Curtis, King, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Fiscal Commission Act

Legislation would create a bicameral fiscal commission to find legislative solutions to stabilize and decrease the national debt

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Angus King (I-ME) today introduced the Fiscal Commission Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen America’s fiscal health and stabilize the nation’s finances for future generations. The bill would create a bipartisan, bicameral fiscal commission tasked with finding legislative solutions to stabilize spending and decrease the national debt, which now exceeds $38.8 trillion.

Joining Curtis and King as cosponsors of the legislation are Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Todd Young (R-IN), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), and Mark Warner (D-VA).

“Our national debt has ballooned to over $38 trillion—a staggering figure that threatens higher costs for families, fewer economic opportunities, and a heavier burden for future generations,” said Senator Curtis. “Our children and grandchildren need real reform, which is why we’re introducing the Fiscal Commission Act. This legislation creates a bipartisan, bicameral process to develop meaningful solutions to confront our unsustainable debt, safeguard our economic strength, and ensure fiscal stability well into the future.”

“Right now, the national debt breaks down to over $113,000 for every man woman and child in this country—that’s overwhelming and unsustainable. To add insult to injury, payments on interest alone—just this year—have become a larger source of spending than both Medicare and national defense spending,” said Senator King. “The Fiscal Commission Act will ensure that our government works in a bipartisan, bicameral manner to find legislative solutions that stabilize spending and decrease the national debt, since both parties dug this hole and we need to work together to get out of it. This bill is an important step forward in fiscal responsibility for future generations and most importantly moves the country in a direction where the government is a more responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.”

“Washington cannot ignore the serious fiscal challenges facing our country as the national debt continues to grow,” said Senator Tillis. “This bipartisan, bicameral fiscal commission brings lawmakers together to do the hard work of identifying practical, achievable solutions that put America on a more sustainable path. I’m proud to support this effort to strengthen our economic outlook for the next generation.”

“America’s growing national debt places unfair burdens on future generations and threatens our economic security,” said Senator Coons. “If we’re going to solve this challenge, Democrats and Republicans will need to work together and find responsible, sustainable solutions to get our debt under control while protecting the investments that help American families thrive. I’m proud to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle on the Bipartisan Fiscal Commission Act to confront this challenge and help put our nation on a more sustainable fiscal path.”

“Our nation’s finances must be stabilized for future generations,” said Senator Young. “I’ve long been a supporter of creating a fiscal commission to examine federal spending in a non-partisan way. We must identify areas for meaningful reforms and then enact real change to get our budget and debt under control.”

“We must find a bipartisan path forward to address our nation’s debt while preserving vital programs that Americans rely on,” said Senator Kaine. “That’s why I’m introducing this bipartisan legislation with my colleagues that would create a commission so we can have this important dialogue and take steps toward addressing the debt.”

“If Louisiana families have to budget, so should the federal government,” said Dr. Cassidy. “We’re addressing this to protect our economy today and make sure our kids aren’t stuck with the bill.”

“Our soaring federal debt already adds more than $1,000 to the cost of a typical mortgage—and for the first time, federal interest payments are expected to reach $1 trillion this year, making it our nation’s third largest expense. To ensure America lives up to its promise for generations to come, Congress must do more to address our country’s climbing debt,” said Senator Shaheen. “Our commonsense legislation establishes a bipartisan commission to generate practical solutions that will help reduce our deficits and return us to a sustainable path that advances opportunities for all Americans to get ahead.”

“The time to get serious about the national debt was about $38 trillion ago, but now is the second-best time,” Said Senator Cramer. “We let our national debt balloon out of control and now we need to have honest, serious conversations about the drivers of the problem. The Fiscal Commission Act will force Republicans and Democrats to confront the problem, and put us on the path toward a fiscally sustainable future.”

“Our country needs practical, comprehensive solutions to tackle our long-term fiscal challenges and national debt problem,” said Senator Warner. “This bipartisan commission will bring together public and private sector experts so that we can stabilize the debt, protect critical programs that working families rely on like Medicare and Social Security, and ensure a bright economic future for our children and grandchildren.”

“Forcing Congress to comprehensively and definitively address the national debt through the Fiscal Commission Act could be our last best chance to protect our nation’s financial future. Generations of Americans’ retirements, healthcare, affordability, and national security are at stake,” said Representative Bill Huizenga. “Today’s introduction proves that establishing a fiscal commission is still, in fact, the most bipartisan, practical, and immediate way to finally stop kicking the can down the road. I’m glad to partner with Senators Curtis and King on this important bipartisan effort.”

Background:

The national debt now exceeds $38.8 trillion, which is approximately 124% of the entire U.S. economy. Both parties are to blame—fiscal policies enacted by both Democrats and Republicans have led to soaring annual budget deficits, which totaled $1.7 trillion in calendar year 2025 alone. It’s projected that the federal government will spend more than $1 trillion on interest on the debt alone in 2026, making it a larger expenditure than Medicare and national defense, and second only to Social Security.

How It Works:

The legislation would establish a 16-member bipartisan, bicameral commission consisting of 12 elected officials and four outside experts.

The Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader, Senate Majority Leader, and Senate Minority Leader each appoint four individuals to the Commission, of which three must be members from their respective chambers and one must be an outside expert.

The Commission would produce a report and propose legislation aiming to improve the long-term fiscal condition of the Federal Government, stabilize the ratio of public debt to GDP within a 15-year period, and improve the solvency of Federal trust funds over a 75-year period.

The Commission would be required to vote on approval of the report and legislative language by May 17, 2027.

Any report or legislative language produced by the Commission must be approved by a majority of the 12 elected official members, with at least two being from each party.

If the Commission approves proposed legislative language, it would receive expedited consideration in both chambers.

While 60 votes would be required to invoke cloture prior to final passage in the Senate, only a simple majority would be needed for the motion to proceed, which would be privileged.


Daines, Sheehy, Zinke Send Letter Urging FAA to Include Bozeman Airport in New Pilot Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, as well as Representative Ryan Zinke (MT-01), today sent a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to express support for the inclusion of Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) in the Federal Contract Tower to FAA tower transition program.

“As you know, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 directs the FAA to establish the pilot program no later than 18 months after enactment and to prioritize contract towers that meet specific tower operations and passenger enplanement criteria. The Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, which was recently signed into law, provides $6 million for the pilot program as well. The FAA is now well positioned to move forward expeditiously in carrying out the program and we believe BZN should be one of the first airports selected for consideration,” they wrote in the letter.

Read the full letter HERE.

Background:

Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN) is the busiest commercial airport in Montana. BZN operates as a Federal Contract Tower, staffed by employees of a private company rather than by FAA employees. In recent years, BZN has faced significant staffing challenges at their tower which has threatened BZN’s ability to ensure safe and efficient operations. The 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act included a pilot program for certain FCT towers to be transitioned to FAA operated Air Traffic Control towers. The FY2026 T-HUD Appropriations bill included $6 million for the program. BZN is a strong candidate for inclusion in the pilot program based on several metrics, including those laid out in the 2024 FAA Reauthorization bill.

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ICYMI: Daines Op-Ed in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle: “Thanks to President Trump, We’re Protecting Montana’s Mines”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines penned an op-ed in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle about the Trump administration’s actions to protect Montana mining. Read it below.

Sen. Steve Daines: Thanks to President Trump, we’re protecting Montana’s mines

Bozeman Daily Chronicle

March 6th, 2026

Montana’s mining industry is critically important to not only our state but the country. Hard rock mining for critical minerals like copper, platinum, palladium, and silver provides more than 18,000 good-paying jobs for Montanans, adds nearly $430 million to the state’s economy, and provides an essential tax base for our local communities.

In addition, Montana’s coal mines employ nearly 1,000 with a combined payroll of $100 million and provide $200 million in state and local taxes and royalties to Montana’s communities.

For four years, however, Joe Biden’s administration waged a relentless war on Montana’s miners, threatening their livelihood and with it, the fabric of their communities.

His administration didn’t care whether it was coal at Bull Mountains or palladium at Stillwater. Every action his administration took over four years related to mining was hostile and designed to put Montana’s mines out of business, all because he refused to side with Montana and stand up to those who attacked us.

When it came to coal, the Biden administration adopted the agenda of radical left-wing environmentalists and his BLM and EPA used it as the basis for every rule and regulation it issued. As a result, the Biden administration will likely go down as the most anti-coal and anti-Montana administration in history.

Thankfully, President Trump had enough.

In July, I stood next to President Trump as he signed my bill to keep the Bull Mountains Mine open. Together we saved nearly 400 coal mining jobs and preserved the local economy while we were at it.

