Murray, Van Hollen, Kaine, Schatz, Warren and 40 Senators Press DOD for Answers on School Bombing and Civilian Casualties in Iran

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Brian Schatz (D-HI) were joined by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and 40 colleagues in pressing the Department of Defense to provide answers to the American people on the airstrikes on a school in Minab, Iran and civilian casualties in the Trump Administration’s war on Iran, as well as accountability for those responsible.

Senators Murray, Van Hollen, Kaine, Warren, Schatz, and Schumer were joined in sending this letter by Senators Reed (D-RI), Shaheen (D-NH), Hirono (D-HI), Blumenthal (D-CT.), Gillibrand (D-NY), Bennet (D-CO), Merkley (D-OR), Heinrich (D-NM), Baldwin (D-WI), Markey (D-MA), Welch (D-VT), Duckworth (D-IL), Alsobrooks (D-MD), Smith (D-MN), Kim (D-NJ), Sanders (I-VT), Gallego (D-AZ), Warnock (D-GA), Durbin (D-IL), Padilla (D-CA), Whitehouse (D-RI), Luján (D-NM), Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Klobuchar (D-MN), Hickenlooper (D-CO), Wyden (D-OR), Peters (D-MI), Kelly (D-AZ), Slotkin (D-MI), Coons (D-DE), Rosen (D-NV), Booker (D-NJ), Ossoff (D-GA), Cortez Masto (D-NV), Schiff (D-CA), Warner (D-VA), Cantwell (D-WA), Hassan (D-NH), Murphy (D-CT), and King (I-ME).

“We write with grave concern regarding the airstrikes on a girls’ elementary school that reportedly killed at least 168 people – mostly children – in Minab, Iran during the opening salvo of U.S. and Israeli operations on Iran on February 28. To be clear, the war against Iran is a war of choice without Congressional authorization. Nonetheless, as these military actions continue, the United States and Israel must abide by U.S. and international law, including the law of armed conflict. There must be a swift investigation into the strikes on this school and any other potential U.S. military actions causing civilian harm, and the findings must be released to the public as soon as possible, along with any measures to pursue accountability,” the Senators begin.

“The results of this school attack are horrific. The majority of those killed in the strikes were girls between the ages of 7 and 12 years old. Neither the United States nor the Israeli Government has yet taken responsibility for this attack,” they note.

“There have also been reports of airstrikes that have hit multiple hospitals, cultural heritage sites, and other critical civilian infrastructure. This includes the use of explosive weapons in major Iranian cities and populated areas, including the capital, Tehran, which is home to approximately 9 million people. As of March 10, 2026, there have been over 1,245 civilians killed and over 12,000 civilians injured in the war, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). Massive civilian casualty incidents like the attack in Minab are not only detrimental to the Iranian people, who have already suffered so much at the hands of its own government, but they also undermine U.S. national security interests. These concerns are compounded by the reported use of artificial intelligence tools to select and prioritize targets in Iran,” the Senators stress.

The Senators go on to press for answers to the following questions:

Did U.S. forces conduct the strikes that struck the girls’ school in Minab, Iran on February 28, 2026? If not, did the United States play any role in planning, coordinating, or supporting the strikes?

If U.S. forces carried out the strikes on the school, what was the intended target? What led to the errant strike? At what command level was authorization granted? What weapons and systems were used in the strikes?

What analysis was done to determine the purpose of the building? When was this analysis completed? What measures were implemented to reduce the risk of civilian casualties? What was the intended military objective? Were AI tools used in planning or executing these strikes?

What analysis, if any, led the U.S. military to conclude that the expected civilian harm would not be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated?

You said U.S. forces would follow “no stupid rules of engagement.” Are you complying with rules to prevent the commission of war crimes? If so, what procedures are in place to implement those rules?

What steps has the U.S. military taken to prevent and mitigate civilian harm in its operational planning and targeting? Was a “no-strike list” established prior to the commencement of U.S. military operations in Iran?

Have any U.S. military operations in Iran utilized, or will any utilize, artificial intelligence tools, and if so, provide specifics of how they are being used and for what purpose? What human verification and redundancy policies are in place, if any, to evaluate the accuracy and legitimacy of AI-generated targets? Please provide a copy of any procedures service members use to verify AI-generated targets and recommend them for execution.

What role do civilian harm mitigation and response (CHMR) staff at CENTCOM play in operational planning and targeting? How has CENTCOM compensated for the reduction in resources dedicated to this effort, including the loss of dedicated civilian harm mitigation teams?

The U.S. has reported that it struck over 1,000 targets in just 24 hours. Given this volume, the compressed timeframe, and the presence of targets in populated areas, what steps and precautions has the U.S. taken to ensure compliance with the laws of war during these strikes? How has the U.S. implemented established CHMR policies and practices?

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

Secretary Hegseth,

We write with grave concern regarding the airstrikes on a girls’ elementary school that reportedly killed at least 168 people – mostly children – in Minab, Iran during the opening salvo of U.S. and Israeli operations on Iran on February 28. To be clear, the war against Iran is a war of choice without Congressional authorization. Nonetheless, as these military actions continue, the United States and Israel must abide by U.S. and international law, including the law of armed conflict. There must be a swift investigation into the strikes on this school and any other potential U.S. military actions causing civilian harm, and the findings must be released to the public as soon as possible, along with any measures to pursue accountability.

The results of this school attack are horrific. The majority of those killed in the strikes were girls between the ages of 7 and 12 years old. Neither the United States nor the Israeli Government has yet taken responsibility for this attack. On March 4, you acknowledged that the United States was looking into the strikes at the school, saying “all I know, all I can say, is that we’re investigating that,” but shared no information about a timeline for review nor a commitment to accountability. A New York Times analysis of available evidence suggests that U.S. forces most likely struck the school amid attacks on an adjacent Iranian naval base, despite satellite imagery showing that the building had been walled off from the military base and used as a school since at least 2016. And U.S. military investigators themselves reportedly believe that U.S. forces were likely responsible.

There have also been reports of airstrikes that have hit multiple hospitals, cultural heritage sites, and other critical civilian infrastructure. This includes the use of explosive weapons in major Iranian cities and populated areas, including the capital, Tehran, which is home to approximately 9 million people. As of March 10, 2026, there have been over 1,245 civilians killed and over 12,000 civilians injured in the war, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). Massive civilian casualty incidents like the attack in Minab are not only detrimental to the Iranian people, who have already suffered so much at the hands of its own government, but they also undermine U.S. national security interests. These concerns are compounded by the reported use of artificial intelligence tools to select and prioritize targets in Iran.

These civilian harm events are not taking place in a vacuum. As Secretary of Defense, you set the tone for U.S. military conduct, and your recent comments send a clear message of disregard for the laws of war. On March 3, you said that Operation Epic Fury would have “no stupid rules of engagement.” On March 4, you said while describing U.S. military operations in Iran that there will be “death and destruction from the sky all day long.” This rhetoric only serves to endanger civilians, including American citizens, in the region and around the globe. The United States is a party to the Geneva Conventions and bound by international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution. These are binding and non-negotiable standards designed to protect innocent human life, and it is unacceptable for the Secretary of Defense to suggest otherwise.

Your comments reflect a broader pattern of policies abandoning the Defense Department’s commitment to minimizing civilian harm in U.S. military operations. Under this administration, budgetary and personnel cuts at the Department have robbed military commands of crucial resources to prevent and respond to civilian casualties, including at U.S. Central Command and the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, which supports commands in this work and was codified into law with bipartisan congressional support. You have also removed senior, nonpartisan Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers who provide essential legal guidance to U.S. service members, particularly regarding compliance with the law of armed conflict and U.S. policies aimed at reducing civilian harm. These actions, combined with your comments and the horrific reports of civilian casualties stemming from the war against Iran, suggest the administration has abandoned its duty to protect civilians.

We request answers to the following questions regarding the February 28 attack on the elementary school no later than March 18, 2026.

Did U.S. forces conduct the strikes that struck the girls’ school in Minab, Iran on February 28, 2026? If not, did the United States play any role in planning, coordinating, or supporting the strikes?

If U.S. forces carried out the strikes on the school, what was the intended target? What led to the errant strike? At what command level was authorization granted? What weapons and systems were used in the strikes?

What analysis was done to determine the purpose of the building? When was this analysis completed? What measures were implemented to reduce the risk of civilian casualties? What was the intended military objective? Were AI tools used in planning or executing these strikes?

What analysis, if any, led the U.S. military to conclude that the expected civilian harm would not be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated?

You said U.S. forces would follow “no stupid rules of engagement.” Are you complying with rules to prevent the commission of war crimes? If so, what procedures are in place to implement those rules?

What steps has the U.S. military taken to prevent and mitigate civilian harm in its operational planning and targeting? Was a “no-strike list” established prior to the commencement of U.S. military operations in Iran?

Have any U.S. military operations in Iran utilized, or will any utilize, artificial intelligence tools, and if so, provide specifics of how they are being used and for what purpose? What human verification and redundancy policies are in place, if any, to evaluate the accuracy and legitimacy of AI-generated targets? Please provide a copy of any procedures service members use to verify AI-generated targets and recommend them for execution.

