SALINAS, MERKLEY, HOYLE-LED LETTER FORCES ICE TO CONFIRM: NO PLANS TO EXPAND OR BUILD ICE DETENTION FACILITIES IN OREGON

Washington, D.C. – Today, in response to an inquiry led by U.S. Congresswomen Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Val Hoyle (OR-04) and Senator Jeff Merkley and signed by Senator Wyden and U.S. Congresswomen Bonamici, Dexter, and Bynum, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons confirmed that, “ICE is not currently planning to expand current detention facilities or open any new long or short-term detention facilities in Oregon.”

“Oregonians never wanted an ICE detention facility in our state, especially as ICE and DHS have repeatedly abused their power and terrorized our communities,” saidSalinas. “I am glad that the Administration confirmed they currently have no plans to build or expand any ICE detention facility in Oregon. I have consistently demanded full transparency and accountability from ICE and the Trump Administration for their misconduct, and I will keep using every avenue available to call out ICE’s overreach and keep our communities safe.”

“Again and again, ICE has been caught lying to the American people, so we should be skeptical of anything they tell us,” said Merkley. “Trump is hellbent on deploying his secret police across Oregon, and we won’t stand for it. I say HELL NO to any plans to expand ICE facilities or operations in Oregon, whether it’s office space, detention centers, or anything else the Trump Administration cooks up.”

“The President has taken us into war, gas and grocery prices are skyrocketing and people can’t afford health care,” said Rep. Val Hoyle. “We need leadership that actually puts the needs of Americans first instead of spending taxpayer dollars to militarize our streets. We don’t need more money wasted on having a larger ICE presence here to harass, intimidate and detain hardworking Oregonians based on the color of their skin. Thanks, but no thanks.”

On February 12, 2026, Congresswoman Salinas and Senator Merkley led their democratic Oregon delegation colleagues and ten additional House Members in a letter opposing any plans to open or expand ICE detention facilities in Oregon, including a potential facility in Newport. They also demanded details about the safety and standards of “soft-sided” facilities.

On March 26, 2026, Acting Director Lyons responded to confirm that ICE currently does not have plans to build or expand any ICE facility in Oregon. The response indicates that ICE does not plan to move forward with a soft-sided detention facility in Newport, as had previously been reported. The response also provided details about the conditions of their soft-sided facilities. It claims that detainees are provided with three nutritious meals a day, that facilities are subject to inspections and audits conducted by the DHS Office of Inspector General, and that detainees are provided with sufficient clean clothing. These claims are contrary to many reports from detainees inside ICE facilities, and the Members will continue pushing for the truth about conditions in ICE facilities.

“Oregonians do not want or need ICE in our state,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “ICE has confirmed that they do not plan to open any additional detention facilities in Oregon, and we will hold them to that while we work to make our communities safer by getting masked, armed ICE agents off our streets.”

“ICE should be defunded and dismantled—and it should not be allowed to build new detention facilities anywhere. I’m grateful that in our home state of Oregon, ICE has said there are no plans to expand or build any new detention facilities. Oregonians are united in rejecting the cruelty this agency brings to our communities,” said Dexter.

“ICE has already caused so much damage in our community. From tear-gassing kids to tearing families apart, this agency is out of line and has no place in our cities," Rep. Bynum said.“I'm glad that ICE confirmed that they do not have any plans right now to add detention facilities in Oregon. I'll continue to work with my colleagues to keep them out of our city and our state.”

Click here or see below for the full letter response from Acting Director Todd Lyons:

Thank you for your February 13, 2026 letter to the Department of Homeland Security(DHS). I am responding on behalf of the Department.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is committed to safe, secure, and humane environments for all of those in its custody. ICE continues to evaluate bedspace requirements and availability and is committed to strategically using existing detention beds in a fiscally responsible manner. As part of its detention operations, aliens in ICE custody are housed at a variety of facilities across the United States, including ICE owned and operated facilities; federal, state, county, or local facilities contracted through intergovernmental service agreements; and contractor owned and operated facilities. ICE constantly evaluates its detention needs and contract structures based on changes in immigration patterns, the operational needs of the agency, and the availability of resources.

ICE's enhanced enforcement operations have resulted in a significant number of arrests of criminal aliens, requiring greater detention capacity. As part of these efforts, ICE is exploring various options to increase bedspace capacity nationwide working in collaboration with federal partners such as the U.S. Marshals Service, the Department of War, and the Bureau of Prisons. ICE will continue to prioritize its resources and work closely with its network of federal, state, local, and private sector partners to ensure the agency can acquire sufficient bedspace to fully achieve its mission.

Regarding potential detention facilities in Oregon, ICE is not currently planning to expand current detention facilities or open any new long or short-term detention facilities in Oregon. As for detention expansion outside of Oregon, ICE issued a solicitation under the U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command's Worldwide Expeditionary Multiple Award Contract vehicle to identify vendors to provide comprehensive detention operations and wraparound services including facility, grounds maintenance, and operations services at all newly acquired facilities. ICE anticipates making awards under this solicitation in the coming months and plans to onboard facilities by the end of Fiscal Year 2026. All detention facilities are acquired, constructed, and operated in accordance with federal regulations, court orders, and national detention standards. Unfortunately, ICE cannot provide additional details due to law enforcement sensitivity and operational security maintenance.

Additionally, you request information regarding the capacities of ICE's soft-sided facilities. Camp East Montana, located in El Paso, Texas, is an over 72-hour facility with an average length of stay of 10 days. The Krome North Service Processing Center, which includes a soft-sided facility, in Miami, Florida, is an over 72-hour facility with an average length of stay of 23 days.

All of ICE's detention facilities, including soft-sided facilities, are contractually obligated to operate in accordance with one of several sets of detention standards. The detention standards describe a facility's immigration detention responsibilities, explain what detainee services a facility must provide, and identify what a facility must do to ensure a safe and secure detention environment for staff and detainees.

Specifically, soft-sided facilities operate in accordance with National Detention Standards 2025. To ensure compliance with each contract's terms and conditions and the applicable detention standards, DHS and ICE employ a robust, multilevel oversight and compliance program. At the agency level, Detention Service Managers and Detention Standards Compliance Officers monitor detention conditions through daily on-site compliance reviews to identify deficiencies, areas of concern, contract and facility issues, and to facilitate corrective actions. Additionally, facilities are subject to inspections and audits conducted by the DHS Office of Inspector General, the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, the DHS Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, and the ICE Office of Detention Oversight within ICE's Office of Professional Responsibility.

During their immigration proceedings, detainees are afforded numerous procedural protections that ensure they are provided with notice and an opportunity to be heard. In removal proceedings, these protections include, but are not limited to, the right to be represented by an attorney, to contest any charges of removal, to present evidence, and generally to examine evidence against them. While the government does not provide attorneys at the government's expense, all those arrested by ICE and placed into removal proceedings are provided with a list of free legal services and aid resources, including pro bono providers.

Additionally, ICE facilities continue to provide detainees with opportunities to meet privately with their current or prospective legal representatives, legal assistants, interpreters, and consular officials. While in-person contact visits remain available at the request of legal representatives, non-contact legal visitation (e.g., video teleconference) is available, wherever possible. This offers an alternative for attorneys to communicate with detained clients in a timely and efficient manner, especially when in-person visitation is not possible or practical.

While in detention, detainees reside in temperature-controlled environments at all times. Furthermore, detainees are provided with three nutritious meals a day and meals that support specialized diets, including religious diets and more than a dozen therapeutic diets, as well as cultural preferences. Menus are reviewed and approved on a regular basis by a registered dietitian to ensure appropriate nutrition is provided. Additionally, detainees are provided with clean bedding and "sufficient clean clothing" during their time in detention.

Currently, the Office of Professional Responsibility does not inspect state-owned and operated facilities such as the soft-sided facility in Miami, Florida. The Office of Detention Oversight conducts congressionally mandated compliance inspections of ICE detention facilities that house ICE detainees pursuant to contractual obligations. Camp East Montana is currently the only soft-sided facility subject to Office of Detention Oversight inspection. The Office of Detention Oversight inspected Camp East Montana, which is contractually obligated to the National Detention Standards 2025 inspection standard, from February 10 to 12, 2026. The report is currently being drafted. ICE will publish the final report by April 13, 2026, 60 days after the inspection.

In your letter, you request "a detailed list of every detention standard that has been waived for a soft-sided facility in CY 2025." As previously mentioned, all of ICE's detention facilities operate in accordance with national detention standards. ICE has not approved any waivers of detention standards for any of the soft-sided facilities.

Thank you again for your letter.

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Ranking Member Huffman Blasts Trump Cabinet’s Illegal Gutting of Endangered Species Protections to Benefit Big Oil Donors

Washington, D.C. — Today, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) released the following statement after the Trump administration's Endangered Species Committee voted to exempt all oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from Endangered Species Act protections:

"The grotesque pay-to-play pageantry that unfolded today was, thankfully, so clearly illegal that it will not stand. But that should not temper the disgust and outrage of every American who cares about the environment and the integrity of our government. This sham “God squad” proceeding lacked any semblance of serious deliberation. It was merely Trump's cabinet of MAGA puppets doing as they were told and giving a massive gift to Big Oil, just as Trump promised he would do when he asked them at Mar-a-Lago to raise $1 billion for his campaign.

