Hickenlooper Celebrates Senate Passage of Most Consequential Housing Bill in Decades

Bipartisan bill would limit homeownership by large institutional investors, help build more homes

Legislation builds on four Hickenlooper-backed priorities to protect Americans’ homeownership from corporations, support housing loans for veterans, boost manufactured housing

Builds on half a billion in federal funding Hickenlooper, Colorado delegation unlocked for Colorado

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper voted to pass the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which is the most consequential housing legislation in decades. The bipartisan legislation would help address the national affordable housing shortage by cutting red tape to build more homes, investing in programs to lower the cost of buying a house, and preventing corporations from dominating the housing market.

Hickenlooper fought to include three provisions that he co-sponsors – American Homeownership Act, VA Home Loan Awareness Act, VALID Act, and PRICE Act – to expand housing loan support to veterans and boost manufactured housing.

“Housing shouldn’t be out of reach for working Americans. People are holding down two or three jobs and still can’t afford their rent or to buy a home,” said Hickenlooper. “We need to kick our efforts into overdrive. Let’s build more homes, expand loan support to veterans, and ultimately lower the cost of housing for millions of families.”

Hickenlooper had helped advance the legislation out of the Senate in October as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). However, the bill was not included in the final NDAA signed into law.

Specifically, the legislation would:

Protect homeownership for Americans, not corporations

Builds off of the Hickenlooper-backed American Homeownership Act to restrict large institutional investors from purchasing, directly or indirectly, more than 350 single family homes and undermining the housing supply for working Americans

Expand housing supply:

Cut federal red tape to encourage new construction

Direct the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to develop best practices for zoning and provide grants to help communities create pre-approved architectural designs, known as pattern books, to speed up local permitting

Offer incentives to build housing near public transit, give priority to projects in Opportunity Zones (OZ), and create a pilot program to convert vacant and abandoned buildings into attainable housing

Establish the “Whole-Home Repairs Act” pilot to offer grants and forgivable loans to low- and moderate-income homeowners and small landlords to fix health hazards and preserve aging homes

Expand access to capital and homeownership

Attract private capital to underserved neighborhoods by increasing Public Welfare Investment (PWI) caps and prioritizing Opportunity Zone incentives

Direct the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to evaluate and adjust compensation rules and fee caps to encourage lenders to offer small-dollar mortgages

Increase accountability by allowing HUD to mandate training for, or revoke the certification of, underperforming housing counselors

Boost manufactured and modular housing to bring down prices

Broaden the federal definition of manufactured housing to include modular and prefabricated units that are not built on a permanent chassis

Adopt the Hickenlooper-backed Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Communities (PRICE) Act, which would permanently provide grants to stabilize and protect existing manufactured housing communities

Direct the FHA to assess barriers to financing modular homes and modernize mortgage lending standards for manufactured housing

Support veterans and underserved communities

Adopt Hickenlooper-backed VA Home Loan Awareness Act, which would help veterans better understand and access loan support

Adopt Hickenlooper-backed VA Loan Informed Decision (VALID) Act, which would require the FHA mortgage notice to include comparative rate and fee information about loans available under the Department of Veterans Affairs home loan program to make sure qualified veterans receive loans

Permanently authorize the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program and create a new Office of Disaster Management and Resiliency within HUD

Improve federal coordination and oversight

Force HUD and the USDA to coordinate on joint environmental reviews for rural housing projects

Require the heads of HUD, FHA, Ginnie Mae, USDA, FHFA, and the VA to testify annually before Congress

Establish a new Office of the Inspector General for NeighborWorks

Full text of the bill available HERE.

The bipartisan bill has broad support from consumer housing groups, real estate industry groups, and local officials including the US Conference of Mayors.

HICKENLOOPER, DELEGATION UNLOCK HALF A BILLION FOR HOUSING

Hickenlooper has long fought to expand affordable housing. In 2021, he worked with the Colorado delegation to deliver more than $3.8 billion in American Rescue Plan funding for the state, which included more than $500 million towards affordable housing investments and $300 million in emergency rental assistance for low-income households.

Since being elected, Hickenlooper has also fought and secured more than $62 million for 37 specific Colorado projects that help address the housing crisis.

A list of the housing focused projects that Hickenlooper secured funding for is listed below and HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE.

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Hickenlooper, Murray, Kim, Ocasio-Cortez Introduce Bill to Protect Home Care Workers

Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act would codify home care and workers’ rights to minimum wage, overtime pay

Bill comes as Trump, MAGA Republicans strip workers of their rights

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper, Patty Murray, Andy Kim, and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced their bicameral Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act to stop the Trump administration from ripping away home care workers’ right to minimum wage and overtime pay.

“Home care workers do the difficult and essential work of caring for our seniors and people with disabilities. Denying them minimum wage and overtime protections makes no sense and we shouldn’t stand for it,” said Hickenlooper, member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. “All workers deserve respect and fair pay.”

“In Washington state and across our country, home care workers ensure that seniors and people with disabilities can live in their homes with dignity and respect. They play a vital role in our communities and too many of them are struggling to make ends meet on the low wages they’re receiving,” said Murray. “Instead of supporting these workers, Donald Trump wants to overturn a rule that ensures that home care workers receive the same basic minimum wage and overtime protections as everyone else. That’s why today we are Introducing the Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act. This bill makes sure that home care workers and domestic workers at least have the basic wage protections they deserve and can continue to earn a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work. No loopholes, exceptions, or sabotage from a billionaire President without a clue.”

“No one should get less than a fair wage for their work in our country,” said Kim. “As the need for caregivers only grows, we cannot allow the Trump administration to abandon home care and domestic workers to live in poverty. Care workers go above and beyond to look after our loved ones. Congress needs to step up to codify the fair pay they deserve and support their essential service at the heart of addressing our country’s care crisis.”

“Congress has a moral obligation to protect those who care for our most vulnerable communities and home care workers are the backbone of our long-term care system,” said Ocasio-Cortez. “I am proud to introduce the Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act with Senator Patty Murray to finally codify the minimum wage and overtime protections our home care workers deserve and prevent future attacks on their livelihoods.”

Home care workers have been unfairly excluded from the Fair Labor Standards Act. The Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act would codify minimum wage and overtime protections for home care workers in federal labor law and expand overtime protections to domestic workers as well.

There are more than three million home care workers who support almost 10 million people with disabilities and older adults. 1 in 5 Coloradans are family caregivers, who are often unpaid.

Last July, the Trump administration announced it would roll back a 2013 rule and strip home care workers’ rights to minimum wage and overtime pay. If the Trump administration’s proposal is finalized, home care workers living in states with no additional wage protections will lose their right to minimum wage and overtime protections.

Full text of the bill available HERE.

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Hickenlooper Statement of Support for JBS Workers Planning to Strike

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement in support of UFCW Local 7 workers fighting for fair compensation at the JBS meat processing plant in Greeley:

“The right to bargain collectively is how working people win fair deals, and that’s exactly what JBS workers are doing. They are the backbone of this company and deserve to share in its success.

“A fair agreement is within reach. Both sides should stay at the table until the deal is done.”

Hickenlooper is the only card-carrying union member in the U.S. Senate. He chairs the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety and is a cosponsor of the Protect America’s Workforce Act, which would repeal two union-busting executive orders and restore collective bargaining rights and workplace protections for federal workers.

Hickenlooper is vocal about the link between lower union membership and growing income inequality and has supported striking union workers at Starbucks, King Soopers, and Kaiser in their fight for better working conditions.

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VIDEO: On Senate Floor, Hirono Slams Trump’s Attacks on National Parks

Senator Hirono: “These exhibits, and others like them, reflect some of the darkest stains on our country’s history. That’s precisely why it’s so important we continue to talk about them. It is by preserving history that we prevent ourselves from repeating the more egregious parts of our past.”

~ Video of Senator Hirono’s floor speech can be found here ~

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) took to the Senate floor to highlight the Trump Administration’s attacks on national parks throughout the country. Since he returned to office, President Trump has been targeting national park sites, stripping land protections, gutting park staff, eliminating the entrance fee-free days for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth—while making his own birthday a fee-free day, and even attempting to remove information at national park sites that he claims are instances of “partisan ideology.”

One of the exhibits removed at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge displayed information describing the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, in addition to information about massacres of indigenous people and historical accounts of slavery.

“The removal of these exhibits not only strips these sites of critical context, but it erases and whitewashes the history of our country,” said Senator Hirono. “These exhibits, and others like them, reflect some of the darkest stains on our country’s history. That’s precisely why it’s so important we continue to talk about them. It is by preserving history that we prevent ourselves from repeating the more egregious parts of our past.”

Senator Hirono emphasized the importance of protecting history that tells the story of the unconstitutional internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans that “destroyed their livelihoods, their businesses, and split apart families.”

“Doesn’t this sound familiar as this regime goes about arresting and deporting thousands of immigrants without due process, spreading fear and chaos in our communities? said Senator Hirono.

