Wyden Calls on Senate to Reform Mass Surveillance, Protect Americans' Rights and Reject Rudd to lead NSA

Watch a video of Wyden deliver his remarks here

As prepared for delivery

Yesterday I rose to explain my opposition to the nomination of Joshua Rudd to be director of the National Security Agency and to lead U.S. Cyber Command. During his confirmation hearing, General Rudd failed to demonstrate a bare minimum understanding of the constitutional constraints on NSA activities. His responses to questions about privacy rights and transparency were deeply troubling. He would not commit to the NSA’s past policy of not purchasing and using extremely sensitive location data on Americans. And he wouldn’t rule out secretly violating public policies and guardrails on NSA activities.

While I admire his many years of military service, he does not have a background in national signals intelligence activities or cyber operations that would qualify him for the job. General Rudd is certainly not the first unqualified nominee put forward by this Administration. In fact, there are currently no qualified, Senate-confirmed officials in charge of federal cybersecurity. This country faces serious cybersecurity threats. This is a five alarm fire, yet the President keeps nominating officials to key cybersecurity roles who have less knowledge of the topic than an undergraduate computer science major.

General Rudd is the wrong person for this position and I will oppose this nomination. But if the Senate confirms General Rudd, despite his lack of familiarity with basic constitutional principles, it is all the more important that we pass legislation to protect against surveillance abuses.

So today, I want to take this opportunity to talk about why the government’s surveillance authorities are dangerously broad and how Congress can protect the privacy of Americans and provide for the security of the country.

I’m going to briefly discuss three issues that will be coming before senators in the next three weeks: 1) section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, 2) surveillance of Americans by ICE, and 3) the dangerous ways that artificial intelligence can be used to surveil American citizens.

As most of my colleagues know, there is a section of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act –Section 702 – that expires in a little more than a month. Congress will soon be debating its reauthorization. Now I’ve been doing this a long time, so I know how this always goes. Opponents of reforming Section 702 don’t want a real debate where Members can decide for themselves which reform amendments to support. So what always happens is that a lousy reauthorization bill magically shows up a few days before the authorization expires and Members are told that there’s no time to do anything other than pass that bill and that if they vote for any amendments, the program will die and terrible things will happen and it will be all their fault.

Don’t buy into that. It’s a disservice to your constituents and to the constitutional responsibilities of this body. The Senate can have a debate. The Senate can consider amendments on their merit. And one more point that I will return to later – Senators should not accept secret interpretations of the legislation they are voting on. The country needs to have an open debate about the surveillance authorities that directly affect the privacy and constitutional rights of Americans, a debate that doesn’t exclude the American people.

Section 702

First, let’s lay some groundwork and briefly explain this important law, section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Section 702 authorizes a warrantless surveillance program. The FISA Court approves the overall program, but it does not review the individual targets. Picking targets is entirely up to the government. Targets do not have to be suspected terrorists or spies - anyone the government believes possesses “foreign intelligence information” - is fair game. The targets are supposed to be foreigners, but there are a lot of them. The most recent public data was for 2024, when there were more than 291,000 targets, which is more than triple what it was 10 years before. Some of these targets are going to be talking to Americans and those Americans’ communications are going to be collected by the government. In many cases these will be law-abiding Americans having perfectly legitimate conversations. Journalists, foreign aid workers, people with family overseas, all could have their communications swept up in this surveillance merely because they talked to someone outside of this country.

We don’t know exactly how many Americans’ communications are swept up by what the government calls "incidental collection” because the government has refused to tell us, but it is surely large and it is definitely increasing. So the question Congress needs to consider is how to target foreign threats while protecting the rights of Americans.

Ben Franklin said that those who would sacrifice liberty for security will lose both and deserve neither. But smart policies can get you both.

With that principle in mind, the best way to protect the rights of Americans is to ensure that the government can’t conduct searches for Americans’ private conversations in all that Section 702 data without a warrant. And smart policies should include certain exceptions to the warrant requirement and that the law should allow for warrantless searches in cases of emergencies. But, as a general matter, the government shouldn’t be allowed to comb through all that collection for Americans’ communications without court oversight.