When it comes to Stillwater, President Biden refused to stand up to Russia. The only primary producer of platinum and palladium in the United States is Stillwater and these metals are vitally important to our economy, particularly the defense industry and its use in catalytic converters and other important electronic and medical devices.

Russia and South Africa are the other major palladium producers in the world. Its scarcity means that a country that mines its own palladium can leverage its availability on global supply chains to its own advantage.

This is what Russia did to the United States when Joe Biden was president.

In 2022, Russia began flooding the global market with palladium and sent prices tumbling. It was an attempt to create a monopoly for Russia and put competitors, including Stillwater, out of business. Biden did nothing, and Stillwater tragically had to lay off nearly 700 miners. Moreover, America was forced to rely on Russian palladium to power our own nation’s technology.

I fought these actions by Russia from day one. I urged the Biden administration to fight back both diplomatically as well as by using the force of the U.S. economy. My pleas fell on deaf ears.

Not so with President Trump. I worked with the administration to find a way to protect our miners and just a few weeks ago, the administration slapped Russia with a 133% anti-dumping duty, which will slow the onslaught of Russian palladium on the market. This makes U.S. palladium more competitive in the global marketplace and protects jobs at Stillwater.

This is what putting Montana and America first looks like. Many presidents talk about it. President Trump actually does it.

President Trump recognizes the importance of mining for Montana’s resource economy and job market, as well as for our nation’s national security. No longer does America bow to the demands of hostile nations who don’t have our best interests at heart. Now, Montana mining jobs are protected and Stillwater, Bull Mountains, and all our coal and hard rock mines can continue operations.

I visited the Stillwater Mine on Feb. 21. I met with the miners there, who told me about how President Trump’s action helped protect their livelihoods. I saw firsthand the impact of Biden’s layoffs and I’m grateful that President Trump took decisive steps to support these mines and the communities they support.

Continued operations at Bull Mountains and Stillwater means more Montana jobs, more Montana revenue, and more Made-In-Montana resources. I will always fight to protect Montana’s mining industry and keep our state the Last Best Place.

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Duckworth Receives Valerie Biden Owens Woman of Power & Purpose Award

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Last week, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) received the Valerie Biden Owens Woman of Power & Purpose Award from the Biden Institute at the University of Delaware. The award recognizes one woman each year whose transformational leadership makes a difference across the country. Photos from the event are available on the Senator’s website.

“I’m honored to be recognized by the Biden Institute as a woman whose leadership and service has helped inspire others and make our nation stronger,” said Duckworth. “From the day my helicopter was shot down to the ongoing work I’m doing to help Illinois families, there’s not a thing I would change. It’s a privilege to be able to continue serving the American people, and I encourage every young girl and grown woman with a passion for service to be bold, take that next right step and go make a difference in your community.”

Past recipients of the Valerie Biden Owens Woman of Power & Purpose Award include Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-11), Dr. Opal Lee and Judge Tamika Montgomery-Reeves.

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Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing On Birthright Citizenship

Durbin: “We’re here today to talk about an effort—by the President of the United States—to undermine the Constitution and overturn black letter constitutional law and statute by royal fiat.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered opening remarks in today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on birthright citizenship as President Trump continues his threats against it.

Last month, Durbin, along with U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), led a group of 216 House and Senate Democrats in filing a bicameral amicus brief standing up for the essential constitutional principle of birthright citizenship in Trump v. Barbara, currently before the Supreme Court with oral arguments scheduled for April 1, 2026. The Democratic lawmakers argue that President Donald Trump’s week-one executive order to strip the guarantee of citizenship provided to children born in America violates the Constitution and over a century of Supreme Court rulings, as well as laws enacted by Congress. As the Trump administration’s cruel and reckless immigration policies continue to inflict chaos on communities across the country, the lawmakers affirmed that the Fourteenth Amendment provides Congress with authority to enforce the constitutional guarantee of birthright citizenship.

Key quotes:

“To quote former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley: ‘We don’t take an oath to a king, or a queen, or to a tyrant or dictator, and we don’t take an oath to a wannabe dictator…. We take an oath to the Constitution, and we take an oath to the idea that is America….’ We’re here today to talk about an effort—by the President of the United States—to undermine the Constitution and overturn black letter constitutional law and statute by royal fiat.”

“Section One of the Fourteenth Amendment reads, [in part] ‘All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States….’ In 1898, the Supreme Court held that the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment guarantees citizenship to the children of foreigners present on U.S. soil, even if their parents are not eligible to become U.S. citizens.”

“In 1952, Congress enshrined this holding into law. Birthright citizenship is the law of the land. But President Trump issued an executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship anyway guaranteed by the Constitution.”

“President Trump’s illegal birthright citizenship order is not just an attack on our Constitution. It’s an attack on millions of immigrants who have contributed in countless ways to our culture and our economy. But this isn’t just about notable birthright citizens. This executive order would create a permanent underclass of American-born children who would contribute to our nation and yet be denied the opportunity of citizenship.”

“As General Milley said, our oath is to the Constitution and the idea of America—and the America I love is [one] that rejects caste systems of residents and welcomes the contributions of immigrant families.”

“One week ago, Secretary Kristi Noem walked in and sat at this table. Forty-eight hours [later], she was removed as the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. What is at stake here is a national conversation about immigrants… My mother was an immigrant to this country. My two brothers were born before she became a naturalized citizen. Is there any question [that they are citizens?] They served in our United States Navy. There is no question [they are citizens] in my mind.”

“If [immigrants] are making an honest contribution, they shouldn’t be rounded up in a mass deportation [effort]… [President Trump said he would go after] the ‘worst of the worst’—[but] they are rounding up American citizens and endangering them.”

“Let us end this fear and hatred [toward] immigrants.”

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.

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Durbin Highlights His Amendments To Housing Bill That Address The Volatility And Corruption Of Cryptocurrency Industry

Durbin’s three amendments would provide essential protections for American taxpayers & consumers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today spoke on the Senate floor to highlight three amendments he filed to the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act that would address the volatility and corruption of the cryptocurrency industry and provide important protections for American taxpayers and consumers. Specifically, Durbin’s amendments would crack down on crypto ATM fraud, prevent crypto companies from receiving a taxpayer-funded bailout, and make it explicitly clear that the Social Security Trust Funds cannot currently, and can never, invest in crypto. 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).

Durbin said, “Unfortunately, the Trump Administration has gutted the CFPB while promoting one industry almost exclusively. Which industry is that? The cryptocurrency industry. This Administration is playing with fire—dropping lawsuits, hollowing out enforcement arms, and curtailing investigations into bad actors all while continuing to cozy up to crypto donors. If this Administration refuses to act, then it is on Congress to provide strong guardrails, protect consumers, and curb corruption.”

Durbin then spoke about the dangers of cryptocurrency. Bitcoin has fallen nearly 50 percent since hitting a record high in October 2025. The total value of the crypto market has dropped from more than $4.2 trillion in October 2025 to $2.36 trillion today. Durbin also spoke about the rampant crypto corruption of President Trump, which has led to massive financial gains for him and his family.

Durbin said, “[…] The President has used crypto to enrich himself and his family. Fresh off returning to the Oval Office for a second term, Donald Trump launched a meme coin that generated more than $280 million in profit... And his family’s crypto firm, World Liberty Financial, has brought in approximately $1 billion in revenue. President Trump’s crypto dealings reportedly account for more than 20 percent of his net worth. In one year, the President has increased his family’s fortune to the tune of $1.4 billion.”

Durbin then spoke about crypto ATMs. Durbin previously introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act to help prevent scammers from stealing Americans’ savings through cryptocurrency schemes. Durbin’s legislation aims to crack down on crypto scams by adding layers of protections to crypto ATM transactions and requiring greater transparency from cryptocurrency ATM operators.

Durbin continued, “In 2025 alone, the FBI received more than 12,000 complaints of crypto ATM fraud that resulted in more than $333 million in losses.”

“I have spoken before about how scammers are targeting Americans, impersonating a bank or an institution the victim trusts, and scamming them into sending their hard-earned money through these crypto ATMs. Because of the untraceable and anonymous nature of crypto, once the victim deposits their cash into a crypto ATM and sends it to the scammer’s wallet, it is nearly impossible to recover. My amendment would require crypto ATM operators to register with the Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and report their kiosk locations. It also would require crypto ATM operators to provide mandatory disclosures and fraud warnings, impose daily transaction limits, and provide refunds for customers who were scammed,” Durbin said.

Durbin’s second amendment would prevent crypto companies from receiving a taxpayer-funded bailout. Two in three Americans oppose a government bailout of the crypto industry while only nine percent support one.