"Wiping out all endangered species protections in the Gulf of Mexico so that oil companies can drill without limits and kill without consequence is beyond extreme; no president in our history has ever done anything like this. And doing it under a perfunctory claim of “national security” insults the intelligence of the American people.

"Trump started a reckless war with Iran that sent gas prices through the roof, and now he's citing the mess he created as grounds for an exemption that has never been invoked in the history of the Endangered Species Act. The people who will pay for this are Gulf Coast families and communities, where people’s livelihoods depend on healthy fisheries and clean water. For the oil executives who already posted record profits last quarter, this is just another dark chapter in their greed and overreach.

"The corrupt bargain between the Trump administration and the fossil fuel industry will not stand. My Democratic colleagues and I will fight this in court, in Congress, and we’ll have the support of every community in America that values public integrity and a healthy environment.”

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Smith Tours McDonald’s in Mountain Grove, Promotes Tax Benefits to Local Businesses

MOUNTAIN GROVE, Mo. – Congressman Jason Smith (MO-08) recently visited a locally owned and operated McDonald’s restaurant in Wright County, where he joined crew members in cooking breakfast items and working the drive-through window. He also discussed with staff policies in the Working Families Tax Cuts that benefit small businesses.

Congressman Smith said, “Small businesses like the Mountain Grove McDonald’s play an important role in providing opportunities for people to earn a paycheck, build skills, and support their families. The policies we enacted as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts, which I authored, will help small businesses thrive in rural areas like Wright County. Specifically, we talked about how the permanent 20% small business deduction will help keep these locally owned restaurants strong, and how Employer-Provided Education Assistance Benefits also make it easier for companies to invest in their employees without additional tax burden. On top of that, thanks to that bill, a family of four in Wright County will pay ZERO dollars in federal income tax on the first $73,000 they earn.

“For small businesses owners, the Working Families Tax Cuts provided certainty, allowing employers to reinvest in their businesses, hire more workers, and expand their operations — greatly benefiting communities like Mountain Grove. It was an honor to spend time with the team here and see firsthand the hard work that goes into serving customers in Wright County. The employees I met take pride in what they do, and it shows in the way they serve their community each and every day.”

As part of the Working Families Tax Cuts included in the One, Big, Beautiful Bill, the permanent 20% small business deduction provides critical financial relief for locally owned businesses like the Mountain Grove McDonald’s. By lowering their taxable income, this deduction helps small businesses retain more earnings, which can be reinvested in hiring and equipment. The Employer-Provided Education Assistance Benefits also encourages small employers to invest in their employees to help them pay student loans and advance their careers.

Additionally, provisions like no tax on overtime mean employees who pick up extra shifts or stay late can keep more of what they earn, while a typical family with two children is seeing thousands of dollars more in take-home pay each year and the largest tax refund season in American history. At the same time, pro-growth policies like full and immediate expensing are helping small businesses like the Mountain Grove McDonald’s invest in new equipment, upgrade their restaurants, and continue creating jobs. Together, these policies reward hard work and support the restaurants and business owners who serve communities across southeast Missouri every day.


Reps. Pramila Jayapal, Sara Jacobs, Mark Takano, and Sen. Schatz Introduce Resolution Recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility

Washington, D.C. — Reps. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), and Mark Takano (CA-39), and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced legislation to commemorate Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31st, recognize the many achievements and progress made by people in the transgender and gender non-conforming communities, and affirm their human rights.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Co-Chair of the Transgender Equality Task Force, said: “On Trans Day of Visibility, first and foremost, I stand with our trans loved ones. As Trump and Republicans continue their cruel and baseless attacks on the trans community, we must support our trans neighbors and work to protect their right to safety, respect, visibility, and equality under the law. Trans rights are human rights, and we must continue working to ensure that every person can live authentically as themselves. To trans people across this country: I see you, I hear you, and I will never stop fighting for you.”

Rep. Sara Jacobs, Co-Chair of the Transgender Equality Task Force, said: “Under an administration that constantly tries to make transgender and gender non-conforming people feel invisible, I am proud to celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility. We cannot and will not let their hateful attacks steal our joy. To my trans friends and family, today is a day to celebrate being out, loud, and proud. And I will not stop until everyone can live freely and without fear of expressing their true selves.”

“As the transgender community continues to face attempts by the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress to erase their voices, their contributions, and their existence, I am proud to work with Congresswomen Sara Jacobs and Pramila Jayapal and Senator Brian Schatz in showing the trans community that we stand with them in the fight against erasure and censorship by anti-equality extremists,” said Rep. Mark Takano, Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “Transgender Day of Visibility celebrates visibility and is also an opportunity to inspire others as we work towards a United States where people of all gender identities are free to live openly and authentically. The full weight of the Congressional Equality Caucus stands behind the trans community, today and every day.”

“Trans people should be able to live freely, safely, and openly – just like everyone else. Instead, they continue to face discrimination and violence, both here at home and around the world,” said Senator Schatz. “International Transgender Day of Visibility is a chance to celebrate the trans community’s achievements and courage and renew our commitment to fighting for acceptance and equality.”

“Recognizing Trans Day of Visibility is about more than visibility—it’s about affirming that trans people belong,” said Caius Willingham, Senior Policy Analyst at Advocates for Trans Equality. “Thanks to the leadership of Congresswoman Jacobs, Senator Schatz, and Representatives Jayapal and Takano, this resolution makes clear that even in the face of growing attacks, our communities will continue to be seen, heard, and protected.”


LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON DONALD TRUMP’S VOTER SUPPRESSION EXECUTIVE ORDER

Know Your Immigration Rights

If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.


Whip Clark on CNN: GOP is Using Workers as Political Pawns

NEW YORK, NY — Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined CNN's News Central, where she discussed Trump's reckless war in the Middle East and House Republicans' refusal to end their painful DHS shutdown. Below are excerpts from the conversation:

On Trump's Reckless War:

"We have heard so much from this president — except what is the clear reason we got into this war? What are the objectives? And what is the exit strategy?

...

"He went into this war, took the American people — our sons and daughters — into this war without a clear objective. The Strait of Hormuz is closed, spiking gas prices at the pump to over $4 average across the country.

"It is so irresponsible and such a dangerous position that he has put the United States in. And instead of leading, telling us what the strategy is, how we get out of this, he is blaming it on allies who were not consulted before he made this war of choice."

On the GOP’s Lack of a Clear Exit Plan or Strategy:

"What I would support is for this president for once to put the American people first.

"He took them into this war. He is now proposing to pay for this war with further cuts to their health care.

...

"Let's have him, for once, lay it out for the American people. What is the exit strategy? How do you make sure the American people are safe? What are our national security interests? How do you make sure you are leading with those. I have heard nothing from the White House about any kind of exit strategy. They owe the American people that.

...

"If he leaves that region with the Strait closed and says, 'we'll deal with that some other day,' what does that do to small businesses? What does that do to the American families who are seeing this additional spike in costs that he's already put on them with tariffs by taking away their health care, soaring housing, grocery and utility costs?

"This is a mess of his own making. He must come to a rational exit strategy."

On House Republicans Refusing to End Their DHS Shutdown:

"We should be in Washington today.

...

"We got to a bipartisan agreement. There is one segment of Congress that wouldn’t come and take a step forward in agreeing to put TSA workers, put [the] Coast Guard, FEMA, our cyber security, those working at our ports and in customs first. And that's House Republicans.

...

"I do feel the pain that people are feeling. And I hear it every single place that I go in my district. And this is a hardship. And what we want to do is come together and actually govern. And there is one segment of Congress that rejected that this week. And then sent us home. And then sent us home.

"The TSA workers have this public-facing problem. So Americans see them. But there are so many other workers at DHS that need to be paid. We have made the proposal to open up every [other] part of DHS. We already know that ICE and Border Patrol are being paid. What we said is not an additional dime for them until they act like every other police department and have common sense reforms. But we were willing to say those negotiations will be ongoing as DHS reopens. That has been rejected by the Republicans. And they’re using these workers as political pawns."

To watch the full interview, click HERE.

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Rep. Lucas and Sen. Hagerty Introduce the Main Street Depositor Protection Act

Washington, DC – Representative Frank D. Lucas (R-OK-03) and Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) recently introduced the Main Street Depositor Protection Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at strengthening the financial stability of the banking system and promoting economic growth.

The bill would direct the Federal Deposit Insurance Commission and National Credit Union Administration to issue a rule modernizing the standard maximum deposit insurance amount up to $5 million for noninterest-bearing transaction accounts.

“The Main Street Depositor Protection Act ensures banks of all sizes continue to play a fundamental role in driving economic growth in their communities,” said Congressman Frank D. Lucas. “I’m proud to support President Trump’s Main Street agenda by introducing a targeted bill that preserves Oklahoma banks’ competitiveness and enhances financial stability across the nation.”

