Crapo, Risch Join Cornyn to Introduce Bill to Allow Law Enforcement Officers to Purchase Retired Firearms

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho) joined Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) and nine of their Senate Republican colleagues in introducing the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act, which would allow active and retired federal law enforcement officers in good standing to purchase retired service weapons and firearms:

“Millions of taxpayer dollars are spent each year destroying retired federal service firearms,” said Crapo. “This practice effectively means the government pays for the same firearm twice—first when it is purchased, and again when it is destroyed. Allowing federal officers in good standing to purchase their retired service weapons is a common-sense, cost saving measure.”

“Destroying a perfectly good firearm when a federal agency no longer needs it is a waste of taxpayer dollars,” said Risch. “Allowing law enforcement to purchase these firearms is fiscally responsible and plain commonsense.”

“There’s no reason the brave men and women in law enforcement who dedicate their lives to preserving public safety should not be able to purchase retired firearms,” said Cornyn. “This commonsense legislation would reduce unnecessary waste and save both taxpayers and federal agencies money by allowing officers to exercise their Second Amendment rights.”

The bill is co-sponsored by Senators Steve Daines (R-Montana), Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Cynthis Lummis (R-Wyoming), Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Jim Justice (R-West Virginia), Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska).

Representative Russell Fry (R-South Carolina) introduced companion legislation, which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives last year.

This legislation is also endorsed by the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), National Narcotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC), and National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).

Background:

Under current federal regulations, a firearm must be destroyed once it is either retired from use or is no longer needed by an agency. This destruction process costs taxpayers millions of dollars per year. This legislation seeks to alleviate the burden facing taxpayers and gives law enforcement the opportunity to recoup costs by allowing federal agencies to sell retired service weapons to federal law enforcement officers at fair-market value or a discounted price. Recovering this value can in turn offset the cost of new equipment and technology, fund training programs and support other public safety needs. It also honors the Second Amendment rights of current and retired law enforcement officers by allowing them to purchase their firearms.

Specifically, the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act would direct the Administrator of the General Services Administration to establish a program allowing active and retired federal law enforcement officers in good standing with their employing agency to purchase retired firearms within six months of the weapon’s retirement at salvage value. This simple and common-sense measure recognizes the service that law enforcement officers provide to our country, while also delivering cost savings that benefit both taxpayers and federal agencies.

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Crapo, Shaheen Bill to Curb Veteran Overdoses Advances out of Committee

Washington, D.C.—Legislation led by U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire) took a meaningful step forward. The bipartisan End Veterans Overdose Act, which seeks to help battle the ongoing substance use disorder crisis among veterans by increasing access to lifesaving overdose reversal agents, advanced out of the U.S. Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee by a unanimous vote. It now awaits consideration from the full U.S. Senate.

“Removing barriers to accessing opioid overdose reversal medications for veterans and their caregivers will help reduce the stigma around seeking treatment and save lives,” said Crapo. “This bill builds upon existing efforts by the VA to address the opioid crisis, and the Committee’s action today to move this critical bill forward recognizes the urgency of this issue.”

“Anything we can do to save more lives from being lost to the substance use disorder crisis, we should be doing – and increasing access to overdose reversal agents at VA facilities is a commonsense step we can take to make these highly-effective treatments more accessible to veterans,” said Shaheen. “I’m glad that my colleagues on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee agreed and unanimously voted to advance our legislation to the Senate floor. I look forward to earning the bipartisan support to pass our bill and help fight the substance use epidemic facing our nation’s veterans.”

Currently, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pharmacies provide naloxone to veterans at no-cost, but they must first ask a provider for a prescription. The End Veterans Overdose Act, as amended, would create a one-year pilot program that would make naloxone and other relevant overdose reversal agents available to all veterans without a prescription at VA pharmacies. The legislation is endorsed by the American Legion.


Daines in Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee: We Need to Build Nuclear Energy in Montana

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Theodore Garrish, Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at the Department of Energy and Dr. John Wagner, Director at the Idaho National Lab, in a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. They discussed how Montana can play a role in the Trump administration’s plans to reinvigorate America’s nuclear capacity.

Watch Daines’ opening remarks HERE.

Daines’ opening remarks:

Chairman Risch, thank you. And with your foreign relations hat on here and your nuclear hat for a moment, just to pile on that earlier conversation on microreactors, where this might all head. And as we think about a more distributed model, instead of command and control utility model, a distributed model, of course, overcomes some of the transmission issues that we face, which is one of the big barriers towards delivering energy. But I was in Nigeria, after the Munich Security Conference, I did a swing through sub-Sahara here a few weeks ago. Nigeria has 87 million people without electricity. It’s the most underserved, the most people in the world of any country with no electricity. And by the way, Nigeria will be the third largest country in the world by population in 2050. Behind India, China, it will be Nigeria. So if you combine microreactors, perhaps, with Starlink Mini, which I’ve got one of those in my pickup in Montana, because when you travel around the state, I can get out in the middle of nowhere. And I know Senator Heinrich and I enjoy the great outdoors, but sometimes it’s nice to stay connected when needed. But you take the ability to put Starlink Mini and microreactors, suddenly you’ve solved a network problem, an energy problem. And by the way, ISIS command and control is up in Nigeria now. So you think about what we can do here to improve taking people out of poverty and reducing the risk of radicalization with some of these groups. Anyway, it solves a lot of problems.

Daines on Montana’s nuclear capabilities:

Daines: For more than four decades, Montana has had restrictions that prohibited nuclear energy development in the state, limiting our ability to maximize our energy potential. However, in 2021, Montana took an important step forward by passing House Bill 273, repealing outdated restrictions and transferring nuclear project approval to state legislature. Montana opened the door for the deployment of nuclear energy. Expanding nuclear capacity, both in Montana and across our great nation, is critical to maintaining a resilient electric grid through the distribution of firm, dispatchable electricity. We need more baseload power. But today, Montana still does not have any nuclear generation sites. The Trump Administration is working to aggressively reinvigorate the nuclear energy industry and quadruple our nuclear energy capacity by 2050. Assistant Secretary Garrish, as we work to restore American energy dominance, what role can advanced nuclear, like small modular reactors, microreactors, and fuel recycling, play in Montana, and what needs to happen to accelerate that deployment?

Garrish: Smaller reactors could be very helpful in places like Montana.

Daines on the importance of the Colstrip power plant:

Daines: Between 2015 and 2020, the United States retired an average of 11 gigawatts of coal-fired capacity each year. This past weekend I was over in the Netherlands visiting ASML, looking at what’s going on there, certainly a massive part of the silicon chip supply chain. But you talk to the folks in the Netherlands, they made poor energy choices back in 2006. Germany did the same thing, decommissioning nuclear plants, decommissioning coal-fired plants, not having baseload capacity. It is absolutely one of their key constraints now to their economic growth. The Netherlands are sitting there struggling about one percent. Germany, they’re about flat. Had they made better energy strategic choices 20 years ago, they’d be in a very different position than they are today. We can’t let that happen to the United States. We saw the retirement of this baseload power. It eroded reliable baseload power at a time when demand has continued to grow. Most estimates say we’ll need 50-80 percent more energy in the next 25 years than we need today. In Montana, the Colstrip Power Plant, one of the largest coal-fired facilities in the West, has been critical for affordable, resilient energy and a key economic driver for the region. And let me be clear, I’m not opposed to intermittent sources of energy, but I’ll tell you something. When high pressure systems move into Montana, temperatures plummet by definition of a high pressure system. What happens when high pressure systems move in? The wind stops blowing. So at a time when you have maximum load on the system, you’ve got minimal intermittent energy supply. And if it weren’t for Colstrip baseload power and God bless coal, we would have literally had life and death situations in Montana. They bailed out, frankly, the grid at that moment for what it’s worth. At its peak, Colstrip could generate over 2,000 megawatts of electricity across all four units, supporting high-paying jobs and local businesses. The shutdown of Units 1 and 2 in 2020 marked a significant loss of capacity and economic activity. Units 3 and 4 continue to operate today with a combined capacity of 1,480 megawatts of dependable, reliable, God-blessed baseload power. Together with the associated mine, Colstrip supports 2,000 jobs not to mention the tax base this provides for our state. Recent analysis conducted in June 2025, by The Gateway for Accelerated Innovation in Nuclear and Idaho National Lab, God bless Idaho Chairman Risch, found that advanced nuclear technologies could be deployed at the Colstrip site by leveraging existing infrastructure, a skilled workforce and significant transmission capacity including the planned North Plains Connector. Adding nuclear capacity to Colstrip could support an additional 680 jobs according to this study. Dr. Wagner, given these factors, can you speak to the feasibility for advanced nuclear at or around Colstrip, and how projects like this could help the United States compete globally and support our long-term 2050 goals?