For years, there has been jaw-dropping abuse of these searches, especially by the FBI. Some internal administrative changes were made as a result, and, two years ago, when Congress last reauthorized Section 702, opponents of reform made a big deal about those changes. But let me give you one example of how those internal changes, and the 2024 reauthorization bill, fell far short.

There’s a category of searches that are considered especially sensitive. They include searches for American elected officials, presidential appointees, governors, political candidates, American political organizations and the people who lead them, as well as media organizations and journalists. So what did the last reauthorization bill do to ensure that the government wasn’t abusing its authority by combing through all those communications to look for American journalists, governors, and U.S. Senators? The so-called big reform was to require the approval of the Deputy FBI Director for these sensitive searches.

Until two months ago, the Deputy FBI Director was Dan Bongino. As most of my colleagues know, Mr. Bongino is a longtime conspiracy theorist who has frequently called for specious investigations of his political opponents. This is the man whom the President and the U.S. Senate put in charge of these incredibly sensitive searches. And Bongino’s replacement as Deputy Director, Andrew Bailey, is a highly partisan election denier who recently directed a raid on a Georgia election office in an effort to justify Donald Trump’s conspiracy theories. I don’t know about my colleagues, but this so-called reform makes me feel worse, not better.

But it’s even worse than it looks. The FBI has refused to even keep track of all of the sensitive searches the Deputy Director has considered. The Inspector General urged the FBI to just put this information into a simple spreadsheet and they refused to do it. That is how much the FBI does not want oversight.

There are a lot of other reforms desperately needed to Section 702. Later this week, I will be introducing bipartisan, bicameral legislation to enact critical reforms to government surveillance, including to Section 702. I won’t go through all the reforms today. But I do want to point to a new provision of Section 702 that urgently needs to be repealed.

Two years ago, during the last reauthorization debacle, something really bad happened. Over in the House, existing surveillance law was changed so that the government could force anyone with “access” to communications to secretly collect those communications for the government. As I pointed out at the time, that could mean anyone installing or repairing a cable box, or anyone responsible for a wifi router. It was a jaw-dropping expansion of authorities that could end up forcing countless ordinary Americans to secretly help the government spy on their fellow citizens.

When the provision was introduced, the Biden Administration knew they had a problem. This was such a dramatic and disturbing expansion of Section 702 authorities that the Biden Justice Department had to promise that it would only use these authorities in certain narrow circumstances. My colleague from Virginia, who I deeply respect, acknowledged that the law, as written, is flawed, and he vowed to fix this overbroad provision at the earliest opportunity.

Unfortunately, it has not been fixed yet.

The Biden administration refused to tell the public when it would use this dangerous, incredibly broad provision. And the Trump Administration certainly isn’t providing any details either. So Congress isn’t having a real, informed debate about this staggering provision and whether this vast and dangerous expansion of surveillance authorities is justified. I can tell you my view – this expansion of the government’s authority is not justified, even if it were narrowed to the circumstances the Biden administration described in secret. I believe the provision should be repealed in its entirety.

But here’s the other thing – whatever secret promise the Biden Administration made about using these vast, unchecked authorities with restraint, the current administration clearly isn’t going to feel bound by that promise. So whatever the previous administration intended to accomplish with that provision, there is absolutely nothing preventing the current administration from conscripting those cable repair and tech support men and women to secretly spy on Americans.

The past fifteen years have shown that, unless the Congress can have an open debate about surveillance authorities, the laws that are passed cannot be assumed to have the support of the American people. And that is fundamentally undemocratic. And, right now, the government is relying on secret law with regard to Section 702 of FISA. I’ve already mentioned the provision that was stuck into the last reauthorization bill, that could allow the government to force all sorts of people to spy on their fellow citizens. I have explained the details of how the Biden Administration chose to interpret it, and how the Trump Administration will interpret it, are a big secret. Americans have the right to be confused and angry that this is how the government and Congress choose to do business. There’s another example of secret law related to Section 702, one that directly affects the privacy rights of Americans. For years, I have asked various administrations to declassify this matter. Thus far they have all refused, although I am still waiting for a response from DNI Gabbard. I strongly believe that this matter can and should be declassified and that Congress needs to debate it openly before Section 702 is reauthorized. In fact, when it is eventually declassified, the American people will be stunned that it took so long and that Congress has been debating this authority with insufficient information.