“If and when a crypto crash occurs, American taxpayers should not be the ones on the hook to save these crypto ventures that are owned by President Trump and his family,” Durbin continued.

During his speech, Durbin raised his serious concerns about the Trump Administration exposing the retirement accounts of millions of Americans to crypto.

“While the Social Security Trust Funds can only invest in bonds, I have filed an amendment to make it explicitly clear that the Trust Funds cannot currently, and can never, invest in crypto. Social Security ensures that our seniors have food on their tables and clothes on their backs. It is backed by U.S. treasury bonds—the safest asset in the world with the full-faith and credit of the United States government [behind it],” Durbin said. “Here is the bottom line: do we want to expose the bedrock promise of Social Security to risky assets like crypto? If your answer is no, then I hope you’ll support my amendment.”

Durbin concluded, “It is past time that we put common-sense guardrails in place to stop fraud and corruption in the crypto industry. When the GENIUS Act came up for a vote last year, I voted no because it gave Congress’ blessing for President Trump and his family to further enrich themselves with very little limited protection for consumers. As Congress considers market structure legislation, I intend to submit these amendments to that bill, too, to finally place meaningful guardrails on this industry.”

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 Highlights Three Policy Decisions By The Trump Administration That Hurt The Farm Economy, Calls For Immigration Reform To Support Farmers

In today’s Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, Durbin advocated for comprehensive immigration reform and an end to the President’s tariff policies that harm farmers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, today participated in an Agriculture Committee hearing entitled “Increasing Domestic Consumption of U.S.-Grown Agricultural Products.”

Durbin first pointed out that the American agricultural industry does not have the workforce to keep up with demand, and he called for an immigration policy that accounts for foreign workers who are critical for farming operations.

“Mr. Duvall [President of the American Farm Bureau Federation] talked about farm labor. I’m going to put in a word—immigration. We have to be honest about immigration. I’ve got farmers, dairy farmers, people who own orchards, [they] tell me they can’t get anyone to help, and they are going to give it [their farm] up… Those that have loyal employees that came in from Mexico for example, they bring their family every year, good family relationship between the owners of the farm and the workers, they are scared to death to come to the United States right now. You know that for a fact and I do too,” Durbin said. “We have to get serious about immigration. We did a bipartisan comprehensive bill with John McCain. It was a group of eight Senators. We had a farm program that was damn good. If we had that today we would be much better off.”

Durbin then spoke out against the Trump Adminsitration’s inconsistent trade policies that have created uncertainty for farmers. As a result of the President’s tariffs, farmers have lost critical trade relationships that sustained their business.

“The second issue… is tariffs. I hear…how frustrated they [farmers] are with tariffs,” Durbin said. “It’s not helping.”

Durbin further criticized the President’s war in Iran, which has disrupted trade routes along the Strait of Hormuz.

“The third area is what the war in the Middle East is going to do to input costs. It’s got to be bad, when you consider what goes through the Strait of Hormuz. You have three policy decisions by this Administration that really put us in a challenging situation,” Durbin said.

Video of Durbin’s remarks is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s remarks is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s remarks is available herefor TV Stations.

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Durbin Questions Witnesses During Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing On Birthright Citizenship

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned witnesses in today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on birthright citizenship as President Trump continues his threats against it. Durbin pressed Peter Schweizer, President of the Government Accountability Institute (GAI), which he co-founded with Steve Bannon in 2012, about his ridiculous claims that American birthright citizenship policies are being exploited by foreign adversaries, specifically China, as a form of “asymmetric warfare” to undermine U.S. sovereignty.

Mr. Schweizer argued in his written testimony to the Committee that possibly 1.5 million Chinese nationals now hold U.S. citizenship through birthright citizenship.

“Professor Frost [a Professor at the University of Virginia School of Law and the Director of the Immigration, Migration and Human Rights Program] tells us there’s a violation of federal law here. If you’re using this practice [to] come into the United States and your rejoinder to her is [that] ‘Democrats don’t pay attention to those laws.’ [You said Presidents] Obama, Biden, they don’t pay attention to those laws, suggesting that Republicans do. So, give me a number: how many prosecutions under President Trump either in his first term or this term have there been for violation of this practice?” Durbin asked.

Mr. Schweizer could not answer.

“You have some big claims. When it comes to numbers, you ought to be able to tell us how many have been prosecuted,” Durbin responded.

Mr. Schweizer again could not back up his claim.

“I’m asking you what the Republican Administration of Donald Trump in his first term or this term have prosecuted under this existing law which you say has created 1.5 million Chinese Americans [or] American Chinese. How many?” Durbin asked.

Mr. Schweizer again could not verify the number.

Durbin then asked Professor Frost if Mr. Schweizer’s claims can be backed up—to which Professor Frost responded that she submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request from the Trump Administration to get information about Mr. Schweizer’s claims, and she has received no response.

“The premise of this hearing is that the ‘Chinese are invading America’ through birth surrogates and birth tourism… and yet they won’t tell us what this Administration is doing to stop it with the existing law,” Durbin said.

Durbin concluded by asking Professor Frost if President Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order were to go into effect and found to be valid by the Court, “how would a family go about establishing that they were properly in the United States and citizens under the new executive order?”

Professor Frost responded that there are “a couple of pages of memos from the Social Security Administration, the Department of State, [and] USCIS that they issued this summer if the executive order goes into effect—they’re vague…. They say every family must provide ‘acceptable evidence’ of their own citizenship or immigration status at the time of the child’s birth, and if they can’t do that, the child isn’t a citizen.’”

“What is their documentation of proof?” Durbin asked.

Professor Frost responded they would potentially need to go back generations.

Video of Durbin’s questions are available here.

Audio of Durbin’s questions are available here.

Footage of Durbin’s questions are available herefor TV Stations.

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Durbin Recounts Secretary Noem’s Disgraceful Tenure Leading DHS

In a speech on the Senate floor, Durbin recounted the atrocities that happened under Secretary Noem’s leadership at DHS

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, yesterday spoke on the Senate floor about President Trump’s decision to fire U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, whose disastrous leadership led to a lawless and morally bankrupt mass deportation campaign in which U.S. citizens, legal residents, and immigrants with no criminal history were indiscriminately swept up. As Durbin made clear in his remarks, Secretary Noem’s removal was long overdue.

Durbin began his remarks by recounting Secretary Noem’s appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee last week. Despite the Committee’s duty to conduct oversight, Secretary Noem ignored Durbin’s repeated requests to come before the Committee and answer questions about her law enforcement agents’ dangerous actions—until last week.

“For the first time [during this administration], the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security came and appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee. She had been in the position for almost a year and had never agreed to publicly appear and account for her mismanagement of that Department until last week. [She sat for] One day before the Senate Judiciary Committee, which I serve as Ranking Democrat, and the second day before the House Judiciary Committee for a similar hearing,” Durbin began.

“When the smoke had cleared, President Trump announced via social media post that he was firing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The reason for the decision was obvious after her two days of testimony and two days of refusal to respond to important questions,” Durbin said.

Durbin spoke about Secretary Noem’s disastrous tenure leading DHS, pointing toward the plethora of stories of American citizens and immigrants, most of whom do not have violent criminal records, being detained without due process by federal agents using increasingly violent tactics.

“Under Kristi Noem’s disastrous stewardship, the Department was devoid of any moral compass or respect for the rule of law. The city of Chicago was one of the first victims of Secretary Noem’s political theater campaign with her so-called ‘Operation Midway Blitz.’ Instead of targeting the ‘worst of the worst,’ as the President has frequently announced, Secretary Noem unleashed masked militarized immigration enforcement officers onto our streets. These officers detained American citizens, green card holders, and community members with no prior criminal records, in violent and indiscriminate and unconstitutional roundups,” Durbin said.

“What’s the record so far with that campaign [to remove the ‘worst of the worst’] under Secretary Noem and President Trump? They found that only one out of seven of the people who have been detained and deported, one out of seven, has any kind of serious [and violent] criminal record. One out of seven,” Durbin said.

“Her roving patrols shot a Chicago resident and citizen, Marimar Martinez, five times. Marimar Martinez is a miracle, lucky to be alive. What did she do that was so dangerous that evoked the reaction from the ICE and CBP agents? She was taking a box of extra clothing to her church on a Saturday morning, driving through the streets of Chicago, Kedzie Avenue to be specific, when she was stopped by these agents of DHS. When it was all over, they shot at her car as it departed and struck her with five different bullets. Imagine. She’s alive today to tell about it,” Durbin continued. “She miraculously survived. But Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis were shot by immigration agents there and did not survive.”