Wagner: [Colstrip] is an excellent choice.

Daines on American fuel supply:

Daines: Right now, my last question is, we are in this race with China and with Russia, not just to deploy advanced nuclear, but to secure fuel supply chains that make it even possible. The Department of Energy’s $2.7 billion investment in domestic enrichment is an important step toward rebuilding capacity right here at home. Secretary Garrish, how can we expand relationships with partner countries like Kazakhstan, the largest supplier of uranium in the world, and American enrichment capabilities in a way that reinforces our national security while still leveraging trusted allies like Kazakhstan and avoiding new supply chain risks?

Garrish: Enrichment has to be from foreign countries that we can trust… I look forward to working with Congress to make sure that we can have an adequate supply of the fuel that we need.

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Duckworth-Blackburn Bill to Improve Access to Care for Rural Veterans Passes Committee

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC) passed bipartisan legislation introduced by combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) as well as U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) that would make it easier for Veterans who live in rural areas to access the care they’ve earned. The Senators’ Improving Access to Care for Rural Veterans Act would require the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish agreements between its own medical centers and civilian medical facilities in rural areas, thereby strengthening available resources to make VA care more widely accessible for the nearly 3 million Veterans who live in those communities and face unique challenges to readily access the care they need.

“Far too many rural Veterans—including in Illinois—don’t have adequate access to VA care in their communities, which forces them to travel unacceptably long distances or wait prolonged periods of time to see providers to receive the care they need and have earned through their service,” said Duckworth. “The VA must ensure it’s doing everything possible to fulfill its core mission of providing timely, high-quality care to our heroes—regardless of where they live. Our bill would help ensure Veterans who live in rural communities can more easily access VA care, while reinforcing VA as the medical center home, and I’m proud it passed through committee. Now the Senate should expeditiously pass our commonsense, bipartisan bill that would enhance access to VA care for millions of rural Veterans.”

"Our rural veterans should not have to drive hours for quality care they've earned,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Improving Access to Care for Rural Veterans Act would put veterans first by ensuring they have access to high-quality and timely treatment closer to home. I’m thrilled to see this pass through committee, and I’m looking forward to its passage in the Senate, which will better support veterans in Tennessee by making the care they’ve earned more accessible.”

There are approximately 2.7 million Veterans in rural and highly rural areas enrolled in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) today, and more than half of them are aged 65 or older and require more frequent, continuous and costly care to address their complex medical conditions. Rural hospitals often lack the resources or partnerships required to give our heroes care they need, which results in rural Veterans enduring long travel times and extended wait periods to access VA care.

The Senators’ Improving Access to Care for Rural Veterans Act would address this issue by:

Requiring the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish agreements between VA medical centers and rural medical facilities, with a flexible range of supported frameworks—including co-location, telehealth, leasing of space and equipment, training, care coordination and more—that allow VA to collaborate with rural facilities in a manner that best suits the unique needs of a given VA medical center system;

Directing the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop a standardized 5-year, renewable waiver for VA medical centers that are unable to fulfill this requirement;

Requiring the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide a briefing to Congress on implementation, as well as recurring reports on operations and performance of agreements established under this legislation.

The legislation is endorsed by AMVETS, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the National Rural Health Association (NRHA).

The full text of the legislation is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.

Duckworth and Blackburn both pushed to pass the Sergeant First Class (SFC) Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, historic legislation that was signed into law in 2022 to overhaul the VA’s processes for toxic-exposed Veterans to include presumptions for several illnesses associated with burn pits and Agent Orange exposures and is helping deliver long-overdue VA healthcare and benefits across all generations of Veterans.

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Duckworth, Durbin Meet with Major General Boyd and Reiterate Their Support for the Illinois National Guard and Its Efforts to Assist Our Allies

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services (SASC)—and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) yesterday met with Major General Rodney Boyd, Illinois Adjutant General, to highlight their support for Illinois National Guard servicemembers, as well as its State Partnership Programs (SPP) with our European allies and discuss priorities for upcoming defense funding opportunities.

“The work of the Illinois National Guard is vital to our strength and safety both at home and abroad,” Duckworth said. “It was good to meet with General Boyd today to discuss how we can continue to work together to make the Illinois National Guard as strong and successful as possible and ensure they have the resources they need and are empowered to do the work they trained for and enlisted to do.”

“The men and women of the Illinois National Guard bravely serve their country by ensuring Illinois is equipped to support critical military operations. In turn, our federal government should provide Illinois’ military bases with the equipment and flying missions that match the caliber of their work,” Durbin said. “Today, Senator Duckworth and I met with Major General Rodney Boyd to discuss Military Construction projects to upgrade our Illinois Guard facilitates and preparing Peoria’s 182nd Wing for its new, incoming C-130J aircraft.”

Earlier this year, Duckworth traveled to Poland and Portugal to reinforce support for the Illinois National Guard’s State Partnership Programs (SPP) with both European allies and underscore America’s bipartisan support for NATO. In Poland, she met with defense and foreign affairs officials to discuss the success of ILNG’s longstanding SPP that dates back to 1993. Duckworth then traveled to Portugal to meet with defense and legislative leaders to celebrate ILNG’s new SPP, which was signed into effect in early January.

Duckworth and Durbin secured key priorities for Illinois Military Construction and Veterans Affairs projects in the Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) appropriations bills, including $8 million for a new readiness center for the Illinois Army National Guard in Peoria. The Senators have also applauded the Air National Guard’s decision to select Peoria’s 182nd Airlift Wing as one of four preferred locations to receive new C-130J aircraft, replacing the aging C-130H models, a decision that helps safeguard the Wing’s mission while protecting the jobs of 1,200 Airmen and approximately 370 full-time employees.

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Duckworth Presses Military Officials to Oppose Trump’s Efforts to Intimidate Voters at Polling Places

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – As Donald Trump continues threatening to deploy the military to polling places and intimidate American voters from making their voices heard at the ballot box, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth today pushed senior military officials to do everything they can to protect citizens’ constitutional right to vote from being infringed by this—or any—President. During today’s U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing, Duckworth pressed the Commander of Unites States Northern Command, General Michael Guillot, to commit to establishing guardrails that would help ensure Americans don’t feel intimidated while they cast their vote at polling places. Duckworth’s full remarks can be found on the Senator’s YouTube.

“Let’s be clear: we know Trump is laying the groundwork and planning to send troops to polling places in order to intimidate Americans and interfere in our elections,” said Duckworth. “Worse yet, misusing troops around the election is just another way this Administration will be shifting the burden of legal liability onto servicemembers, allowing them to be imprisoned or disciplined while Trump gets off free. Not on my watch—we cannot let this wanna-be dictator misuse our troops and mess with our elections.”

During her line of questioning, Duckworth asked General Guillot: “If you're ordered to deploy troops to provide logistical support to federal agents around the election, would you see any reason for having troops in body armor, carrying their weapons and ammunition, if it's for logistical support?”

General Guillot replied: “No, I would not see any reason to use armed and uniformed members around a polling place for logistics.”

Duckworth also noted that American taxpayers had to pay $21 million for Donald Trump’s decision to federalize 500 Guardsmen in Illinois alone. These were troops who, despite his claims that they “reduced crime in Chicago,” actually never set foot in Chicago. For three months, these troops sat around training sites away from their families and civilian careers because the courts found the deployment illegal within the first 24 hours.

Duckworth has been a leading voice pushing back against Donald Trump’s domestic deployments into American cities to serve his own political agenda. Last month, Duckworth grilled top U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) leader, Mr. Mark Ditlevson, to assure the American people that the Trump Administration would not station troops near polling places in future elections, which is against the law and against our nation’s fundamental democratic values. Ditlevson could not. After Ditlevson acknowledged there could be circumstances in which he would advise deploying the National Guard to polling places, he declined to explain the scope of such deployments or how they would avoid intimidating voters.

Duckworth also criticized the Administration’s failure to coordinate with state leaders, noting that Trump gave Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker just two hours to respond before moving to federalize the Illinois National Guard.