Trump has also tried to remove exhibits addressing the impacts of climate change on national parks, in an attempt to ignore climate change and prioritize his interest in the oil industry. The National Park Service has been ordered to remove its general webpage on climate change, as well as other more specific pages on other national park websites, including the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park site.

“Americans need to understand what is happening to our environment, so that we can better understand how to protect these natural resources for future generations,” said Senator Hirono.

Senator Hirono concluded her speech by reiterating that national parks must not only continue their missions of conserving natural, cultural, and historical landscapes, but that they continue to accurately display context about the sites on which they exist.

“This regime—as it attempts to rewrite history all over the place, it’s no surprise that they’ve set their sights on our national parks,” said Senator Hirono. “The millions of visitors to our national parks will not get a full picture. Apparently, that is exactly as this regime intends.”

The full transcript of Senator Hirono’s speech is available below. Video of Senator Hirono’s floor speech is available here.

M. President, it’s always instructive to listen to my colleague from Maine, Angus King, and today, he quotes Cicero in saying, “if you don’t know your history, you live your whole life as a child.” Well, here’s another cliché—ignorance is bliss. Ignorance is not bliss, and yet, that’s what President Trump wants the American people to be in—in a state of ignorance.

M. President, our national parks tell the story of our country—good, bad, past, present, and future. With over 430 national park sites covering more than 85 million acres across our country, the national parks system protects the beauty of our country and preserves the history that has played out on these sites. But under the Trump regime, this past year has been a historically destructive period for our national parks.

From stripping land protections and gutting park staff, to plastering Trump’s face on national park passes. Frankly, I’m just glad I have a lifetime pass that does not have his face on it. From making Trump’s birthday a free entrance day, while eliminating the free entrance day for Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth—Trump and Republicans have been conducting an unprecedented assault on our national parks.

What’s more, they’re attempting to rewrite history to their liking. Last May, the Department of the Interior advised national park sites across the country to remove content at their sites that “disparage Americans.” The department claimed to have found hundreds of instances of “partisan ideology” in exhibits at national parks and ordered that they be removed. What were these exhibits that were so partisan and offensive that they were flagged—ordered for removal?

They included an exhibit at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge that displayed information describing the internment of Japanese Americans in wartime camps—concentration camps, displays describing massacres of indigenous people, displays depicting the historical accounts of slavery. Think about that, this regime views historical accounts of massacres, slavery, and internment as “partisan ideology” so dangerous it warrants removal.

The removal of these exhibits not only strips these sites of critical content, but it erases and whitewashes the history of our country. These exhibits, and others like them, reflect some of the darkest stains on our country’s history. That’s precisely why it’s so important that we continue to talk about them, learn about them. It is by preserving history that we prevent ourselves from repeating the more egregious parts of our past. Perhaps that’s why Trump is so hellbent on erasing painful parts of our nation’s history.

He wants to wipe out references to the unconstitutional internment of over 120,000 Japanese Americans that destroyed their livelihoods—indeed, their lives, their businesses, and split apart families. Doesn’t this sound familiar as this regime goes about arresting and deporting thousands of immigrants without due process, spreading fear and chaos in our communities?

Our national parks are places where we can learn about historical events. Our parks also preserve pristine natural landscapes in every corner of our country. Many of these sites are impacted, unsurprisingly, by climate change. Protecting our parks from the impacts of climate change is not a high priority for Trump and his regime, as he focuses on ‘drill baby drill.’ In fact, his regime is erasing exhibits addressing the impacts of climate change on our parks.

Information about climate change helps national park visitors to fully understand the environment that surrounds them. The National Park Service has been ordered to remove a general Climate Change webpage, as well as specific pages on other national park websites, including those for the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park site. Talk about sticking your head in the sand. For Hawaii, our unique geography means it is profoundly impacted by climate change, from shoreline erosion to rising ocean temperatures, and so much more.

Americans need to understand what is happening to our environment, so that we can better understand how to protect these natural resources for future generations. It is critical that our parks continue not only their missions of conserving natural, cultural, and historic landscapes, but that they accurately display important context about the sites on which they exist.

As this regime—and why do I keep referring to “this regime?” It’s because regimes are authoritarian. Authoritarian regimes tell parks, ‘hey, do not tell the American people the full history of this site.’ That’s what regimes do—that’s why I continue to call this a regime. Anyway, this regime—as it attempts to rewrite history all over the place, it’s no surprise that they’ve set their sights on our national parks. The millions of visitors to our national parks will not get a full picture. Apparently, that is exactly as this regime intends. M. President, we deserve better.

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Hoeven Calls for Department of Homeland Security to be Funded

Senator Recognizes DHS Employees for Working Without Pay to Protect U.S. Against Threats, Adversaries

WASHINGTON – During remarks delivered on the floor of the U.S. Senate this week, Senator John Hoeven stressed the need to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including agencies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), to protect against threats from Iranian-backed groups and other adversaries. The senator called on Senate Democrats to vote to fund DHS, highlighting how Senate Republicans have offered:

To pass legislation already negotiated on a bipartisan basis to fund DHS, which includes funding for body cameras and additional training for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

A clean Continuing Resolution (CR) that maintains the funding levels agreed to under President Biden while negotiations continue.

“The bottom line is this – Senate Democrats need to join with us to get DHS funded, so we can pay hardworking Americans from TSA to CISA, the folks who work to keep our nation safe. If Democrats want to continue to debate ICE reforms, we can do that, but at the very least, join with us in passing a Continuing Resolution so TSA gets paid while we do it… Let’s fund DHS and move on from this unnecessary shutdown. We owe it to the hardworking Americans at the Department of Homeland Security,” said Hoeven.

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Hoeven Statement on Passage of 21st Century Road to Housing Act

Legislation Supports Greater Access to Affordable Housing, Homeownership

WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Committee, today joined his Senate colleagues in voting to pass the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, bipartisan legislation to help increase access to affordable housing and support greater homeownership. Among other priorities, the legislation:

Prohibits institutional investors from purchasing single family homes, with exceptions for 55 plus rental communities, programs to help improve a renter’s credit or homes that are part of a built or rebuilt to rent program.

Supports more affordable home construction and repairs, including through:

Streamlining National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance for certain U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) projects.

Grants to fund whole-home repairs for low-income homeowners not covered by other programs.

Amending the Community Reinvestment Act to encourage greater bank investments in public housing projects.

Reforming the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program to ensure greater housing production and provide bonuses for accelerated homebuilding.

A pilot program to convert blighted buildings into affordable housing.

Reforming the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Housing Service to better support multifamily, housing and community facility projects in rural areas.

Reauthorizes the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, which has been leveraged to support affordable housing projects across North Dakota.

Improves veterans’ access to home loans.

“This legislation will bolster our efforts in North Dakota and across the nation to build more affordable housing and help Americans secure the dream of homeownership,” said Hoeven. “The reforms included in this bill aim to expand our country’s available housing stock, including by keeping more existing homes on the market, reducing regulatory hurdles for housing projects and supporting home construction, repair and rehabilitation. These are important steps to make housing more abundant, affordable and accessible for everyday Americans.”

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Democrats tank DHS funding bill for fourth time

By Thérèse Boudreaux

(The Center Square) – U.S. Senate Democrats tanked the Department of Homeland Security funding bill for a fourth time Thursday, ensuring the department’s funding lapse will span at least a month.

With three American citizens having died during protests against Immigrations and Customs Enforcement activities, Democrats say they will oppose the last remaining 2026 appropriations bill until it includes new restrictions on federal immigration enforcement operations.

The failed vote comes as America escalates its military operations in Iran, increasing the pressure on Congress to fund the Coast Guard, Secret Service, border patrol and cybersecurity activities, and other agencies critical to ensuring national security.

“There could not be a more important moment for Senate Democrats to put aside political games and ensure full funding for the Department of Homeland Security. It is inexcusable that they are allowing this critical agency - and the experts who protect our nation - to remain shut down while global tensions continue to rise,” Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., said on X following the vote.

“While Democrats continue to dawdle, critical homeland security missions – like cybersecurity ops and the US Coast Guard – are working without full resources,” Hyde-Smith continued. “Senate Democrats need to get serious and engage constructively in the legislative process, negotiate in good faith, and work toward a solution that restores funding necessary to get this vital department back to work.”

With the lapse in funding, DHS employees deemed “essential” – including TSA agents and most members of FEMA, the Coast Guard, and the Secret Service – have worked without pay, leading to hours-long delays at airports across the country.

To remedy this, Democrats have introduced proposals that would provide full-year funding for all DHS agencies except ICE and CBP.

Republicans rejected that route for the second time, also on Thursday, arguing that full DHS funding is critical. They have urged Democrats to compromise on immigration enforcement reforms rather than demand an overhaul of ICE.

Democrats’ policy ultimatums include prohibiting DHS agents from wearing masks, racially profiling people, tracking protestors, entering “sensitive” locations like churches and schools, or entering private property without a judicial warrant, among other things.