I want to explain why our coalition is attaching all these other reforms to a Section 702 reauthorization bill. The reason is that, no matter how concerned the public is about abusive surveillance activities, trying to address this problem with a piecemeal approach, pushing one specific reform bill after another through Congress is nearly impossible. So a comprehensive approach that attaches these reforms to legislation reauthorizing Section 702 is the most effective way to deal with these problems. So let me stress – if you are concerned about ICE and CBP and how they are collecting information on Americans, even as they terrorize our towns and cities, supporting our surveillance reform legislation is the way to do something about it.

For example, our bipartisan reform bill takes on an issue that I have been working on for years but which has received a lot of attention lately – the government’s purchase of private information on Americans from sleazy data brokers. Both ICE and CBP have purchased and used Americans’ location data, highly sensitive information that can reveal what medical clinics you go to, what protests you attend, and which friends and family you are seeing. The agencies have made various arguments to justify collecting these records, including the false assertion that all these Americans were consenting to their location data being collected.

I want to emphasize that the government in these cases bought records of millions of Americans’ movements without any warrant or court oversight whatsoever. If the FBI wants to wiretap just one person’s phone, or to obtain a week’s worth of location information about where that person went from a phone company, the agency would need to go to a judge and justify that surveillance. That’s what the Constitution requires. But if the government wants to buy that very same location information about millions of people, the government maintains that it doesn’t need anything but a credit card.

In 2023, it was forced to shut down a program to purchase Americans’ location data due to scrutiny from the Inspector General and Congress. But, last year, there were public reports that it has resumed this dangerous practice, and ICE is currently stonewalling Congressional oversight about it.

Location data is not the only sensitive information on Americans that the government is purchasing without a warrant. Web browsing information – what websites Americans visit – is obviously extremely private. Just imagine the government looking over your shoulder every second you are using your phone. It’s almost equivalent to spying on someone’s thoughts. That’s what happens when the government gets together with sleazy data brokers. And it is not just ICE. The Pentagon, the IRS, Customs and Border Protection, the FBI, and the Secret Service have all purchased Americans’ location information or web browsing information.

The government’s purchases of all this private information would be concerning enough. But now we need to contend with how artificial intelligence will be used on all those records. Artificial intelligence tools are designed to comb through enormous data sets, finding patterns and identifying behaviors of interest to the government. A few years ago, Americans may have believed that their personal information would be overlooked in an ocean of data, but now AI will be looking at everyone. I’ve been warning for nearly a decade that data available for purchase from companies is just as sensitive as information the government collects directly. Creating AI profiles of Americans based on that data represents a chilling expansion of mass surveillance that should not be allowed.

As my colleagues are aware, the Trump administration decided to single the company Anthropic out for punishment because the company did not want its artificial intelligence tool used for mass surveillance of Americans. In explaining its policy, Anthropic’s CEO said that, if the government’s purchase of Americans’ location, web browsing and other sensitive data is currently legal, it is “only because the law has not yet caught up with the rapidly growing capabilities of AI.”

That, in a nutshell, is the problem our bipartisan legislation will fix: update the law to current realities, and stop the government from buying data on Americans from sleazy data brokers. It needs to be addressed in a Section 702 reauthorization bill which Congress will actually consider. Because, if legislators don’t seize this opportunity, technology will just get further and further ahead of the law and Americans will rightly have little faith that Congress is interested in protecting their privacy.

And now we are considering confirming a nominee to be the Director of the NSA who refused to answer whether the government needs a warrant to spy on people in the United States. That same nominee would not commit to maintaining the NSA’s policy of not purchasing Americans’ location data without a warrant. He wouldn’t commit to telling the American people if the NSA violates the policies and guardrails successive administrations have made public. He wouldn’t even promise to tell the Senate Intelligence Committee.