Last year, Duckworth, in a hearing she successfully secured, pushed the Trump Administration’s DoD—including Ditlveson—on Trump’s unlawful and unconstitutional domestic deployments of American military troops to intimidate citizens in their own communities.

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Amid Surging Energy Costs, Durbin & Duckworth Call On Trump Administration To Release Energy Assistance Funding

A nationwide cold snap, coupled with soaring home heating costs and spiking gas prices, has squeezed many Americans’ finances - with those who can least afford the energy price shocks suffering the hardest financial blow.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined a bipartisan group of 38 Senators to call on the Trump Administration to take action and provide energy assistance to those in need as utility costs skyrocket for Illinoisans. In their letter, the Senators urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to swiftly release the approximately $400 million in remaining Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding that Congress delivered in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. These federal funds are essential to help more Americans keep up with rising energy bills and help state-based organizations effectively budget and distribute LIHEAP aid to those in need.

“We urge you to immediately release the remaining roughly $400 million of FY26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding available under PL 119-75,” the Senators wrote in their letter. “Any delay in the release of appropriated funds would set back states’ efforts to cover outstanding bills relating to unexpected delivered fuels emergencies, to weatherize low-income homes, and to plan for summer cooling programs. Our states are ready to deploy these funds to help vulnerable households as soon as they receive them from HHS.”

LIHEAP is a federally funded program that helps low-income households pay utility bills, address energy crises, and lower costs by improving home energy efficiency through weatherization. Over the last year, nearly six million households nationwide received LIHEAP assistance to help them avoid utility shut-offs or having to make impossible tradeoffs such as delaying medical care, skipping meals, or turning to high-cost payday loans that lead to a cycle of unending debt. Eligibility for LIHEAP is based on income, family size, and the availability of resources.

In addition to Durbin and Duckworth, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jack Reed (D-RI), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Charles E. Grassley (R-IA), Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mark Warner (D-VA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Chris Coons (D-DE), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angela D. Alsobrooks (D-MD), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Ron Wyden (D-OR) Adam Schiff (D-CA), Peter Welch (D-VT), John Fetterman (D-PA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).

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

March 12, 2026

Dear Secretary Kennedy:

We urge you to immediately release the remaining roughly $400 million of FY26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding available under PL 119-75.

As the main federal program that helps low-income households and seniors with their energy bills, LIHEAP provides critical assistance during the cold winter and hot summer months. According to the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association, households are expected to spend 11% more on winter heating costs this winter compared to last year. With low-income families and seniors feeling additional strains on their household budgets, a timely release of LIHEAP funding is even more critical to ensure families do not need to choose between paying their energy bills and other essentials, like food or medicine.

Any delay in the release of appropriated funds would set back states’ efforts to cover outstanding bills relating to unexpected delivered fuels emergencies, to weatherize low-income homes, and to plan for summer cooling programs. Our states are ready to deploy these funds to help vulnerable households as soon as they receive them from HHS.

We look forward to working with you on this critical program. Thank you for your attention to our concerns and those of our constituents.

Sincerely,

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Durbin Denounces SAVE America Act & Republicans’ Efforts To Restrict Americans’ Fundamental Right To Vote

The SAVE America Act would disenfranchise millions of eligible voters with extreme voting requirements

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered a speech on the Senate floor denouncing the Republicans’ SAVE America Act, which would make it more difficult for millions of Americans to vote. In his remarks, Durbin laid out the barriers to voting that the SAVE America Act would create by requiring all Americans who are registering to vote to show documentary proof of citizenship.

“On August 6, 1965, President Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law. That bill—nearly a century after the ratification of the 15th Amendment—would finally outlaw discriminatory practices that erected unjust barriers to voting for African Americans like literacy tests and poll taxes. It would open the ballot box in America to everyone,” Durbin began. “Six decades later, another President would…insist that Congress pass a bill that would make it harder for eligible citizens to vote.”

“Earlier this week, at President Trump’s request, the Senate began consideration of the SAVE America Act in a marathon debate session. Why? Because the President is throwing a temper tantrum, demanding that Congress pass his legislation and nothing else,” Durbin said.

Addressing the Republicans’ manufactured argument that American elections are not secure because noncitizens are voting, Durbin explained that federal law already bans noncitizens from participating in American elections and that cases of illegal voting are extremely uncommon.

“Federal law already prohibits noncitizens from voting in federal elections, and cases of noncitizens voting are extremely rare… The [Bipartisan Policy Center’s analysis of] the conservative Heritage Foundation’s Election Fraud database found, in the period from 1999 to 2023, 24 years—how many cases do you think they found of voter fraud, incidents when noncitizens successfully cast ballots? Out of the millions and millions of votes that were cast, they found exactly 77 [instances of noncitizens illegally voting] in a 24 year period,” Durbin said.

“What’s the ‘real’ reason [for the SAVE America Act] if there are only 77 cases of voter fraud in 24 years? I’ll tell you. It’s for MAGA Republicans to cling to power by rigging the elections in November. And they’re not hiding it,” Durbin continued. “This President is scared to death of what’s going to happen when the American people finally get to say the last word on his policies. And so, he wants to change the election rules…They don’t think they can win the election fair and square, so they need to change the rules and make it harder for eligible voters.”

Durbin spoke to the specific provisions in the bill that would prevent people from exercising their right to vote. Under the SAVE America Act, which requires proof of citizenship to register to vote, driver’s licenses and other government-issued IDs, including a REAL ID, alone would not be sufficient. According to a nonpartisan study by the Brennan Center and the University of Maryland, more than 21 million Americans who are eligible to vote—or about one out of every ten voting age citizens—do not have documents readily available to prove their citizenship.

“Among the provisions is one that requires all states to obtain proof of citizenship, in person, from people looking to register to vote. In their bill, a driver’s license, the most common form of identification in America, and most REAL IDs would not be enough to register to vote. You need more. You’ve got to prove your citizenship before you can register under the Republican plan. Only birth certificates, passports, or similar documentation would count,” Durbin said.

“How many Americans actually know where their original birth certificate can be found? And how about those who have a birth certificate with a maiden name? Do you know how many Americans don’t have a passport? Almost half the people living in America have no passport,” Durbin said.

“You say to yourself, ‘Well, I’ll go get a passport. There can’t be much to it.’ Have you tried lately? You know what it costs? $165. So before you get to vote, you got to write a check for a passport for $165,” Durbin continued. “If you put an extra $60 on it, make it $225, they’ll expedite it. That’s your poll tax. You want to vote? You want to register? You got a passport? If you don’t, get ready to fork over $165 to $200 for a passport.”

“That’s the Republican plan. Make it more bureaucratic and more cumbersome and more confusing [to vote] despite the fact that there is little to no evidence of voter fraud in the United States,” Durbin said.

“This bill would also unfairly impact married women who have taken their spouses’ names. They would either have to amend their original proof of citizenship documents or go through paperwork and bureaucracy to register to vote,” Durbin said.

Durbin concluded his remarks by reiterating his opposition to the SAVE American Act, legislation that is designed to prevent Americans from exercising their fundamental right to vote.

“If we truly believe, as President Johnson said, that we ‘must not refuse to protect the right of every American to vote in every election that he may desire to participate in,’ then we must reject this terrible legislation that will deny the right to vote to eligible voters across the United States,” Durbin said.

“The SAVE America Act is an affront to the fundamental right to vote, and, I’ll be voting no,” Durbin concluded his remarks.

Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.

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Durbin Introduces No Bailout For Crypto Act

Despite the risk of crypto, President Trump has embraced the scandal-ridden industry; Durbin’s bill would prevent taxpayers from footing the cost of a federal bailout for crypto companies if the industry causes an economic crash

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today introduced the No Bailout for Crypto Actto prevent taxpayers from footing the cost of a federal bailout for crypto companies if the industry causes an economic crash or sees mass bankruptcies. While the cryptocurrency industry has made sweeping promises of a decentralized financial system, faster payments, and financial inclusion, reality shows that crypto is volatile, and the industry is riddled with corruption. The 2008 financial crisis cost taxpayers $498 billion, and the Savings and Loan Crisis of the 1980s and 1990s cost taxpayers $124 billion. Nearly two-thirds of Americans oppose a bailout of the crypto industry.