What role do civilian harm mitigation and response (CHMR) staff at CENTCOM play in operational planning and targeting? How has CENTCOM compensated for the reduction in resources dedicated to this effort, including the loss of dedicated civilian harm mitigation teams?

The U.S. has reported that it struck over 1,000 targets in just 24 hours. Given this volume, the compressed timeframe, and the presence of targets in populated areas, what steps and precautions has the U.S. taken to ensure compliance with the laws of war during these strikes? How has the U.S. implemented established CHMR policies and practices?

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Senate Republicans Again Block Bill to Fund TSA, FEMA, & Cyber Defense Agency

Senate Republicans once again block Murray’s bill to fund everything at DHS but ICE and Border Patrol, as they drag their feet on common-sense reforms to protect Americans from violence at the hands of ICE

Murray: “Right now, TSA agents are going without pay because Republicans and the White House have decided they would rather shut down all of DHS than pass some very basic reforms to rein in ICE and Border Patrol.”

***WATCH: Senator Murray’s floor remarks***

Washington, D.C. — Moments ago, Senate Republicans once again blocked straightforward legislation to fund every agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—except Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Office of the Secretary—while Republicans drag their feet in ongoing negotiations over common-sense reforms to rein in ICE and Border Patrol.

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, sought unanimous consent to pass her legislation to fund DHS agencies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and other important DHS functions while talks on ICE and CBP proceed.

Yet again, Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) blocked Senator Murray’s request to pass the legislation.

While negotiations on ICE and CBP proceed, Senator Murray’s bill:

Funds FEMA, TSA, the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Secret Service, CISA, and other important DHS components.

Excludes funding for ICE, CBP, and the Office of the Secretary.

Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:

“Right now, TSA agents are going without pay because Republicans and the White House have decided they would rather shut down all of DHS than pass some very basic reforms to rein in ICE and Border Patrol.

“For weeks on end, Democrats have been very crystal clear about what measures need to be put in place before a full DHS bill can pass. These are steps that the American people are demanding—and that local police departments across the country already follow.

“And we have also been clear that when it comes to reining in these out-of-control agencies and preventing more Americans from being shot and killed by masked federal agents, half-steps are not going to cut it.

“But Republicans are acting like they have no idea what the problem is, or what Democrats—and what the American people—are demanding here.

“And now, Republicans are not only dragging their feet on the basic reforms—they are refusing to fund TSA, FEMA, and other important DHS functions while these negotiations continue. M. President, in my view, that is just plain wrong.

“If Republicans are going to drag their feet on common-sense reforms to protect their own constituents from having their door broken in by masked federal agents without so much as a warrant, then they should at a minimum work with us to make sure that TSA is funded. At minimum, we should make sure that disaster relief is not put at risk, and that our cyber defense agency is fully operational.

“I offered a bill to get this done—to fund all of DHS except ICE, Border Patrol, and former Secretary Noem’s office. But last week—after spending the entire week talking about how important these parts of DHS are—Senate Republicans blocked that bill.

“But I am here today to give Republicans another opportunity to do the right thing—and ask my Republican colleagues to put politics aside for a moment, work with us to get TSA and FEMA funded now and press ahead to rein in ICE and Border Patrol.

“Mr. President, my colleagues know me. They know I will talk to anyone who is serious about getting results.

“But the problem right now—the reason we are here at an impasse—is not because Democrats don’t want a deal—that is ridiculous. It’s not because we aren’t willing to talk—I’ve been talking to my colleagues across the aisle all week. The problem is that Republicans are still refusing to agree to basic measures that we need to protect Americans’ basic rights and their safety the same measures we have been demanding for weeks as part of these negotiations.

“Look, this just isn’t complicated, Democrats’ position is simple: we want reforms to rein in ICE and Border Patrol. We also want TSA and FEMA funded—but we are not going to be blackmailed into cutting a blank check for ICE to get it done.

“So, I hope Republicans stop listening to Stephen Miller—and start getting serious about reform—or at the very least stop blocking funding for TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard and more while negotiations on ICE and Border Patrol continue.”

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VIDEO: Peters Urges Republicans to Support Bill to Pay DHS Employees While Negotiations on ICE Reforms Remain Ongoing

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, spoke on the Senate floor to urge his Republican colleagues to support legislation that would ensure Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees are paid while lawmakers continue negotiating needed, commonsense reforms to DHS’ immigration enforcement operations. The bill would pay federal workers at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), U.S. Coast Guard, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and other critical agencies. The bill would not fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which already received increased funding from Republicans’ so-called “Big Beautiful Bill.”

“We want to fund the Coast Guard, TSA, CISA. That will happen today out of the Senate as long as my Republican colleagues do not object,” Peters said. “And if they object, it will send a very clear signal that they are not interested in opening up TSA at our airports, FEMA for natural disasters, or CISA, protecting us from cyber threats.”

“It is unacceptable. We need to make sure that they get paid and the resources to protect us... If my colleagues on the Republican side object and we're hit with a cyberattack and we're not fully prepared, they own that. Not Democrats,” Peters continued. “We are saying move this bill. We all agree that has to be done.”

To watch Peters’ speech on the Senate floor, click HERE.

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As Trump Tries to Avoid Accountability for Iranian School Bombing, Reed & Whitehouse Press DOD for Answers on Tragic Mistake and Efforts to Prevent Civilian Casualties in Iran

WASHINGTON, DC – On February 28, the Shajarah Tayyebeh elementary school for girls in Iran was hit by a missile, killing at least 175 Iranians, most of them grade-school children. It was a horrific tragedy, complicated by the fact that President Trump attempted to publicly mislead and deny accountability, declaring on March 7 that the strike was “done by Iran.”

Now, the New York Times and other media outlets publicly report that a preliminary military investigation indicates the U.S. military is responsible for the attack.

Today, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse joined with 41 U.S. Senate colleagues in pressing the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) to provide answers to the American people on the airstrikes on a school in Minab, Iran and civilian casualties in the Trump Administration’s war on Iran, as well as accountability for those responsible.

“We write with grave concern regarding the airstrikes on a girls’ elementary school that reportedly killed at least 168 people – mostly children – in Minab, Iran during the opening salvo of U.S. and Israeli operations on Iran on February 28. To be clear, the war against Iran is a war of choice without Congressional authorization. Nonetheless, as these military actions continue, the United States and Israel must abide by U.S. and international law, including the law of armed conflict. There must be a swift investigation into the strikes on this school and any other potential U.S. military actions causing civilian harm, and the findings must be released to the public as soon as possible, along with any measures to pursue accountability,” the 44 U.S. Senators begin.

“The results of this school attack are horrific. The majority of those killed in the strikes were girls between the ages of 7 and 12 years old. Neither the United States nor the Israeli Government has yet taken responsibility for this attack,” the letter states.

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

“There have also been reports of airstrikes that have hit multiple hospitals, cultural heritage sites, and other critical civilian infrastructure. This includes the use of explosive weapons in major Iranian cities and populated areas, including the capital, Tehran, which is home to approximately 9 million people. As of March 10, 2026, there have been over 1,245 civilians killed and over 12,000 civilians injured in the war, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). Massive civilian casualty incidents like the attack in Minab are not only detrimental to the Iranian people, who have already suffered so much at the hands of its own government, but they also undermine U.S. national security interests. These concerns are compounded by the reported use of artificial intelligence tools to select and prioritize targets in Iran,” the Senators stress.

The Senators go on to press for answers to the following questions:

1. Did U.S. forces conduct the strikes that struck the girls’ school in Minab, Iran on February 28, 2026? If not, did the United States play any role in planning, coordinating, or supporting the strikes?

a. If U.S. forces carried out the strikes on the school, what was the intended target? What led to the errant strike? At what command level was authorization granted? What weapons and systems were used in the strikes?

b. What analysis was done to determine the purpose of the building? When was this analysis completed? What measures were implemented to reduce the risk of civilian casualties? What was the intended military objective? Were AI tools used in planning or executing these strikes?

c. What analysis, if any, led the U.S. military to conclude that the expected civilian harm would not be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated?

2. You said U.S. forces would follow "no stupid rules of engagement." Are you complying with rules to prevent the commission of war crimes? If so, what procedures are in place to implement those rules?

3. What steps has the U.S. military taken to prevent and mitigate civilian harm in its operational planning and targeting? Was a “no-strike list” established prior to the commencement of U.S. military operations in Iran?

4. Have any U.S. military operations in Iran utilized, or will any utilize, artificial intelligence tools, and if so, provide specifics of how they are being used and for what purpose? What human verification and redundancy policies are in place, if any, to evaluate the accuracy and legitimacy of AI-generated targets? Please provide a copy of any procedures service members use to verify AI-generated targets and recommend them for execution.

5. What role do civilian harm mitigation and response (CHMR) staff at CENTCOM play in operational planning and targeting? How has CENTCOM compensated for the reduction in resources dedicated to this effort, including the loss of dedicated civilian harm mitigation teams?

6. The U.S. has reported that it struck over 1,000 targets in just 24 hours. Given this volume, the compressed timeframe, and the presence of targets in populated areas, what steps and precautions has the U.S. taken to ensure compliance with the laws of war during these strikes? How has the U.S. implemented established CHMR policies and practices?