I’m urging my colleagues to oppose this nomination. But regardless, I am urging that the issues related to privacy and the rule of law raised by this nomination be addressed in comprehensive surveillance reform legislation. Our bipartisan, bicameral bill, the Government Surveillance Reform Act, will be introduced shortly, and I ask my colleagues to support it.

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Barrett Launches Third Pillar of Blueprint for a Better America to Make Health Care Affordable Again

March 11, 2026

New Bills Will Lower Costs by Taking on Big Insurers, Expanding Choice, and Cracking Down on Fraud

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) today launched the third pillar of his Blueprint for a Better America: Making Health Care Affordable Again. The six-bill package will lower health care costs by forcing insurance companies to prioritize patients’ care instead of profits, cracking down on fraud, expanding access to insurance options and health savings accounts, and lowering the cost of prescription drugs.

“Sadly our healthcare system has allowed big insurance companies to get richer while Americans get sicker. Families are struggling to pay ever-increasing premiums while more claims are denied and out-of-pocket costs go up,” said Barrett. “My Blueprint for a Better America will put patient needs ahead of corporate interests and profits, crack down on runaway insurance fraud, lower prescription drug prices by forcing other developed nations to pay their fair share of research and development costs, and expand access to tax-exempt health savings accounts and flexible insurance options.”

Barrett’s announcement today includes the introduction of three new pieces of legislation:

The Care Over Profits Act of 2026 (H.R. 7861) to require insurance companies to use more of the money paid in premiums to cover medical claims, not overhead and corporate profits. Specifically, it increases the required Medical Loss Ratio to force insurers to spend at least 85% of premium revenue on actual medical care and quality improvement. Additionally, the bill would impose penalties on agents and brokers who fraudulently create or modify Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace plans without the consent of the patient. Brokers and agents are often incentivized to enroll individuals into heavily subsidized plans, and the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) found evidence that at least 160,000 applications to open or change an ACA plan in 2024 were made without patients’ full knowledge or consent.

The Stop ACA Enrollment Fraud Act (H.R. 7860) to crack down on insurance plan fraud by prohibiting the opening of multiple ACA plans using the same Social Security number and requiring the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to make sure every patient consents to enrolling in or modifying a health plan. The bill comes after a GAO audit found that nearly 66,000 Social Security numbers were used on multiple ACA plans in 2024, with one number enrolled in at least 125 policies.

The HSAs for All Act (H.R. 7681) to help more families save for their health care by expanding access to tax-free health savings accounts (HSAs). The bill would allow anyone enrolled in health insurance on the ACA marketplace or through an employer to open an HSA, instead of limiting the option to patients with high-deductible insurance policies.

Barrett also co-sponsored the following bills as part of this package:

The Global Fairness in Drug Pricing Act (H.R. 3493) to lower prescription drug prices by codifying President Donald Trump’s “most favored nation” executive order to ensure American patients pay prices comparable to those paid by other countries. Often Americans pay a much higher drug cost that allows manufacturers to recoup research and development expenses. The bill would require drugs to be priced similarly to other developed nations while still protecting innovation and new development. It would also make it easier for patients to buy their prescriptions directly from manufacturers and save money.

The Stop Penalizing Working Seniors Act (H.R. 6577) to help working seniors afford health care by allowing them to continue making tax-free HSA contributions after enrolling in Medicare Part A.

The Health Care and Freedom and Choice Act (H.R. 379) to increase access to flexible stopgap health insurance for patients in a transition between jobs or experiencing other difficulties. The bill would allow patients to keep a short-term, limited-duration health plan for up to three years if necessary. A Biden-era rule prevented people from renewing a plan beyond four months.

BACKGROUND:

Insurance agents and brokers are often paid based on the number of plans they open and keep open, which creates an incentive to enroll and re-enroll as many accounts as possible. In addition to the GAO findings of plans enrolled without patient consent, the high volume of plans with no claims filed also points to likely fraud. In 2024, 11.7 million plans — more than one-third of the ACA marketplace — had no claims filed. Many of these plans are heavily subsidized by taxpayers, which directly benefit insurance companies even more due to the fraudulent plans.