The Trump administration has already agreed to some of the demands, such as requiring body-worn cameras for DHS agents and ending roving patrols.


Federal Legislators Introduce Measure To Safeguard Against Firearm Registration

By Mark Chesnut

Two Republican lawmakers have introduced a federal measure that would prohibit states, localities, or any other organization from using federal funding and background check information to maintain gun registries.

On February 25, U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Mississippi, and U.S. Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Arizona, reintroduced S 3916, the Gun-owner Registration Information Protection (GRIP) Act. The measure would clarify existing law prohibiting states or local entities from using federal funds to store or disclose sensitive, personal information related to the legal ownership or possession of firearms.

“The Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens remain imperiled as Democrats and anti-gun activists lean into government overreach, Sen. Hyde-Smith said in a news release announcing the bill. “The GRIP Act is needed to clarify that states and localities cannot use federal funds or data to keep gun registries that can lead to infringing on a constitutional right.”

As Rep. Gosar pointed out, the Second Amendment is not a “second-class right,” and shouldn’t be treated like one.

“The GRIP Act safeguards constitutional freedoms and protects the privacy of millions of law-abiding Americans,” Rep. Gosar said.

A bill reaffirming that the New Hampshire Legislature, not state agencies or...

In a nutshell, the GRIP Act would ensure that the federal government does not, either intentionally or otherwise, support state or local efforts to collect and store personally identifiable information related to lawful firearm purchases and ownership. Current law already prevents the federal government from storing information acquired during the firearms background check process.

Several gun-rights groups, including the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF), the firearms industry trade association, were quick to praise the legislation and lend their support.

“This is much-needed legislation to protect the privacy of those who choose to lawfully exercise their Second Amendment rights when they purchase a firearm at retail,” said Lawrence G. Keanen, NSSF senior vice president and general counsel. “The GRIP Act will ensure federal funds aren’t available to create and maintain state government watchlists that are ripe for privacy abuse by malevolent actors, much the same way private banking information was illegally abused by government authorities in the previous administration. NSSF is grateful to Senator Hyde-Smith for her leadership to protect the privacy and the Second Amendment rights of lawful gun-owning Americans.”


HYDE-SMITH SUPPORTS SWEEPING AFFORDABLE HOUSING LEGISLATION

Senate Approves 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, Includes Hyde-Smith Priorities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), chair of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (T-HUD) Appropriations Subcommittee, today voted for a sweeping housing affordability measure that includes priority reforms she’s supported to address housing needs in rural America.

The 21st Century ROAD (Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream) to Housing Act, which the Senate passed 89-10-1, represents years of bipartisan, bicameral work to remove federal regulatory barriers to providing more abundant and affordable housing options for Americans. Importantly, the bill does not authorize any new federal spending.

“Our country’s housing crisis has grown over the decades, and this is a comprehensive effort to increase housing supply, cut regulations, and attack waste, fraud, and abuse in federal housing programs. In essence, this bill gets the government out of the way,” Hyde-Smith said. “I hope that as this legislation is implemented, more Mississippians will have better access to affordable housing. The lack of such housing options is a problem affecting too many families in our state.”

Hyde-Smith has supported legislation, policies, and funding related to key rural and low-income housing programs that are addressed in the Senate’s 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. These include:

Reforming Disaster Recovery – Permanently authorizes the Community Development Block Grant–Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program and establishes the HUD Office of Disaster Management and Resiliency to administer the program.

Increasing Housing in Opportunity Zones – Allows HUD to give added weight to applicants serving areas located in, or primarily serving, designated Opportunity Zones to support housing preservation and construction. This section builds on Working Families Tax Cut Act, which permanently renewed and enhanced the Opportunity Zone program, driving more than $100 billion of investment to rural and distressed communities. There are 100 designated Opportunity Zones in Mississippi.

Streamlining Rural Housing – Directs HUD and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to coordinate on joint environmental reviews for housing projects funded by both agencies. Hyde-Smith cosponsored the HOUSE Act to repeal the HUD and USDA Final Determination on energy efficiency standards for new construction of HUD- and USDA-financed housing that can add as much as $31,000 to the price of new home.

Housing Counseling and Financial Literacy Programs – Allows HUD to review the performance of housing counseling agencies and counselors to ensure counselors are providing the best information to counsel consumers on seeking, financing, maintaining, renting, or owning a home. Hyde-Smith has made self-sufficiency a priority as part of HUD appropriations funding.

The overall 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes provisions related to housing supply, rural housing, veterans’ housing, homeownership, manufactured housing, disaster recovery, regulatory reform, and coordination and oversight of housing programs and agencies. A section-by-section summary and additional bill information are available here.

With Senate passage, the legislation (HR.6644) will be returned to the House of Representatives for final approval before it can be sent to President Trump, who has made affordable homeownership a key economic priority.


Kaine & Booker Lead Colleagues in Pressing Administration About Public Health Risks from Withdrawal from World Health Organization

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations (SFRC) Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, & Global Women’s Issues, and U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ranking Member of the SFRC Subcommittee on Africa & Global Health Policy, led their colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding the Administration’s decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO). In the letter, the senators demand answers about steps the U.S. is taking to fill gaps in disease tracking and surveillance, ensure continuity of global disease response coordination, and comply with agreements related to the smallpox stockpile. The senators also request written justification for the Administration’s failure to meet WHO financial obligations.

“We are writing to express serious concern over the decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 22, 2026,” the senators wrote. “This shortsighted and reckless exit diminishes U.S. leadership globally and puts the country at increased risk from public health and biosecurity threats.”

“The U.S. withdrawal from WHO makes Americans less safe from infectious diseases by limiting access to information about emerging threats,” the senators continued. “The decision to withdraw limits our real time access to data on emerging pathogens, hampers research and slows our ability to respond to future threats.”

“The U.S. withdrawal also raises the risk of biosafety and biosecurity threats for Americans,” wrote the senators. “By withdrawing from WHO, the U.S. has lost its voice in these and other critical decision processes that govern these smallpox stockpiles and other biosafety and biosecurity frameworks. When the U.S. fails to comply with its obligations under international agreements, it opens the door for Russia to choose not to comply, as well.”

“Lastly, as part of the withdrawal, the U.S. is refusing to pay its outstanding debts to WHO, totaling nearly $280 million for 2024 and 2025.The abrupt nature of this decision, without a clear transition plan, risks disrupting critical health programs across the world that rely on predictable U.S. funding. These disruptions could lead to worsening health outcomes, economic challenges and even political instability in countries where WHO operates,” continued the senators. “This reckless decision to leave WHO puts Americans at risk. Beyond the immediate damage to public health and biosecurity, withdrawing leaves the United States weaker on the global stage.”

The senators concluded, “While bipartisan advocates acknowledge WHO warrants reform, retreating from this institution diminishes American leadership at a moment when sustained engagement is critical to protecting U.S. interests and security.”

In addition to Kaine and Booker, the letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Angus King (I-ME), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Peter Welch (D-VT).

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Secretary Kennedy and Secretary Rubio:

We are writing to express serious concern over the decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) on January 22, 2026. WHO plays a critical role in alerting the United States and the world to emerging threats, containing dangerous pathogens, and preventing the spread of disease across the globe. As a founding member of WHO in 1948, the U.S. has served as a leader in global health, contributing significantly to many of its greatest achievements: increasing routine vaccine access from 5% of infants in 1974 to 84% worldwide in 2024; leading global efforts to eradicate the smallpox virus; and coordinating the international response to major outbreaks such as Zika in the Americas, Ebola in West Africa, and COVID-19 across the globe. This shortsighted and reckless exit diminishes U.S. leadership globally and puts the country at increased risk from public health and biosecurity threats.

The U.S. withdrawal from WHO makes Americans less safe from infectious diseases by limiting access to information about emerging threats. As a member of WHO, the U.S. participated in, and had access to, vital disease and health care tracking systems, including: the Global Surveillance and Monitoring System for substandard and falsified medical products; the Early Warning, Alert and Response System for diseases emerging from humanitarian emergencies; and the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), a critical system for monitoring flu activity and developing flu vaccines. According to the President of the Infectious Diseases Society of America, Dr. Ronald G. Nahass: “Global cooperation and communication are critical to keep our own citizens protected because germs do not respect borders.” The decision to withdraw limits our real time access to data on emerging pathogens, hampers research and slows our ability to respond to future threats.

The U.S. withdrawal also raises the risk of biosafety and biosecurity threats for Americans. Following smallpox eradication in the 1980s, the only remaining smallpox virus samples are located at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta and in Russia’s State Research Centre of Virology and Biotechnology. Per international agreement, WHO controls research related to the smallpox virus, sets standards for how the U.S. and Russian repositories are managed and protected, and governs the inspection and compliance agreements for the U.S. and Russia. In the past, CDC staff participated in inspections of the Russian stockpile. By withdrawing from WHO, the U.S. has lost its voice in these and other critical decision processes that govern these smallpox stockpiles and other biosafety and biosecurity frameworks. When the U.S. fails to comply with its obligations under international agreements, it opens the door for Russia to choose not to comply, as well.