The letter was also shared with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Inspector General for possible action by the DOD’s watchdog.

Full text of the letter follows:

Secretary Hegseth,

We write with grave concern regarding the airstrikes on a girls’ elementary school that reportedly killed at least 168 people – mostly children – in Minab, Iran during the opening salvo of U.S. and Israeli operations on Iran on February 28. To be clear, the war against Iran is a war of choice without Congressional authorization. Nonetheless, as these military actions continue, the United States and Israel must abide by U.S. and international law, including the law of armed conflict. There must be a swift investigation into the strikes on this school and any other potential U.S. military actions causing civilian harm, and the findings must be released to the public as soon as possible, along with any measures to pursue accountability.

The results of this school attack are horrific. The majority of those killed in the strikes were girls between the ages of 7 and 12 years old. Neither the United States nor the Israeli Government has yet taken responsibility for this attack. On March 4, you acknowledged that the United States was looking into the strikes at the school, saying "all I know, all I can say, is that we're investigating that," but shared no information about a timeline for review nor a commitment to accountability. A New York Times analysis of available evidence suggests that U.S. forces most likely struck the school amid attacks on an adjacent Iranian naval base, despite satellite imagery showing that the building had been walled off from the military base and used as a school since at least 2016. And U.S. military investigators themselves reportedly believe that U.S. forces were likely responsible.

There have also been reports of airstrikes that have hit multiple hospitals, cultural heritage sites, and other critical civilian infrastructure. This includes the use of explosive weapons in major Iranian cities and populated areas, including the capital, Tehran, which is home to approximately 9 million people. As of March 10, 2026, there have been over 1,245 civilians killed and over 12,000 civilians injured in the war, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). Massive civilian casualty incidents like the attack in Minab are not only detrimental to the Iranian people, who have already suffered so much at the hands of its own government, but they also undermine U.S. national security interests. These concerns are compounded by the reported use of artificial intelligence tools to select and prioritize targets in Iran.

These civilian harm events are not taking place in a vacuum. As Secretary of Defense, you set the tone for U.S. military conduct, and your recent comments send a clear message of disregard for the laws of war. On March 3, you said that Operation Epic Fury would have “no stupid rules of engagement.” On March 4, you said while describing U.S. military operations in Iran that there will be “death and destruction from the sky all day long.” This rhetoric only serves to endanger civilians, including American citizens, in the region and around the globe. The United States is a party to the Geneva Conventions and bound by international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution. These are binding and non-negotiable standards designed to protect innocent human life, and it is unacceptable for the Secretary of Defense to suggest otherwise.

Your comments reflect a broader pattern of policies abandoning the Defense Department’s commitment to minimizing civilian harm in U.S. military operations. Under this administration, budgetary and personnel cuts at the Department have robbed military commands of crucial resources to prevent and respond to civilian casualties, including at U.S. Central Command and the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, which supports commands in this work and was codified into law with bipartisan congressional support. You have also removed senior, nonpartisan Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers who provide essential legal guidance to U.S. service members, particularly regarding compliance with the law of armed conflict and U.S. policies aimed at reducing civilian harm. These actions, combined with your comments and the horrific reports of civilian casualties stemming from the war against Iran, suggest the administration has abandoned its duty to protect civilians.

We request answers to the following questions regarding the February 28 attack on the elementary school no later than March 18, 2026.

1. Did U.S. forces conduct the strikes that struck the girls’ school in Minab, Iran on February 28, 2026? If not, did the United States play any role in planning, coordinating, or supporting the strikes?

a. If U.S. forces carried out the strikes on the school, what was the intended target? What led to the errant strike? At what command level was authorization granted? What weapons and systems were used in the strikes?

b. What analysis was done to determine the purpose of the building? When was this analysis completed? What measures were implemented to reduce the risk of civilian casualties? What was the intended military objective? Were AI tools used in planning or executing these strikes?

c. What analysis, if any, led the U.S. military to conclude that the expected civilian harm would not be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated?

2. You said U.S. forces would follow "no stupid rules of engagement." Are you complying with rules to prevent the commission of war crimes? If so, what procedures are in place to implement those rules?

3. What steps has the U.S. military taken to prevent and mitigate civilian harm in its operational planning and targeting? Was a “no-strike list” established prior to the commencement of U.S. military operations in Iran?

4. Have any U.S. military operations in Iran utilized, or will any utilize, artificial intelligence tools, and if so, provide specifics of how they are being used and for what purpose? What human verification and redundancy policies are in place, if any, to evaluate the accuracy and legitimacy of AI-generated targets? Please provide a copy of any procedures service members use to verify AI-generated targets and recommend them for execution.

5. What role do civilian harm mitigation and response (CHMR) staff at CENTCOM play in operational planning and targeting? How has CENTCOM compensated for the reduction in resources dedicated to this effort, including the loss of dedicated civilian harm mitigation teams?

6. The U.S. has reported that it struck over 1,000 targets in just 24 hours. Given this volume, the compressed timeframe, and the presence of targets in populated areas, what steps and precautions has the U.S. taken to ensure compliance with the laws of war during these strikes? How has the U.S. implemented established CHMR policies and practices?

Sincerely,


Reed Demands Trump Admin. Report the Costs of War with Iran

WASHINGTON, DC – The Trump Administration failed to articulate a clear rationale or strategy before launching its war of choice against Iran.

Now that combat operations are underway, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, says it is strategically important for Americans and Congress to understand the costs of war, the scope of U.S. military operations, and what impacts this conflict is having on the safety and finances of every American and our military’s ability to address other pressing threats.

Yesterday, Senator Reed sent a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth asking several key questions and demanding more public information about the true costs of war.

“Since the initial strikes on February 28, 2026, how much has the Department spent on these operations? How much are the daily costs of these operations? What are the costs to readiness? How much does the Department need to replenish munitions and aircraft combat losses?” Reed wrote.

Senator Reed also demanded to know: “When do you plan to submit a request to Congress for supplemental funding, as this operation was not included in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget?”

Senator Reed delivered a floor speech today making it clear: “I will not support a blank check for this war of choice.”

Reed also discussed the human and economic costs of this military deployment and noted Americans are being forced to pay higher prices in the near term for things like fuel, as well as long-term costs from this conflict, such as health care for veterans and survivor benefits pay, long after the cessation of hostilities.

“The President broke the diplomatic solution and is now trying to bomb his way out of a crisis of his own making. He had other, better, choices. He chose war. And now he owes the American people a full accounting,” Reed noted.

“I would ask my colleagues who support this war same questions I have been asking the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs over the past two weeks. What is the theory of victory? What does success look like, and how will we know when we have achieved it? What legal authority does the administration believe it is operating under, given that this Congress has not authorized this conflict? What is the day-after plan for Iran — for its government, its 93 million citizens, its borders, its proxies? What is the plan if this regime does not fall — if the Revolutionary Guard fights on for years? And will the administration commit that American ground forces will not be sent into Iran?”

“To my Republican colleagues: I urge you to ask these same questions and to demand answers from the administration. History is watching, and in 20 years you too may wish you held the President to greater account.”


Reed Warns Trump’s War in Iran Risks Repeating the Failures of Iraq

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, delivered a speech on the Senate floor warning that President Trump’s war against Iran risks repeating the strategic mistakes of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Sen. Reed cautioned that while Iran poses a serious threat, the United States must avoid entering another prolonged and destabilizing war without a clear strategy.

Sen. Reed called on the Trump Administration to clearly explain its objectives, the costs of the conflict, and whether it will rule out deploying American ground forces into Iran. He also urged Congress to reassert its constitutional role in decisions of war and peace.

A video of Senator Reed’s remarks may be viewed here.

A transcript of Senator Reed’s floor speech follows:

The Stakes of War with Iran

U.S. Senator Jack Reed

Ranking Member, Senate Armed Services Committee

Wednesday, March 11, 2026

REED: Mr. President, 23 years ago this month, President George W. Bush launched the invasion of Iraq. The speed, power, and sophistication of the American military campaign was astounding. Within three short weeks, the United States had crushed the Iraqi Army and collapsed Saddam Hussein’s entire government. Our military victory was swift and total, as expected.

A few months before the invasion, I delivered a speech here on the Senate floor. I spoke about the evil of Saddam’s regime, the dangerous threat the Iraqi military posed, and the importance of confronting Iraq through all practical means. But I also cautioned against the pitfalls of the Bush Administration’s strategy, which I considered to be terribly misguided.

As I observed at the time: “Our judgment cannot rest simply on [Saddam’s] unalloyed evil. We must consider our actions more broadly. Will we enhance the stability and security of the region? Will we strengthen our security not just for the moment, but for the future as well? What kind of precedent will we establish? . . . We will decisively defeat Iraqi military forces in any conflict. The skill and courage of our forces, aided by superb technology, will overwhelm Iraqi resistance. The military outcome is certain, but the costs and the consequences are uncertain and could be quite grave.”

Mr. President, I take no satisfaction in that warning. I wish Iraq had been the brief, decisive victory the Bush Administration promised it would be. The reality turned out to be two decades of destruction, death, and instability that has cost our nation dearly.