“The banks that serve Main Street must have the same chance to succeed as the banks that serve Wall Street. This bipartisan, bicameral bill advances the Administration’s priority of preserving the central role of regional and community banks in the financial system of the future. It’s narrowly targeted to address a very specific concern that manifested itself during the Silicon Valley Bank collapse — a run on non-interest bearing transaction accounts typically used to make payrolls by small businesses that are very important customers for our local and regional banks.” said Senator Bill Hagerty.

This legislation is endorsed by:

Independent Community Bankers of America

Mid-Size Bank Coalition of America

Community Bankers of Oklahoma

Oklahoma Bankers Association

Independent Community Bankers of America President and CEO Rebeca Romero Rainey: “ICBA thanks Rep. Frank Lucas for advancing the deposit insurance debate by introducing the Main Street Depositor Protection Act. We appreciate Rep. Lucas’s efforts to promote balanced deposit insurance coverage across the banking industry to further strengthen the deposit insurance system and to better support small businesses that use transaction accounts for payroll and other recurring expenses while being mindful of costs on community banks.”

Mid-Size Bank Coalition of America Chairman Jim Ryan: “On behalf of mid-size banks across the country, I want to thank Congressman Lucas and Senators Hagerty and Alsobrooks for introducing this important legislation. This commonsense modernization bill will allow Main Street banks to serve their customers better and keep capital in all communities across the country. The Mid-Size Bank Coalition of America thanks Congressman Lucas [and Senators Hagerty and Alsobrooks] for his leadership and advocacy for Main Street businesses.”

Oklahoma State Banking Commissioner Mick Thompson: “Oklahoma has seen firsthand the need for targeted deposit insurance reform. We are grateful for Congressman Lucas’ leadership in introducing the Main Street Depositor Protection Act that increases the resiliency of the financial system and keeps Oklahoma banks strong.”

Community Bankers Association of Oklahoma President and CEO Craig Buford: “The Community Bankers Association of Oklahoma (CBAO) strongly supports Congressman Frank Lucas introduction of legislation that will grant the FDIC authority to increase deposit insurance on non-interest-bearing accounts. Community banks are the lifeblood of the nation’s economy and this legislation will help the community banking industry remain competitive.”

The Oklahoma Bankers Association President and CEO Adrian Beverage: “The Oklahoma Bankers Association board of directors unanimously approved support for Rep. Lucas in his effort for reasonable deposit reform to protect and support community banks. The Main Street Depositor Protection Act is a good first step to achieve these goals. We thank Rep. Lucas for his efforts to address this issue and his unyielding support of community banks.”

BOK Financial CFO Marty Grunst: “This legislation represents a solid step forward in modernizing the deposit insurance framework—one that has not been meaningfully updated in 18 years. We support these reforms because they bring the system closer to the realities of the current operating environment.”

First United Bank & Trust Company CEO Greg Massey: “We appreciate Congress’s continued work on deposit reform as we work together to strengthen depositor protections, reinforce confidence in the banking system, and ensure community banks can continue reinvesting in our local communities to support economic growth. We are proud to support Congressman Lucas’s bill.”

BancFirst Corporation Chairman David Rainbolt: “Too Big To Fail has siphoned local deposits from smaller banks, draining our communities of essential lending capacity and economic opportunity. The Main Street Depositor Protection Act rightly strengthens the deposit framework to keep deposits in our neighborhoods and ensure we can continue to thrive. I thank Congressman Lucas for his unwavering support of Oklahoma’s banks.”

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

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Speaker Johnson Joins Fox and Friends in Studio to Highlight Working Families Tax Cuts

WASHINGTON — This morning, Speaker Johnson joined Fox and Friends in studio to preview a new ‘No Tax on Tips’ video and discuss how Republicans' Working Families Tax Cuts delivers historic tax relief for millions of tipped workers and hardworking American families nationwide. Speaker Johnson also discussed Democrats' continued demands to defund border security and immigration enforcement amid their record-long DHS shutdown.

"The Big Beautiful Bill, the Working Families Tax Cuts, was written for lower- and middle-class earners — for the people who get up and start working before the sun rises and goes home after it sets to feed their families,” Speaker Johnson said. “This is real money for real people. Overall, you're talking about $191 billion in additional refunds because of our legislation and about $30 billion less in withholding. Real money for real people. Every Republican in Congress voted for that, and every Democrat voted against it.”

Click here to watch the full interview.

On the impact of Working Families Tax Cuts for hardworking Americans:

The Big Beautiful Bill, the Working Families Tax Cuts, was written for lower- and middle-class earners — for the people who get up and start working before the sun rises and goes home after it sets to feed their families. Bob is a great example. He's an Uber driver. He's going to save so much money this year. And everybody who works in a tipped job, they pay zero taxes now. Lawrence, in the first $25,000 of their tipped income for the average American that does those jobs, that's about $1,300 more in their pocket. You talk about millions of Americans. I mean, here in New York, a half a million people worked in tip jobs. The Pew Research Center says about 43% of Americans have done that at some stage in their life. So, this is real money for real people. Overall, you're talking about $191 billion in additional refunds because of our legislation and about $30 billion less in withholding. Real money for real people. Every Republican in Congress voted for that, and every Democrat voted against it.

On Democrats refusing to fully fund DHS:

We passed the bill, the full funding bill, a CR for eight weeks. Clean, nonpartisan, no tricks on that at all, just to keep the whole Department of Homeland Security funded for eight weeks so the parties can work out the differences. We thought that would be passed by unanimous consent on Monday, and it didn't happen in the Senate. And so, we've got a dilemma. The outrage and the reason we were so upset, Lawrence, is because they sent us a bill that literally put the number zero in the bill for the funding of border security and customs and immigration enforcement. We can't do that. That was the biggest issue in the 2024 election.

And it's outrageous to us just in those two agencies, CBP and ICE, you're talking about 98,000 hardworking Americans, self-sacrificing, people who have to pay their mortgages and, and put food on the table. They wanted to zero them out. We cannot be a part of that. So, we're calling on everybody. Look, the House Members are in their districts working right now. We can bring them back on a moment's notice for a vote. The Senate has to do their job and help us on this heavy lift. We have to get the government funded, and they're playing games with real people's lives.

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Speaker Johnson Advocates for Defense Community Projects

WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson (LA-04) submitted a community project funding request for Fort Polk:

Recipient: Fort Polk

Recipient Address: 7033 Magnolia Drive, Building 4919, Fort Polk South, LA 71459

Requested Amount: $29 million

Explanation of Request: This request will fund the construction of a new Rotational Unit Billeting Area (RUBA) at Fort Polk in FY2027. The existing RUBA is severely dilapidated and nearly unusable. This investment in updated billeting facilities will support readiness for large-scale combat operations, improve quality of life for rotational soldiers, reduce maintenance costs associated with aging infrastructure, and enhance Fort Polk’s ability to host high-tempo, multi-domain training events year-round.


Pfluger talks TSA, drugs, airport funding

Originally Published in the Odessa American on March 31, 2026.

Almost two months into a partial government shutdown, President Trump has signed an executive order to have Transportation Security Agency employees paid to ease airport lines, a move U.S. Rep. August Pfluger applauds.

“We’re 45 days into a government shutdown. Democrats have now voted at least four times to defund Border Patrol, to defund customs agents, to defund TSA agents, to defund ICE agents,” Pfluger said.

“I have voted four times to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security that was formed in the wake of 9/11 as a result of the most horrific terrorist attack that the world has ever seen, and have voted to fully fund the security apparatus that is charged with keeping our homeland safe, that is charged with getting rid of those (on) the terror watch list that are in our country right now, that Joe Biden let in, that are charged with identifying and deporting Lake and Riley’s killer and Jocelyn Nungaray’s killer, and those who are here illegally that refuse to comply with the law,” he added.

Pfluger said this not only is this completely tragic, but the complete and total desecration of U.S. laws and to deconstruct the rule of law.

“They know that if they can do it at our borders, that they can do it within our borders as well. It is extremely sad and tragic that our Democrat colleagues are not part of the solution. They are obstructing, in every way possible, the funding of one of the most critical agencies in our country. Oh, by the way, that is responsible for emergency management FEMA that has that has helped my district many times since I’ve been elected,” Pfluger said.

Nitazenes, synthetic opioids, are another priority for Pfluger.

Pfluger, (Texas 11), Michael Baumgartner (WA-05), and Eugene Vindman (VA-07) introduced the House version of Senator Eric Schmitt’s Detection Equipment and Technology Evaluation to Counter the Threat of Nitazenes Act of 2026 (DETECT Nitazenes Act) to address the alarming rise in Nitazenes, a new class of synthetic opioids that are stronger and deadlier than fentanyl.

This bipartisan, bicameral legislation directs the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate to coordinate with the Drug Enforcement Administration to enhance technologies to detect illicit substances, particularly Nitazenes, at extremely low concentrations.

It will also give law enforcement the resources, research, capacity, and technology needed to interdict and eliminate nitazenes.

“It’s a new class of synthetic opioids. These are even more potent than fentanyl. They’ve been added to the National Drug Threat Assessment that has said that we need further legislation to help combat it, to identify it, to detect these drugs,” Pfluger said.