“When crypto crashes, everyday Americans should not be on the hook for saving a failed industry—as they were during the 2008 financial crisis. That only punishes hardworking Americans despite no wrongdoing of their own,” Durbin said. “My simple legislation would ensure that taxpayers aren’t left holding the bag for this shady industry.”

The No Bailout for Crypto Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI).

The value of Bitcoin—the largest and most popular cryptocurrency—has tumbled by nearly 50 percent from its peak in October 2025. As for previous crypto crashes, a study from the Bank of International Settlements found that $1.8 trillion worth of crypto asset value was lost in the 2022 crypto crash, spurred by the FTX scandal. Another Pew survey found that, of the 14 percent of U.S. adults who claim to have invested in, traded, or used a cryptocurrency, 46 percent report that their investments have done more poorly than expected.

Despite the risk of crypto, President Trump has embraced the scandal-ridden industry. Since returning to office, he pardoned Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the founder of Binance, after CZ helped facilitate a $2 billion deal between World Liberty Financial, President Trump’s crypto venture, and the United Arab Emirates.

The Trump Administration also has terminated several lawsuits, investigations, and enforcement actions involving crypto firms accused of violating investor protections and other federal laws. These deregulatory efforts are, in part, being pursued to further enrich President Trump and his family, who have profited $1.4 billion from their crypto ventures.

Specifically, Durbin’s No Bailout for Crypto Act would:

Instate a prohibition on federal agencies providing financial assistance, for the purpose of preventing the failure or bankruptcy of the crypto industry or other financial institutions, with respect to digital asset activities;

Restrict access to any emergency liquidity facility established under section 13(3) of the Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 343) for the crypto industry or other financial institutions, with respect to digital asset activities; and

Prevent the Secretary of the Treasury from using any amounts in the Exchange Stabilization Fund for the benefit of the crypto industry or other financial institutions, with respect to digital asset activities.

The bill is endorsed by Consumer Federation of America, American Economic Liberties Project, Americans for Financial Reform, Consumer Action, National Association of Consumer Advocates, National Consumer Law Center on behalf of its low-income clients, National Consumers League, Public Citizen, and Woodstock Institute.

Durbin has continuously urged his colleagues to implement guardrails to the crypto market so there is not a repeat of the 2008 financial crisis. Following the 2008 financial crisis, Durbin helped pass the Dodd-Frank Act and create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).

Bill text of the No Bailout for Crypto Act can be found here.

A one-pager of the No Bailout for Crypto Act can be found here.

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Durbin, McCollum Introduce Bill To Mitigate Use Of Toxic PFAS

More than 12,000 types of PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” have been identified

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Representative Betty McCollum (D-MN-04) today introduced bicameral legislation to address the excessive use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) across the nation’s supply chain, which has led to the harmful compounds contaminating water sources and infiltrating surrounding environments and communities. The Forever Chemical Regulation and Accountability Act would mitigate PFAS exposure and contamination by prohibiting excessive, non-essential PFAS uses and releases of any PFAS into air, water, or land.

The bill would also institute a realistic and manageable timeline of 10 years for PFAS manufacturers to stop production of all non-essential PFAS and to eliminate all PFAS releases from their facilities. Further, the Forever Chemical Regulation and Accountability Act would address state statutes of repose and certain bankruptcy maneuvers to make sure those responsible for harms due to certain regulated substances, such as PFAS, do not evade liability.

“Protecting our environment and Americans from toxic hazards like PFAS is a matter of public health—especially when PFAS is commonly used in household products and can be found in our water systems,” said Durbin. “With the Forever Chemical Regulation and Accountability Act, we can work toward phasing out the unnecessary uses of PFAS, protecting consumers and our environment from the hazards of these chemicals.”

“Minnesotans know all too well the threat that PFAS contamination poses to the health and safety of our communities. I’m proud to partner with Senator Durbin to reintroduce our legislation which will set a ten-year national deadline to eliminate PFAS wherever possible,” said McCollum. “This legislation builds on the leadership of Minnesota’s elected officials, who passed Amara’s Law to protect the health of our residents and confront environmental contamination through a ban on non-essential uses of PFAS. Our legislation would establish a federal ban, while also investing in research and ensuring thoughtful, science-backed safeguards that keep people safe and healthy. Reintroducing this legislation is the first step towards ensuring that communities across America have access to the clean and safe drinking water they deserve.”

The Forever Chemical Regulation and Accountability Act would:

Initiate a National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine study to review the persistence, bioaccumulation, and human health risks of PFAS. The Academies would also identify current PFAS uses and provide guidance on classification of essential or non-essential uses, which will be used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require those designated “non- essential” to be phased out.

Require all PFAS manufacturers and users to file reports with EPA to disclose certain information relating to PFAS, and require manufacturers and users to submit a phase-out schedule of their products to be completed within 10 years.

Direct EPA to facilitate phasing out non-essential PFAS production, consumption, and possession and prohibit manufacturers and commercial users from releasing any PFAS into the environment within 10 years.

Establish deadlines for manufacturers to remove PFAS from certain consumer products.

Reinforce that, to the maximum extent possible, PFAS should be eliminated from products or replaced by substitutes that reduce risk to human health and the environment. The bill also would direct federal agencies to maximize resources to achieve this goal.

Establish regional PFAS rapid response hubs to advance PFAS replacement and remediation.

Require EPA to collect fees to administer the reporting and petition processes.

Prevent large corporations from exploiting bankruptcy procedures to avoid claims related to persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals, including PFAS, ensuring that individuals who have been harmed by such chemicals can have their day in court.

Update the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA) to toll state statutes of limitations and statutes of repose for newly-designated hazardous substances, such as PFAS, until the later of the date on which it was designated as a hazardous substance or when the plaintiff knew or reasonably should have known their injury was caused by the substance.

PFAS are a class of chemicals that are highly toxic and can even be harmful at low doses. They are considered “forever chemicals” as they do not breakdown easily and can accumulate in people, food, and the environment. People can be exposed by consuming PFAS-contaminated water or food or by using products that contain PFAS such as food packaging or non-stick cooking surfaces. Despite preliminary evidence showing the chemicals’ toxicity as early as the 1960s, these dangers were not publicly known until the late 1990s. It is estimated 99 percent of Americans have PFAS in their blood. PFAS have been linked to serious illnesses, including several types of cancer, birth defects, and thyroid disease.

The legislation has earned the endorsement of the Environmental Law and Policy Center.

A section-by-section on the bill can be found here.

A one-pager on the bill can be found here.

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Durbin Meets With National Cancer Institute Director Amidst Widespread Concern About The Damage Being Done To Our Nation’s Medical Research Infrastructure

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Co-Chair of the Senate National Institutes of Health (NIH) Caucus, today met with National Cancer Institute (NCI) Director Dr. Anthony Letai to discuss the future of cancer research as President Trump and Health and Human Services’ Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. push forward with efforts to slash funding, delay grant awards, and otherwise dismantle our nation’s critical medical research infrastructure.

The Trump Administration has frozen, delayed, or cancelled billions in NIH grant funding; fired thousands of NIH staffers; and, last year, proposed a budget that would have imposed a 40 percent cut to medical research at NIH, including a more-than 35 percent cut to cancer research specifically. These actions threaten our nation’s progress to find new cures and treatments for cancer patients and their families and discourage the next generation of researchers from entering the medical research field. As of early March, NCI is 42 percent behind its median 2020-2025 pace for awarding new or existing grants—roughly 1,350 fewer awards by this time than in previous years.

“What the Trump Administration and specifically Secretary Kennedy are doing to medical research conducted at NIH and NCI is horrific. Patients desperate for cures are in agony because of this Administration’s efforts to stop medical research in its tracks,” said Durbin. “Today I spoke with Director Letai about the importance of investing in research that results in new cures and treatments for cancer patients and their families. It is my hope that, under his leadership, the NCI will be laser-focused on its core mission to reduce the burden of cancer by supporting—in a timely manner—new and existing scientific research that will save lives.”

Photos of the meeting are available here.

Durbin has long been a strong advocate for robust medical research. His legislation, the American Cures Act, would provide annual budget increases of five percent plus inflation at America’s top four biomedical research agencies: NIH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Defense Health Program, and the Veterans Medical and Prosthetics Research Program. Thanks to Durbin’s efforts to increase medical research funding, Congress has provided NIH with a 60 percent funding increase over the past decade.