I am standing here today because the Trump Administration’s war against Iran raises the same concerns and more.

Iraq-Iran Parallels

The parallels between March 2003 and March 2026 are striking and cannot be wished away – no matter how loudly the Trump Administration shouts down those of us who have noted as much. In both cases, the United States launched a massive air campaign with thousands of strikes on air defenses, command centers, leadership targets, and weapons infrastructure. In both cases, the early military results were dramatic and impressive. And, in both cases, the administration stood before the cameras and promised the American people that the hard part was done.

Indeed, in 2003, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld claimed, “It could last six days, six weeks. I doubt six months.” Similarly, just a few days ago, Secretary Hegseth said, “You can say four weeks, but it could be six, it could be eight, it could be three.” There are many other parallels.

But the differences between 2003 and 2026 are where my alarm for this war begins.

In 2002, President Bush made a case for war. I disagreed with it profoundly. In fact, I voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force in Iraq — one of only 23 senators to do so. But we had a vote. The Bush Administration came to Congress, presented intelligence – however flawed, testified before committees, and sought the buy-in of the American people. President Bush went through the steps that any responsible commander-in-chief must, and this body deliberated and decided. I had the information I needed to cast my vote. Every senator did.

Importantly, I would note that even with all that deliberation in 2002, President Bush still failed catastrophically. He tied our military up in a disaster that took decades and hundreds of thousands of lives to partially unravel.

Today, President Trump has bypassed or ignored this most necessary process in a democracy. The American people woke up last Saturday to find themselves at war with Iran. There was no vote. There was no Authorization for Use of Military Force, nor intelligence shared with Congress, the representatives of 330 million Americans. And no coalition of allies and partners were assembled or brought into the planning. In fact, several of our closest friends in the Middle East were, by all accounts, as surprised as anyone by the joint American and Israeli attack. Many of them – Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Jordan, Iraq, and others – are suffering the consequences of Iranian retaliation without having been involved in the decision that triggered it. And the Administration has left thousands of Americans stranded in harm’s way without a realistic means of getting home.

As impressively as our military has performed, I must ask my Republican colleagues this: do you believe that the Trump White House has devoted even a fraction of the strategic effort that the Bush Administration put into Iraq? Because the Bush administration at least thought about it. They were wrong, but they undertook preparations for more than a year. What is the evidence of that same seriousness with today’s military operation?

Reality of War with Iran

Iran is not Iraq. I want to be clear about this, because it matters enormously to what comes next. Saddam Hussein’s government, for all its brutality, was a hollowed-out institution propped up by fear and oil. The Iranian regime is something altogether different. It is deeply entrenched by half a century in power and is woven into the economic, military, and religious fabric of a nation of 93 million people. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is not a conventional military that will dissolve because the Ayatollah has been killed. Just the opposite. It has shown its willingness to absorb pain and endure. It is an ideological institution with deep roots, considerable resources, and a demonstrated willingness to direct violence across the entire region.

Iran’s missile and drone arsenal dwarfs anything Iraq possessed, and it has a vast network of proxy forces, from Hezbollah in Lebanon, Shia militias in Iraq and Syria, to the Houthis in Yemen. These forces, although diminished and disrupted from the past several years of fighting, represent a military capacity that has shown it can cause real pain for our troops, our allies and partners, and the global economy. We have already experienced deadly Iranian retaliatory strikes against American bases across the Middle East. Just because their missile strikes have slowed should not give us false confidence that they are finished. This regime is cunning. The Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil supply flows, is now essentially closed. Energy prices are spiking and stock markets are falling as a result. Further, cyberattacks on our critical infrastructure – financial systems, energy grids, military networks – are very possible.

We cannot overlook another fact. The administration has refused to rule out deploying American ground forces into Iran. Let me say that again: the administration will not rule out putting American boots on Iranian soil. That kind of invasion would not just be a difficult campaign. It would be a catastrophe that would make Iraq seem straightforward by comparison.

Further, there has been speculation about a potential special forces operation to seize Iran’s enriched uranium. This would be exceedingly difficult and would require deploying hundreds of our forces deep into Iran at great peril. Even if successful, such an operation would not change the government of Iran and, although dealing a serious setback to the Iranian nuclear program, would likely harden the fanatical approach of the IRGC.

Strategic Incoherence

Like in 2003, I am disappointed by the lack of scrutiny from my Republican colleagues. There are basic questions that remain unanswered. What are President Trump’s objectives? I have listened carefully to this administration, and their rationale has shifted constantly — from protecting Iranian protesters, to eliminating Iran’s nuclear program, to destroying its ballistic missile arsenal, to what now appears to be regime change. President Trump declared last week that he wants no less than unconditional surrender and he should have a role in choosing Iran’s next leader. Those comments reveal a stunning failure to understand Iran and its history.

I worry that the President and his advisers have convinced themselves they are immune from the lessons of history. Destroying Iran without a credible post-war plan is not likely to create a stable, democratic state. Instead, it could create a chaotic power vacuum that drags in the rest of the Middle East. Ironically, it could further entrench the most radical elements of Iran’s leadership to be even more organized and ruthless, and could send the message that acquiring a nuclear weapon is the ultimate path to avoiding President Trump’s unpredictable wrath.

Beyond the lack of strategic planning, I am also troubled by the military readiness and financial costs of this conflict. The Senate Armed Services Committee has sent formal inquiries to the Department of Defense requesting projected costs, which by some estimates could run as high as one billion dollars a day. Reports indicate that the administration is already preparing a supplemental appropriations request to Congress for emergency funding — potentially more than 50 billion dollars — to backfill the massive munitions loss and battle damage incurred in the opening days of this war. But let me be clear: I will not support a blank check for this war of choice.

Precedent and Future Threats

In the same 2003 speech I discussed earlier, I asked several questions that I believe history has since validated: “We are debating Iraq today, but will we apply this preemptive doctrine to Iran or North Korea tomorrow? How do we prevent others from adopting this same strategy if we have enshrined it as the centerpiece of our policy? How do we counsel India to refrain from preemptively attacking Pakistan — or vice versa? From New Delhi or Islamabad, the threat looks ‘sufficient,’ and striking first is enticing.”

That question is no longer hypothetical. Today, China is watching our war against Iran with intense interest as it considers its posture toward Taiwan. Russia is watching as it calculates what remains possible beyond Ukraine. When the United States launches preemptive wars – whether in Iran, in Venezuela, or perhaps Cuba – without bothering to make any public case or good faith legal argument, we diminish American power. We give permission for other nations to throw their own military weight against their neighbors. We hand every ambitious autocrat in the world the same justification we have just used ourselves. The precedent we set today will outlast this presidency by decades.

Make no mistake: the Iranian regime is a brutal, corrupt institution that has denied its people basic rights for nearly 50 years. I do not mourn Ayatollah Khamenei. I do not minimize the genuine threat that Iran’s nuclear program and missile arsenal represent to the United States and our allies. The day the Iranian regime is replaced by a government that genuinely serves the Iranian people will be a good day for the world.

But recall that President Trump ripped up the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action — a real diplomatic framework that was constraining Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He refused to negotiate a replacement. Just two weeks ago, the Omani Foreign Minister, who served as a key intermediary between Washington and Tehran, reported that there had been significant progress in the ongoing negotiations just before these strikes began. The President broke the diplomatic solution and is now trying to bomb his way out of a crisis of his own making.

He had other, better, choices. He chose war. And now he owes the American people a full accounting.

I would ask my colleagues who support this war same questions I have been asking administration leaders over the past two weeks. What is the theory of victory? What does success look like, and how will we know when we have achieved it? What legal authority does the administration believe it is operating under, given that this Congress has not authorized this conflict? What is the day-after plan for Iran — for its government, its 93 million citizens, its borders, its proxies? What is the plan if this regime does not fall — if the Revolutionary Guard fights on for years? And will the administration commit that American ground forces will not be sent into Iran?

To my Republican colleagues: I urge you to ask these same questions and to demand answers from the administration. History is watching, and in 20 years you too may wish you held the President to greater account.

Conclusion

So far, seven American servicemembers have been killed. Hundreds more have been wounded. To their families, this chamber owes our deepest condolences and our solemn commitment to ensure their sacrifice is honored. America’s sons and daughters have gone into harm’s way carrying the full weight of this nation’s trust. They deserve leadership and a strategy worthy of their service.

I had the great privilege to serve in the United States Army. I believe in American power, and I believe we should be willing to use it. I believe in American leadership on the global stage. But power without wisdom or restraint is just recklessness. And leadership without accountability or conscience is just theater; a performance to serve the President’s ego – not America.

Mr. President, I would close by recalling the same words with which I concluded my remarks on this floor 23 years ago. “Great events will turn on our deliberations. But, at this moment, my thoughts are not on historic forces. Rather, I think about the young Americans who will carry out our policies. They are prepared to sacrifice everything. We owe them more than we can ever repay. One thing that we certainly owe them is our best judgment. I have tried to give them mine.”