Lastly, as part of the withdrawal, the U.S. is refusing to pay its outstanding debts to WHO, totaling nearly $280 million for 2024 and 2025.The abrupt nature of this decision, without a clear transition plan, risks disrupting critical health programs across the world that rely on predictable U.S. funding. These disruptions could lead to worsening health outcomes, economic challenges and even political instability in countries where WHO operates. Dr. Judd Walson of Johns Hopkins University said: “As countries experience worse health—more mortality and morbidity—economic conditions worsen as sick populations can’t work, and the economic situation of already poor countries deteriorates further. Political instability follows, with mass migration, war, and conflict, and now things start spilling over borders.” In other words: any perceived short-term cost savings pale in comparison to both the human and economic costs of slower detection of disease, diminished control of outbreaks, and worsening global health.

This reckless decision to leave WHO puts Americans at risk. Beyond the immediate damage to public health and biosecurity, withdrawing leaves the United States weaker on the global stage. In its formal response, WHO stated that the decision will leave “both the United States and the world less safe,” emphasizing that the organization remains impartial and acts with respect for national sovereignty. In the same statement, the organization has made clear that it remains open to U.S. reengagement – an invitation the U.S. would do well to seriously consider. While bipartisan advocates acknowledge WHO warrants reform, retreating from this institution diminishes American leadership at a moment when sustained engagement is critical to protecting U.S. interests and security.

We demand answers to the following questions about the short- and long-term implications of withdrawal from WHO.

Please describe the steps you have taken to fill the gaps in disease tracking and surveillance resulting from the lack of U.S. participation in the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System and similar programs at WHO.

How much funding has the Department of Health and Human Services spent to replace disease tracking and surveillance capabilities previously performed by WHO?

How much funding does the Department of Health and Human Services anticipate will be required to fully replace disease tracking and surveillance capabilities previously performed by WHO?

What formal, coordinated, transition plan has the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of State developed to ensure continuity of global disease surveillance, outbreak reporting, and emergency response coordination following withdrawal from WHO?

Please explain what steps were taken to clarify agreements around the smallpox stockpile prior to the decision to withdraw from WHO.

Will the U.S. still recognize WHO governance of inspection and compliance agreements for the smallpox stockpile in the U.S.?

How will the CDC confirm that Russia is complying with its obligations relating to its own smallpox stockpile?

Will the CDC still be allowed to participate in inspections of the Russian smallpox stockpile?

Please provide a written justification for your failure to meet the financial obligations to WHO prior to withdrawal as required by 22 U.S.C. § 290c.

We appreciate your prompt cooperation in this matter.

Sincerely,

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Kaine Applauds Senate Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Build More Homes, Expand Affordable Housing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a former fair housing attorney, applauded the Senate’s passage of the bipartisan 21st Century Road to Housing Act, legislation that will build more homes, bring housing costs down, and expand access to affordable housing. The bill incorporates provisions from several pieces of legislation that Kaine has introduced, including to improve transparency of mortgage loans for veteran homebuyers, create a pilot grant program to support new housing and community development activities, create a down payment assistance fund for first-time homebuyers, and end tax breaks for large institutional investors that buy single-family homes.

“As a former fair housing attorney, I’ve seen how access to safe, affordable housing affects a person’s well-being and long-term financial outlook,” said Kaine. “I’m glad the Senate passed this bipartisan legislation, which includes several provisions I championed, to help address our nation’s housing crisis. I often hear about rising housing costs from Virginians, and this legislation is a step in the right direction toward building more housing and lowering those costs. I’m also glad that it would prevent big investors with deep pockets from snapping up single-family homes they’ll never live in. I urge the House of Representatives to pass it as soon as possible.”

Among its many provisions, the 21st Century Road to Housing Act would:

Boost housing supply to bring down costs by allowing Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to be used to build affordable housing; reauthorizing and updating the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME); providing federal incentives for states and localities to assist with affordable housing planning and implementation efforts; removing a requirement that manufactured housing be built on permanent steel chassis; easing financing for modular housing, manufactured housing, and affordable dwelling units; and streamlining construction approval processes and environmental reviews for affordable housing developments.

Make reforms to increase housing fairness, access, and affordability by addressing appraisal bias, preserving manufactured housing communities, improving Section 8 inspection policies to get families into housing more quickly, supporting home ownership, addressing housing needs of veterans, and expanding the availability of funds for emergency homeless shelters.

Ban large institutional investors from buying single-family homes.

Full bill text is available here. A section-by-section summary of the legislation is available here.

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Video: Kaine Speaks Out Against Trump’s War in Iran

FULL VIDEO OF KAINE’S REMARKS IS AVAILABLE HERE.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Armed Services and Senate Foreign Relations Committees, spoke at a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing urging an end to President Donald Trump’s illegal, unnecessary war with Iran.

Kaine—whose bipartisan War Powers Resolution to end the use of U.S. forces in hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by Congress was blocked by Senate Republicans last week—is a leading voice in the Senate against the war. Kaine worked alongside Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to file an additional set of War Powers Resolutions, as the war continues. Shortly after, the senators demanded that Republican Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) ensure the relevant committees of jurisdiction hold immediate hearings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on the ongoing war to Iran. So far, Thune has refused to schedule those hearings with Rubio and Hegseth.

“America has been at war with Iran for 12 days. The costs to our troops, to everyday Americans, and to innocent Iranian civilians – even school children – are dramatic,” Kaine said. “The war is deeply unpopular.”

“The President has escalated his use of our military to carry out hostilities all over the globe without Congress while threatening military action against many more nations. We’re at war because of the unilateral actions of one man who has grown very confident that Congress will not challenge his kingly behavior,” Kaine continued.

Kaine said, “We owe our troops better than this. They serve with such skill and bravery. But as our experiences in Vietnam and Iraq have shown, the bravest patriotic service cannot overcome poor civilian decision-making – whether by a President grown too fond of war or a Congress unwilling to provide a check against such behavior.”

“Like all in this room, I pray that this war ends soon. Virginians have suffered this year as a sputtering economy – burdened by tariffs and chaos – produces higher prices, fewer jobs, and slower growth.” Kaine concluded. “We need a President who will honor his promises to avoid foreign wars of choice and strengthen the economy here at home. And we need a Congress who will not stand silent as those promises are broken.”

Kaine has consistently raised concerns over presidents’ efforts to use military force without congressional authorization, advocating for Congress to reassert its constitutional role in decisions of war and peace throughout his time in the Senate. He has spoken on the floor twice raising concerns about the costs of the war with Iran and urged Congress to pass his bipartisan War Powers Resolution. Kaine published an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal about why the U.S. Senate should end Trump’s war with Iran.

A full transcript of Kaine’s remarks is below:

America has been at war with Iran for 12 days. The costs to our troops, to everyday Americans, and to innocent Iranian civilians – even school children – are dramatic. The war is deeply unpopular.

To begin, the war is illegal. The Constitution makes plain that only Congress can declare war. The reason for this provision was articulated by Abraham Lincoln: “Kings had always been involving and impoverishing their people in wars, pretending . . . that the good of the people was the object. This our convention understood to be the most kingly of all kingly oppressions, and they resolved to so frame the constitution that no one man should hold the power of bringing this oppression upon us.”

The President has escalated his use of our military to carry out hostilities all over the globe without Congress while threatening military action against many more nations. We’re at war because of the unilateral actions of one man who has grown very confident that Congress will not challenge his kingly behavior.

The war is unprecedented. We’ve heard from the President many shifting reasons for the war. But senators have now heard – both publicly from the Secretary of State and from multiple sessions with civilian and military leaders – a more precise and consistent reason. The President sent our sons and daughters, spouses, parents, into war because another nation was determined to invade Iran and if that occurred, Iran would likely target U.S. troops for retaliation. The trigger event of this war was Israel’s decision to invade Iran on February 28.

We could have avoided this war by persuading Israel that it shouldn’t invade and that doing so would hurt its ally America and cause instability. There’s no evidence that we tried to do so. Or, we could have focused on protecting our own troops from retaliation following an Israeli invasion. Instead, President Trump decided to join an invasion of Iran initiated by another nation. He is not the first American President who has been urged to take this step. Others wisely resisted – he did not.

The war is unnecessary. Iran and America were allies during and after World War II until America engineered the toppling of Iran’s democratically-elected government in 1953. That act, followed by 26 years of a brutal dictatorship that the U.S. helped fund, created deep hostility between our two nations – formerly friends. When the Iranian people finally threw off the oppressive dictatorship in 1979, that hostility resulted in nearly five decades of violence between our countries – the facts of which are well known to American and Iranian citizens alike.