Durbin then underscored the need for serious reform at DHS to prevent masked immigration agents from continuing to sow chaos in communities across the country. Durbin made clear that DHS should be held to the same standards as local law enforcement and be properly trained.

“That’s why we’re in a conversation with the Republicans about changing the procedures of ICE and CBP when it comes to this President’s campaign. To think that innocent American citizens are being shot and killed in our streets is unacceptable, unthinkable, unimaginable, but it’s a fact. And that’s why we’re standing for the premise that these agents have to be held to similar standards that police and troopers are held to all across the United States,” Durbin said.

“How many of your state troopers are wearing a mask today to go out and do their job? In Illinois, none. In your state, probably the same. And how about your local police? Are they wearing masks? Do they have video cameras on? The basics of policing that we accept as professionalism have been rejected by the Department of Homeland Security. We’re trying to establish a standard for these enforcement officers that is comparable to the standard of your police and state troopers and deputy sheriffs. That’s it,” Durbin continued.

Durbin recalled Secretary Noem’s testimony before Congress in which she repeatedly lied under oath, falsely claiming that DHS has complied with the law. Stemming from repeated questions by Democrats in both the Senate and House, Secretary Noem lost the confidence of the President for spending millions of taxpayer dollars on a self-promotional campaign that she claimed was to encourage immigrants to self-deport.

“Last week, when Secretary Noem finally appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee, my colleagues and I sought to hold her to account. She proceeded, unfortunately, to lie under oath, multiple times, including saying DHS followed court orders and had not detained American citizens, despite ample evidence to the contrary,” Durbin said.

“But Noem’s abysmal track record wasn’t enough to spur the President into action. What was the tipping point? Well, it turned out she had a multimillion dollar, in fact, over $143 million, self-promotional campaign which showed Kristi Noem riding horses at Mount Rushmore, wearing camo-chic outfits, talking about how tough she was,” Durbin said.

Durbin made clear that the Senate, not the President, must confirm the next Secretary of Homeland Security.

“Donald Trump announced that our colleague from Oklahoma, Senator Markwayne Mullin, will succeed Kristi Noem. We will find out how he plans to lead the Department at this perilous moment, as the Senate exercises its authority under the Constitution to provide advice and consent on this nomination,” Durbin said.

Durbin concluded his speech by emphasizing that Senator Mullin will face questions about how he plans to reform DHS procedures to ensure that federal immigration agents follow the rule of law.

“Senator Patty Murray of the State of Washington, the Ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, came to the floor and made a unanimous consent request that we fund every other agency of DHS, as we had agreed in a bipartisan manner, and work solely on ICE and CBP to come up with an agreement and establish some reasonable policing standards. [Republicans] objected,” Durbin said. “I hope soon to restore the funding for these critical agencies at this moment, and give us enough time, we certainly have enough time, to work out an agreement on the procedures when it comes to ICE and CBP.”

“It won’t be unreasonable to ask Senator Mullin if he pursues this appointment by the President what he will do to change this Department and those critical areas? What does he think about shooting innocent Americans in the street? What does he think about his officers wearing masks? What does he think about them carrying video cameras to record exactly what happens at these scenes? What does he think about someone bashing down the front door of your home without a judicial warrant, without the permission or the approval of the judge in the courts – things that are just basic to policing across America,” Durbin said.

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 Speaks Against Republicans’ So-Called SAVE America Act

Contrary to the bill’s name, this legislation would disenfranchise millions of eligible voters with extreme voter ID requirements

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, spoke against Republicans’ SAVE America Act, which would make it more difficult for millions of Americans to vote. On Sunday, President Trump said he would not sign any legislation until Congress passes this bill.

“Amidst a war in the Middle East and DHS funding negotiations, the President of the United States now insists that the SAVE America Act should be our number one priority, our only priority. He made it clear,” Durbin said. “Don’t let the name of this bill fool you. The SAVE America Act would not protect our elections. Instead, it would make it more difficult for millions of Americans to vote.”

Durbin importantly noted that it is already illegal for noncitizens to vote, and election officials are required to verify all registered voters’ citizenship status. Republicans’ SAVE America Act creates serious burdens for all Americans registering to vote by requiring all Americans to show documentary proof of citizenship when they register to vote. Driver’s licenses and other government-issued IDs alone would not be sufficient to register to vote. And REAL IDs do not meet the bill’s requirements of proving citizenship. 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.

“The system works,” Durbin said. “According to the conservative Heritage Foundation—and you can look this up online—from 2003 to 2023, 20 years, do you know how many non-American citizens they caught voting in 20 years? Twenty-four. Twenty-four people were ineligible for voting in a 20-year period of time—24 cases. The SAVE America Act would upend the past two decades of successfully secure elections with dangerous, untested limitations on voter registration.”

Durbin continued, “Suddenly, providing your driver’s license—even if REAL ID compliant—will no longer be enough to register to vote. Nor would military IDs be sufficient for service members… Under this legislation, election officials would accept a limited number of documents, and this could prevent millions of Americans from being eligible to vote in November. Why would the President of the United States be pushing so hard for a bill which will make it difficult to vote? Because he’s worried as hell about the outcomes of this election. He thinks he’s going to lose… it is that simple.”

Durbin concluded, “Making Americans fill out more paperwork will not secure our elections. This bill only makes it harder for women, members of our military, and seniors to participate in the democratic process. The President says he won’t allow us to send any bill to him to be signed into law until we pass this law denying the right to vote to millions of Americans in November—that’s what the whole issue is about.”

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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Ernst: E15 Helps Keep Gas Prices Affordable, Creates Market Demand for Farmers

WASHINGTON – Today during a Senate Committee on Agriculture hearing, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) called to expand domestic markets and increase consumption of homegrown biofuels by making permanent, year-round E15 a reality.

As a long-time supporter of E15, Ernst emphasized that Congress “should be looking at every opportunity” to expand American biofuel consumption, noting that “energy security is national security, and higher ethanol blends can help keep gas prices affordable here at home.”

Watch Senator Ernst’s remarks here.

Following Ernst’s questioning, President of the National Corn Growers Association Jed Bower agreed with her by saying, “This is a prime time to bring that strength and domestic production up so we're less reliant on all the foreign countries. It's so much better. We grow a product here. We can produce it here. We can burn it here. It's a perfect opportunity for the American farmer and the American people.”

President of the American Farm Bureau Federation Zippy Duvall also supported Ernst by saying,“E15 is a no brainer. It's a win, win, win. It's a win for consumers. Win for the farmer.”

Ernst continued to highlight her efforts to fully unleash homegrown American biofuels through 45Z, urging the Department of the Treasury, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Agriculture to work together on a final rule that recognizes a wide array of on-farm practices and truly puts farmers first.

Background:

Ernst’s bipartisan Ethanol for America Act would remove regulatory roadblocks and ensure E15 can be offered to folks filling up their cars using existing infrastructure at local gas stations across our nation.

Ernst has continued to work to secure permanent year-round E15 following President Trump’s announcement in Iowa earlier this year.

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Gillibrand Statement On Investigation Of Trump Administration’s Mishandling Of Social Security Data

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), the top Democrat on the Senate Aging Committee, released the following statement on reports that the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) inspector general’s office is investigating the Trump administration’s alleged mishandling of Social Security worker and retiree data:

“Tens of millions of Americans provide their information to the Social Security Administration with the expectation that their data will be kept safe and confidential. The unauthorized use of Social Security data is a breach of this inherent trust and a violation of the law.

“It is well past time that this alleged breach of security protocol is investigated. I will continue monitoring SSA’s response to these allegations until the American people get the answers they deserve.”

The investigation comes after the Trump administration admitted in court documents that staff from the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) may have used Social Security worker and beneficiary data to work with an advocacy group seeking to “overturn election results in certain states.” Additionally, the court filing revealed multiple flagrant violations of federal data security and personally identifiable information requirements.

Gillibrand demanded a full investigation into these incidents after they were made public earlier this year.

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Grassley Delivers Fervent Call to Action on E15, Pushes for Speedy End to Biden Phosphate Duties

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a lifelong family farmer and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, spoke in strong support of E15 at a committee hearing today, urging Congress to quickly pass legislation allowing for year-round, nationwide E15 sales. Grassley also pressed the Trump administration to issue clear regulations on 45Z and to eliminate the Biden Phosphate Duties.

Grassley has pushed for years to enact E15 into law, and President Trump endorsed year-round, nationwide E15 during a trip to Iowa this year.

Grassley additionally submitted questions for the record regarding biofuels, California’s Proposition 12 and grazing incentives.