Mr. President, those words are no less true today. The young men and women the President has sent into this conflict are prepared to give everything. We owe them our unsparing questions. The President owes them a plan. We owe them the honest and rigorous judgment of the commander-in-chief and the leaders he has entrusted with the gravest decisions a democracy can make.

I have tried, again, to give my best judgment. I urge my colleagues to give theirs.

I yield the floor.


Senate Republicans Again Block Bill to Fund TSA, FEMA, Coast Guard & Cyber Defense Agency

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Senate Republicans once again blocked a straightforward bill to fund every agency within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) -- except Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Office of the Secretary -- while Congressional Republicans drag their feet in ongoing negotiations over common-sense reforms to rein in ICE and Border Patrol.

Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, sought unanimous consent to pass her legislation to fund DHS agencies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Coast Guard, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and other important DHS functions while talks on ICE and CBP proceed. If Republicans had not objected, TSA agents, the Coast Guard, FEMA and CISA among others would have been one step closer to being paid.

“Hardworking federal employees at these agencies are currently on the job without a paycheck because Republicans would rather withhold their pay than ask ICE officers to follow the same laws and guidelines as every other law enforcement agency in America. Americans across the country overwhelmingly support these overdue reforms and have been calling for them since the cold blooded killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in January of 2026. Instead of making needed reforms, the Trump Administration thinks it can get away with causing disruptions to people’s travel plans and trying to blame Democrats. It won’t work. Republicans control the White House, the House, and Senate. Democrats are ready and willing to fund every agency out there save the three immigration agencies that need serious reform and are impeding investigations into criminal wrongdoing. We will not allow the Trump Administration to continue trampling people’s rights with no justice and no accountability,” said Reed.

While the ouster of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem was overdue and opened a potential path to reform DHS, Republicans continue to block real, commonsense reforms and guardrails needed to protect American citizens, taxpayers, and human rights. The proposed ICE restrictions and reforms Senator Reed is backing include:

Requiring ICE agents to wear and use body cameras, just like local police

Removing masks and limiting the concealment of agents’ identities

Ending warrantless, roving patrols

Protecting schools, hospitals, and places of worship from ICE

Preventing racial profiling

Prohibiting the wrongful detainment or deportation of American citizens

Reed serves on the Appropriations Committee with Senator Murray, whose unanimous consent (UC) request was blocked today by U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-AL).

After UC was blocked, Senator Murray stated on the Senate floor:

“The problem right now—the reason we are here at an impasse—is not because Democrats don’t want a deal—that is ridiculous. It’s not because we aren’t willing to talk—I’ve been talking to my colleagues across the aisle all week. The problem is that Republicans are still refusing to agree to basic measures that we need to protect Americans’ basic rights and their safety the same measures we have been demanding for weeks as part of these negotiations.

“Look, this just isn’t complicated, Democrats’ position is simple: we want reforms to rein in ICE and Border Patrol. We also want TSA and FEMA funded—but we are not going to be blackmailed into cutting a blank check for ICE to get it done.

“So, I hope Republicans stop listening to Stephen Miller—and start getting serious about reform—or at the very least stop blocking funding for TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard and more while negotiations on ICE and Border Patrol continue.”


VIDEO: Ricketts Applauds Trump Admin for Diesel Engine Flexibility that Supports Farmers, Truckers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, during a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) advocated for legislative efforts providing regulatory relief and clarity for diesel engines operating in cold-weather environments.

“Diesel engines are an important part for many vehicles, including in the agricultural industry. In states like Nebraska, where we experience cold … and highly variable weather, these systems face additional operational challenges,” said Ricketts. “Nebraska agriculture producers report that emissions-related issues, particularly with DEF systems, account for a majority of their machinery repairs… A major grievance is that when a DEF sensor fails or the system malfunctions, it often triggers ‘limp mode,’ where a tractor or combine loses power and speed, causing critical delays during planting or harvesting.”

“I applaud the Trump administration’s EPA who has recognized this challenge by publishing guidance that allows greater flexibility and longer warning periods before derates occur,” said Ricketts.

Watch the video HERE.


Sen. Rick Scott Announces Nate Madden as Communications Director

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott announced that Nate Madden will serve as his Communications Director, effective March 16.

Senator Rick Scott said, “I’m excited to welcome Nate Madden as my new Communications Director. We have the best communications team in Washington, and Nate brings the strategic vision, leadership experience, and skillset to lead this team as we fight to make Washington work for Florida families.”

Madden currently serves as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Communications at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). He previously served as the Communications Director for Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX) and worked in the first Trump administration as Director of Strategic Outreach and Engagement at DHS. Madden is a 2014 graduate of The Citadel and earned his master’s degree in government at Hillsdale College in 2023.

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Sen. Rick Scott Urges VP Vance’s Anti-Fraud Task Force to Investigate California’s Use of Federal Funds for Wildfires

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott sent a letter urging Vice President JD Vance to use the administration’s new anti-fraud task force to investigate California’s use of federal taxpayer dollars intended for wildfire prevention and recovery.

Senator Scott has championed transparency and accountability for victims of the Palisades Fire, which killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses. He and Senator Ron Johnson, Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs’ Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, have visited the Palisades firsthand, written to federal agencies, held investigative meetings, requested government documents and reports, and hosted hearings as part of an investigation to amplify victims’ voices, demand answers, ensure Americans’ tax dollars are being used responsibly, and make sure the mistakes that led to this tragedy do not happen again.

Read Senator Scott’s letter to Vice President Vance HERE or below:

Dear Vice President Vance:

As President Trump made clear in his State of the Union address, the levels of waste, fraud, and abuse being exposed in Democrat-run states like Minnesota and California are appalling. Even worse, under Joe Biden’s failed leadership, this was normalized in a system that too often traded transparency and accountability for what benefited the far-left’s latest passion projects. The result was hardworking American taxpayers being cheated out of billions of dollars and losing all trust in their federal government to put them first.

That changed on President Trump’s first day in office when the reckless waste, fraud, and abuse met its match. The Trump administration has been laser-focused on spending American tax dollars wisely and restoring accountability and fiscal responsibility to our government at every level. As you know from our time serving together in the United States Senate, I am a proud partner in this mission. I know you share this commitment, and I was glad that President Trump put you in charge of the newly created anti-fraud task force, establishing much-needed oversight as to how federal tax dollars are being spent.

This accountability and oversight are needed urgently in California. Despite receiving billions in federal taxpayer dollars for wildfire mitigation, California continues to experience historic wildfires, including the devastating Pacific Palisades Fire last January. After visiting the Pacific Palisades last year and seeing the damage and hearing from victims firsthand, Senator Ron Johnson, Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs’ Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, and I were shocked by the failures of California’s state and local officials to prepare and combat the fire, keep residents safe, and aid in their recovery. As a result, we immediately began an investigation.

That fire killed twelve people, destroyed thousands of homes, and devastated countless families and their communities. Today, victims, Californians, and the American people still have little to no answers. The American people deserve to know whether federal funds were appropriately and for their intended purpose, and if not, the extent to which any fraud, waste, and abuse affected public officials' ability to keep people safe that day and facilitate a quick recovery.

For this reason, I sent letters to multiple agencies, including the DOJ, DHS, USDA, DOI, and DOT, requesting information on how much federal taxpayer money has been sent to California for fire prevention and recovery efforts over the last decade. I also met with Attorney General Pam Bondi to emphasize the importance of a thorough review of how California used disaster funding, so victims receive the answers they deserve. I am grateful to see that under President Trump’s leadership, these agencies are taking this seriously, and I know you will too.

President Trump has already taken action to help the fire victims by intervening where state and local governments failed, ensuring proper oversight of federal funds, and preventing regulatory roadblocks from impeding Californians’ recovery. As I wrote to several Cabinet members last year, California has “received seemingly endless flows of federal funds” related to wildfires that “do not appear to have been used wisely,” so this enhanced oversight is needed to make sure federal aid is disbursed effectively and efficiently.

As the federal government seeks to play a role in preventing the next wildfire and the Federal Emergency Management Agency steps in to help victims, we must ensure that every tax dollar is spent appropriately and is accounted for. For the sake of American taxpayers and the victims, I urge you to examine past federal spending and ensure accountability in California’s rebuilding and future wildfire prevention efforts.

President Trump has restored trust in our federal government again, and your task force has a real opportunity to build on this work by sending a clear message to failed state and local politicians: waste, fraud, and abuse are no longer acceptable in California or anywhere across our great country.

Read the California Post’s coverage of the letter and Senator Scott and Chairman Johnson’s investigation HERE.