Pfluger said he has authored previous legislation to help the DEA.

Asked if Nitazines are infiltrating District 11, Pfluger said, “My assumption is yes. I don’t have the data on exactly what the penetration is to our own district, but they’re everywhere, and this is a problem everywhere,” he said.

“These are something that the cartels are using to traffic into the United States and they’re always looking for something more potent. … Fentanyl is exceedingly deadly, but what they do is they cut other substances with these particular substances … You can use just a little bit. It’s an economics problem. It’s more effective. They use less, and then they can it can continue to sell for a profit. That’s really what we’re talking about here,” Pfluger added.

Legislation was also passed recently to fund the Midland International Air and Spaceport.

“It’s $14.3 million for Midland International Airport, and it’s going to add about 15,000 square feet, but also allow, especially TSA, to handle more travelers more efficiently, to give them more space,” Pfluger said.

He added that he basically had to advocate to the Department of Transportation, which he does frequently.

“We got all alongside local leaders and advocated for this, and are very to have been awarded this. It was actually in a pretty quick manner that we did,” Pfluger said.

He added that the grant is going mainly towards terminal expansion.

The money will be used for phase 3 of the terminal expansion, which will cover the terminals, the entire HVAC system and related components.

Pfluger said he was very happy to see the legislation pass and the funds delivered to Midland.

“Odessa is so important. You have a lot of people flying in that work there. They may not not live there. They may commute, but they fly in on a weekly basis in order to to do the energy work that we know needs to be done. We’ve got to keep pace with the airport, so that’s why this was a no-brainer,” Pfluger said.


Reps. Sara Jacobs, Pramila Jayapal, Mark Takano, and Sen. Schatz Introduce Resolution Recognizing Transgender Day of Visibility

Reps. Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Mark Takano (CA-39), and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced legislation to commemorate Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31st, recognize the many achievements and progress made by people in the transgender and gender non-conforming communities, and affirm their human rights.

Rep. Sara Jacobs, Co-Chair of the Transgender Equality Task Force, said: “Under an administration that constantly tries to make transgender and gender non-conforming people feel invisible, I am proud to celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility. We cannot and will not let their hateful attacks steal our joy. To my trans friends and family, today is a day to celebrate being out, loud, and proud. And I will not stop until everyone can live freely and without fear of expressing their true selves.”

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Co-Chair of the Transgender Equality Task Force, said: “On Trans Day of Visibility, first and foremost, I stand with our trans loved ones. As Trump and Republicans continue their cruel and baseless attacks on the trans community, we must support our trans neighbors and work to protect their right to safety, respect, visibility, and equality under the law. Trans rights are human rights, and we must continue working to ensure that every person can live authentically as themselves. To trans people across this country: I see you, I hear you, and I will never stop fighting for you.”

“As the transgender community continues to face attempts by the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress to erase their voices, their contributions, and their existence, I am proud to work with Congresswomen Sara Jacobs and Pramila Jayapal and Senator Brian Schatz in showing the trans community that we stand with them in the fight against erasure and censorship by anti-equality extremists,” said Rep. Mark Takano, Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “Transgender Day of Visibility celebrates visibility and is also an opportunity to inspire others as we work towards a United States where people of all gender identities are free to live openly and authentically. The full weight of the Congressional Equality Caucus stands behind the trans community, today and every day.”

“Trans people should be able to live freely, safely, and openly – just like everyone else. Instead, they continue to face discrimination and violence, both here at home and around the world,” said Senator Schatz. “International Transgender Day of Visibility is a chance to celebrate the trans community’s achievements and courage and renew our commitment to fighting for acceptance and equality.”

“Recognizing Trans Day of Visibility is about more than visibility—it’s about affirming that trans people belong,” said Caius Willingham, Senior Policy Analyst at Advocates for Trans Equality. “Thanks to the leadership of Congresswoman Jacobs, Senator Schatz, and Representatives Jayapal and Takano, this resolution makes clear that even in the face of growing attacks, our communities will continue to be seen, heard, and protected.”


Rep. Takano Slams SCOTUS Decision Ruling Against Conversion Therapy Bans

WASHINGTON, DC — Following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Chiles v. Salazar, a case on the constitutionality of Colorado’s ban on licensed mental health professionals engaging in conversion therapy for minors, Congressional Equality Caucus Chair Rep. Mark Takano released the following statement:

“Young LGBTQI+ people will suffer because of today’s Supreme Court decision. This decision, however, doesn’t change the fact that these practices are still dangerous, disproven, and denounced by every major medical association in the United States,” said Rep. Mark Takano, Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “Providers who engage in these practices are actively endangering the wellbeing of young LGBTQI+ people and defrauding their families by promising to “fix” something that is simply not broken. Young LGBTQI+ people should not have to be subjected to this kind of cruelty—especially by licensed health care providers. The Congressional Equality Caucus will continue to push federal legislation to address this harmful and fraudulent practice.”

BACKGROUND

“Conversion therapy” refers to range of discredited practices that have long been known to cause significant and lasting psychological harm to patients by purportedly forcing patients to change their sexual orientation or gender identity.? These practices are often aimed at minors, and evidence shows that LGBTQ+ youth who undergo conversion therapy are more than twice as likely to report having attempted suicide compared to those who did not. All major U.S. medical or mental healthcare associations have condemned conversion therapy, including the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, theAmerican Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians. As of 2026, 23 states and D.C. entirely prohibit—and 4 states and Puerto Rico restrict—licensed healthcare providers from subjecting LGBTQI+ minors to conversion therapy. Today’s ruling undermines these important protections for young LGBTQI+ people.

In August 2025, CEC Chair Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), Vice Chair Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36), and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) led 187 Members of Congress in an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court to uphold Colorado’s conversion therapy ban. Read the Equality Caucus’s press release on the amicus brief here. Read the amicus brief here.

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Titus Introduces Bill to Establish a Diplomatic Reserve Corps

WASHINGTON – This week Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01) introduced the Diplomatic Reserve Corps Act of 2026. This legislation would authorize the State Department to establish a 1,000-member ready reserve to carry out U.S. diplomatic efforts during times of heightened demand. This bill is co-led by Congressman Michael Baumgartner (WA-05) and supported by the American Academy of Diplomacy.

“While our armed forces are equipped to handle surges in demand with a ready reserve corps, the State Department, often called our first line of defense, is not,” said Congresswoman Dina Titus. “A Diplomatic Reserve Corps would ensure that the United States continues to put forth well-trained and experienced diplomatic professionals during times of international crisis. This is essential to maintain our relationships around the world, protect U.S. citizens abroad, mitigate conflict, and advance our national security interests.”

“Strengthening America’s ability to respond to global crises requires more than good intentions – it requires a trained, ready, and rapidly deployable diplomatic workforce. A Diplomatic Reserve Corps would give the State Department the surge capacity it has long lacked, ensuring we can protect Americans, support our partners, and advance our interests without pulling personnel away from essential missions. This is a practical reform that brings our civilian crisis response capabilities closer to the standard long set by our military reserves. It’s a smart investment in American leadership and preparedness,” said Congressman Michael Baumgartner.

“The American Academy of Diplomacy strongly endorses HR 8167, the Diplomatic Reserve Corps Act of 2026. This Bill will greatly increase the Department of State's ability to react efficiently and effectively to protect American citizens in crises such as mass evacuations, wars, and disasters. It will ensure that the appropriate personnel with the right skills can be sent quickly to a crisis. The Academy urges the rapid passage of this bipartisan effort to improve the effectiveness of American diplomacy,” said Ambassador Ronald E. Neumann, President of the American Academy of Diplomacy.

A robust and agile diplomatic service is essential to protect national security. Quickly unfolding crises such as the 2021 Afghanistan evacuation underscore the need for a modernized Diplomatic Corps. When they occur, the State Department cobbles together volunteers such as short-term hires, willing retired professionals, and contractors, all of whom leave behind important roles, creating a cycle of vacant positions. These solutions are also costly and unsustainable in a complex and demanding global environment. Instead of struggling with patchwork solutions, we need a longer-term solution. The Diplomatic Reserve Corps Act of 2026 is tailored to meet these complex challenges.

This bill would amend the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to establish a Diplomatic Reserve Corps under the State Department. This group of 1,000 trained, on-call professionals would become available to supplement, when the need arises, the Civil Service, Foreign Service, Personal Service Contractors, and Locally Engaged Staff who now carry out U.S. diplomatic efforts both day-to-day and in times of crisis.

The Corps would consist of four components:

“Senior Diplomatic Retiree Reserve” composed of retired senior State Department professionals, just as the U.S. military reserves include retired professionals from all the armed services.

“Diplomatic Retiree Reserve” composed of retired State Department professionals at lower grade levels.

“Senior Diplomatic Reserve” composed of members of the public drawn, for example, from academia; think tanks; experts in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, cyber, and biotechnology; retirees from other federal, state, or local agencies; and the private sector with the experience to provide senior-level expertise in Washington and in the field.