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Durbin Slams The Trump Administration’s Extreme MAGA Nominees Who Will Help President Trump Further Weaponize The Justice System

The Committee also considered the nomination of Colin McDonald to be an Assistant Attorney General for the National Fraud Enforcement Division

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered an opening statement during today’s Senate Judiciary Committee executive business meeting slamming the Trump Administration for nominating extreme and unqualified nominees. During his opening, Durbin also condemned the Trump Administration for nominating Colin McDonald to be an Assistant Attorney General for the newly created National Fraud Enforcement Division. Over the last year, the Administration has systematically dismantled offices in the Justice Department that address fraud.

Key Quotes:

“This Committee will consider nominees who will help the President as he approaches his take on our justice system. Colin McDonald is nominated to head the so-called ‘National Fraud Enforcement Division,’ which the Administration created out of thin air. There are already offices in the Justice Department responsible for investigating and prosecuting fraud. But over the last year, the Trump Administration has systematically dismantled these offices.”

“Meanwhile, the President has engaged in an unprecedented fraud spree, more than doubling his net worth since returning to office… Fraudsters who make massive contributions to the President are regularly rewarded with pardons.”

“When the White House announced the creation of the new Fraud Division, Vice President Vance claimed that it would be ‘run out of the White House’ under his and President Trump’s supervision. Can anyone with a straight face argue that this new Division, operating under the President’s thumb, will be a nonpartisan law-enforcement agency? Clearly, the real purpose of the Division is to weaponize fraud enforcement against the President’s opponents.”

“Last month, I wrote to Attorney General Bondi seeking more details about the new Division. She still hasn’t responded… The Committee should not consider this nomination [Mr. McDonald] until these questions are addressed.”

“As I said last week, President Trump is nominating these January 6th apologists to help interfere in the 2026 elections. The President isn’t hiding it. He told us, ‘We should take over the voting… Republicans ought to nationalize the voting.’ Senate Democrats will do everything in our power to resist this.”

Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations.

Durbin then spoke against Mr. McDonald.

“One thing is clear: [Mr. McDonald] is more committed to scoring political points for the President than he is to fighting waste, fraud, and abuse. Mr. McDonald supervises the so-called ‘Weaponization Working Group,’ which he co-led with disgraced nominee Ed Martin prior to his demotion due to alleged improper handling of grand jury materials.”

“The Working Group also employs the infamous Jared Wise… He stormed the Capitol on January 6 and was charged with assault after encouraging rioters who were attacking the police by yelling, ‘Yeah, f*** them! Yeah, kill ‘em!’ During his hearing, Mr. McDonald repeatedly refused to confirm whether he ever witnessed members of the Weaponization Working Group violate the Justice Department Manual or the law. And he refused to condemn Mr. Wise’s continued employment.”

“Mr. McDonald has demonstrated that he is unwilling to stand up to President Trump [and his] Administration [of] grifters.”

Durbin then spoke against Dan Bishop, nominated to be U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina. Mr. Bishop is another MAGA extremist who has never been a prosecutor. On January 6, 2021, Bishop, when he was a member of the House of Representatives, voted against certifying the 2020 election results. He falsely claimed the “Democrats’ attack on our elections was not minor or sporadic. It was coordinated & widespread.” Even today, Mr. Bishop refuses to disavow debunked crackpot conspiracy theories about January 6.

“As Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget… Mr. Bishop was Russ Vought’s right-hand man, wreaking havoc across the federal government. Mr. Bishop played a key role in OMB illegally withholding and restricting funding that had already been appropriated by Congress. I am equally troubled by his long history opposing LGBTQ+ rights.”

“Mr. Bishop also opposed the Respect for Marriage Act. This legislation passed both chambers of Congress on strong bipartisan votes.”

“He does not have the requisite experience to serve as U.S. Attorney. Do you know what percentage of his legal work had been in the criminal proceedings? [Only] three percent. And he had never served as a prosecutor prior to becoming the interim U.S. Attorney.”

“We know why he [Mr. Bishop] was nominated by President Trump. He is yet another MAGA extremist.”

Video of Durbin’s remarks about Mr. McDonald and Mr. Bishop are available here.

Audio of Durbin’s remarks about Mr. McDonald and Mr. Bishop are available here.

Footage of Durbin’s remarks about Mr. McDonald and Mr. Bishop are available herefor TV Stations.

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Fetterman Statement on Mullin Committee Vote

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs will vote to advance the confirmation of U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) released the following statement:

“In January, I called on the president to fire Noem—and he did.

“I truly approached the confirmation of my colleague and friend, Senator Mullin, with an open-mind.

“We need a leader at DHS.

“We must reopen DHS.


Fischer Cosponsors Ricketts’ Stop Insider Trading Act

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) cosponsored Senator Pete Ricketts’ (R-NE) Stop Insider Trading Act to prohibit Members of Congress from purchasing publicly traded stocks. Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA), Jon Husted (R-OH), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Todd Young (R-IN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Jim Risch (R-ID), and John Cornyn (R-TX) also joined in cosponsoring the legislation.

“Public trust in elected officials is essential to our democratic process, and those who sent us here deserve to know Members of Congress are not profiting from the positions they hold,” said Fischer. “The Stop Insider Trading Act ensures Members cannot use insider knowledge for financial gain, and offers a clear, common-sense approach to how Congress regulates itself. I thank Senator Ricketts and House Administration Committee Chairman Steil for their leadership in restoring trust in those who serve.”

“No lawmaker should ever profit from insider information. Nebraskans send us to Congress to build a better country. Public service is a privilege, not a profit center,” said Ricketts. “Trust in Congress remains at an all-time low. To fix that, we need to prove we are playing by the same rules as everyone else. In Nebraska, we value a hard day's work and playing fair. This bill brings Nebraska common sense to the Senate floor to ensure Congress serves the people.”

This legislation prohibits Members, their spouses, and their dependent children from purchasing any new stocks in publicly traded companies. It also requires public notice at least seven days, but no more than 14 days, in advance of any sell.

The bill establishes a penalty of $2,000 or 10 percent of the investment value, whichever is greater, as well as the forfeiture of any net gain realized from any sale.

The Stop Insider Trading Act introduced in the Senate today is companion legislation to House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil’s legislation introduced in the House of Representatives in January of this year.

See full bill text here.

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ICYMI: Fischer Highlights Affordable Child Care Bill Before Senate HELP Committee

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) appeared before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) to discuss her bipartisan legislation, the Child Care Modernization Act, introduced last year. Fischer’s bill reauthorizes and improves the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) to help provide quality, affordable childcare to America’s working families.

Download video of Fischer's remarks here

Fischer’s remarks as prepared:

Good morning, Chairman, Ranking Member, and members of the Committee. Thank you for the opportunity to speak today.

I’m here to discuss legislation I’ve introduced with Senator Gillibrand — the Child Care Modernization Act.

This bill reauthorizes the Child Care and Development Block Grant program, which has supported working families since 1990 by providing childcare assistance to low-income families with children under age 13.

Today, it delivers $8.8 billion in funding to states and tribes, serving primarily young children, while also supporting before- and after-school care and summer programs.

Despite strong bipartisan support over more than three decades, this program has not been reauthorized since 2014.

Our bill not only reauthorizes this grant program — it modernizes it to reflect today’s childcare realities. It strengthens affordability for families while addressing the operational and workforce challenges providers face.

Specifically, the bill ensures parental choice by supporting a full range of care options — centers, home-based providers, nonprofits, for-profits, and care from family or neighbors.

It updates reimbursement rates using a cost estimation model, so providers are paid based on what it actually takes to deliver care in today’s economy. And it creates a new subgrant program to expand supply, support innovation, and invest in infrastructure.

I also want to address recent fraud concerns raised in several states, including Minnesota. These incidents are serious, and I appreciate this committee’s recent hearing focused on program integrity.

That discussion made clear two things. First, childcare remains a bipartisan priority. And second, we must strengthen oversight to prevent fraud and hold bad actors accountable — without undermining a program that is essential to families and providers.

Across our states, we consistently hear about three core challenges: limited supply, workforce shortages, and high costs for families.

The Child Care Modernization Act directly addresses each of these. While there is no single solution to our childcare challenges, this bill builds on a proven, bipartisan program and makes it stronger for the families who rely on it.

I want to close by emphasizing that Senator Gillibrand and our co-leads — Senators Collins and Hickenlooper — and I welcome collaboration.