More on the work Senator Scott and Chairman Johnson have done to bring transparency and accountability for victims of the Palisades Fire and the American taxpayer below:

08/20/25: Sen. Rick Scott on X – Meeting with Spencer Pratt on the Ground

08/22/25: Sen. Rick Scott Thanks AG Bondi for Helping Victims and Requests Briefing on California Wildfire Investigation

08/26/25: Sen. Rick Scott to DHS: We Must Review CA Disaster Funding After State and Local Botched Response to Wildfires

08/28/25: Sen. Rick Scott to USDA: We Must Review CA Disaster Funding After State and Local Botched Response to Wildfires

09/03/25: Sen. Rick Scott in Letter to DOI: We Must Review CA Disaster Funding After State and Local Botched Response to Wildfires

09/08/25: Chairmen Rick Scott and Ron Johnson Announce Congressional Investigation of Deadly California Wildfire

09/09/25: Sen. Rick Scott Introduces Legislation to Provide Tax Relief for Victims of Hurricanes, Wildfires, & Other Natural Disasters

09/12/25: VIDEO RELEASE: Sens. Rick Scott, Ron Johnson: ‘We’re Going to Get to the Bottom of What Happened’ with Palisades Wildfire

09/15/25: Sen. Rick Scott’s Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act to Support Victims of Natural Disasters Gains Bipartisan Support

09/17/25: Sen. Rick Scott, Chair Ron Johnson Request Records from LAFD for Congressional Investigation into Pacific Palisades Wildfire

09/26/25: Sen. Rick Scott in Letter to DOT: We Must Review CA Disaster Funding After State and Local Botched Response to Wildfires

09/29/25: Sen. Rick Scott on X - Meeting with AG Pam Bondi on investigation

10/03/25: Sen. Rick Scott, Chair Ron Johnson Request Records from LADWP for Congressional Investigation into Pacific Palisades Wildfire

10/08/25: Sen. Rick Scott on X – Statement on the arrest of individual regarding Palisades fire

10/10/25: Sen. Rick Scott, Chair Ron Johnson Request Records from Mayor of LA for Congressional Investigation into Pacific Palisades Wildfire

10/16/25: Sen. Rick Scott Asks Treasury Sec. Bessent to Review China’s Land Grab in Fire-Ravaged California

10/20/25: Sen. Rick Scott, Chair Ron Johnson Send Letter to LA City Council President Requesting Records into Pacific Palisades Wildfire, City’s Efforts to Redevelop Affected Areas

11/12/25: Sen. Rick Scott, Chair Ron Johnson Pen Letter to California Parks and Rec Director Ahead of Field Hearing on Pacific Palisades Wildfires

11/13/25: HEARING: Forgotten After the Flames: Stories from the Palisades Fire

11/13/25: Chairmen Rick Scott, Ron Johnson Lead Field Hearing in California on Palisades Fire; Examining Impact on Seniors and Survivors’ Ongoing Recovery Efforts

12/03/25: As Sen. Rick Scott Leads Congressional Investigation into California’s Response to Palisades Wildfire and Use of Tax Dollars, Gov. Newsom Visits DC Asking for More

01/07/26: Sen. Rick Scott: One Year After the Palisades Fire, Residents Still Await Accountability and Answers

01/28/26: HEARING: One Year After Disaster: Experts Weigh In On the Palisades Fire

02/04/26: Sen. Rick Scott on X - Calls out Karen Bass on manipulated fire report

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Sen. Johnson Releases Statement on Eastern District Court Decision Not to Extend Appointment of Brad Schimel as U.S. Attorney

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) released the following statement on the Eastern District Court decision not to extend the appointment of Brad Schimel as U.S. attorney.

“It is bizarre that the Eastern District Court writes that they view Brad Schimel as performing well as an interim U.S. attorney but then declines to appoint him for the duration of the vacancy — especially when they are fully aware that Senate Democrats are obstructing the nomination and confirmation of U.S. attorneys throughout the country.

“I am obviously disappointed in their decision. I encourage Attorney General Pam Bondi to utilize available authorities to keep Brad in charge of the U.S. attorney’s office.

“I will also work with Sen. Baldwin to reconvene the Wisconsin Federal Nominating Commission. Last year, the commission failed to produce recommendations for Wisconsin’s U.S. attorney offices because some commissioners refused to evaluate certain applicants based solely on their qualifications.

“I urge the commissioners not to inject partisan politics into their important work.”

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Schatz, Van Hollen, Kaine, Warren Lead Over 40 Senators in Pressing DOD for Answers on School Bombing and Civilian Casualties in Iran

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), were joined by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and 41 colleagues in pressing the Department of Defense to provide answers to the American people on the airstrikes on a school in Minab, Iran and civilian casualties in the Trump Administration’s war on Iran, as well as accountability for those responsible.

Senators Schatz, Van Hollen, Kaine, Warren, and Schumer were joined in sending this letter by Senators Reed (D-R.I.), Shaheen (D-N.H.), Hirono (D-Hawaii), Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Bennet (D-Colo.), Murray (D-Wash.), Merkley (D-Ore.), Heinrich (D-N.M.), Baldwin (D-Wis.), Markey (D-Mass.), Welch (D-Vt.), Duckworth (D-Ill.), Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Smith (D-Minn.), Kim (D-N.J.), Sanders (I-Vt.), Gallego (D-Ariz.), Warnock (D-Ga.), Durbin (D-Ill.), Padilla (D-Calif.), Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Luján (D-N.M.), Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Wyden (D-Ore.), Peters (D-Mich.), Kelly (D-Ariz.), Slotkin (D-Mich.), Coons (D-Del.), Rosen (D-Nev.), Booker (D-N.J.), Ossoff (D-Ga.), Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Schiff (D-Calif.), Warner (D-Va.), Cantwell (D-Wash.), Hassan (D-N.H.), Murphy (D-Conn.), and King (I-Maine).

“We write with grave concern regarding the airstrikes on a girls’ elementary school that reportedly killed at least 168 people – mostly children – in Minab, Iran during the opening salvo of U.S. and Israeli operations on Iran on February 28. To be clear, the war against Iran is a war of choice without Congressional authorization. Nonetheless, as these military actions continue, the United States and Israel must abide by U.S. and international law, including the law of armed conflict. There must be a swift investigation into the strikes on this school and any other potential U.S. military actions causing civilian harm, and the findings must be released to the public as soon as possible, along with any measures to pursue accountability,” the Senators begin.

“The results of this school attack are horrific. The majority of those killed in the strikes were girls between the ages of 7 and 12 years old. Neither the United States nor the Israeli Government has yet taken responsibility for this attack,” they note.

“There have also been reports of airstrikes that have hit multiple hospitals, cultural heritage sites, and other critical civilian infrastructure. This includes the use of explosive weapons in major Iranian cities and populated areas, including the capital, Tehran, which is home to approximately 9 million people. As of March 10, 2026, there have been over 1,245 civilians killed and over 12,000 civilians injured in the war, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). Massive civilian casualty incidents like the attack in Minab are not only detrimental to the Iranian people, who have already suffered so much at the hands of its own government, but they also undermine U.S. national security interests. These concerns are compounded by the reported use of artificial intelligence tools to select and prioritize targets in Iran,” the Senators stress.

The Senators go on to press for answers to the following questions:

Did U.S. forces conduct the strikes that struck the girls’ school in Minab, Iran on February 28, 2026? If not, did the United States play any role in planning, coordinating, or supporting the strikes?

If U.S. forces carried out the strikes on the school, what was the intended target? What led to the errant strike? At what command level was authorization granted? What weapons and systems were used in the strikes?

What analysis was done to determine the purpose of the building? When was this analysis completed? What measures were implemented to reduce the risk of civilian casualties? What was the intended military objective? Were AI tools used in planning or executing these strikes?

What analysis, if any, led the U.S. military to conclude that the expected civilian harm would not be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated?

You said U.S. forces would follow "no stupid rules of engagement." Are you complying with rules to prevent the commission of war crimes? If so, what procedures are in place to implement those rules?

What steps has the U.S. military taken to prevent and mitigate civilian harm in its operational planning and targeting? Was a “no-strike list” established prior to the commencement of U.S. military operations in Iran?

Have any U.S. military operations in Iran utilized, or will any utilize, artificial intelligence tools, and if so, provide specifics of how they are being used and for what purpose? What human verification and redundancy policies are in place, if any, to evaluate the accuracy and legitimacy of AI-generated targets? Please provide a copy of any procedures service members use to verify AI-generated targets and recommend them for execution.

What role do civilian harm mitigation and response (CHMR) staff at CENTCOM play in operational planning and targeting? How has CENTCOM compensated for the reduction in resources dedicated to this effort, including the loss of dedicated civilian harm mitigation teams?

The U.S. has reported that it struck over 1,000 targets in just 24 hours. Given this volume, the compressed timeframe, and the presence of targets in populated areas, what steps and precautions has the U.S. taken to ensure compliance with the laws of war during these strikes? How has the U.S. implemented established CHMR policies and practices?

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

Secretary Hegseth,

We write with grave concern regarding the airstrikes on a girls’ elementary school that reportedly killed at least 168 people – mostly children – in Minab, Iran during the opening salvo of U.S. and Israeli operations on Iran on February 28. To be clear, the war against Iran is a war of choice without Congressional authorization. Nonetheless, as these military actions continue, the United States and Israel must abide by U.S. and international law, including the law of armed conflict. There must be a swift investigation into the strikes on this school and any other potential U.S. military actions causing civilian harm, and the findings must be released to the public as soon as possible, along with any measures to pursue accountability.