Iran engages in dangerous behavior towards the U.S., its neighbors, and its citizens. But does this danger – more than 6,000 miles from our shores – warrant the sacrifice of our troops, the killing of innocent civilians, and the expense of billions of taxpayer dollars? If more war between Iran and the U.S. were the answer, we would have found it sometime in the last 73 years.

We had a diplomatic off-ramp to decades of hostility in the Iranian nuclear deal that the U.S. and Iran, together with our European allies plus China and Russia, negotiated in 2015. President Trump’s decision to abandon that deal – even though it was working and even though many of his closest advisors told him to maintain it – ushered in a sharp spike in Iranian aggression. American troops are dying because this nation’s political leadership tragically abandoned diplomacy.

We owe our troops better than this. They serve with such skill and bravery. But as our experiences in Vietnam and Iraq have shown, the bravest patriotic service cannot overcome poor civilian decision-making – whether by a President grown too fond of war or a Congress unwilling to provide a check against such behavior.

Virginians feel this deeply. One of the first casualties of this war, Chief Warrant Officer Robert Marzan, lived in Spotsylvania County. Hundreds of Virginians are now deployed with the Ford Carrier Strike Group. More have received orders that they will deploy with the Bush Carrier Strike Group. Their families ask me: “Have we learned nothing from 25 years of war in the Middle East? More than 14,000 American troops and contractors dead. More than 65,000 injured. More than $8 trillion dollars spent that could have gone to our education or health care or economic development. Have we learned nothing?”

Like all in this room, I pray that this war ends soon. Virginians have suffered this year as a sputtering economy – burdened by tariffs and chaos – produces higher prices, fewer jobs, and slower growth. Gas has gone up 60 cents a gallon in the last 11 days, costing Virginians nearly $5 million dollars a day just in increased fuel costs. We need a President who will honor his promises to avoid foreign wars of choice and strengthen the economy here at home. And we need a Congress who will not stand silent as those promises are broken.

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Kelly, Van Hollen, Gillibrand, Booker, Kim, Beyer Introduce New Bill to Cut Taxes for Millions of Working Americans

Bill eliminates federal income taxes for Americans making under $46,000; is fully paid for by ensuring Americans making over a million dollars pay their fair share

Today, U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Andy Kim (D-NJ) and U.S. Representative Don Beyer (D-VA-08) introduced the Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act, new legislation to provide much-needed tax relief for millions of working Americans who are struggling to afford the cost of living as wages stay the same and prices keep going up.

This bill provides broad, permanent tax cuts to nearly 130 million working Americans. It eliminates federal income taxes for Americans who make under the median cost of living, about $46,000, and provides a significant tax break to individuals making between $46,000 to $80,500 with proportionally higher rates for heads of households and married couples.

The legislation is fully paid for and avoids raising the national debt by having the wealthiest pay their fair share through a surtax on income above a million dollars. This proposal stands in stark contrast to the tax law that Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress passed last year—which provided the biggest tax giveaways to billionaires and exploded the deficit, while offering only temporary relief for some working families.

Senators Kelly and Van Hollen and Representative Byer unveiled the legislation at a press conference on Capitol Hill today. Watch and download Kelly’s remarks here.

Sen. Kelly speaks on Capitol Hill.

“Families across Arizona are working hard and doing everything right but still falling behind. Instead of helping them get ahead, Trump gave more huge tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans while hiking up prices on everyone else,” said Senator Kelly. “Our plan is to put more money in the pockets of middle-class Americans —from nurses and teachers to firefighters and electricians —and restore the basic promise that in this country, hard work pays off.”

“Far too many Americans are working hard for their paychecks but still having trouble making ends meet. These Americans who are earning just enough to get by – to meet their basic living expense – should not have to pay a federal income tax. Our bill would ensure just that – and it would provide a significant tax break to millions of other working Americans, so folks can keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“Families are struggling amidst higher costs in Trump’s America,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I’m proud to cosponsor the Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act to support working families, drive economic growth, and reduce income inequality. While the Trump administration turns its back on hardworking Americans, I will keep fighting to lower costs and make sure Americans can take home more of their hard-earned pay.”

“It’s unacceptable that while so many are struggling to afford everyday expenses in our country, those at the top still aren’t paying their fair share. While Trump continues to protect a system that only works for his billionaire buddies, this tax proposal delivers real relief to working Americans – and it can’t come soon enough,” said Senator Kim.

“For decades, our tax code has been tilted to benefit the wealthiest Americans – especially those making millions of dollars each year from investments and capital gains. Our bill would restore balance and fairness to our tax code by asking the wealthiest Americans to contribute more through a tiered surtax on income above one million dollars. That revenue will deliver meaningful tax relief for working Americans trying to afford basic necessities like groceries, rent, child care, and gas,” said Representative Beyer.

In addition to Senators Kelly, Van Hollen, Gillibrand, Booker, and Kim, this legislation is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Angus King (I-ME), Ed Markey (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE).

Background:

The Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act provides needed tax relief for working Americans – whether they are a single adult, a head of household, or a married couple filing jointly – by reducing their federal income taxes based on their income to help ensure they can afford their cost of living expenses.

The median cost of living for a single adult with no children in the United States is estimated to be $46,000 a year, based on county-level data aggregated by the Living Wage Institute. Individuals who earn less than that will not pay federal income taxes.

For individuals with income ranging from $46,000 to $80,500, the legislation provides a significant taxbreak to also combat cost of living expenses. It phases out this cost-of-living exemption at 175% of the median cost of living for a single adult with no children. As a result, a person making between $46,000 and $80,500 a year would have a lower tax rate using this exemption than they do under the current tax system. To illustrate, a single person who makes $50,000 would typically receive a tax cut of approximately$2,800.

The bill includes a larger exemption for heads of households, 140% of the single exemption or $64,400; and formarried couples filing jointly, 200% of the single exemption or $92,000.

These exemptions will also phase out at higher rates, with heads of households making between $64,400 and $112,700 a year and married couples making between $92,000 and $161,000 a year receiving a tax cut under this legislation. For example, a family of four who earns $95,000 would typically receive a tax cut of approximately $6,000due to the cost-of-living exemption.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, nearly 130 million people, including over 25 million children, would receive a tax cut through this legislation. Additionally, it is fully paid for through a tiered surtax on millionaires. The bill applies an additional 5 percent tax to the first dollar an individual makes over $1 million and the first dollar a married couple earns over $1.5 million annually; an additional 10 percent tax to the first dollar an individual makes over $2 million and a married couple makes over $3 million annually; and an additional 12 percent tax to the first dollar an individual makes over $5 million and a married couple makes over $7.5 million annually. This surtax would apply equally to wages and salaries as well as to capital gains and other investment income. The Yale Budget Lab has estimated that this surtax wouldimpact615,000 tax filers and raise $1.46 trillion over ten years.

See what leaders are saying in support of the legislation:

“Working people are one medical bill, one car repair, one bad break from not making rent,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “They are working longer hours than ever and still struggling to put food on the table, while paying more in taxes than the billionaires. As we continue to fight for universal affordable health care, universal child care, and livable wages, the Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act is an important step toward getting working people some real relief.”

“The Working Americans’ Tax Act is one of the most important concrete actions Congress can take to ease the squeeze on working families. Right now, workers can’t pay the bills. Their wallets are being drained by a severe affordability crisis caused by the current administration and aggravated by the ‘Big, Ugly Bill’, which doubled down on tax cuts for billionaires, while stripping healthcare and nutrition assistance away from everyone else. This long-overdue legislation puts cash back in the pockets of millions of Americans who are being forced to choose between paying the rent and putting food on the table. It is a meaningful down payment on a solution that actually works for workers and the AFT is proud to be leading on it,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers.

In addition to AFL-CIO and the American Federation of Teachers, this legislation has been endorsed by a broad range of organizations: Community Change Action, Demos, Get Out the Vote PAC, Indivisible, Institute for Policy Studies, MoveOn, National Education Association (NEA), NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Oxfam US, Patriotic Millionaires, People’s Action, Public Citizen, Social Security Works, Strong Economy for All Coalition, SURJ, Take on Wall Street, and United for a Fair Economy.


Senator Kim Joins Sen. Murray and Rep. Ocasio-Cortez to Introduce Legislation to Protect Wages and Overtime for Home Care Workers

The Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act would codify rights to minimum wage and overtime pay for home care workers and domestic workers.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) joined fellow member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), to introduce the bicameralFair Wages for Home Care Workers Act in response to President Trump ripping away home care workers’ right to minimum wage and overtime pay.

The Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Actwould codify minimum wage and overtime protections for home care workers in federal labor law, expand overtime protections to domestic workers, and address a longstanding injustice in our country—home care workers being unfairly excluded from the Fair Labor Standards Act.