We invite our colleagues to join us as cosponsors and encourage the committee to consider this bill in a bipartisan markup in the months ahead.

Thank you, and I look forward to working with you.

READ MORE: Bipartisan Senate group releases bill to help increase affordable child care, NBC News

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Fischer Introduces Bill to Reduce Unfunded Mandates, Spur Job Growth

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced the Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act (UMATA) to reduce unfunded federal government mandates on local governments and businesses, allowing for more regulatory freedom and job creation. Senator James Lankford (R-OK) joined Fischer as an original cosponsor of the bill.

“The federal government has thrown unfunded mandates on businesses and local governments across the country for far too long,” said Fischer. “Overregulating has restrained job growth and created a bureaucracy that only hurts communities back home. This bill breaks open the regulatory process and gives the public a real say in how these decisions are made. The federal government should be in the business of encouraging economic growth, not tying the hands of those who drive it.”

This legislation expands a nearly two-decade-old law, the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA), which was enacted to prevent the spread of unfunded federal mandates. It would increase accountability by requiring agencies to perform cost analyses and updating the accounting structure to include other undocumented costs to consumers. Specifically, the UMATA will:

Clarify that all agencies must conduct UMRA analyses unless a law “expressly” prohibits agencies from doing so.

Direct agencies to consult with the public and the private sector when developing regulations.

Allow a chairman or ranking member of any standing or select committee of the Senate or House of Representatives to request an agency to conduct a retrospective analysis of an existing federal regulatory mandate.

Include costs passed on to consumers in the analysis of the mandate’s total cost.

The UMATA is supported by the National Federation of Independent Business and the Competitive Enterprise Institute.

Dylan Rosnick, Principal, Federal Government Relations, NFIB, said, “NFIB members continuously rank ‘unreasonable government regulation’ as one of the top issues facing their business. Regulatory costs exploded under the previous administration, totaling an unprecedented $1.8 trillion. This mountain of red tape disproportionately impacts small businesses, many of which do not have dedicated compliance officers or lawyers to assist with compliance. The Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act would assist small businesses by requiring all agencies to properly analyze regulatory costs and allowing Congress the ability to stop new private sector mandates before they are even enacted. NFIB supports this legislation and thanks Senator Fischer for her leadership in reducing red tape for small businesses.”

Clyde Wayne Crews Jr., Fellow in Regulatory Studies, Competitive Enterprise Institute, said, "The Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act (UMATA) represents a timely and necessary modernization of federal oversight. Nearly three decades ago, the original and overwhelmingly bipartisan Unfunded Mandates Reform Act brought much-needed discipline to Washington. But since then, agencies learned to work around its requirements, leaving Congress, states, and the public without a clear picture of the true costs of federal directives. UMATA restores transparency by strengthening and clarifying requirements for agency regulatory impact analyses. The new reporting will more fully account for regulatory costs imposed on state and local governments, small businesses, and consumers. By requiring more rigorous and consistent analysis of regulatory impacts, this legislation helps policymakers see the trade-offs people face in complying with federal mandates. We commend Senator Fischer for introducing this companion legislation that advances commonsense reforms aimed at increasing transparency, restoring congressional oversight, and helping safeguard taxpayers and local communities from hidden regulatory burdens.”

Background

In 1995, the UMRA was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. This law was designed to prevent the spread of unfunded federal mandates by establishing reporting requirements on the cost of mandates. Since that time, the Government Accountability Office has identified 14 loopholes that permit an agency to avoid UMRA analysis requirements.

Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC-05) has introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

See full bill text here.

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Gallego Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Capital for Small Businesses

WASHINGTON — Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced legislation to increase access to capital for small businesses and entrepreneurs by modernizing outdated securities regulations.

The Small Business Investor Capital Access Act would update federal securities law to allow more small private funds to invest in emerging businesses by adjusting the threshold that determines when private fund advisers must register with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Under current law established in the 2010 Dodd-Frank Act, private fund advisers with up to $150 million in assets under management are exempt from SEC registration.

“For too many small business owners, securing financing is still the hardest part of getting a business off the ground — and the problem runs deepest in communities that traditional lenders have long overlooked. Small investment funds can fill that gap, but right now they are forced to spend time and money following the same expensive compliance rules as massive Wall Street firms. That mismatch means these small funds have less capital to put towards startups and small businesses,” said Senator Gallego. “This bill modernizes an outdated $150 million threshold and ties it to inflation so smaller funds can direct resources toward supporting local job-creating investments.”

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, but too often they struggle to access the capital needed to expand and create jobs,” said Senator Rounds. “This legislation removes unnecessary regulatory barriers that prevent small investment funds from directing capital to innovative startups and entrepreneurs, particularly in rural communities like many across South Dakota.”

“The Small Business Investor Alliance (SBIA) applauds the introduction of the Small Business Investor Capital Access Act by Senator Mike Rounds and Senator Gallego. This is a smart and necessary modernization of outdated regulation,” said Brett Palmer, President of SBIA. “Their strong support underscores the importance of aligning regulatory thresholds with economic reality. This bill will reduce compliance costs for smaller funds and allow more capital to flow to America’s small businesses.”

Under Dodd Frank, the current exemption for private fund advisors registering with the SEC is for firms up to $150M – this legislation increases the exemption to $175M for advisers to small private funds to reflect changes from inflation and requires the SEC to adjust the threshold for inflation every 5 years. Representatives Andy Barr (KY-06) and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07) lead companion legislation in the House.


Gallego Slams Rubio for Close Relationship with Hungary, Undermining U.S. interests in Europe

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) slammed the Trump administration for its growing relationship with long-time nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of Hungary. Gallego’s letter mimics one that then-Senator Marco Rubio sent President Trump in 2019 denouncing the U.S.’ growing alliance with Hungary.

Vice President JD Vance plans to visit Hungary in the coming days in a show of support for Orbán ahead of next month’s elections, raising concerns about U.S. interference and the administration’s embrace of anti-democratic leaders.

“I write to express my concern about Hungary’s downward democratic trajectory and the implications for U.S. interests in Central Europe,” Senator Gallego wrote in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio mirroring the one Rubio sent Trump in 2019. “In recent years, democracy in Hungary has significantly eroded. Under Prime Minister Orbán, the election process has become less competitive, and the judiciary is increasingly controlled by the state. Press freedom has declined as advertisers have been strongly discouraged from placing ads in independent outlets, and ownership of key outlets has been consolidated under a foundation exempt from antitrust regulation.”

Senator Gallego’s letter calls out Rubio’s hypocrisy in endorsing Orbán while denouncing “Hungary’s downward democratic trajectory and the implications for U.S. interests in Central Europe.”

“When, as a member of the Senate, you joined Senators in expressing these very same concerns about democratic erosion in Hungary, and Hungary’s pro-Russia trajectory it signaled the seriousness with which many in Congress view the alliance between the United States and Hungary,” Senator Gallego wrote.

Senator Gallego also raised concerns about Hungary’s close relationship with Moscow, citing its role in helping Russia evade U.S. sanctions, deepening energy ties, and repeatedly breaking with NATO allies on efforts to hold the Kremlin accountable. He warned that the United States should not appear to support Orbán ahead of the April elections.

“Given these developments, I am disappointed with your decision to contribute to Hungary’s anti-democratic trajectory by overtly campaigning with Prime Minister Orbán,” Senator Gallego concluded. “We stand in solidarity with the Hungarian people and urge you to remain true to democratic values that have undergirded U.S. relations with Central and Eastern Europe since the end of the Cold War.”


Amid Substantial Job Losses And Rising Prices, Gillibrand Calls For Tax Rebate For Working Families

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) held a virtual press conference to call for a tax rebate for working families who are struggling amid rising prices and working-class job losses due to President Trump’s reckless tariffs. Gillibrand’s Tariff Refunds for Working Families Act would use the billions of dollars in revenue generated by President Trump’s tariffs to provide a tax rebate to working families making $180,000 or less.

“Working families are struggling amid higher prices and substantial job losses due to President Trump’s reckless tariffs,” said Senator Gillibrand. “My Tariff Refunds for Working Families Act would provide American consumers with direct tax rebates, delivering real financial relief to families across New York and putting money back directly into their pockets. This commonsense legislation would return the billions of dollars that the government has collected via illegal tariffs to hardworking families who need relief. I am committed to getting it across the finish line.”