The results of this school attack are horrific. The majority of those killed in the strikes were girls between the ages of 7 and 12 years old. Neither the United States nor the Israeli Government has yet taken responsibility for this attack. On March 4, you acknowledged that the United States was looking into the strikes at the school, saying "all I know, all I can say, is that we're investigating that," but shared no information about a timeline for review nor a commitment to accountability. A New York Times analysis of available evidence suggests that U.S. forces most likely struck the school amid attacks on an adjacent Iranian naval base, despite satellite imagery showing that the building had been walled off from the military base and used as a school since at least 2016. And U.S. military investigators themselves reportedly believe that U.S. forces were likely responsible.

There have also been reports of airstrikes that have hit multiple hospitals, cultural heritage sites, and other critical civilian infrastructure. This includes the use of explosive weapons in major Iranian cities and populated areas, including the capital, Tehran, which is home to approximately 9 million people. As of March 10, 2026, there have been over 1,245 civilians killed and over 12,000 civilians injured in the war, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). Massive civilian casualty incidents like the attack in Minab are not only detrimental to the Iranian people, who have already suffered so much at the hands of its own government, but they also undermine U.S. national security interests. These concerns are compounded by the reported use of artificial intelligence tools to select and prioritize targets in Iran.

These civilian harm events are not taking place in a vacuum. As Secretary of Defense, you set the tone for U.S. military conduct, and your recent comments send a clear message of disregard for the laws of war. On March 3, you said that Operation Epic Fury would have “no stupid rules of engagement.” On March 4, you said while describing U.S. military operations in Iran that there will be “death and destruction from the sky all day long.” This rhetoric only serves to endanger civilians, including American citizens, in the region and around the globe. The United States is a party to the Geneva Conventions and bound by international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution. These are binding and non-negotiable standards designed to protect innocent human life, and it is unacceptable for the Secretary of Defense to suggest otherwise.

Your comments reflect a broader pattern of policies abandoning the Defense Department’s commitment to minimizing civilian harm in U.S. military operations. Under this administration, budgetary and personnel cuts at the Department have robbed military commands of crucial resources to prevent and respond to civilian casualties, including at U.S. Central Command and the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, which supports commands in this work and was codified into law with bipartisan congressional support. You have also removed senior, nonpartisan Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers who provide essential legal guidance to U.S. service members, particularly regarding compliance with the law of armed conflict and U.S. policies aimed at reducing civilian harm. These actions, combined with your comments and the horrific reports of civilian casualties stemming from the war against Iran, suggest the administration has abandoned its duty to protect civilians.

We request answers to the following questions regarding the February 28 attack on the elementary school no later than March 18, 2026.

Did U.S. forces conduct the strikes that struck the girls’ school in Minab, Iran on February 28, 2026? If not, did the United States play any role in planning, coordinating, or supporting the strikes?

If U.S. forces carried out the strikes on the school, what was the intended target? What led to the errant strike? At what command level was authorization granted? What weapons and systems were used in the strikes?

What analysis was done to determine the purpose of the building? When was this analysis completed? What measures were implemented to reduce the risk of civilian casualties? What was the intended military objective? Were AI tools used in planning or executing these strikes?

What analysis, if any, led the U.S. military to conclude that the expected civilian harm would not be excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated?

You said U.S. forces would follow "no stupid rules of engagement." Are you complying with rules to prevent the commission of war crimes? If so, what procedures are in place to implement those rules?

What steps has the U.S. military taken to prevent and mitigate civilian harm in its operational planning and targeting? Was a “no-strike list” established prior to the commencement of U.S. military operations in Iran?

Have any U.S. military operations in Iran utilized, or will any utilize, artificial intelligence tools, and if so, provide specifics of how they are being used and for what purpose? What human verification and redundancy policies are in place, if any, to evaluate the accuracy and legitimacy of AI-generated targets? Please provide a copy of any procedures service members use to verify AI-generated targets and recommend them for execution.

What role do civilian harm mitigation and response (CHMR) staff at CENTCOM play in operational planning and targeting? How has CENTCOM compensated for the reduction in resources dedicated to this effort, including the loss of dedicated civilian harm mitigation teams?

The U.S. has reported that it struck over 1,000 targets in just 24 hours. Given this volume, the compressed timeframe, and the presence of targets in populated areas, what steps and precautions has the U.S. taken to ensure compliance with the laws of war during these strikes? How has the U.S. implemented established CHMR policies and practices?

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Amid measles outbreak in South Carolina, Sen. Scott introduces bill to strengthen wastewater monitoring and improve pandemic preparedness

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Sens. Tim Scott (R-SC) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Public health Response and Emergency Detection through Integrated wastewater Community Testing (PREDICT) Act, legislation to strengthen and expand the nation’s wastewater monitoring network and improve the early detection of infectious diseases. Joining Sens. Scott and Booker in introducing the legislation are Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Ted Budd (R-NC), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Angus King (I-ME).

Wastewater surveillance analyzes sewage to detect viruses and bacteria circulating in a community. Individuals infected with diseases such as measles, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza A, and COVID-19 can shed viral or bacterial material through everyday activities, even if they do not show symptoms. Monitoring wastewater helps public health officials identify potential outbreaks earlier and respond more quickly to protect communities.

Recent public health challenges have highlighted the importance of early detection systems. In South Carolina, for example, health officials have been responding to a significant measles outbreak centered in the Upstate region, underscoring the need for tools that help identify and track infectious diseases before they spread widely in communities.

“Wastewater monitoring provides communities with an early warning when infectious diseases are spreading,” said Sen. Scott. “As South Carolina continues responding to the measles outbreak, it’s clear that early detection tools are critical to protecting families and helping public health officials respond quickly to emerging threats. The PREDICT Act builds on proven methods to track infectious diseases, improve transparency, and ensure our nation is better prepared for future public health emergencies.”

“Wastewater-based epidemiology is a powerful tool that allows us to detect public health threats in real time—often before clinical cases or other health outcomes emerge. As state and global leaders in this field, experts at the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina are setting the standard for early warning systems that safeguard communities,” said Tara Sabo-Attwood, dean, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina. “Strong existing collaborations with key academic-health partnerships, including Clemson, MUSC and Claflin, ensure maximal reach to help protect all South Carolinians. Integrating this approach into public health frameworks strengthens our ability to respond proactively and protect more people from the spread of infectious diseases and emerging health concerns in South Carolina and beyond.”

The PREDICT Act would:

Direct the CDC to award grants to state, tribal, and local health departments, educational institutions, nonprofits, and public-private partnerships to establish, maintain, or improve wastewater surveillance activities.

Support advanced testing capabilities so laboratories can detect new pathogens quickly and simultaneously track multiple infectious diseases using consistent testing methods.

Ensure broad geographic representation so communities across the United States can participate in wastewater surveillance efforts.

Improve data transparency and sharing by establishing a timely and accessible dashboard for state and local public health officials.

Promote innovation and flexibility by directing the CDC to issue guidance supporting new technologies and adaptable surveillance systems.

Require a national strategic plan outlining how the CDC will strengthen wastewater monitoring nationwide and maintain an early-warning system capable of detecting emerging health threats.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

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Sen. Tim Scott introduces bill to protect student learning during teacher strikes and public health emergencies

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced the Kids in Classes Act, legislation to protect students from learning loss when schools close due to public health emergencies or prolonged teacher strikes.

Congressman Burgess Owens (R-UT-04) introduced the companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Education should never be held hostage to politics,” said Sen. Scott. “For far too many families, especially in low-income communities, school closures mean lost learning, lost opportunity, and long-term consequences. Empowering parents with real options ensures that when systems fail, students don’t. The Kids in Classes Act puts families first and guarantees that education dollars are used for education – even when the school doors are closed. Our focus must remain where it belongs: protecting children’s futures and expanding opportunity in every community.”

“Education is the greatest gift we can give the rising generation, and after lengthy school closures due to the pandemic and union strikes, our children are falling behind. Every hour lost in the classroom is time students don’t get back,” said Rep. Owens. “Our students and our teachers need to be in class. The Kids in Classes Act puts parents back in the driver’s seat, ensuring that when schools shut down, funding follows the student instead of the system. Every child in America deserves a fighting chance, no matter their circumstances or zip code.”

Background

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of parents and families have experienced the devastating impacts of prolonged and unnecessary school closures. Data shows that:

Children living in the poorest 20 percent of neighborhoods in the United States will experience the most negative and long-lasting effects of school closures.

One year of school closures will cost ninth graders in the poorest communities a 25 percent decrease in their post educational earning potential, even if that year of closure is followed by three years of normal schooling.

Kids in Classes Act

The Kids in Classes Act would give families relief and the means to provide their child with a high-quality education in the event that their local public school is shut down due to public health emergencies or collective bargaining actions by a union for more than three days.

The legislation would allow these children’s families to put unused Title I funds toward:

Curriculum and curricular materials

Books or instructional materials

Technological educational materials

Online educational materials

Tutoring or educational classes outside the home

Private school tuition

Testing fees

Diagnostic tools

Educational therapies for students with disabilities

Full text of the Kids in Classes Act can be found here.