At a press conference today to announce the legislation, Senators Kim and Murray were joined by Miranda Bridges, a caregiver from Moses Lake, Washington, and SEIU 775 member, and Jenn Stowe, Executive Director of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14) also introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

*WATCH SENATOR KIM’S REMARKS HERE*

“No one should get less than a fair wage for their work in our country,” said Senator Kim. “As the need for caregivers only grows, we cannot allow the Trump administration to abandon home care and domestic workers to live in poverty. Care workers go above and beyond to look after our loved ones. Congress needs to step up to codify the fair pay they deserve and support their essential service at the heart of addressing our country’s care crisis.”

“In Washington state and across our country, home care workers ensure that seniors and people with disabilities can live in their homes with dignity and respect. They play a vital role in our communities and too many of them are struggling to make ends meet on the low wages they’re receiving,” said Senator Murray. “Instead of supporting these workers, Donald Trump wants to overturn a rule that ensures that home care workers receive the same basic minimum wage and overtime protections as everyone else. That’s why today we are Introducing theFair Wages for Home Care Workers Act. This bill makes sure that home care workers and domestic workers at least have the basic wage protections they deserve and can continue to earn a fair day’s pay for a hard day’s work. No loopholes, exceptions, or sabotage from a billionaire President without a clue.”

“Congress has a moral obligation to protect those who care for our most vulnerable communities and home care workers are the backbone of our long-term care system,”said Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “I am proud to introduce the Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act with Senator Patty Murray to finally codify the minimum wage and overtime protections our home care workers deserve and prevent future attacks on their livelihoods.”

In the U.S., there are more than 3 million home care workers who support almost 10 million people with disabilities and older adults with everyday tasks like eating, dressing, and bathing. In July 2025, the Trump administration took action to roll back a 2013 rule – seeking to strip home care workers’ rights to minimum wage and overtime pay. If the Trump administration’s proposal is finalized, home care workers who reside in states with no additional wage protections will lose their right to minimum wage and overtime protections. If passed, the Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Actwould codify home care workers’ rights to minimum wage and overtime pay in statute and expand overtime protections to domestic workers as well.

In 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) created a right to minimum wage and overtime pay for most workers in the U.S., but the FLSA continued to exclude some categories of workers, such as home care workers. In 1974, Congress amended the FLSA to cover home care workers; unfortunately, that amendment included a loophole that was interpreted to allow for the continued exclusion of most home care workers. In 2013, The U.S. Department of Labor finalized regulations, interpreting these amendments and expanding labor protections for most home care workers.

In July 2025, the Trump administration took action to roll back the 2013 rule—seeking to strip home care workers’ rights to minimum wage and overtime pay—and revert to a previous interpretation of the 1974 amendments. If the Trump administration’s proposal is finalized, home care workers who reside in states with no additional wage protections—more than one-quarter of all home care workers in the country—will lose their right to minimum wage and overtime protections.

“Ask any care worker about their hours and compensation, you’ll hear about recurring stories, you’ll hear how our voices go unheard, our needs often go overlooked, especially if we don’t have a union. We work unpaid hours because we refuse to leave our clients, our neighbors, and our loved ones without the dignity of care. We perform essential work that holds the economy together, yet we are often the ones struggling to make ends meet. Caregivers deserve respect, and the people we care for deserve respect. The work we do is essential, that’s why we need a strong care workforce, and that’s why SEIU stands in strong support of the Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act. This legislation is a vital step towards ensuring home care workers receive fair compensation for every hour worked. We are done waiting for someday—we cannot wait. Congress must act now, it is time to pass theFair Wages for Home Care Workers Act, and finally invest in and support the people who are at the heart of our health care system,”said Miranda Bridges, a caregiver from Moses Lake, Washington, and SEIU 775 member.

“We are at a crossroads in this country. Our need for care is growing every single day, yet we continue to treat the home care workforce as disposable. We cannot allow the fundamental right to a minimum wage and overtime to be at the whim and mercy of this administration. Rolling back these protections would hurt an already struggling workforce and the millions of families who rely on their care. The Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act is our chance to finally enshrine these protections in federal law and help ensure that the workers who enable the dignity of our older and disabled loved ones are able to work with dignity too,” said Ai-jen Poo, President of National Domestic Workers Alliance.

In addition to Senators Murray and Kim, the Senate bill is co-sponsored by: Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Maizie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ed Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

In addition to Representative Ocasio-Cortez, the House bill is co-sponsored by: Alma Adams (NC-12), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), André Carson (IN-07), Judy Chu (CA-28), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), George Latimer (NY-16), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), John Mannion (NY-22), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Jim McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Jerry Nadler (NY-12), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Summer Lee (PA-12), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).

The legislation has been endorsed by: 1199SEIU; A Better Balance; ACLU; ADAPT Montana; ADAPT National; Adhikaar for Human Rights and Social Justice; The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD); American Friends Service Committee; AFSCME; Alliance for Retired Americans; ANCOR; The ARC of Illinois; The ARC of the United States; Autistic People of Color Fund; Autistic Self Advocacy Network; Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network; Blue Future; Business for a Fair Minimum Wage; Care in Action; Caring Across Generations; Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP); Coalition on Human Needs; Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition; Colorado Fiscal Institute; CommunicationFIRST; Community Catalyst; Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care; Democratic Women’s Caucus; Detroit Disability Power; Disciples Center for Public Witness; Diverse Elders Coalition; Economic Policy Institute; Equal Rights Advocates; eQuality HomeCare Co-op; Family Voices National; Family Values @ Work; Family Values @ Work Action; Fe y Justicia Worker Center; Filipino Advocates for Justice; Food Research & Action Center; Hand in Hand: The Domestic Employers Network; Institute for Women’s Policy Research; Justice in Aging; Justice for Migrant Women; Lazos America Unida; LeadingAge; Liberty Resources Inc.; Matahari Women Workers Center; MomsRising; National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd; National Coalition for the Homeless; National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare; National Council of Jewish Women; National Council on Independent Living (NCIL); National Disability Institute; National Domestic Workers Alliance (NDWA); National Employment Law Project (NELP); National Health Law Program; National Immigration Law Center; National Indian Council on Aging; National Nurses United; National Partnership for Women & Families; National Respite Coalition; National Women’s Law Center; National Women’s Political Caucus; NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice; New Disabled South; New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty; North Carolina Justice Center; Nuevo Sol Day Labor and Domestic Workers; Oxfam America; Paid Leave for All Action; The Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies; PEAK Parent Center; People’s Action Institute; PHI; Public Justice Center; SCIboston; SEIU; SEIU 775; Serving At Risk Families Everywhere Inc.; Sur Legal Collaborative; UNITE HERE!; United Church of Christ; United Domestic Workers of America (UDW); Voices for Progress; Women Employed; Women Working Together USA; WorkLife Law.

A fact sheet on the legislation is availableHERE.

Text of the legislation is available HERE.

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As Expiration Date Nears, King and Colleagues Demand HHS Immediately Release Federal Funding for Family Planning Services

WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), and Patty Murray (D-WA) are leading dozens of their Senate colleagues in pushing for the release of federal funding that supports comprehensive, confidential family planning and related preventive health services. In a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Senators demand that HHS take immediate action to protect Americans’ uninterrupted access to these services by awarding a one-year full funding extension for all current Title X grantees. In their letter, the senators highlight the importance of Title X, helping to provide broader access to important services that have resulted in improved health outcomes like lower maternal and infant mortality, fewer premature births, and lower rates of cancer.

Last year, the Trump Administration withheld millions in funding from almost one in five Title X grantees, placing over 840,000 people at risk of losing access to Title X-funded care and forcing some sites to close. While the administration restored funding to these groups by December 2025, many grantees were forced to serve the same need with reduced funding. Now, Title X grantees’ current funding is set to lapse on March 31, 2026.

Title X funds support the 18 clinics Maine Family Planning (MFP) operates, MFP’s mobile medical unit, subcontracts with Planned Parenthood’s four sites in Southern Maine, 31 Federally Qualified Health Centers, and 8 school-based health centers, collectively serving roughly 30,000 patients annually. If HHS fails to act and funding for these Title X grants lapses on March 31, Maine Family Planning would lose access to nearly $2 million in previously-approved, annual funding in addition to funding cuts because of the Republican-passed H.R. 1 last July.

“In short, these services not only make our communities healthier, but also improve educational and economic attainment for women and their families,” the senators wrote.

“Any gap in Title X funding could result in over two million patients losing access to contraception and preventative care, worsen maternal health outcomes, and increase sexually transmitted infections,” the senators continued. “It will also risk layoffs of essential health care providers and staff who provide care for patients at thousands of Title X clinics nationwide, worsening the national maternal and reproductive health care crisis.”

“A lapse in funding caused by this administration would deny patients and their families the dignity of affordable health care and irreparably worsen the health care crisis that President Trump and Republicans in Congress have already exacerbated by enacting the largest cuts to health care in American history,” the senators concluded. “It is imperative that the Department act now and issue a one-year extension of Title X funding.”