According to a recent report from the Center for American Progress, America has lost nearly 200,000 working-class jobs in industries that are uniquely exposed to tariffs. That includes 89,000 jobs in manufacturing and 123,700 jobs in transportation and warehousing.

President Trump’s tariffs have cost New York families thousands of dollars, squeezing working families’ budgets. According to a report from Governor Kathy Hochul’s office, President Trump’s tariffs are costing New York households an estimated $4,200 annually.

The Tariff Refunds for Working Families Act would provide direct rebates to American families who make $180,000 or less. Specifically, it would:

Provide a tax rebate of $600 to individual filers making $90,000 or less.

Provide a tax rebate of $600 to head of household filers making $120,000 or less.

Provide a tax rebate of $1,200 to joint filers making $180,000 or less.

Provide an additional tax rebate of $600 for each dependent child.

The text of the Tariff Refunds for Working Families Act can be found here.

Senator Gillibrand has been fighting to deliver relief for working families amidst Trump’s tariffs since their implementation. Last week, she introduced the Small Business Liberation 2.0 Act, which would exempt small businesses from paying Trump’s latest tariffs and prevent price gouging for consumers because of Trump’s new tariff policy. Last year, she joined 14 of her colleagues in introducing the Small Business RELIEF Act to end Trump’s Tariff Tax and refund small businesses their duties paid. She also sent a legal brief with 206 members of Congress emphasizing to the Supreme Court that these tariffs are illegal.

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Grassley Marks Over 100 Veterans’ Stories Shared with Library of Congress

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today delivered six more interviews with Iowa veterans to the Library of Congress as part of the Veterans History Project. Grassley has now submitted 101 Iowa veterans’ stories, from World War II to present day. In the recorded interviews, the veterans detail their experiences serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Library of Congress established the Veterans History Project in 2000 to collect, preserve and make accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations can hear from them directly and better understand their heroism and service.

The stories of the following veterans were submitted today:

Teresa Martens, Crawford County – Army: Desert Storm, Saudi Arabia, Germany

Harlan “Bud” Hockenberg, Polk County – Navy: Charleston, South Carolina

Jeffrey Mendenhall, Crawford County – Iowa Air National Guard: Iraq (War on Terrorism)

Gavin Sandvig, Polk County – Iowa Army National Guard: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Robert Suesekul, Jasper County – Army: Iraq

Mike Olson, Marion County – Iowa Army National Guard: Desert Storm, Stateside

Grassley spoke on the Senate floor about the Veterans History Project today. Video and remarks follow.

Floor Remarks by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa

Senate President Pro Tempore

“Veterans History Project”

Thursday, March 19, 2026

VIDEO

I come to the floor about a project that I’ve been proud to support over the years at the Library of Congress. The project is called [the] Veterans History Project.

The Veterans History Project helps collect as well as preserve the stories of American veterans so that future generations can hear directly from the people who have served our country. These are actually videos so you can hear as well as see.

The sacrifices of the men and women in uniform should never be forgotten.

Their stories help us to better understand the cost of freedom and the service that has helped keep our country safe and free and strong.

Today, I will be delivering, for the ninth year, the stories of six more Iowa veterans to the Library of Congress as part of this project.

These veterans come from communities across Iowa and represent different branches of military service. This year, [that includes] the Army, Navy, Air National Guard and Army National Guard. Their service includes different periods and experiences, even including service during Operation Desert Storm.

These records bring the total number of records that I’ve submitted for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project to [over] 100.

These additional stories will now be preserved at the Library of Congress, where they can help future generations better understand the roles our veterans have played in defending our freedoms.

I’m glad that these Iowa stories will be part of such an important project.


Judiciary Committee Advances Fraud-Fighting Assistant Attorney General, One U.S. Attorney and Three U.S. Marshals

WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced the following nominations:

Colin McDonald, to be an Assistant Attorney General, by a vote of 12-10;

James Bishop, to be United States Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina, by a vote of 12-10;

Brian Barber, to be United States Marshal for the Western District of Louisiana, by a vote of 12-10;

Steven Lewis, to be United States Marshal for the Eastern District of Missouri, by a vote of 17-5; and

Priscilla Lopez, to be United States Marshal for the Southern District of Florida, by a vote of 18-4.

Watch the executive business meeting HERE. Read Chairman Chuck Grassley’s (R-Iowa) opening statement HERE.

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Hawley Opens Investigation into Abortion Drug Companies, Creates Hotline for Victims to Report Harms

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent letters to two chemical abortion drug manufacturers—Danco Laboratories and GenBioPro— to inform them that he is opening an investigation into their business practices related to mifepristone as mounting evidence shows women are suffering alarming rates of adverse-effects after taking the drug.

“I write to inform you that I am opening an investigation into Danco Laboratories and its manufacture, distribution, and marketing practices relating to mifepristone. Mounting evidence suggests that mifepristone poses grave risks to women. Yet your company has continued to profit from the widespread distribution of this drug even as serious questions have emerged about hemorrhage, infection, sepsis, and other dangerous complications associated with its use.,” Senator Hawley wrote.

Senator Hawley continued, “These concerns are especially serious because as mifepristone became more widely distributed, your company was in a position to learn far more about the drug’s real-world consequences than the public. The larger the market for your product has become, the greater your access to adverse-event information, complication data, provider feedback, pharmacy complaints, and post-market safety signals. Yet serious questions remain about whether your company fully investigated those dangers and accurately conveyed them to regulators and the public. The success of your company’s mifepristone business depends on broad distribution and public confidence in the drug’s safety, so your company has a powerful financial incentive to avoid facts that could threaten sales, invite scrutiny, or justify stronger safeguards.”

Senator Hawley concluded, “Congress must determine what your company knew about the harms associated with mifepristone, when it knew it, what it told regulators, and what it may have failed to disclose to women and the public. Accordingly, please produce the documents and information described in the attached Schedule by no later than April 24, 2026. The women exposed to the risks of this drug deserve a full accounting.”

Read Senator Hawley’s full letter to the abortion drug companies here.

Senator Hawley is also opening a hotline for women who have been harmed by chemical abortion to confidentially share their stories with his office. Please contact Senator Hawley’s office by calling (202) 224-6154 or emailing AbortionDrugHarms@hawley.senate.gov.

Senator Hawley recently hosted a press conference unveiling his new legislation to ban the chemical abortion drug mifepristone and empower women harmed by the drug to sue its manufacturers.


Heinrich, Luján Demand DHS Reduce Delays for DACA Renewals

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) sent a letter demanding that outgoing U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow reduce the delays in processing renewal applications under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Created in 2012, DACA protects individuals who came to the United States as children from deportation. DACA recipients across the country are experiencing increasing delays in renewing their status.

“DACA has allowed hundreds of thousands of Dreamers an opportunity to pursue higher education and meaningful careers while remaining in the only home they have ever known,” the senators wrote to Secretary Noem and Director Edlow. “Delays in processing DACA renewals are increasing the instability and uncertainty that DACA recipients already face. These delays can have profound consequences. When renewals are not processed before expiration, recipients lose employment authorization and, in many cases, their jobs. Employers experience workforce disruptions, including in sectors such as health care and education and in small businesses. Hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizen children have a parent with DACA, and when their work authorization lapses due to slow renewals, families endure heightened financial instability.”

In their letter, the senators also call attention to the increased risk of detention and deportation faced by DACA recipients when their renewal applications are not processed before their status expires. According to the DHS, as many as 270 DACA recipients have been detained and 174 have been deported. That includes at least 9 DACA recipients who have been detained in the El Paso Sector, which includes New Mexico.

“DACA recipients contribute billions of dollars annually to the national economy and serve vital roles in our communities. Administrative delays in DACA renewals undermine not only individual stability but also broader economic resilience. To reduce these disruptions and risks for DACA recipients, we urge you to reduce processing times for DACA renewal applications and reduce the volume of pending cases through timely renewals,” the senators concluded.

The letter is led by U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). Alongside Heinrich and Luján, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), President Trump’s nominee to replace Secretary Noem, also received a copy of this letter.

The full text of the letter is here and below:

Dear Secretary Noem and Director Edlow:

We write to express serious concerns regarding delays in the processing of renewal applications under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Across the country, DACA recipients are reporting significant processing delays for their renewal applications. Many applicants who filed their renewals on time and in accordance with agency guidance are experiencing prolonged adjudication periods that extend beyond their current period of deferred action and employment authorization. We urge you to take all steps within your power to process renewal applications in a timely manner and protect the DACA recipients who rely on this program and who contribute so much to this country.