“Diplomatic Reserve” composed of members of the public, also drawn, for example, from academia; think tanks; experts in areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, cyber, and biotechnology; other federal, state, or local agencies; and the private sector who have relevant experience to assist in executing required tasks.

The Corps would be fully formed over a five-year period. In “Year Zero,” the fiscal year of enactment of the Diplomatic Reserve Corps Act of 2026, the State Department would create the infrastructure needed to recruit, support, and manage the Corps and develop the training modules. Induction into the Corps would then commence during the following fiscal year.

Full text of the Diplomatic Reserve Corps Act of 2026 is available here.

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Congresswoman Norma Torres Delivers $2 million for the Chino Valley Innovation Center

Chino, CA — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) joined city and business leaders today to announce $2 million in federal funding for the Chino Valley Innovation Center, a project designed to support local entrepreneurs, small businesses, and workforce development in the district. The Innovation Center is a joint effort between the City of Chino, Chino Valley Chamber, Chaffey College, Music Changing Lives nonprofit, and the Microenterprise Collaborative of Inland Southern California. As a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, Congresswoman Torres obtained this funding as part of the community project process for fiscal year 2026.

The Chino Valley Innovation Center will serve as a hub for innovation, providing co-working spaces, mentorship programs, and financial resources to empower families, job seekers, and businesses throughout the Chino community. By investing in local entrepreneurship, the Center aims to strengthen the regional economy and create good-paying jobs.

“Investing in the Chino Valley Innovation Center is a down payment on our most valuable asset: our people,” said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “This Center will give local entrepreneurs the tools, mentorship, and resources they need to grow their businesses, create jobs, and strengthen our community’s economy. I’m proud to deliver federal support that will have a real, lasting impact for families, job seekers, and businesses right here at home.”

“This initiative will propel economic opportunity in our community like never before, giving our budding young entrepreneurs the tools they need to make their dreams a reality,” said Chino Mayor Eunice Ulloa. “I want to extend my heartfelt thank you to Congresswoman Torres for continuing her hard work in Washington on behalf of the Chino community.”

“This investment from Congresswoman Norma Torres is a game-changer for the Chino Valley,” said Zeb Welborn, President & CEO of the Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce. “The Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center will create real pathways for entrepreneurs to start and scale businesses, strengthen our workforce, and drive long-term economic growth. By bringing together education, industry, and community, we are building an ecosystem that empowers individuals, supports small businesses, and positions our region for sustained success.”

The Chino Valley Innovation Center will mark a significant step forward in the city’s commitment to fostering economic development and supporting the next generation of local business leaders.

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Congresswoman Torres Celebrates $1 Million Federal Investment for City of Chino Hills Flood Protection Project

Chino Hills, CA – Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres joined by Chino Hills Mayor Brian Johsz, local leaders and community members at Chino Hills City Hall to celebrate the successful delivery of $1,092,000 in federal funding for the Los Serranos Flood Protection Project, a critical infrastructure investment to protect neighborhoods from flooding and storm damage. As a member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, Torres obtained this funding as part of the community project in the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process.

The funding, secured by Congresswoman Torres through the Community Funding Project process, will support the installation of a new storm drain system designed to mitigate flood risks, safeguard homes, and strengthen long-term community resilience.

The Los Serranos Flood Protection Project will:

Install a modern storm drain system

Reduce flood risks during heavy rainfall

Protect homes, businesses, and public infrastructure

Improve long-term safety and resilience for Chino Hills residents

“Today is a big win for the City of Chino Hills and for the families of Los Serranos. I was proud to secure $1,092,000 for this flood protection project because no one should have to worry about their home or safety when storms hit. This investment will protect neighborhoods, support local businesses, and strengthen our community for years to come,” said Congresswoman Torres. “This is exactly why I fight every year to bring federal dollars back home to the Inland Empire. I’ll always keep pushing to make sure our communities are safe, resilient, and getting the resources they deserve.”

“We are grateful to Congresswoman Torres for securing $1,092,000 in federal funding dedicated to the Los Serranos Flood Protection Project and her continued support of our City,” said Chino Hills Mayor Brian Johsz. “This important investment will help protect homes, improve safety, enhance roadways, and ultimately provide peace of mind to our residents who live in the Los Serranos community."

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Congresswoman Torres Introduces New National Parent & Youth Helpline Bill to Support Families at Parents Anonymous Event

Legislation to establish a toll-free national helpline for emotional support and resources for parents, caregivers, and youth to foster mental health across America

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) joined Parents Anonymous President and CEO Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin, board members, and families at their headquarters to introduce the National Parent & Youth Helpline Act, legislation to expand access to critical mental health support and prevention services for families across the country.

The legislation would establish a national helpline that provides free 24/7 emotional support, crisis assistance, and resources for parents, caregivers, and youth to help families navigate challenges before they escalate into crisis.

The National Parent & Youth Helpline Act would:

Establish a 24-hour, national, toll-free helpline accessible by phone, text, and live chat

Provide emotional support and guidance for issues, including mental health, substance use, peer relationships, and family stress

Fund outreach and resources to connect families nationwide to available services

Support evidence-based programs that strengthen families and prevent child abuse

Across the United States, millions of parents, caregivers, and young people face challenges without immediate access to trusted support. A national parent and youth helpline would ensure families can access help when they need it most.

“As a former 9-1-1 dispatcher, I know how critical it is to have someone on the other end of the line when a family is in crisis,” said Congresswoman Torres. “The National Parent & Youth Helpline Act is about making sure every parent and every young person has access to support, guidance, and hope before a situation becomes an emergency.”

“Congresswoman Torres’s leadership on this issue is critical at a time when millions of parents, caregivers, and young people are facing challenges without trusted support,” said Dr. Lisa Pion-Berlin, President and CEO of Parents Anonymous® Inc. “We are grateful for her commitment to advancing the National Parent and Youth Helpline Act, which will ensure families across the country have access to real-time guidance and support. This legislation represents a vital step toward strengthening families, preventing child abuse and neglect, and providing a lifeline when it matters most.”

"Families with infants and toddlers are dealing with incredible stress and rising costs," said Melissa Boteach, Chief Policy Officer at ZERO TO THREE. "The National Parent and Youth Helpline Act of 2026 will ensure parents are able to find resources and support. We thank Representative Torres for championing this effective, evidence-based support that will help babies and their families thrive."

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Congresswoman Torres Secures $1 Million for Vista Verde II Affordable Housing Development in Ontario

Ontario, CA – Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) joined City of Ontario Mayor Paul Leon and local leaders to celebrate the delivery of $1,000,000 in federal funding for the Vista Verde II Affordable Housing Development, a critical project that will expand access to affordable housing for working families in the City of Ontario. Torres, a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, obtained the funding as a community project in the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process.

The funding will support the development of a 150-unit affordable housing community on Holt Boulevard, providing a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes.

Vista Verde II will help address the Inland Empire’s growing housing shortage while supporting long-term economic stability for families. The project will also generate local construction jobs, strengthen the regional workforce, and contribute to Ontario’s broader economic development goals.

“Families in the Inland Empire are being priced out of their own communities, and that is unacceptable. As an appropriator, I fought to deliver $1 million for Vista Verde II because affordable housing is critical for our families,"said Congresswoman Norma Torres. “This project will create 150 homes for the City of Ontario’s working families, bring jobs to our region, and help ensure that our community can grow without leaving people behind. I will continue fighting to bring home the resources our families need to live with stability and opportunity.”


Rep. Torres Celebrates $1,031,000 for Autism Society Inland Empire Law Enforcement Training Initiative

Corona, CA – Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) joined the Autism Society Inland Empire today at the Circle City Community Center to celebrate $1,031,000 in federal Community Project Funding to support specialized law enforcement training across the Inland Empire. As a Member of the powerful Appropriations Committee, Torres obtained this funding as part of the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process.

The funding will provide critical training and resources for law enforcement agencies in Pomona, Fontana, Ontario, and Chino to improve interactions with individuals whose conditions or disabilities may affect communication or require accommodations.

This initiative will help ensure safer, more informed responses during emergency situations and strengthen trust between first responders and the communities they serve.

“As a former 9-1-1 dispatcher, I know how critical those first moments of an emergency are and how quickly situations can escalate without the right training,” said Congresswoman Torres. “This $1,031,000 investment will give our law enforcement officers the tools they need to better understand and safely respond to individuals with autism and other disabilities. This is about saving lives, protecting families, and making sure every person in our community is treated with dignity and respect.”

"We are extremely grateful to Congresswoman Norma Torres for her unwavering commitment to improving safety, equity, and disability inclusion for families across the Inland Empire,” said Beth Burt, Executive Director of the Autism Society Inland Empire. “This funding allows us to continue to train law enforcement and first responders in our communities in an effort to make for a positive outcome for officers and our loved ones. Her leadership ensures that individuals with Autism and other developmental disabilities are better understood and supported during the moments that matter most.”

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vindman, mackenzie lead bipartisan bill to improve coordination, threat mitigation ahead of fifa world cup & 2028 summer olympics

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07) and Ryan Mackenzie (R-Penn.-07) today introduced a bipartisan bill to enable DHS to better coordinate and share information ahead of this year’s major special events. Specifically, the Special Events Program Alignment Act transfers the Special Events Program (SEP) from the Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) to the Office of Homeland Security Situational Awareness (OSA).