Since 1970, the Title X Family Planning Program has provided lifesaving family planning and preventive health services for low-income or uninsured patients. Title X services include contraception, cervical cancer screenings, pregnancy testing and counseling, and sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment.

“For the entirety of his career in the U.S. Senate, and during his two terms as Governor of the State of Maine, Senator King has been a staunch supporter of Title X, the nation's family planning program. As the Title X grantee for the state, Maine Family Planning is grateful for Senator King’s willingness to express his support for this vital health care program by co-leading the letter to HHS Secretary Kennedy. The letter seeks to answer the simple questions: Why has HHS withheld guidance to Title X grantees nationwide on standard applications for the fifth year of our five-year contracts, and when will they provide it? The clock is ticking, and funding for an essential program that serves roughly 30,000 Mainers annually will run out at the end of March,” said George Hill, President and CEO of Maine Family Planning.

In addition to King, Murray, and, Hirono the letter was also signed by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Edward Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

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

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Dear Secretary Kennedy:

For nearly 60 years, the Title X Family Planning Program (“Title X”) has provided millions of working Americans with access to family planning and essential preventive care services, like cancer screenings. Congress recently renewed its longstanding support for the program in the latest funding package. But under your leadership, the Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) has so far failed to release annual funding for Title X clinics across the country, as it ordinarily would have by this point in the year. Existing awards are set to lapse on March 31, 2026, and any loss of congressionally appropriated Title X funding will hurt millions of patients and significantly weaken communities’ access to comprehensive family planning services. As such, we demand that the Department take immediate action to protect Americans’ uninterrupted access to these critical services by awarding a one-year full funding extension for all current Title X grantees.

Title X is the only dedicated source of funding for domestic family planning services and preventive health care. Since its establishment in 1970, this program has provided vital reproductive health care services to patients at little to no cost, covering services like contraception, cervical cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment, and pregnancy testing and counseling. Access to these services improves health outcomes, resulting in lower maternal and infant mortality, fewer premature births, and lower rates of cancer.[1] In short, these services not only make our communities healthier, but also improve educational and economic attainment for women and their families.[2] Title X funding also saves taxpayer dollars elsewhere in the health care system, with every dollar spent on public funding for family planning programs saving at least seven dollars in Medicaid costs.[3]

In 2022, HHS awarded five-year grants to over 85 Title X grant recipients to deliver affordable, patient-centered family planning and preventive health services across the United States and its territories. Without immediate action, funding for grants will lapse on March 31, 2026. Title X grantees were told that non-compete continuation application guidance was required to be released by HHS no later than December 31, 2025. As of current date, that guidance has not been released, creating widespread uncertainty for grantees, patients, and providers with less than a month of funding remaining. If the administration fails to meet the April 1, 2026, deadline for releasing Title X funding to the current grantees, the repercussions for critical health care will be catastrophic. Any gap in Title X funding could result in over two million patients losing access to contraception and preventative care, worsen maternal health outcomes, and increase sexually transmitted infections. It will also risk layoffs of essential health care providers and staff who provide care for patients at thousands of Title X clinics nationwide, worsening the national maternal and reproductive health care crisis.

These harms are not hypothetical. In 2019, the first Trump administration finalized regulations, which had lasting consequences for the program. Over 1,000 clinics became ineligible for funding. Last April, the Trump administration withheld all or partial funding from a quarter of all Title X grantees for months, cutting off over 840,000 patients’ access to contraceptive care and forcing Title X sites to close.[4] When funding was finally restored, clinics were forced to try to meet the same need but with significantly reduced funding.

This delay is already causing costly uncertainty for clinics across the country and the patients that they serve. A lapse in funding caused by this administration would deny patients and their families the dignity of affordable health care and irreparably worsen the health care crisis that President Trump and Republicans in Congress have already exacerbated by enacting the largest cuts to health care in American history. It is imperative that the Department act now and issue a one-year extension of Title X funding.

Sincerely,


King Highlights Impacts of Extraordinary Military Resources Moving to Middle East

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), emphasized Russia’s current warfare capabilities in Eastern Europe, particularly in the Baltics, and the far-reaching impacts of America’s heightening military strikes in Iran. In a conversation with General Alexus Grynkewich, United States Air Force Commander of United States European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, King also questioned the impacts to Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s illegal invasion as American assets are moved into the Middle East theater for the campaign against Iran.

Senator King began his questioning by asking whether the Russians are using the Iran military operation as an opportunity to conduct cyber attacks against NATO allies.

Senator King began his questioning, “General Grynkowich, to what extent are the Russians -- there has been discussion about this -- probing in eastern Europe and doing asymmetric warfare in the Baltics, for example, in Poland? Disinformation, cyber-attacks, even drone incursions what are the Russians up to, are they building troops up along their western border?”

“Yes Senator, right now we see a fairly robust amount of what we call Russian hybrid activities or asymmetric activities,” General Grynkewich replied. “You mentioned some of those whether it is information operations or sabotage and those types of things. There have been several incidences in the Baltics, and Poland in particular, in the last several months since I have been in command. As far as conventional true buildups, most of the Russian ground forces are focused on Ukraine. We do not see significant Russian buildups right now. But I know there are concerns those could be coming at some point in the future. Particularly once Russia is able to reconstitute its forces.”

Senator King then asked the General about the primary positions of air defense capabilities in the EUCOM theater and how that impacts Ukraine’s defense.

Senator King continued, “And if President Zelenskyy was here, what would be the one thing he would he tell us that he needed right now? I suspect you hear that regularly.”

“He would ask for air defense capability based on the Russian attacks on his heating and electrical infrastructure,” General Grynkewich replied.

Senator King followed up, “A great deal of capability is now tied up in the Gulf region, is that correct?”

“Senator yes, we have a robust defense set of air capability in the Middle East,” General Grynkewich confirmed. “And I have used some of our EUCOM defense capabilities to defend some of our NATO allies as well.”

“In the Middle East?” Senator King clarified.

“Near the Middle East if you will, the eastern Mediterranean,” General Grynkewich answered.

Senator King clarified again, “Okay so, air defense capability has been moved towards the Middle East as a result of this conflict?”

General Grynkewich replied, “Yes, sir.”

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator King is recognized as an authoritative voice on national security and foreign policy issues. Immediately following the American airstrikes Iran, he released a statement asking for answers and consultation with Congress before proceeding with further military action in the Middle East. Senator King is also a co-sponsor to the a war powers resolution S.J. Res 104.

Senator King has also been a vocal supporter for Ukraine, voting in support of bipartisan legislation that would help Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan defend themselves. In the days prior to that vote, he spoke on the Senate floor to his colleague that Ukraine’s fight is a “battle for the soul of Democracy in the world.” In January 2023, Senator King travelled with Armed Services Chairmen Jack Reed (D-R) in a visit to meet Ukraine President Vladimir Zelenskyy in Kiev. Most recently, he joined CBS’ 60 Minutes to explain why walking away from Ukraine would be the nation’s greatest geopolitical mistake since World War II.

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Lee Introduces Bipartisan Government Surveillance Reform Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) today introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) to protect Americans’ constitutional rights and data privacy. The Government Surveillance Reform Act reauthorizes Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) with necessary Fourth Amendment protections to block the federal government from buying Americans’ private data from shady sources. Cosponsors include U.S. Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). U.S. Representatives Warren Davidson (R-OH-08) and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18) introduced the House version of this bill.

“It is imperative that Congress enact real reforms to protect our civil liberties, including warrant requirements and statutory penalties for privacy violations, in exchange for reauthorizing Section 702,” said Senator Mike Lee. “Our bipartisan Government Surveillance Reform Act stops illegal government spying and restores the Constitutional rights of all Americans.”

“Advances in technology, from AI to the explosion of Americans’ data available for purchase, have far outpaced the laws protecting Americans’ privacy and civil liberties,” said Senator Ron Wyden. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill as a leader of the Ben Franklin caucus, which stands for the proposition that liberty and security aren’t mutually exclusive.”

“If we are serious about protecting our constitutional freedoms against government overreach, a judicially-approved warrant should be required for all section 702 searches,” said Senator Cynthia Lummis. “This legislation goes a long way to restoring our Fourth Amendment rights and curbing the inexcusable intelligence agency excesses of the last two decades.”

“FISA Section 702 has been stretched far beyond its original purpose and now enables unconstitutional warrantless searches of American citizens and their private communications,” said Congressman Warren Davidson. “The bipartisan Government Surveillance Reform Act counters these abuses by requiring a warrant to search Americans’ data and by closing the data broker loophole that allows the federal government to spy on citizens by purchasing private data that would otherwise require a warrant or subpoena.”

“Now more than ever, unchecked government access to Americans’ personal information threatens their privacy, their civil liberties, and our democracy,” said Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren. “Congress should not reauthorize broad domestic surveillance authorities without putting meaningful safeguards in place. The bipartisan, bicameral Government Surveillance Reform Act offers a comprehensive and balanced solution that would prevent abuse of Americans' personal information while preserving essential national security tools that keep our country safe.”