VIDEO

On the need to pass E15:

I think I'm going to submit my questions for answers in writing and give you some of my frustrations, and for the benefit of Iowa farmers and for the benefit of my colleagues here, some of the frustrations I have.

And I'm going to start with a lot of things that have already been talked about here by my colleagues, but E15 and the importance of biofuels, and Iowa being the number one producer of biofuels, with about 50,000 jobs implied with it, and a tremendous market for our corn.

One of the frustrations I have is dealing with this, [the] refineries and the RINS and things like that that are holding up getting E15 by legislation. Because the frustration comes from the fact that for the last year or two years of Trump 1, and now Trump 2, and then the four years of Biden in between, we had E15 by presidential waiver, and still have it by presidential waiver. And [in] not any of those six or seven years did I hear one peep out of refineries, but somehow, you're going to make it law.

And I think somebody figures I can get my hands in the cookie jar and benefit from it, because I know that some of these mid-size refineries are billion-dollar businesses, and I'm not hearing from any small refinery that's not making some money.

So, what's the big deal?

But it's holding it all up, and we're not going to get that $14 billion that the economist for the Corn Growers Association says we're going to get, if we can’t have E15 nationwide, year-round, if we don't get it by law. Because you're never going to get the retailers to invest in the pumps that it takes unless they know it's permanent law.

And I just don't understand it, but we got to get it done. Now, there's some good talk that we're getting close. But we were there in February until some refineries wanted to get their hand in the cookie jar, and then we don't get it in an appropriation bill.

So, then they tell me, “Well, there's a good chance it can pass the House of Representatives as a separate bill if they get this final agreement.” But you're never going to get through the United States Senate as a separate bill. It's got to be put someplace.

And that could be a five-year Farm Bill. It could be money for the [Iran] war when we supplement our defense expenditures. It could be this housing bill that's on the floor right now, but there's no reason that we can't get it done [because], and this is all going on at the same time that we got people in the Congress and maybe even in the administration talking about, “We're going to give a handout to the farmers of a certain number of billion dollars, in addition to the 12 that has always been there. “

And how many times have we heard farmers in Iowa say we don't want our money from the federal treasury, we want it from the marketplace, and that's what it's going to take.

On the need for clarity in 45Z regulations:

I heard my colleague from Iowa talk about 45Z. We have some regulations for 45Z but it hasn't covered agriculture. And the only thing I want the administration to keep in mind when it comes to regulations for farmers to qualify for 45Z, don't make it as egregious as they did in 40B. Be a little more realistic when you require farmers to benefit from their cut down on carbon.

On the importance of eliminating the Biden Phosphate Duties:

My last thing deals with tariffs. I don't understand if we're losing $1 on corn, we're losing $2 on soybeans, if we can get the cost of production down a little bit, there's no reason we should have tariffs on phosphate coming out of Morocco when one company in the United States has 80% on the market, there's no reason we should have tariffs on anhydrous ammonia coming out of Trinidad when two companies dominate the market in the United States, and there's no reason we should have any tariffs on potash. So, you've heard my opinion.


Grassley Presses Budget Committee Witnesses on the Cost of Sanctuary Cities

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today participated in a Senate Budget Committee hearing to examine the cost of sanctuary city policies. In response to Grassley’s questioning, expert witnesses discussed the safety concerns and fiscal burdens sanctuary cities place on all Americans. Grassley is the former Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee and the current Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Grassley questioned the following witnesses:

The Honorable Chad Wolf, Former Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and Homeland Security and Immigration Chair for America First Policy Institute

Jessica M. Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies for the Center for Immigration Studies

The Honorable Michael L. Chapman, Sheriff of Loudon County, Virginia

Video and excerpts of Grassley’s questions follow.

VIDEO

On illegal immigrants’ use of taxpayer-funded government programs:

GRASSLEY: “There are some legal limitations that prevent states from completely excluding illegal immigrants from access to some of their government programs. [Mr. Wolf], what are those limitations and what immediate steps, considering those limitations, can the federal government take to minimize the fiscal burden of sanctuary jurisdictions?”

WOLF: “When we talk about public benefits, whether they’re federal or state benefits, I think… these are strong magnets of why folks decide to come to the United States illegally. There’s a variety of different reasons for them to do so, but if they’re able to stay in a jurisdiction that shields them from law enforcement [and] provides public benefits – particularly at the state level, but also at the federal level, both need to be looked at – that continues to incentivize those individuals to come and to stay.”

On the broader cost of sanctuary city policies:

GRASSLEY: “Sanctuary jurisdictions frame their policy as squarely a matter of local policy, but we know these policies have both broader public safety and fiscal effects on areas beyond their borders. [Ms. Vaughan], what are some examples of costs to both the federal government and the state governments caused by sanctuary policies that are often forgotten or overlooked?”

VAUGHAN: “[A] forgotten cost is the cost of providing benefits, taxpayer-funded social services, to illegal alien households. Federal law currently allows states to choose to do that, if their legislature approves it, at enormous cost. Some of those dollars are federal dollars, so all of us as Americans share the cost burden of that arrangement. Congress can do something about that.

“There's also the cost of the erosion of the integrity of our immigration system… Individual states and local jurisdictions can obstruct the enforcement of federal laws that are passed by Congress without consequence, even though many of these sanctuary policies are clearly in violation of Section 1373 and 1644 of the [Illegal] Immigration [Reform and Immigrant Responsibility] Act. It's a slap in the face to legal immigrants to allow these policies that shield individuals from immigration enforcement – most of whom are criminal aliens – immigrants don't want to live with these policies either.”

On Biden-era border policies and the fiscal burden of sanctuary cities’ growth:

GRASSLEY: “Mr. Wolf, if you can answer this question – it’s in regard to the 11 million people who came here under [President] Biden and [Vice President] Harris. Over that period of time, did illegal immigrants seek out sanctuary jurisdictions for safe harbor?

WOLF: “I think if you look historically where illegal aliens reside – they reside all across the United States – but if you were to do a heat map, you would see the majority of them in places like New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles and others that have these sanctuary jurisdictions. So yes, I do believe that illegal aliens do tend to go to these types of jurisdictions.”

GRASSLEY: “Sheriff Chapman, what are some examples of state and local cost increases those jurisdictions incurred?”

CHAPMAN: “It is a cost to us. It's cost to put [law enforcement officers] out there. You're talking about more homicides… we've had our share locally here, and certainly, as Chairman [Graham] brought up, we've had them in Loudoun County. It's the human factor that is really important here. We want to keep our people safe and keep them alive.”


ICYMI—Hagerty Joins Fox & Friends to Discuss Trump’s Success in Latin America

WASHINGTON—United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, yesterday joined Fox & Friends to discuss President Donald Trump’s national security successes in Latin America.

Partial Transcript

Hagerty on the Trump admin’s success in Latin America: “I think you’re exactly right, Brian. It is just the beginning. But we’re seeing a sea change in all of Latin America. If you look at the National Defense Strategy, if you look at our National Security Strategy, the emphasis on Latin America has been enormous. [Secretary of State] Marco Rubio was formerly my colleague in the United States Senate on the Foreign Relations Committee. He understands this area very well and, as our Secretary of State, is doing an outstanding job. And we’re seeing a tremendous reinvigoration of our relationships in Latin America. China has been, as you know, particularly under the last administration, very aggressive, in terms of moving into the area. Now, America is showing back up economically, strategically, and working together militarily to deal with some of the greatest threats that we’ve got in that region.”

Hagerty on securing the southern border: “The answer is yes, and the key element of all of this is President Trump’s immediate move once he took office to secure our southern border. That was actually the fundamental requirement to be able to deal with the rest of Latin America, to stop the economic flow, to stop the drug flow, to stop the flow in human trafficking that has been feeding these cartels and these illicit narcoterrorists. Once that was secure, we’ve been able now to step in and take strategic and economic moves that are totally changing the face of Latin America, and again, moving Latin America back where it should be, into our corner.”

Hagerty on preventing adversaries from gaining control in Latin America: “You heard President Trump mention that he’s not going to allow these entities to have a foothold in our region. And you just mentioned it: China, Russia, even North Korea has a very large embassy in Cuba. China was setting up intel operations under the Biden administration in Cuba. Russia, we know the relationship there has gone back, as you said, all the way to John F. Kennedy. We have been dealing with this ninety miles off of our shore. My understanding is that Secretary Rubio has had discussions with Raulito Castro, that’s the grandson of Raul Castro. I don’t think they’d be talking unless they’re looking at some significant change. And we need to see the change for the better in this region. Again, that foothold, I think, is going to disappear, thanks to President Trump’s aggressive and bold actions here.”

