud, or coercion.

As the prime author of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, and four subsequent anti-human trafficking laws in 2003, in 2005, in 2016, and 2018, I have long believed that our response must rest on the “3 Ps”: prevention, protection, and prosecution.

Prevention requires awareness and coordination before the first whistle blows at the World Cup.

Protection requires strong partnerships between law enforcement and service providers—so that when a victim is identified, there is somewhere safe to take them, someone trained to care for them, and a pathway toward healing.

And prosecution requires that we go after traffickers aggressively and relentlessly. Not just the low-level recruiters—but the organizers, the buyers, and the profiteers who fuel this criminal enterprise.

The World Cup will bring millions of visitors to the United States, including here in the New Jersey-New York region. That means hotel workers, transportation providers, stadium staff, and local businesses must also be engaged—and situationally aware of a potential trafficking crime in progress, and what must be done to ensure the intervention of law enforcement.

It means federal, state, and local law enforcement must be synchronized. It means data-sharing and task forces must be fully operational. And it means survivor voices must be at the center of every strategy.

Because survivors understand what traffickers do. They understand the grooming tactics, the coded language, the vulnerabilities that are exploited. Their expertise is not theoretical—it is lived.

This conference models what the future of anti-trafficking work should look like: collaboration, humility, and shared mission.

Let me also say this: our preparation for the World Cup should not be temporary. The systems we build now—the training, the protocols, the trust between agencies and survivor leaders—must endure long after the final match. Trafficking does not disappear when the crowds go home.

New Jersey has been a leader in confronting this crime. But we cannot be complacent. Trafficking happens in suburbs and cities alike. It happens in hotels, massage parlors, agricultural fields, private homes, and online. It affects women and girls, but also boys and men. It affects U.S. citizens and foreign nationals.

And it often hides in plain sight.

Your presence here sends a powerful message: we absolutely refuse to let traffickers exploit the vulnerable.

To the law enforcement officers in this room: thank you, I say again, thank you. As you know, trauma-informed policing is not soft on crime—it is smart on crime. It leads to stronger cases, greater victim cooperation, and more successful prosecutions.

To the survivor leaders: thank you for turning unimaginable pain into purpose. Your love, courage, faith in God and tenacity is an inspiration to us all—especially victims who often fell abandoned, without hope and helpless.

And to Gina and the NJ Coalition: thank you for building bridges where they are most needed.

If we do this right—if we prepare thoroughly, train effectively, collaborate deeply, and heed the lessons taught by survivors—we can ensure that the FIFA World Cup 2026 is remembered for extraordinary athletic achievement, not exploitation.

Let this conference be more than a meeting. Let it be a launching point—for vigilance, for partnership, and for justice.

Together, we can prevent trafficking before it occurs, protect those who are vulnerable, and hold traffickers fully accountable.

Thank you, and may God bless your work.

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Rep. Smith debates on the House floor against the Massie-Khanna War Powers Resolution

On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, delivered the following remarks on the House floor on Iran:

Mr. Speaker, I thank the distinguished gentleman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, for far too long, Iran has held the world hostage with its nuclear threats, unbridled violence and hate, pervasive use of torture and rape, and Nazi-like anti-Semitism.

Iran is the world’s worst state sponsor of terrorism. All diplomatic initiatives to secure peace, justice, and reconciliation with the Iranian dictatorship have been fruitless.

President Trump is a man of his word, and he means it when he says that Iran must never be permitted to acquire a nuclear weapon. Despite ample warnings and admonishments to negotiate seriously, which it has never done, Iran has defied U.S. diplomacy to end its decades-long quest to procure nuclear weapons and cease its despicable violence against Americans, Israelis, and the Iranians themselves.

Among the many egregious concessions made in 2015 by President Obama to the Iranians was to get a deal which included removal of a treaty obligation that would have ended Iran’s missile program and prevent the production of the ballistic missiles that are today raining down on our American military in the region, Israeli civilians, and our friends in neighboring countries.

In debate on the House floor in 2015, I stood right here and said: Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei criticized the call for Iran to end its ballistic missile program, characterizing it as a stupid and idiotic expectation, claiming that the Revolutionary Guard should definitely carry out their program and not be satisfied with the present level of missiles.

Khamenei said that they should mass produce those missiles, and mass produce they have, killing thousands and putting millions more at risk. It is estimated that Iran produces 100 missiles each and every month.

I would remind my colleagues that the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action signed by China, France, Germany, Russia, the U.K., and, of course, the United States, the P5+1, had a sunset date of October 18, 2025.

I remember asking for it during debate in committee and on the floor.

Sunset? Did anyone think that in 2015 that Iran would somehow matriculate from a brutal dictatorship to a democracy in those 10 years?

That provided the Iranians the incentive to wait us out because then everything would be lifted even in that flawed deal.

Let me also point out to my colleagues that the Trump administration has refused—I say again ‘‘refused’’—to have the United States bullied by Iran.

The distinguished chairman before went through one instance after another where they have killed Americans. Even when they bombed us in Lebanon, there was a young man in the Marines from my district who was killed in that brutal act of war by the Iranian dictatorship.

I just say that I am against this resolution. May God bless and protect our courageous servicemembers, as well as the idea of soldiers who are fighting this tyrannical Iranian dictatorship with incredible courage, professionalism, skill, and tenacity.

More than ten years ago—on September 10, 2015—Smith spoke on the House floor in opposition to President Obama’s Iran Nuclear Agreement, highlighting the deal’s serious flaws, gaps, and concessions, which have largely contributed to the mass proliferation of Iranian missiles today.

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