Background

The Government Surveillance Reform Act represents the most comprehensive reform of surveillance laws in nearly half a century. The bill reauthorizes Section 702 for four years with necessary privacy reforms and constitutional safeguards, including:

Closing the backdoor search loophole: The bill requires the federal government to get a warrant to access Americans’ private communications gathered under Section 702, with important exceptions for emergency situations.

Closing the data broker loophole: The bill bans the federal government from buying Americans’ data from data brokers without a warrant.

Prohibiting reverse targeting: The bill prohibits using surveillance on foreigners overseas through Section 702 as a pretext for gathering data on Americans.

Repealing the “make everyone a spy” provision: This bill repeals a controversial 2024 expansion that allows the government to force millions of Americans and companies to secretly spy on its behalf.

Reforming intelligence collection outside FISA: This bill protects Americans from intelligence agencies using non-statutory authorities, including by prohibiting backdoor searches and reverse targeting outside of FISA.

Updating privacy protections for AI and other modern technologies: This bill requires federal law enforcement to get a warrant to surveil Americans’ location information, web browsing data, search and chatbot records, and car onboard and telematics data.

Halting warrantless collection of business records: This bill protects Americans’ data from warrantless collection under an authority that expired over five years ago.

Enhancing oversight and accountability: The bill strengthens judicial oversight, public reporting, and accountability requirements under FISA.

Read the full text of the bill here.

Read a section-by-section summary of the bill here.

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The Government Surveillance Reform Act is endorsed by privacy and civil liberty advocates across the political spectrum: Americans for Prosperity, Restore the Fourth, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, Center for Democracy & Technology, Consumer Choice Center, Demand Progress, Due Process Institute, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Fight for the Future, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the Project for Privacy and Surveillance Accountability (PPSA).

“The Government Surveillance Reform Act contains critical reforms to protect U. S. persons from unreasonable and warrantless government surveillance. It would rein in AI-driven misuse of NSA classified databases to spy on U. S. persons without probable cause or a warrant; it would make much less likely that Americans would be harassed or prosecuted on the basis of poor-quality data held on them by data brokers; and it would make it easier for people unfairly surveilled to get redress from the courts. We warmly encourage the Judiciary Committees in the House and the Senate to mark up a bill that takes the best parts of this bill, Senator Lee's and Senator Durbin's SAFE Act and Rep. Biggs' Protect Liberty Act, before the sunset of these authorities in April.” – Alex Marthews, National Chair, Restore the Fourth

“For years, the U.S. intelligence community has repeatedly misused its authorities under FISA, including Section 702, as well as other surveillance powers, undermining public trust and raising concerns across the political spectrum. Protecting constitutional rights and protecting national security are not opposing goals. We applaud the reintroduction of the Government Surveillance Reform Act, a bipartisan path forward that brings back a comprehensive package of reforms. This package responsibly reins in warrantless surveillance while preserving the tools needed to keep Americans safe. We commend Senators Wyden and Lee, along with Representatives Davidson and Lofgren, for once again leading this cross party effort to advance essential, rights protecting reforms.” – James Czerniawski, Head of Emerging Technology Policy, Consumer Choice Center

“The Government Surveillance Reform Act is an important step toward restoring the balance between national security and the civil liberties the Constitution was designed to protect. For too long, federal surveillance authorities have created opportunities for the warrantless collection and misuse of Americans’ communications. Few would argue that surveillance authorities are required to protect the United States from foreign threats, but we have to recognize that Americans expect that their fundamental civil liberties will be protected. Congress has routinely failed to do so, including the most recent reauthorization, which actually expanded surveillance. The reforms included in GSRA are responsible and necessary to ensure that intelligence tools aimed at foreign threats are not used to sidestep the Fourth Amendment rights of Americans.” – Jason Pye, Vice President, Due Process Institute

“The federal government should not have the ability to bypass courts and obtain the private emails, texts and calls of Americans, especially when they are purchased from shady data brokers who sell our private information to anyone willing to pay. The Government Surveillance Reform Act protects Americans’ privacy by finally closing the backdoor search loophole and closing the door on data brokers. Protecting Americans’ privacy and civil liberties from these threats cannot wait, Congress must implement these reforms ahead of the April 20 expiration date. We thank Sens. Wyden and Lee, and Reps. Davidson and Lofgren for their steadfast leadership and we urge all members of Congress to enact critically needed privacy protections before renewing the government’s spying authority.” – Hajar Hammado, Senior Policy Advisor, Demand Progress

“PPSA commends Sen. Ron Wyden, Sen. Mike Lee, Rep. Warren Davidson, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren for reintroducing the Government Surveillance Reform Act (GSRA) – a comprehensive surveillance reform bill that balances national security with Americans’ constitutional and privacy rights. This balanced and comprehensive bill enjoys bipartisan and bicameral support because Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle are alarmed by the abusive and pervasive surveillance of the American people by their own government. This well-crafted legislation should be included in the reauthorization of FISA Section 702 in April.” – Bob Goodlatte, former Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Senior Policy Advisor, Project for Privacy and Surveillance Accountability

“The Government Surveillance Reform Act includes critical protections for our privacy and our data in an increasingly vulnerable digital world. As technology advances, so too must our laws to ensure that we secure the values enshrined in our Constitution. Our spy agencies should not turn warrantless surveillance systems inward to invade Americans’ communications, and they shouldn’t sidestep the Fourth Amendment by purchasing our sensitive information from data brokers. Our values and our Constitution demand our privacy and civil liberties be protected and EPIC is proud to support a bill that does just that.” – Jeramie D. Scott, Senior Counsel and Director, EPIC Surveillance Oversight Program

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Lee Introduces Protecting Access to American Products Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) today introduced legislation to advance American manufacturing and energy dominance by cutting outdated red tape around domestic trade shipping. The Protecting Access to American Products Act will allow flexibility from Jones Act restrictions so American businesses and energy producers can sell to American customers. U.S. Representative Ben Cline (R-VA-06) introduced the House version of this bill.

“Outdated regulations are forcing Americans to buy gas and other products from despotic regimes instead of our own producers,” said Senator Mike Lee. “America produces liquefied natural gas (LNG), but we can’t ship it to other American ports due to hundred-year-old red tape. States in need of LNG are forced to rely on Russia for their energy supply – a national security risk and lost opportunity for America’s economy. This bill will prioritize American manufacturing and energy dominance by allowing waivers for industries like LNG for whom the restrictions don’t make sense.”

The White House expressed support for alleviating Jones Act restrictions today in a statement by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

“In the interest of national defense, the White House is considering waiving the Jones Act for a limited period of time to ensure vital energy products and agricultural necessities are flowing freely to U.S. ports,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

“Excessive red tape and outdated regulations are slowing the delivery of essential goods and making it harder for Americans to access products made right here at home,” said Congressman Ben Cline. “The Protecting Access to American Products Act offers a commonsense, practical solution by streamlining the waiver process and helping ensure that American-made goods, including American energy products, can move across the country more easily. This legislation supports domestic manufacturing, strengthens American energy supply chains, and keeps U.S. products competitive with foreign imports while still protecting American maritime jobs. I’m proud to work alongside Senator Lee to deliver reforms that protect our domestic interests while putting American families and businesses first.”

Background

Passed in 1920, the Jones Act requires all goods transported by water between U.S. ports to be carried on vessels constructed, registered, and owned by U.S. citizens. However, for some American-made products there are no compliant ships in existence that are capable of carrying these goods.

For example, Massachusetts and Puerto Rico both import liquified natural gas (LNG). It would be cheaper and safer for them to import LNG from within the United States, but since there are no Jones Act compliant LNG carrier vessels, they are forced to rely on Russia for their energy supplies. Similarly, Hawaiian ranchers are made to fly their cattle to California by plane rather than ship them by sea, and Puerto Rico depends on Venezuelan jet fuel instead of American. Economically, it is estimated that Jones Act compliance costs tens of billions of dollars annually for American businesses.

The Protecting Access to American Products Act would address this issue by allowing an expedited waiver process for American manufacturers for whom no Jones Act compliant shipping carriers exist. When an applicant cannot find a compliant vessel for their product, the corresponding federal agency would approve or deny their waiver within 60 days.

The Protecting Access to American Products Act:

Allows Federal agencies to temporarily waive Jones Act requirements (coastwise endorsement and U.S.-flag vessel use) for transporting specific goods.

Requires the applicant to show that no qualifying product carrier is available to transport the specified good and must demonstrate a good faith effort to locate such a vessel.

States that each waiver expires no less than 30 days after it is issued, and extensions must be granted in 15-day increments.

Requires agencies to approve or deny a waiver request within 60 days. If denied, a written explanation is required within 14 days. If no decision is made within 60 days, the waiver is automatically granted for 30 days.

Requires agencies to notify Congress within 48 hours of receiving a waiver request and within 48 hours of issuing a waiver.

Access the full text of the bill here.

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