DACA has allowed hundreds of thousands of Dreamers an opportunity to pursue higher education and meaningful careers while remaining in the only home they have ever known. Delays in processing DACA renewals are increasing the instability and uncertainty that DACA recipients already face. These delays can have profound consequences. When renewals are not processed before expiration, recipients lose employment authorization and, in many cases, their jobs. Employers experience workforce disruptions, including in sectors such as health care and education and in small businesses. Hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizen children have a parent with DACA, and when their work authorization lapses due to slow renewals, families endure heightened financial instability.

Most concerningly, a lapse in DACA can result in an increased risk of being detained and even deported by federal immigration officials. Our offices have heard examples of constituents whose DACA has lapsed due to renewal delays being picked up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A DACA recipient whose only change of circumstance is a pending renewal application should not be at risk of their entire life being thrown into chaos due to indiscriminate immigration enforcement.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has also failed to provide clear notice as to policies or procedures that may be worsening this issue. For example, in helping our constituents address DACA renewal delays, some casework staff have been told that requests to expedite renewals will only be considered for recipients who work in the health care industry. While DACA health care workers are essential to the functioning of our local communities, they are by no means the only DACA recipients whose cases meet the agency’s criteria to expedite a renewal.

Many casework staff have also been informed that USCIS has frozen DACA renewal processing for individuals from 39 countries subject to President Trump’s national security proclamations. This decision, which has not been publicly announced, could indefinitely delay the DACA renewal of thousands of beneficiaries, subjecting them to potential detention and removal to countries where they did not grow up.

To better understand and address these concerns, we request detailed responses to the following questions:

What is the current average processing time for DACA renewal applications?

What steps is USCIS taking to ensure that timely filed renewal applicants do not experience lapses in employment authorization? What is the timeline for executing those steps?

What changes have been made to USCIS’s policies, procedures, and guidance regarding DACA renewals since January 20, 2025?

What are USCIS’s policies, procedures, and guidance regarding requests to expedite DACA renewals?

What steps does USCIS plan to take to ensure that renewals filed earlier than 150 days in advance of expiration are processed in a timely manner?

Does USCIS provide information to ICE regarding individuals’ DACA expiration dates?

Does USCIS provide information to ICE regarding individuals’ pending DACA renewals?

Does USCIS otherwise share information with ICE regarding DACA holders or facilitate the arrest, detention, or removal of DACA holders or individuals with renewals for DACA pending? If so, please describe this information sharing and/or facilitation in detail.

How many individuals with DACA renewal pending have been detained? a. How many remain in immigration custody? b. How many have been removed?

How many pending DACA renewals have been filed as of March 1, 2026 that are subject to the adjudicative hold for countries listed in Presidential Proclamations 10949 and 10998?

How many pending DACA renewals have been filed as of March 1, 2026, that are subject to any other adjudicative holds? Please provide the number per type of adjudicative hold.

DACA recipients contribute billions of dollars annually to the national economy and serve vital roles in our communities. Administrative delays in DACA renewals undermine not only individual stability but also broader economic resilience.

To reduce these disruptions and risks for DACA recipients, we urge you to reduce processing times for DACA renewal applications and reduce the volume of pending cases through timely renewals. We request a written response by April 17, 2026. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely,

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Heinrich: SAVE Act is “One of the Most Extreme Voter Suppression Bills in Recent History”

Full video here

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) delivered remarks on the Senate floor echoing and uplifting New Mexicans’ concerns with President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ SAVE Act, legislation that will deprive millions of American citizens of their right to vote.

VIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) delivers remarks on the Senate floor uplifting New Mexicans voices and highlighting how President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ SAVE Act will deprive American citizens of their right to vote, March 18, 2026.

“The SAVE Act does not save anyone from anything. It does not protect our freedoms. It does not protect our elections. And it does not protect our country. Instead, it actively targets all three,” said Heinrich. “Our right to vote is the foundation of every other right we have. From our right to bear arms to our right to peacefully protest, it is only through our right to vote that we can protect those freedoms and demand a government that does the same. We know this to our core. To our founding. To our genesis as a country.”

Heinrich continued, “Republicans’ SAVE Act would strip the right to vote from those who don’t already have a passport or birth certificate, or the time and money to expedite getting one. It would strip the right to vote from women who took their husband’s last name, and don’t have the means to get an affidavit or the extra documents to prove they are the same person they were at birth. And it would effectively strip voters of the ability to register to vote by mail – and the substitute amendment that was offered yesterday would eliminate most mail-in voting altogether. It is today’s poll tax...This is not a voter ID bill. This is a voter suppression bill.”

In his remarks, Heinrich uplifted New Mexicans’ voices by reading letters he has received from constituents. Find the video of Heinrich reading letters from New Mexicans here.

Heinrich also underscored how the SAVE Act will disenfranchise rural voters, veterans, and women who have taken their husband’s last names — while eliminating voter registration drives, online registration, and automatic voter registration. Find the video of Heinrich sounding the alarm on how the SAVE Act will disenfranchise American voters here.

Heinrich provided specific examples of how President Trump and Congressional Republicans would rather sabotage and strip Americans’ right to vote than face the American people's dissatisfaction or tackle affordability. Find the video of Heinrich providing those specific examples here.

Additionally, Heinrich detailed his actions to combat foreign interference in our elections, secure funding to improve election security in New Mexico, and introduce legislation to fortify our election certification process and restore the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act. Find the video of Heinrich detailing his actions to protect Americans’ right to vote and secure our elections here.

Heinrich concluded his remarks by quoting former U.S. Senator for New Mexico Dennis Chavez and calling on his Republican colleagues to vote ‘no’ on the SAVE Act to safeguard the right to vote, “All American citizens should have the same right to vote as the Senators in this room. All American citizens deserve to hold the reins of this great democracy in their hands. So for those constituents, for all Americans, I say again: ‘Either we are all free, or we fail; democracy must belong to all of us.’ I call upon my colleagues in the Senate: Choose freedom. Choose democracy. And say ‘no’ to the so-called SAVE Act.”

Earlier this month, Heinrich hosted a roundtable with New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver and local election officials to discuss the current, unprecedented threats to Americans’ right to vote and New Mexico’s elections posed by Trump’s administration. Heinrich also discussed how devastating Republicans’ SAVE Act would be for New Mexicans.

For more information on Heinrich’s actions to protect New Mexicans’ right to vote and bolster election security, click here.

Background on Republicans' Legislation to Disenfranchise American Citizens from Voting:

Republicans’ SAVE Act would require New Mexicans to provide “proof of citizenship” when registering to vote. Prospective voters, or voters seeking to update their registration, would be required to travel to their local election offices in person and provide election officials with documentary proof of their citizenship. The most common document that would satisfy the SAVE Act’s requirements is a passport, which approximately 140 million Americans do not have. Alternatively, applicants would have to provide a valid, government-issued photo ID as well as a birth certificate, naturalization certificate, or another official record listing the applicant’s birthplace as the United States. Approximately 21 million Americans do not have ready access to those documents either.

Without these documents, New Mexicans would not be allowed to vote in any federal elections. And they’re ability to remedy the situation would be limited – the typical wait time to receive one of these documents is 6 weeks, but it would likely take longer if the SAVE Act was passed and millions of Americans simultaneously requested them.

And even if an applicant did have those documents at hand, the SAVE Act effectively bans automatic voter registration, nonpartisan voter registration drives, and online and mail registration, making it harder for citizens to register to cast their vote.

Importantly, even without passage of the SAVE Act, noncitizens are already prohibited from voting in federal elections — under the Illegal Immigration Reform and Responsibility Act of 1996 — and no state allows noncitizens to vote in federal elections. The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 also already requires voters to affirm U.S. citizenship under penalty of perjury when registering to vote.

Republicans’ attempt to pass their SAVE Act comes amid the Trump U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) lawsuit to obtain unfettered access to New Mexico’s voter rolls, the DOJ’s seizure of voter rolls in Georgia and Arizona, and the Trump administration’s demand to access voter rolls in Minneapolis. And it is on top of Trump’s proposals to gut key election infrastructure funding through the appropriations process – efforts that Congress has fended off to-date but remains an ever-present threat.

For more information on Heinrich’s actions to protect New Mexicans’ right to vote and bolster election security, click here.

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