“As the United States prepares to host the FIFA World Cup this summer and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, ensuring the safety of large public gatherings has never been more critical. By aligning the Special Events Program within the Office of Homeland Security Situational Awareness, this legislation strengthens DHS’s ability to share critical information and respond proactively to potential risks,” said Vindman. “I’m proud to work with Congressman Mackenzie on this bipartisan effort to improve preparedness and protect communities across the country.”

SEP is responsible for the National Special Event Data Call, which takes in over 40,000 voluntary event submissions, and applies the Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) to assess risk and inform planning and mitigation for planned public events. The program currently operates under the direction of I&A — which works to analyze and share intelligence on threats to the homeland — instead of the more appropriate OSA — which provides real-time situational awareness and a common operating picture for DHS leadership.

“With our nation hosting major events this year, it’s more important than ever that programs and agencies within the Department of Homeland Security have optimal coordination and efficiency,” said Mackenzie. “As a co-chair of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Caucus, I’m committed to ensuring that this year’s public gatherings are as safe as possible. Transferring SEP to its more appropriate home under OSA will help to ensure that DHS will be well positioned to respond to risks and threats at public gatherings.”

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Congressman Walkinshaw Slams Trump’s Unconstitutional Attack on Mail-in Voting

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s unconstitutional Executive Order that attacks mail-in voting and would suppress the right to vote.

“Trump’s unconstitutional attack on mail-in voting comes as his approval ratings crater, gas prices skyrocket, and his dangerous war in Iran continues.

This is another panicked abuse of power ahead of November.”

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Wasserman Schultz Delivers $1 Million Federal Investment for Fort Lauderdale Public Safety Training Complex

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) joined Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, Police Chief Bill Schultz, Fire Chief Stephen Gollan, and Fort Lauderdale Commissioners Ben Sorensen and Pam Beasley-Pittman to announce a $1 million federal investment she secured to help build the Fort Lauderdale Public Safety Training and Professional Development Complex.

The funding marks a major step forward in building a state-of-the-art training hub for police, fire and regional first responders. This federal investment is aimed at strengthening emergency response and protecting residents and visitors.

“My top priority is to keep our families safe. One of the best ways to do that is to ensure our first responders get consistent, high-level training,” said Wasserman Schultz. “So, I'm extremely proud to partner with City of Fort Lauderdale leaders to deliver this cutting-edge professional development facility. It's a critical investment to better protect our community and visitors.”

“Public safety is the foundation of a strong city,” said Trantalis. “This investment is a step toward building the kind of modern, world-class training facility our first responders deserve.”

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD) is the largest municipal law enforcement agency in Broward County, with a current professional staff of over 700 personnel and yet it does not have a training facility that can accommodate the class size and/or variety of training needs required.

FLPD does not have adequate space to conduct all the trainings that are required to fully prepare and equip an officer with the tools and skills needed. FLPD Training personnel must rely on other facilities to rent space and work around their availability to schedule classes. This generally leads to facility rental costs, facility staff costs, costs associated with overtime for the officers being trained, as well as for overtime for officers to backfill positions when fellow officers are in scheduled training.

The tri-county area currently lacks a comprehensive facility that can provide a ‘one stop shop’ for both new recruits and experienced personnel that prepares them to be a first responder of the 21st century. Local police agencies must wait for availability to enroll new recruits in the police academy and there is usually insufficient availability for career enhancement courses, like the introduction to investigations.

The training complex will be located less than 30 minutes from both the international and executive airports, Port Everglades and Brightline and Tri-Rail. Regional police and fire departments, as well as federal and state law enforcement, will also be able to utilize the state-of-the-art facility.


How Virginia Can Prevent the Next Public Safety Tragedy

The tragic killing of a Virginia mother at a Fairfax County bus stop is a devastating reminder that public safety is not theoretical. It is about real lives, real families and real consequences when systems meant to protect our communities fail.

Stephanie Minter, a 41-year-old mother from Fredericksburg, was fatally stabbed while waiting at a bus shelter along Richmond Highway. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) filings, the suspect charged in the killing is 32-year-old Abdul Jalloh, a Sierra Leone national who entered the United States illegally in 2012. Jalloh was also charged with petty theft for a separate offense earlier that same day.

Federal officials report that Jalloh had been arrested more than 30 times on charges including rape, malicious wounding, assault, drug possession, identity theft, trespassing, larceny, firing a weapon, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and pickpocketing. Immigration and Customs Enforcement previously lodged a detainer against him in 2020, and an immigration judge issued a final order of removal after determining he could be deported to a country other than Sierra Leone.

A family is grieving. A community is shaken. And Virginians are asking a painful but necessary question: how could this happen?

Preventing tragedies like this should not be a partisan issue. It should be a shared responsibility across every level of government.

Earlier this year, members of Virginia’s Republican congressional delegation raised concerns about decisions made by Governor Abigail Spanberger regarding law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

In a February letter to Gov. Spanberger, we urged her to reconsider terminating Virginia’s participation in 287(g) agreements — partnerships that allowed state and federal officials to work together to identify and remove dangerous criminals who were in the country unlawfully.

These programs were never about routine immigration paperwork. They were designed for a simple purpose: when dangerous offenders are already in custody for criminal activity, they should not be released back into our communities.

Cooperation between state and federal authorities helped remove violent offenders and gang members from Virginia’s streets. In the first seven months of 2025 alone, more than 4,200 illegal immigrants were arrested and more than 130 gang members were brought to justice through coordinated enforcement efforts.

Yet when we raised these concerns and asked the governor to restore those partnerships, her response was blunt. She wrote that continuing cooperation with federal immigration authorities “was a bad idea, and Virginia will not do it any longer.”

That response should concern every Virginian.

Law enforcement officers across the commonwealth deserve every tool available to protect the communities they serve. Eliminating structured cooperation between state and federal authorities weakens our ability to ensure dangerous individuals do not slip through bureaucratic cracks.

The question Virginians should now be asking is simple: how do we make sure this never happens again?

First, Virginia should restore cooperation between state and federal law enforcement that allows officers to identify and transfer dangerous criminal illegal aliens to federal custody instead of releasing them back into our communities. Programs like the 287(g) agreements were designed precisely for that purpose.

Second, we must ensure that individuals with extensive violent criminal histories are not allowed to repeatedly cycle through the justice system without meaningful consequences. When someone accumulates dozens of arrests for serious offenses, the system has clearly broken down.

Finally, state leaders must recognize that public safety partnerships matter. Local law enforcement, federal immigration authorities and prosecutors all play a role in protecting our communities. Weakening that cooperation makes it harder — not easier — to keep Virginians safe.

Public safety should never be a partisan issue. Virginians of every political background want safe communities, effective law enforcement and policies that prevent violent offenders from slipping through the cracks of our system.

The tragedy that took Stephanie Minter’s life should force us to confront difficult questions about whether our policies are truly putting the safety of Virginia families first.

Virginia’s law enforcement professionals stand ready every day to protect our communities. They deserve the partnerships, tools and support necessary to do that job. And Virginia families deserve leaders who will put public safety first.


ICYMI: 5 QUESTIONS FOR SENATOR ALSOBROOKS

March 31, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC – In case you missed it, Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) sat down with POLITICO’s Carmen Paun to discuss how dangerous RFK Jr. is for our nation’s health, especially when it comes to women’s health.

This Women’s History Month, Senator Alsobrooks is focused on protecting and fighting for additional funding for women’s health care. She is fighting for women suffering with uterine fibroids through her bipartisan U-FIGHT Act. She is tackling the heart disease crisis through her bipartisan Women’s Heart Health Expansion Act. She has also introduced the Extending WIC for New Moms Act and the Social Determinants for Moms Act this month, as part of her mission to ensure mothers and pregnant women have access to the care they need.

Read the full story from POLITICO PRO here or below:

5 questions for Sen. Angela Alsobrooks

The junior senator from Maryland, a Democrat, says Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has done exactly what she feared he’d do.

Democratic Sen. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland has expressed disdain for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his skepticism of vaccines whenever she’s had the opportunity to question him at congressional hearings.

In an interview with POLITICO, she said her goal is to expose the danger as she sees it and mitigate the damage. She didn’t mention any prospect for cooperation on issues of potential mutual interest, even though two health department agencies are headquartered in her state. It’s a sign of just how much Kennedy has polarized the management of the Department of Health and Human Services since he became its secretary last year.

Alsobrooks was at the center of one of the most highly charged moments of Kennedy’s confirmation hearing when she asked him to explain his past statement that Black people should have a different vaccine schedule than white people.

Kennedy defended himself, saying that was what a peer-reviewed study had concluded, but Alsobrooks wasn’t convinced.

Alsobrooks hasn’t had one-on-one meetings with the leaders of the two agencies in her state, Mehmet Oz at the Baltimore-based Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and Jay Bhattacharya at the Bethesda-based National Institutes of Health, and isn’t sold that it makes sense to give Kennedy a platform to testify before the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on which she serves.