About Barrett’s Blueprint for a Better America:

Restoring Trust in Government:Making Government Serve the People, Not Special Interests

Reviving the American Dream: Helping Families Afford Homes in Mid-Michigan

Making Health Care Affordable Again: Lowering Costs for Working Families

Recalibrating American Foreign Policy: Ending Endless Wars and Promoting Peace Through Strength

Reforming Campaign Finance: Putting Governing Before Campaigning


CHAMPAIGN: Budzinski, Deputy Governor Manar Host Fireside Chat on Biomanufacturing

CHAMPAIGN, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Deputy Governor Andy Manar held a fireside chat at Parkland College, focused on Illinois’ national leadership in biomanufacturing. They discussed the benefits of biomanufacturing for the regional economy, the importance of federal investments in biomanufacturing research, and the future of the iFAB Tech Hub located in Budzinski’s district. The event was part of the 7th Annual Champaign-Urbana Ag Tech Week.

“I was excited to join Deputy Governor Manar for a timely discussion about the future of biomanufacturing in Illinois,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “As farmers struggle with rising costs and shrinking export markets, we need an all-of-the-above approach to strengthen our rural economies – which includes investing in the innovation happening right here at the iFAB Tech Hub. I’ve been proud to champion federal funding for this groundbreaking research and look forward to continuing to work to solidify Central and Southern Illinois as America’s preeminent ag-tech corridor.”

“I was grateful to join Congresswoman Budzinski in Champaign for this important discussion about the future of biomanufacturing and the opportunities it creates for Illinois,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “Under Governor Pritzker’s leadership, Illinois has made major investments in research, workforce development, and innovation to strengthen our bioeconomy and support new markets for our agricultural producers. With partners like the University of Illinois and the iFAB Tech Hub, Illinois is helping lead the nation in developing the next generation of bio-based products while creating good-paying jobs and economic growth across our state.”

Since taking office, Budzinski has been a champion for biomanufacturing to create new markets for Illinois farmers, grow jobs, and invest in innovation. In 2024, she secured the designation of the University of Illinois’ iFAB as one of 31 national Tech Hubs, authorized by the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act. She has also been proud to advocate for and ultimately secure $51 million in federal funding for the institution which aims to boost domestic biomanufacturing capacity and improve the development and deployment of new bio-based products.

Budzinski is a member of the BIOTech Caucus in Congress, which is working to strengthen America’s leadership in biotechnology and the broader bioeconomy. She has also introduced the AgBIO Act, a bipartisan bill that supports the advanced biofuel economy and helps expand opportunities for agricultural feedstocks in the bioeconomy.

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Casten, Van Hollen Push for Answers on Venezuelan Oil Proceeds in U.S. Treasury-Run Accounts

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) pressed Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent for answers on the Treasury’s claimed authority over, and handling of, funds generated from the sale of Venezuelan oil.

“On February 4, 2026, at a House Financial Services Committee hearing, you agreed to provide the specific statutory authority the Treasury Department is relying on to custody and exercise control over Venezuela’s sovereign assets, as well as a copy of the written agreement referenced in your testimony and additional details regarding the arrangement with the Qatari bank,” the lawmakers wrote. “Regardless of whether the Qatari bank account has been wound down, it is important that the Administration produce related documents, submit to congressional oversight, and provide the American people with much-needed transparency on this opaque and legally questionable plan.”

On January 9th, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order directing the Treasury Secretary to hold and safeguard the proceeds from the sale of Venezuelan oil and to facilitate transactions of these funds as directed by the Secretary of State.

In January, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that $500 million in proceeds from the first sale of Venezuelan oil were placed into a bank account in Qatar. Secretary Rubio also claimed that the Treasury Department has a written agreement with the Venezuelan government to review monthly budget requests from this bank account in Qatar. Energy Secretary Chris Wright recently stated that these funds are no longer going to Qatar and are being deposited into a U.S. Treasury-managed account.