Hagerty on Trump’s strong action in Venezuela: “That’s precisely the choice, I think, that people are facing. They see that President Trump is serious, and the prosecution that’s going to take place in the Southern district of New York–that is very serious, indeed, with respect to Maduro. It sends a strong message to all of these narcoterrorists that this administration means business, that the United States is back.”

Hagerty on Venezuela’s new government: “That’s certainly the conversation that’s going on [right now].That we’re moving in the right direction. Rodriguez is cooperating with us. Secretary Rubio is very much on top of this situation and, I think, is confident that it’s moving in the right direction. I have immanent faith in his viewpoint on this, so I think we are moving in the right direction and toward a position where Venezuela can be great again. It was once a thriving economy. The socialist leftist regimes have destroyed that. We’re going to help bring it back. They have natural resources that are meaningful not only to that country, but also to the region. We’re seeing, again, the impacts, as you mentioned earlier, Brian, on [Cuba], by choking off the free oil that had been going in that direction. So, I think, it’s going to a profound effect—the reconstruction of Venezuela is going to have a profound effect on the region.”

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Hawley, Schmitt Introduce Resolution Honoring Two Missouri Deputies Killed in the Line of Duty

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) introduced a resolution honoring the lives of two fallen Missouri deputies from Christian County. Deputy Gabriel Ramirez died in the line of duty while attempting to administer a traffic stop when the suspect opened fire. This prompted a massive manhunt for the suspect involving approximately 150 law enforcement officers. When officers located the suspect, they were met with gunfire again. A 30 minute gun battle ensued, claiming the life of Deputy Michael Hislope and wounding two other deputies. Law enforcement officers returned fire, killing the suspect.

“This tragedy is a reminder of the countless selfless and heroic actions carried out by Missouri law enforcement officers every day to keep our communities safe. Erin and I are praying for the families of Deputies Gabriel Ramirez and Michael Hislope, who made the ultimate sacrifice,” Senator Hawley said.

“The loss of Christian County Deputies Ramirez and Hislope is devastating and continues to reverberate throughout our state. This is a grave reminder that our brave law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and while we cannot bring back those we’ve lost, we can honor their sacrifice, courage, and commitment to serving their fellow citizens. I will be praying for the fallen officers, their friends, families, and those who served alongside them as we all mourn their loss,” said Senator Schmitt.

Read the full resolution here.


Heinrich, Blumenthal Lead Colleagues Demanding Trump Reinstate Protections for Northeast Canyons & Seamounts Marine National Monument

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee, and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) led a group of Democratic senators in a letter to President Trump, calling on him to restore vital protections for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.

Located off the coast of New England, the Monument is a large biodiverse area of open ocean, larger than Yellowstone National Park, with a seascape of underwater canyons that rival the depth of the Grand Canyon and mountains that are as high as the Appalachians. It was established as a Marine National Monument in 2016 and is the only one in the Atlantic Ocean. Last month, Trump issued a proclamation rolling back protections for the Monument, opening it to commercial fishing.

The senators explained that allowing commercial fishing in the area threatens the biodiversity of this ecosystem.

“These distinctive characteristics make the Monument a living laboratory and hotbed for scientific research that has led to new deep-sea discoveries about our marine resources,” the senators wrote. “Allowing fishing in this special place could hamper future scientific findings, kill or harm rare creatures that are unique to our waters, including some of the oldest living organisms on the planet, and cause irreparable damage to the Monument’s seascape.”

Citing that 99% of fishing activity in 2020, when the Monument was opened for fishing, still took place outside of the Monument, the senators insist that opening up the Monument to commercial fishing would not benefit our nation’s fishermen.

“In an era where fish stocks are shifting and being depleted, fishing communities need our support more than ever, but selling out the Monument to earn political points does nothing to actually help fishermen. Instead of senselessly allowing commercial fishing in one of our country’s most unique places, this administration should fully staff the National Marine Fisheries Service and all other National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) programs to ensure fishermen have access to the data needed to sustainably catch the maximum number of fish possible,” the senators continued.

“Aside from its illegality, reintroducing commercial fishing to the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts is a monumental mistake. With no clear benefit for fishermen or any American, it will needlessly risk vital habitats that support ocean health and provide lasting benefits for coastal communities in New England. We implore you to reverse course and immediately reinstate critical protections for this national treasure,”?the senators concluded.

In addition to Heinrich and Blumenthal, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

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

Dear President Trump,

We write to express our strong opposition to the elimination of vital protections for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument (Monument) and demand that the administration immediately reverse course. This action is in clear violation of the Antiquities Act of 1906 and will harm a priceless and vital ecosystem meant to be safeguarded for current and future generations.?

Established by President Obama under the Antiquities Act and located about 130 miles off the coast of New England, the Monument is the only marine national monument in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean. The Antiquities Act empowers presidents to create national monuments, but it does not provide them with the authority to diminish or revoke monuments.?That power remains with Congress.?

The Monument is about the size of Connecticut and comprises three undersea canyons – one of which rivals the depth of the Grand Canyon – and four undersea mountains comparable in height to the Appalachians.?The Monument was established to protect this unique undersea environment and the countless species that call it home. The seamounts and canyons are home to deep-sea corals and frequented by endangered whales, sea turtles, tunas, crabs, lobsters, billfish, sharks, seabirds, and so much more. Some of these organisms were first discovered in the Monument. The potential for additional significant ecological exploration of our natural heritage remains.?Moreover, some of the fragile, deep-sea corals found here are thought to be thousands of years old.?These distinctive characteristics make the Monument a living laboratory and a hotbed for scientific research that has led to new deep-sea discoveries about our marine resources. Allowing fishing in this special place could hamper future scientific findings, kill or harm rare creatures that are unique to our waters, including some of the oldest living organisms on the planet, and cause irreparable damage to the Monument’s seascape.

New Englanders largely favor the establishment of permanently protected ocean areas, but you baselessly justify this proclamation and its devastating environmental impacts by claiming that it will benefit commercial fishermen.?The science suggests otherwise. Multiple studies show that creating well-managed marine protected areas that prohibit fishing has little to no harmful economic impact on commercial fishermen.?When your administration opened the Monument for fishing in 2020, 99% of fishing activity still took place outside of the Monument.?In an era where fish stocks are shifting and being depleted, fishing communities need our support more than ever, but selling out the Monument to earn political points does nothing to actually help fishermen. Instead of senselessly allowing commercial fishing in one of our country’s most unique places, this administration should fully staff the National Marine Fisheries Service and all other National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) programs to ensure fishermen have access to the data needed to sustainably catch the maximum number of fish possible. In that same vein, your administration should support climate research and advance interagency coordination so that stakeholders and relevant management bodies can effectively and efficiently address conflicts caused by shifting fish stocks. Thus far, your administration has gutted NOAA and shuttered climate research – directly harming our nation’s fishing community.

Aside from its illegality, reintroducing commercial fishing to the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts is a monumental mistake. With no clear benefit for fishermen or any American, it will needlessly risk vital habitats that support ocean health and provide lasting benefits for coastal communities in New England.?We implore you to reverse course and immediately reinstate critical protections for this national treasure.

Sincerely,


Heinrich, Huffman, Markey Lead 60 Lawmakers in Condemning Trump’s Plans to Sell off the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee, and Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass.) led 60 members in the Senate and House in a letter condemning the Trump administration’s plans to auction off sacred and sensitive lands within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas companies.

In the letter to U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, the lawmakers stress that there is no economic interest from oil companies to drill on this land, and it only threatens fragile ecosystems and the tribes that rely on it for subsistence hunting.

Today, no oil company holds leases on the Coastal Plain of the Refuge. Major companies, including Chevron and BP, have abandoned their Arctic Refuge interests entirely, in some cases paying millions to walk away. Every major bank in the United States and Canada has refused to finance Arctic Refuge drilling, citing no real industry interest, extreme costs, remoteness, and decades-long bipartisan opposition.

Republicans have repeatedly tried to use Arctic drilling to help offset tax breaks for the wealthy. Trump’s first billionaire giveaway — the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act — mandated lease sales in the Arctic Refuge that the Congressional Budget Office estimated would generate $1.8 billion. The first sale in 2021 generated less than one percent of that projected revenue, while the second in 2025 received zero bids. Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill repeated the same tactic, requiring more lease sales to pay for tax giveaways to the ultra-wealthy.

“Such action would be inconsistent with fiscal responsibility, responsible stewardship of our public lands, and the obligation to protect taxpayers from unnecessary risk,” the lawmakers wrote. “Previous lease sales in the Arctic Refuge have repeatedly demonstrated that drilling in this region is not economically viable and will not provide the revenues that American taxpayers were promised.”