She’s concerned that hearings have given him an opportunity to spread disinformation. She didn’t vote to confirm Kennedy, Oz or Bhattacharya, and said she doesn’t intend to vote for any Republican nominees to the health department so long as Kennedy is in charge of it.

More than a year into Kennedy’s tenure, she says Kennedy has done exactly what she feared he would do: substitute people who agree with him for experts.

“What we know is that these are not individuals whose backgrounds reflect the kind of experience that’s necessary,” Alsobrooks said.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Do you see yourself or your Democratic colleagues voting for any HHS nominee, as long as Kennedy is health secretary?

Unfortunately, not.

I think we now have enough experience with both Secretary Kennedy and with this administration, to know to distrust the nominees that have been put forward.

We know that he’s already replaced or fired the people with true science backgrounds and experience in favor of political hacks, the people who will line up with their ideology.

The NIH and CMS are headquartered in your state. Have you met the two leaders of these agencies?

Not in any one-on-one conversations.

I’ve been in hearings and had the opportunity to question some of the leaders who have been put forward, but I tell you who I have been able to have conversations with: the employees inside of NIH and some of the other agencies who have come here to the Capitol.

I’ve also had a chance to meet with some of them, because they are my constituents, where they shared with me that the resources were so scarce at varying points that they didn’t have the basic supplies they needed to do their work.

When it comes to Kennedy’s Make America Healthy Again agenda, a POLITICO poll found recently that most of the MAHA issues around regulation of food and agriculture are popular. But many of those surveyed said they associate Democrats, in some cases, more with those priorities than Republicans. Does that give your party an opportunity to win back Trump voters?

The way that [Kennedy]’s approached it has been a total betrayal of the people who supported him, and I think that they will come to see that. I think many of the people involved in the MAHA movement are now beginning to understand that these are decisions that have gone beyond what he promised.

My own agenda has been to try to pass legislation in a bipartisan way that would help us to actually fund the efforts that would help us to get more research and screening and detection, for example, for fibroids, a condition that affects close to 70 percent of all American women by 50; heart disease, the leading killer of women in our country.

Has the committee approved them?

Not yet, but having a Republican cosponsor has been really important, because these are not partisan issues. They affect women of every background. So, the Heart Health Expansion Act is one that I’m working on with Katie Britt, the Uterine Fibroid and Gynecological Health Treatment Act is the other one that we’re working on, with Cynthia Lummis.

Do you expect Kennedy to testify soon before the Senate’s health committee?

I don’t think anyone wants that guy to see the light of day, to expose how inept and to expose the dangerous lies that he’s told.

I’d be afraid to bring him, if I were them, back before the committee. Why give anybody a second look at that train wreck?

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NEW: Wisconsin Servicemembers Report Not Receiving Adequate Care After Being Injured in Iran War

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) demanded action from the Trump Administration after Wisconsin servicemembers contacted her office and reported they were not getting the care they needed for injuries they sustained in the opening days of President Donald Trump’s war in Iran.

“I have heard directly from constituents serving in our military who were injured in the war and are now experiencing delays and gaps in medical care at Ft. Hood,” wrote Senator Baldwin in a letter to Vice Adm. Darin K. Via, Director of the Defense Health Agency. “I believe that you would agree that such a delay of care is unacceptable, and I urge you to ensure that all servicemembers injured in the war with Iran receive appropriate and timely medical care—including necessary care for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).”

In recent weeks, Senator Baldwin’s office has received reports from members of the 103rd Sustainment Command of the Army Reserve who were injured in the March 1 Iranian drone attack on their facility in Kuwait. Tragically, six members of the unit were killed in that strike and dozens more were injured. Since returning to the United States, the members of the 103rd have been at Ft. Hood where they reportedly endured days and weeks of delays to be properly evaluated for potential injuries and see medical specialists, like neurologists and behavioral health specialists. After hearing from impacted Wisconsinites, Senator Baldwin went directly to Defense Health Agency (DHA) leadership to demand these cases be reviewed and expedited.

In the letter, Senator Baldwin demanded additional action to immediately address this lapse in care and ensure this delay does not impact more returning servicemembers, including:

Review DHA policies and procedures regarding the evaluation and diagnosis of TBIs for servicemembers returning from wars like that with Iran.

Ensure that servicemembers diagnosed with TBIs immediately receive access to specialists, like neurologists and behavioral health specialists.

Evaluate the procedures for determining returning servicemembers medical status to ensure that servicemembers with potential non-visible injuries like TBIs are not being placed in a lower priority status.

Review policies and practices at Ft. Hood and across DHA to ensure reservists temporarily on active duty receive the same standard of medical care as active-duty members.

A full version of this letter is available here and below.

Dear Vice Admiral Via,

I write to you today to express serious concerns that servicemembers injured in the Administration's war with Iran may not be receiving adequate medical care and evaluations after returning from the Middle East. I have heard directly from constituents serving in our military who were injured in the war and are now experiencing delays and gaps in medical care at Ft. Hood. I believe that you would agree that such a delay of care is unacceptable, and I urge you to ensure that all servicemembers injured in the war with Iran receive appropriate and timely medical care—including necessary care for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

I have heard stories from members of the 103rd Sustainment Command of the Army Reserve who were injured in the March 1 Iranian drone attack on their facility in Kuwait. Tragically, six members of the unit were killed in that strike and dozens more were injured. Many of these injured servicemembers, however, could not be evacuated from Kuwait for days due to the ongoing fighting. Since returning to the United States, the members of the 103rd have been at Ft. Hood where they endured days and weeks of delays to be properly evaluated for potential injuries and see medical specialists, like neurologists and behavioral health specialists.

This delay in receiving adequate evaluations and care is particularly concerning because these servicemembers may be suffering from TBIs as a result of the Iranian drone strike. Despite TBIs being one of the leading injuries from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the Department of Defense (DoD) has historically underdiagnosed servicemembers’ TBIs and provided them insufficient treatment for the trauma they suffered. While you and your predecessors at the Defense Health Agency (DHA) have made improving the evaluation and treatment of TBIs a top priority, the stories I am hearing out of Ft. Hood lead me to believe DoD is not doing enough.

While I appreciate DHA’s commitment to providing the members of the 103rd Sustainment Command with prompt medical care, I am concerned these issues are more widespread. Reporting indicates that TBIs are quickly emerging as the leading injury sustained by U.S. servicemembers in the war with Iran. DHA must take immediate steps to close gaps in screening and care to ensure that no servicemember with a potential TBI falls through the cracks. DoD has a responsibility to ensure that systems are in place to prevent failures seen in prior conflicts from recurring.

Therefore, I request you immediately do the following:

Review DHA policies and procedures regarding the evaluation and diagnosis of TBIs for servicemembers returning from wars like that with Iran.

Ensure that servicemembers diagnosed with TBIs immediately receive access to specialists, like neurologists and behavioral health specialists.

Evaluate the procedures for determining returning servicemembers medical status to ensure that servicemembers with potential non-visible injuries like TBIs are not being placed in a lower priority status.

Review policies and practices at Ft. Hood and across DHA to ensure reservists temporarily on active duty receive the same standard of medical care as active-duty members.

Thank you for your prompt review of these issues and your commitment to providing every servicemember high-quality medical care.

Sincerely,

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Bennet Statement on Supreme Court’s Ruling in Chiles v. Salazar on Colorado Ban on Conversion Therapy

Denver — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement on the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Chiles v. Salazar regarding Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy:

“As Colorado works hard to protect our LGBTQ+ community, the Supreme Court’s decision on conversion therapy is extremely disappointing. The facts are simple: Conversion therapy is harmful and no Coloradan should be forced to change who they are.

“This decision only strengthens our resolve to protect the rights, freedoms, and futures of the LGBTQ+ community and youth. At a time when so many are facing increasing discrimination, we must protect — not abandon — all Coloradans.”

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Blumenthal Holds Mullin Nomination Hearing Promise that He Will Overturn ICE Policy Allowing Agents to Forcibly Enter Homes Without a Judicial Warrant

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) wrote newly sworn in Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin seeking confirmation that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has rescinded a secret U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policy permitting agents to circumvent the Constitution’s Fourth Amendment and enter Americans’ homes without a standard judicial warrant.

Under questioning by Blumenthal during his nomination hearing, Mullin stated: “a judicial warrant will be used to go into houses, into place of businesses unless we are pursuing someone that enters in that place.”

Today, Blumenthal wrote to Mullin: “Given these representations and your recent swearing in as Secretary, I write to request confirmation that you have officially rescinded the memorandum issued by Acting ICE Director Lyons regarding the use of administrative warrants to enter private property, as well as any other guidance to ICE or CBP personnel that instructs them to enter private property without a judicial warrant.”

As Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Blumenthal has led an investigation into DHS’s abuses. In January, anonymous whistleblowers disclosed a policy memo written by Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons authorizing federal immigration agents to enter American homes without a judicial warrant in order to effectuate civil immigration arrests.