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Senators Shaheen and Collins Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Improve Access to Diabetes Treatments, Education for Medicare Beneficiaries

**Diabetes Caucus Co-Chairs push bill to ensure patients have access to best technologies and education to manage lifelong disease**

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME), Co-Chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus, are today introducing bipartisan legislation aimed at improving access to diabetes technologies by responding to the ongoing and increasing need for diabetes technology education among Medicare beneficiaries. Shaheen and Collins’ bipartisan Diabetes Interventions Addressing Barriers to Enrollment, Technology and Education Services (DIABETES) Act would ensure care for diabetic patients is not interrupted when they enroll in Medicare.

The bill builds on previous efforts to improve access to needed treatment by incorporating Shaheen and Collins’ Expanding Access to Diabetes Self-Management Training Act – a separate but related bipartisan bill to expand Medicare coverage of diabetes self-management training sessions, where diabetes educators help train Medicare patients on how to manage the disease and use complex diabetes technologies. The Senators’ bill also includes a provision exempting insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) from the Medicare competitive bidding process for 5 years. This comes after Shaheen and Collins urged Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz not to finalize a proposal the lawmakers warned could reduce and complicate patient access to CGMs and durable insulin pumps.

“Diabetes is a lifelong illness that requires constant monitoring and treatment—and yet, too many patients experience disruptions in care or lack the training and technology to adequately manage it. Americans living with diabetes should not have to jump through hoops to access life-saving care,” said Senator Shaheen. “Our bipartisan legislation will streamline coverage for insulin pumps and expand education and training for patients and providers, improving care for individuals managing diabetes.”

“Delays or disruptions in coverage of diabetes technologies can cause a decline in patient health, particularly for those enrolling in Medicare,” said Senator Collins. “Our bipartisan legislation would streamline coverage for insulin pumps while expanding diabetes education and training for patients and providers, improving care for those managing this disease.”

A copy of the bill text can be found HERE.

The bipartisan legislation is endorsed by the American Diabetes Association, Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists, American Association of Clinical Endocrinology, Diabetes Leadership Council, Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition and the Diabetes Technology Access Coalition.

Senator Shaheen has led efforts across the aisle to lower health care costs for Granite Staters and Americans. As co-chairs of the U.S. Senate Diabetes Caucus, Shaheen and Collins have consistently pressed to hold insulin manufacturers, insurers and pharmacy benefit managers accountable for the skyrocketing cost of life-saving insulin. Their bipartisan Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act would comprehensively address the soaring cost of insulin, removing barriers to care and making it more accessible for millions more Americans. The Senators have also pushed for passage of their bicameral, bipartisan Strengthening Collective Resources for Encouraging Education Needed (SCREEN) for Type 1 Diabetes Act, to improve early detection and screening for type 1 diabetes.

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Shaheen, Hassan Help Introduce Bill to Bring Back Direct File, Make Taxes Easier

**The Direct File Act would reverse the Trump Administration’s decision to cancel the successful and popular Direct File program**

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) helped introduce the Direct File Act, legislation that would reverse the Trump Administration’s decision to end the highly successful Direct File program. Before being canceled, the popular Internal Revenue Service (IRS) program allowed taxpayers to file their taxes online, for free and directly with the government. This bill would restart the Direct File program and make it permanent. The legislation is led by U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

“With millions gearing up for tax filing season, it’s important to ensure Americans have the resources and support they need to tackle our overly complex tax system,” said Senator Shaheen. “Rather than simplify the tax system, the Trump Administration has done just the opposite—slashing critical employees and resources at the IRS while doing away with the Direct File program, which families across our country relied on to save time and money filing their taxes. I’m proud to join my colleagues on legislation that would ensure our tax system works for, not against, the American people.”

“Our government needs comprehensive reform to both make it more effective at improving people’s lives and to modernize it to meet the needs of the 21st century. Especially during tax season, many Granite Staters are rightfully frustrated by our needlessly complicated tax code and the professional help that is often required just to file their taxes and get back the money they are owed by the government,” said Senator Hassan. “The IRS’s Direct File program, first launched in 2024, allowed Granite Staters and Americans to save more of their time and hard-earned money by filing their taxes for free online. But the Trump Administration decided to cancel the Direct File program, as part of what appears to be its mission to make life harder and more expensive for families. I’m glad to join my colleagues to introduce this important legislation that restores this common-sense tool and helps people get the money that they are owed.”

The average American taxpayer spends eight hours and $160 each year filing their taxes with tax prep companies. In 2024, IRS launched Direct File to save families time and money. 94% of users described their experience as “excellent” or “above average,” and more than 70% of taxpayers said they would use Direct File if they were eligible. If fully implemented, Direct File was expected to save families up to $23 billion annually in fees, time and tax credits.

However, the Trump Administration ended the program after extensive lobbying efforts by tax companies. This decision contradicts recommendations from the independent Government Accountability Office and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. By ending this program, the Trump Administration raises costs for Americans and makes the tax filing experience even more challenging.

In addition to directing the IRS to establish and operate a free online tax preparation and filing program, the Direct File Act would:

Prohibit the IRS from entering into agreements that restrict its ability to provide free online tax preparation or filing services

Direct the IRS to publish an annual report on use levels, patterns of usage and ways to improve access to Direct File

Direct the IRS to enable seamless integration between state tax filing systems and Direct File, including through information sharing and a new grant program for states

Reduce tax fraud by getting third-party income information to the IRS earlier in the tax season, allowing the agency to verify this information before issuing refunds

In addition to Shaheen and Hassan, 35 Senators cosponsored the legislation. The bill is endorsed by 115 unions, advocacy groups and national organizations.

Click HERE to view the bill text.

Click HERE to view summary of the bill.

Simplifying the tax system and ensuring Americans have the resources they need to file their taxes has been a long-time priority for Senator Shaheen. Ahead of this year’s tax season, Shaheen joined her colleagues in a letter warning that the IRS was woefully unprepared to assist the American people due to mass layoffs and chaos at the agency. Shaheen has also worked to protect Granite Staters who experienced challenges when using online tax services like TurboTax and introduced the Tax Filing Simplification Act to ease the fax filing process for millions of Americans and lower costs.

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Slotkin Joins Bipartisan Effort Urging Trump to Prioritize Opening Japanese Market Access to U.S. Potato Industry

Slotkin, Young, Schiff, Curtis Lead Bipartisan Bill to Stop Insider Trading from Government Officials on Prediction Markets

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Todd Young (R-IN), Adam Schiff (D-CA) and John Curtis...

Slotkin Statement After Voting Against Mullin Nomination for DHS Secretary

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Republicans Block Slotkin Effort to Pass TSA Funding

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Slotkin Statement on Iran War Powers Vote to Rein in President Trump’s War of Choice

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last night, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services...

WATCH: In Committee Slotkin Presses Secretary of Homeland Security Nominee Markwayne Mullin on ICE and Elections

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Slotkin Joins Senate Colleagues in Demanding DHS Reduce Delays for DACA Renewals

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Slotkin Legislation Puts Common-sense Guardrails on DOD AI Use Around Lethal Force, Spying on Americans and Nuclear Weapons

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Slotkin, Peters Press National Weather Service for Answers on Lack of Tornado Watch Alert for Southwest Michigan Tornadoes

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Slotkin Joins Colleagues Urging HHS to Immediately Release Title X Funding

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Slotkin, Sheehy Introduce Legislation to Knock Down Barriers for Veterans Pursuing Apprenticeships

WASHINGTON D.C. — Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Tim Sheehy (R-MT) introduced the pro-veteran, bipartisan...

Slotkin, Warren, Cotton Press Intel on its Reported Use of Chipmaking Tools Produced by Chinese State-Backed Company

WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Tom Cotton (R-AR), led a...


Slotkin Joins Colleagues Urging HHS to Immediately Release Title X Funding

Slotkin, Young, Schiff, Curtis Lead Bipartisan Bill to Stop Insider Trading from Government Officials on Prediction Markets

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Todd Young (R-IN), Adam Schiff (D-CA) and John Curtis...

Slotkin Statement After Voting Against Mullin Nomination for DHS Secretary

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Last night, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), a member of the Homeland Security and...

Republicans Block Slotkin Effort to Pass TSA Funding

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) took to the floor of the Senate to pass by...

Slotkin Statement on Iran War Powers Vote to Rein in President Trump’s War of Choice

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last night, U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), a member of the Senate Armed Services...

WATCH: In Committee Slotkin Presses Secretary of Homeland Security Nominee Markwayne Mullin on ICE and Elections

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), a member of the Homeland Security and...

Slotkin Joins Senate Colleagues in Demanding DHS Reduce Delays for DACA Renewals

WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Catherine...

Slotkin Legislation Puts Common-sense Guardrails on DOD AI Use Around Lethal Force, Spying on Americans and Nuclear Weapons

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Slotkin, Peters Press National Weather Service for Answers on Lack of Tornado Watch Alert for Southwest Michigan Tornadoes

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Slotkin Joins Bipartisan Effort Urging Trump to Prioritize Opening Japanese Market Access to U.S. Potato Industry

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Slotkin, Sheehy Introduce Legislation to Knock Down Barriers for Veterans Pursuing Apprenticeships

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Slotkin, Warren, Cotton Press Intel on its Reported Use of Chipmaking Tools Produced by Chinese State-Backed Company

WASHINGTON D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Tom Cotton (R-AR), led a...