The Arctic Refuge, located in northeastern Alaska, is essential habitat for the endemic wildlife that lives there. It also is deeply connected to the traditions and daily life of the people who have lived there for thousands of years.

The Coastal Plain provides critical habitat for polar bears and the Porcupine Caribou Herd, which Alaska Native and Indigenous communities, particularly the Gwich'in people, depend on for subsistence. The lawmakers added, “Even preliminary activities, such as seismic exploration, risk causing lasting damage to this remote and highly sensitive landscape.”

“Taken together, these facts underscore a fundamental reality: oil and gas leasing in the Arctic Refuge has failed to generate meaningful revenue, failed to attract industry participation, and failed to demonstrate any realistic prospect of benefiting American taxpayers,” the lawmakers concluded.

In December 2025, Heinrich delivered remarks on the Senate floor stressing the need to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and urged his colleagues to vote no on a Congressional Review Act resolution of disapproval that would upend the management plan for the Arctic Refuge, risking one of the world's last great wild landscapes.

In October 2025, Heinrich delivered remarks on the Senate floor, blasting Republicans for pushing forward Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions of disapproval targeting Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Resource Management Plans (RMPs), putting public lands and National Parks at risk from mining companies.

Read the full letter here and below:

Dear Secretary Burgum:

We write in response to the Department of the Interior’s recent call for nominations of oil and gas parcels in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to express our strong opposition to proceeding with an Arctic Refuge lease sale. Such action would be inconsistent with fiscal responsibility, responsible stewardship of our public lands, and the obligation to protect taxpayers from unnecessary risk.

Previous lease sales in the Arctic Refuge have repeatedly demonstrated that drilling in this region is not economically viable and will not provide the revenues that American taxpayers were promised. The first lease sale, held in 2021, generated less than one percent of the $1.8 billion in projected revenue. A second lease sale in 2025 fared even worse, receiving no bids at all. Today, the only lessee is a State of Alaska corporation; no oil and gas company holds leases on the Coastal Plain of the Arctic Refuge.

These outcomes were not anomalies but rather reflect a clear and consistent lack of market interest in Arctic drilling. Major oil companies, including Chevron and BP, have walked away from their Arctic leases, in some cases paying millions of dollars to do so. Every major bank in the United States and Canada, along with a growing number of global insurers, have adopted policies declining to finance or underwrite drilling in the Arctic Refuge due to the extreme costs, remoteness, and legal uncertainty. Recent analysis by a nonpartisan fiscal watchdog underscores this reality, concluding that future lease sales would generate only minimal revenue — likely no more than a few million dollars. As a Goldman Sachs analyst previously observed, “there is almost no rationale for Arctic exploration.”

The only entity continuing to express interest in Arctic Refuge drilling is the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA), a state-owned development corporation with no capacity to develop oil and gas resources and a documented record of speculative investments that have cost Alaskans billions. Reliance on AIDEA to anchor oil and gas activities in the Arctic Refuge demonstrates that oil and gas leasing is unlikely to deliver the financial returns that have been promised.

In addition to these financial realities, the ecological significance of the Arctic Refuge cannot be overstated. The Coastal Plain is home to iconic wildlife, including polar bears and the Porcupine Caribou Herd, a critical subsistence resource for Alaska Native and Indigenous communities, particularly the G wich’in people. Even preliminary activities, such as seismic exploration, risk causing lasting damage to this remote and highly sensitive landscape.

Taken together, these facts underscore a fundamental reality: oil and gas leasing in the Arctic Refuge has failed to generate meaningful revenue, failed to attract industry participation, and failed to demonstrate any realistic prospect of benefiting American taxpayers. Proceeding with additional lease sales under these conditions risks repeating a costly and unsuccessful experiment, while jeopardizing one of the world’s most significant natural landscapes and the communities that depend on it.

With the call for nominations now underway, meaningful public participation and robust Tribal consultation are essential, particularly given the subsistence and cultural importance of the Arctic Refuge to Alaska Native communities. Any nomination process must include early substantive engagement with impacted communities, and a sufficient public comment period before decisions with long-lasting consequences are made.

As the Department moves forward, we urge you to ensure that any actions related to Arctic Refuge leasing will be grounded in economic reality, free of undue financial risk for taxpayers, and reflective of the environmental and community considerations unique to this region. The repeated failure of prior lease sales makes clear that Arctic Refuge drilling is not a sound or reliable fiscal strategy and should not be pursued.

Sincerely,


Heinrich Joins Colleagues to Reintroduce Resolution Recognizing Abortion Providers

WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.) to reintroduce a resolution honoring abortion providers and staff by designating March 10, 2026 as “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day.”

The Abortion Provider Appreciation Day resolution affirms that abortion providers are valued as they provide reproductive care despite pressures, restrictions, political interference, and threats to their personal safety. It also highlights the essential role that these providers play in providing safe access to reproductive health care, including abortions. The introduction of this resolution follows a 2024 report by the National Abortion Federation, which shows continued incidences of violence and harassment like stalking and death threats directed at patients, abortion care providers, and volunteers.

The resolution was inspired by Dr. David Gunn, an abortion provider who was killed outside his clinic in Pensacola, Florida by a white supremacist and anti-abortion extremist in the first known murder of an abortion provider. To honor his legacy, Abortion Provider Appreciation Day was established on March 10, 1996 as a day to show appreciation for the essential, high-quality care that abortion providers and staff provide to their communities and to celebrate their courage and dedication.

The Abortion Provider Appreciation Day Resolution demonstrates a commitment to abortion providers and staff by:

Recognizing March 10, 2026 as “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day” to celebrate the courage of abortion providers and the high-quality care they provide to patients and families across the country;

Lauding communities who proudly support their abortion providers and staff;

Affirming the commitment of Congress to ensuring the safety of these health professionals, their ability to continue providing the essential reproductive care their patients need, and the right of patients to access abortion care regardless of where they live, free from violence and threats;

Condemning the decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court to limit abortion care, which had a devastating impact on abortion providers and the communities they care for, threatening their livelihoods; and

Declaring a vision for a future liberated from all abortion restrictions and bans, and affirming the commitment of Congress to working toward this future with providers, patients, advocates, and their communities.

The Abortion Provider Appreciation Day Resolution is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), National Abortion Federation (NAF), National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF), Physicians for Reproductive Health, Reproductive Freedom for All, National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), the Guttmacher Institute, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, National Women’s Law Center, National Partnership for Women & Families, Power to Decide, Reproductive Freedom for All, Ipas, National Organization for Women, Ibis Reproductive Health, Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS), Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equality (URGE), National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), and the National Organization for Women.

The resolution is led by Hirono and Peters. Alongside Heinrich, the resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). In the House, the resolution is led by U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.).

The full text of the resolution is here.

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Hickenlooper, Neguse, Bennet, DeGette, Crow, Pettersen Demand Answers as ICE “Death Cards” Investigation Raises Oversight Concerns

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper and Representative Joe Neguse led Senator Michael Bennet and Representatives Diana DeGette, Jason Crow, and Brittany Pettersen in calling on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to disclose which ICE field office is conducting the investigation into reports that ace of spade “death cards” were left in cars belonging to individuals detained by ICE agents in Eagle County. The lawmakers requested a response before DHS Secretary Noem’s last day at the agency.

This letter follows a February request from the lawmakers demanding DHS launch an immediate independent investigation. After the inquiry was passed between multiple offices, DHS said that the DHS Office of the Inspector General referred the case to the Office of Professional Responsibility, which then assigned the case to a field office for investigation. DHS failed to specify which field office is overseeing the investigation, which raises serious concerns about transparency and possible conflicts of interest.

“We remain deeply concerned by the allegations that federal agents were falsely acting as local law enforcement and that the ace of spades, long known as the “death card”, was used to intimidate Latino communities,”the lawmakers wrote.

“While the investigation is ongoing, we request a formal, detailed briefing on ICE activities in Eagle County, to include information on the field office that is conducting the investigation.” In addition, the lawmakers demanded, “… a report on findings of the investigation, and written confirmation of any disciplinary or corrective actions taken.”

The “death cards” have a history of being used by white supremacist groups to intimidate people of color. These specific cards found in Colorado had the address and phone number of the Aurora ICE detention facility printed on them.

In January, Hickenlooper took to the Senate floor to condemn the racist “death cards,” blast ICE’s lawlessness, and denounce the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. He also recently voted against the DHS funding bill because it fails to overhaul ICE.

Full text of the letter is available HERE and below.