In February, Blumenthal hosted a bicameral public forum on constitutional violations and abuses by ICE. The forum featured testimony from Ryan Schwank, a whistleblower who spoke publicly for the first time about his experience as an Instructor for the incoming “surge” of new ICE recruits at the ICE Academy at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (“FLETC”) in Glynco, Georgia. Teyana Gibson Brown, a U.S. citizen and resident of Minneapolis, Minnesota, also testified about ICE agents forcefully entering her home without a judicial warrant, breaking down her door and pointing guns at her family. Stevan Bunnell, the General Counsel for the Department of Homeland Security from 2013 to 2017, testified as well.

The full text of Blumenthal’s letter is available here and copied below.

Dear Secretary Mullin,

I write regarding your testimony during your confirmation hearing before the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs concerning a May 12, 2025 policy memorandum from Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Todd Lyons. As discussed during that hearing, Director Lyons issued a memorandum that purports to authorize ICE immigration officers to enter private property to arrest and detain aliens subject to a final order of removal relying only on a non-judicial, administrative warrant. In response to my question regarding whether you would disavow this policy if you were confirmed as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, you stated: “a judicial warrant will be used to go into houses, into place of businesses unless we are pursuing someone that enters in that place.”[1] Additionally, in response to a question for the record that I submitted to you following the hearing about whether you would rescind the policy, you stated: “If confirmed, I will review existing policies and ensure the Department’s guidance and practices are consistent with the Constitution and applicable law regarding warrants.”[2]

Given these representations and your recent swearing in as Secretary, I write to request confirmation that you have officially rescinded the memorandum issued by Acting ICE Director Lyons regarding the use of administrative warrants to enter private property, as well as any other guidance to ICE or CBP personnel that instructs them to enter private property without a judicial warrant.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

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Blumenthal Investigates Big Tech's Use of Non-Disclosure Agreements to Conceal Impact of Energy Guzzling Data Centers

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, today wrote to public utility regulators in all 50 states seeking documents and information regarding non-disclosure agreements or other restrictions on the public disclosure of data centers’ energy usage, water access, infrastructure strain, or related environmental and economic effects. Following public reporting that data center owners and their clients have sought to limit state and local officials’ ability to share information about the impact of data centers, Blumenthal is raising concerns that Big Tech is preventing the public from having full transparency over data centers’ burden on communities.

In his letters to public utility regulators, Blumenthal highlighted the increased cost and strain data centers have imposed on consumers: “Consumers have shouldered the cost from new demand and modernization in terms of higher bills and increased risks of blackouts and other failures. Since January, families have seen the average price of household energy climb by ten percent. In regions near new data centers, residential retail energy rates are projected to further increase between 30% and 60% in the next five years. These sharp increases can have a devastating impact on consumers who must make significant sacrifices just to keep the lights on.”

Blumenthal continued, “Facing grassroots, community-based opposition, Big Tech companies and data center owners have sought to conceal the impact of their operations, while engaging in a public relations campaign to improve their image and lobbying to block efforts to hold them accountable for their costs.”

Blumenthal pointed to reported examples of Big Tech using non-disclosure agreements to conceal the impact and scale of data centers across the country: “Also alarmingly, data center operators have reportedly used non-disclosure agreements to limit state and local officials’ ability to share information about the scale and impact of proposed data centers, even the name of the owner and partners involved. For example, in Arizona, Amazon sought to restrict a member of the Pima County Board of Supervisors from discussing details of a controversial $3.6 billion data center. Researchers from the University of Mary Washington found that in Virginia localities where a data center could be identified, the vast majority (25 out of 31) of local governments are operating under an NDA, often broadly limiting disclosure of basic information such as the number of data centers planned and the size of those projects.”

“American families deserve full transparency over Big Tech’s expansion of data centers across the country and in their communities, and public officials should be able to hold operators accountable for their use of electricity and water. Regulators should actively provide the public with any non-disclosure agreements requested or required by data center operators without delay,” Blumenthal concluded.

Copies of Blumenthal’s letters to all 50 public utility regulators are available here.

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Blumenthal Statement on $3.8 Billion for RTX

[Hartford, CT] — U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released a statement following the announcement that RTX will receive a $3.8 billion contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to make engines for the F135.

“This blockbuster $3.8 billion contract for RTX is terrific news for Pratt & Whitney and their supply chain. Our state’s talented workers design and produce world class engines, and this incredible investment will ensure the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and our allies have the most effective weapons to defend our nation’s interests. I am thrilled to see yet another vote of confidence in Connecticut-made and will keep fighting to support our local defense manufacturers,” Blumenthal said.

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Capito Secures CDS Allocations for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee and a leader on the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) allocations for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) to support U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ projects throughout West Virginia.

“As Chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, I am committed to ensuring our infrastructure and public works systems remain strong and reliable,” Senator Capito said. “These funds for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will help support critical projects across West Virginia, providing our communities with the resources they need to strengthen infrastructure, enhance safety, and improve quality of life for residents across our state.”

Individual allocation details listed below:

The following CDS allocations to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for southern West Virginia – These allocations include projects in a number of communities throughout the state, including: Ansted, Greenbrier County, Lewisburg, Point Pleasant, and Putnam County.

$2,450,000 CDS allocation to the Gauley River Public Service District (Swiss, W.Va.) to fund the Gauley Route 39 Waterline Upgrade Project.

$1,225,000 CDS allocation to the Birch River Public Service District (Birch River, W.Va.) to fund the Mill Creek Waterline Extension Phase II Project.

$1,000,000 CDS allocation to the Lashmeet Public Service District (Lashmeet, W.Va.)to fund the Hiawatha-Springton Waterline Extension Project.

$1,000,000 CDS allocation to the Mercer County Public Service District (Rock, W.Va.)to fund the Rock District Regional Sewer 1A Project.

$1,000,000 CDS allocation to the Mercer County Public Service District (Rock, W.Va.)to fund the Rock District Regional Sewer 1B Project.

$1,000,000 CDS allocation to the Northern Wayne County Public Service District (Wayne County, W.Va.) to make improvements and upgrades to the wastewater system.

$1,000,000 CDS allocation to the Town of Davy (Davy, W.Va.) to fund the Davy Sewer Phase II Project.

$925,000 CDS allocation to the Clay-Roane Public Service District (Procious, W.Va.) to fund the Clay Waterline Extension Project.

The following CDS allocations to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for northern West Virginia include:

$2,000,000 CDS allocation to the City of Morgantown (Morgantown, W.Va.) to extend the Van Voorhis area sewer line.

$1,700,625 CDS allocation to the Grant County Public Service District (Petersburg, W.Va.) for replacement of the Maysville water tank.

$1,500,000 CDS allocation to the Town of Pennsboro (Pennsboro, W.Va.) for the Bonds Creek Highland Road Tanks Project.

$1,200,000 CDS allocation to the Leadsville Public Service District (Elkins, W.Va.) to make water system improvements.

$1,000,000 CDS allocation to the Weirton Area Water Board (Weirton, W.Va.) to make upgrades to the distribution system.

$900,000 CDS allocation to the Fountain Public Service District (Keyser, W.Va.) for extension of the the Headsville Road area waterline.

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LOCAL SPOTLIGHT: Cassidy Highlights Lafayette’s David Hoke for Sharing Scripture, Following God’s Call

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), for his monthly Local Spotlight, recognized David Hoke of Lafayette, Louisiana. Hoke has dedicated himself to sharing the word of God by creating and distributing personalized leather-bound Bibles for elected leaders and their families across the country and around the world. Each month, Cassidy highlights a local story that truly reflects Louisiana values of humility, respect, and resiliency.

Read his full March 2026 Local Spotlight below:

This month’s Local Spotlight is about David Hoke—a man with a vision.

A vision of the power of Scripture presented in a personal way.

David lives in Lafayette and is saying yes to God’s call to minister to others by presenting elected leaders with personalized Bibles.

David has been obedient in doing what God has asked him to do.

And he, I think, found God asking him a little bit more.

And so, David began to not only do these wonderful leather-bound Bibles for the elected official, but also for his or her spouse.

And he’s now sent one to my wife and to many other spouses.

Now, Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit and of joint and of marrow, discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Now, you know, I’m not quite sure why David started giving these first with politicians.

Perhaps he thinks we’re in particular need of guidance, and I particularly agree to him.

David, we, the people—we, the elected leaders—thank you for your efforts to fulfill the Great Commission by other means, not just in our country, but around the world.

Your work calls to mind the parable in Matthew of the farmer sowing his seed.

Some fall into the rocky ground. It can’t take root.

Some into weeds that grow up and choke the plant.

But other onto the good soil, and it produces a hundred, sixty, or thirty times more than that which was sown.

We trust that this is the good seed landing in the fertile ground that yields a hundredfold.

Thank you, David Hoke.

Background

In February, Cassidy highlighted Theo Chaisson of the United Houma Nation in Southeast Louisiana. Theo left school in the third grade to help his family make a living and later began operating the Isle de Jean Charles Marina, which he still visits every day. Theo’s hard work, love for family, and dedication to the bayou help make Louisiana special. Each month, Cassidy highlights a local story that truly reflects Louisiana values of humility, respect, and resiliency.

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