Dear Secretary Noem:

We are writing to follow up on our February 2, 2026 letter regarding disturbing reports about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in Eagle County, Colorado. Reportedly, ICE agents in unmarked vehicles with attached sirens conducted imitation traffic stops and ultimately detained ten Latino individuals who are now being held at the Aurora Detention Facility. Additionally, according to multiple news reports and local community organizations, family members of the detained individuals found ace of spades cards inside multiple abandoned vehicles, printed with the address of the Aurora Detention Facility:

We remain deeply concerned by the allegations that federal agents were falsely acting as local law enforcement and that the ace of spades, long known as the “death card”, was used to intimidate Latino communities. This behavior undermines public trust in law enforcement, raises civil rights concerns, and falls far short of the professional standards expected of federal agents. Additional death cards were reportedly also found in cars in other Colorado counties, heightening our concerns.

In our February 2 letter, we requested that DHS provide a formal, detailed briefing on ICE activities in Eagle County; a report on findings of the DHS investigation into the incident; an independent investigation by the DHS Office of the Inspector General into the activities of the Denver Field Office; and written confirmation of disciplinary or corrective actions taken. In response, DHS wrote that the DHS Office of the Inspector General referred the complaint to the Office of Professional Responsibility, who assigned the incident to a field office for investigation.

While the investigation is ongoing, we request a formal, detailed briefing on ICE activities in Eagle County, to include information on the field office that is conducting the investigation. We request immediate notification once the investigation is complete. At that time, we request a report on findings of the investigation, and written confirmation of any disciplinary or corrective actions taken.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We respectfully request a response by March 20.

Sincerely,

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Hirono, Peters, Pressley Lead Colleagues in Introducing Resolution to Recognize Abortion Providers

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Gary Peters (D-MI), and U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) led over 30 of their colleagues in reintroducing a bicameral resolution honoring abortion providers and staff by designating March 10, 2026 as “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day.”

The Abortion Provider Appreciation Day resolution affirms that abortion providers are valued as they provide reproductive care despite pressures, restrictions, political interference, and threats to their personal safety. It also highlights the essential role that these providers play in providing safe access to reproductive care, including abortions. The introduction of this resolution follows a 2024 report by the National Abortion Federation, which shows continued incidences of violence and harassment like stalking and death threats directed at patients, abortion care providers, and volunteers.

“Amidst Trump and Republicans’ attacks on our fundamental reproductive rights, I am proud to reintroduce this resolution to honor the bravery of health professionals who provide critical care to thousands of patients across the country and help them even in the face of violence, threats, and intimidation,” said Senator Hirono. “As we commemorate Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, we recognize Dr. Gunn’s legacy and the crucial and lifesaving care these health care professionals provide and reaffirm our commitment to protecting and securing reproductive rights for all.”

“I’m proud to again lead this resolution with Senator Hirono honoring the abortion providers and clinic staff who help women and their families receive the safe, quality health care they need,” said Senator Peters. “Despite constant threats and attacks from politicians and judges, they continue to work day in and day out to deliver critical and often lifesaving care. I will never stop fighting to protect these providers and the rights of the women and families that they serve.”

"On the 30th commemoration of Abortion Providers Appreciation Day, we honor the courage and care of dedicated health providers who deliver essential reproductive health care to patients, even amid threats to their own personal safety," said Representative Pressley, House Reproductive Freedom Caucus Co-Chair. "Health care professionals and patients alike deserve safety. While Trump and Republicans attack our bodily autonomy and leave patients and clinical staff at grave risk, we continue to fight for the promise of the fundamental right to reproductive freedom."

The resolution was inspired by Dr. David Gunn, an abortion provider who was killed outside his clinic in Pensacola, Florida by a white supremacist and anti-abortion extremist in the first known murder of an abortion provider. To honor his legacy, Abortion Provider Appreciation Day was established on March 10, 1996 as a day to show appreciation for the essential, high-quality care that abortion providers and staff provide to their communities and to celebrate their courage and dedication.

“Thirty three years ago today a cowardly anti-abortion, Christian Nationalist terrorist shot our father in the back three times for the audacious act of getting up and going to work,” said Wendy Gunn and David Gunn, Jr., the children of Dr. David Gunn. “Dad endured relentless harassment and traveled over 1000 miles a week visiting patients in three states to ensure those patients had access to safe and legal abortion/reproductive services because he trusted they, not the government or religious zealots, knew what was in their best interests. While we are honored and humbled that Abortion Provider Appreciation Day is celebrated each year on the anniversary of his assassination, we are despondent and angered by the increased obstacles to access to the level of compassionate care he died to preserve. Our family continues to stand with everyone involved in ensuring everyone has access to safe, legal abortion and other reproductive services on demand and without apology.”

The Abortion Provider Appreciation Day Resolution demonstrates a commitment to abortion providers and staff by:

Recognizing March 10, 2026 as “Abortion Provider Appreciation Day” to celebrate the courage of abortion providers and the high-quality care they provide to patients and families across the country;

Lauding communities who proudly support their abortion providers and staff;

Affirming the commitment of Congress to ensuring the safety of these health professionals, their ability to continue providing the essential reproductive care their patients need, and the right of patients to access abortion care regardless of where they live, free from violence and threats;

Condemning the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States to limit abortion care, which had a devastating impact on abortion providers and the communities they care for, threatening their livelihoods; and

Declaring a vision for a future liberated from all abortion restrictions and bans, and affirming the commitment of Congress to working toward this future with providers, patients, advocates, and their communities.

“Today and every day, we celebrate abortion providers who provide time-sensitive, essential care and mourn those murdered by anti-abortion violence,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “In the face of relentless political attacks, disinformation, and harassment, these providers persist in protecting the freedom and health of millions. We are eternally grateful for their selfless commitment to delivering compassionate judgment-free care. Thank you to all the doctors, nurses, clinicians, counselors, and health care staffers for your resilience and dedication to caring for our communities. Planned Parenthood will never stop fighting to ensure that everyone can provide or receive health care and be free from political interference."

“At a time when abortion providers are facing escalating violence, political interference, and the erosion of critical protections like the FACE Act, this resolution is a bright light in an increasingly dark landscape,” said Brittany Fonteno, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation. “NAF members–their clinicians, staff, and volunteers–show up every day with extraordinary courage and compassion to deliver vital care, even as they face harassment, threats, and relentless attacks on access. We are deeply grateful to the members of Congress who recognize what we know to be true: abortion providers are essential, and their dedication should always be honored and appreciated.”

"Abortion Provider Appreciation Day was originally started to counter an act of white supremacist and anti-abortion violence. Over 30 years later, anti-abortion extremists are still doing everything they can to roll back our rights and access, even resorting to violence, harassment, and criminalization,” said Poonam Dreyfus-Pai, Interim Executive Director of the National Network of Abortion Funds. “Abortion funds work with providers on the front lines in their communities every day, despite mountains of barriers, risks, and threats. We must unequivocally support and celebrate everyone who provides abortion care, today and every day. Thank you abortion providers, and thank you to everyone who makes abortion access a reality."

"Today, on the 30th official Abortion Provider Appreciation Day, I’d like to thank Senator Hirono and Congresswoman Pressley for their continued commitment to celebrating the hard work of the clinic staff and clinicians who make abortion care possible amidst ongoing threats and violence,” said Dr. Jamila Perritt, OBGYN in Washington DC and President & CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health. “Since the Trump Administration came back into office, we’ve seen tireless attempts to discredit the decades of research showing the safety and efficacy of abortion care. As ICE infiltrates our communities and our neighborhoods are militarized, as attacks on our transgender community members continue to rise, abortion providers go to work every day because they know that abortion impacts all of us. No matter who we are or where we call home, we are all deserving of being able to practice bodily autonomy. Since the fall of Roe, attacks on abortion haven’t stopped. Neither has the steadfast commitment of clinic workers around the country committed to the needs of their communities."

The Abortion Provider Appreciation Day Resolution is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA), National Abortion Federation (NAF), National Network of Abortion Funds (NNAF), Physicians for Reproductive Health, Reproductive Freedom for All, National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), the Guttmacher Institute, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, National Women’s Law Center, National Partnership for Women & Families, Power to Decide, Reproductive Freedom for All, Ipas, National Organization for Women, Ibis Reproductive Health, Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS), Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equality (URGE), National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), and the National Organization for Women.

In addition to Senators Hirono and Peters, the resolution is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

In addition to Representative Pressley, the resolution is cosponsored in the House by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Judy Chu (D-CA), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Julie Johnson (D-TX), John Larson (D-CT), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Frederica Wilson (D-FL).

The full text of the resolution is available here.

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