In February, under questioning from Rep. Casten during a House Financial Services Committee hearing, Secretary Bessent was unable to detail where, how, or under what authority the Treasury Department is controlling these Venezuelan oil funds. Secretary Bessent also denied the existence of any written agreement with the Venezuelan government that governs how these funds will be spent. A video of this testimony can be found here.

Text of the letter can be found below. A copy of the letter can be found here.

Dear Secretary Bessent:

In the weeks since the United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, the Trump Administration has overseen the sale of Venezuelan oil. President Trump stated that the United States would take control of up to 50 million barrels of Venezuelan oil, valued at approximately $2.8 billion, and sell the oil at market price. In a January 6, 2026, Truth Social post, President Trump stated that the oil revenues “will be controlled by me, as President of the United States of America, to ensure it is used to benefit the people of Venezuela and the United States!”

On January 9, 2026, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) declaring that the proceeds from these oil sales are the sovereign property of the Government of Venezuela and directing the Treasury Secretary to hold these funds solely in a “custodial and governmental capacity.” The EO further directs the Treasury Secretary to “comply with instructions regarding disbursements or transfers…as may be determined by the Secretary of State”. The President invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and declared a national emergency, stating that the risk of court-ordered seizure or other actions against these funds constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy.

At a January 28, 2026, Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the first sale of Venezuelan oil, valued at $500 million, had been deposited in a Qatari bank account. He further testified that $300 million had been transferred to the Venezuelan government to meet payroll obligations for public sector employees. Secretary Rubio also testified that the Treasury Department has a written agreement with the Venezuelan government to review monthly budget requests from the Qatari bank account. He stated that the $200 million in oil proceeds remained in a “short-term account” and would ultimately be transferred to a U.S. Treasury account.

On February 4, 2026, at a House Financial Services Committee hearing, you agreed to provide the specific statutory authority the Treasury Department is relying on to custody and exercise control over Venezuela’s sovereign assets, as well as a copy of the written agreement referenced in your testimony and additional details regarding the arrangement with the Qatari bank. Regardless of whether the Qatari bank account has been wound down, it is important that the Administration produce related documents, submit to congressional oversight, and provide the American people with much-needed transparency on this opaque and legally questionable plan.

We request that you respond to the following questions by no later than March 25, 2026:

Under what statutory authority is the Treasury Department relying on to exercise custody over the sovereign assets of another country? Please provide the relevant statutory citations.

Under what statutory authority did the Treasury Department exercise custody indirectly through a third-country financial institution and direct the release of funds through an offshore bank account owned by the Government of Venezuela? Please provide the relevant statutory citations.

Has the Treasury Department’s Office of the General Counsel issued a written legal opinion concluding that the Department can lawfully exercise custody over Venezuela’s sovereign assets under these circumstances?

If so, please provide a copy of that legal opinion.

If not, please describe the legal analysis on which the Department is relying.

Did the Treasury Department request or receive a legal opinion from the Justice Department’s Office of General Counsel regarding the Department’s custody of Venezuelan sovereign assets under these circumstances?

If so, please provide a copy of this opinion.

Please provide a copy of the written agreement between the Treasury Department and Venezuela’s interim government regarding monthly budget requests, payments, and disbursements.

Is there a memorandum of understanding or other written agreement that governed or is currently governing the role of the Qatari bank that held or is currently holding these funds?

If so, please provide a copy of this document.

In your testimony, you indicated that no formal audit agreement is currently in place, but the Treasury Department will bring in outside auditors. Secretary Rubio committed to notifying the Senate Foreign Relations Committee once an audit system is established.

Has this audit system been established, and if so, when did it begin operating?

Will you commit to providing notification once the Treasury Department has finalized this audit system?

On February 13, 2026, Energy Secretary Chris Wright stated that these funds “won’t go to Qatar anymore” and there is a U.S. Treasury account. He also said that Venezuelan oil sales have totaled $1 billion and in the next few weeks will bring in another $5 billion.

As of the date of your response to this letter, what is the current balance being held in this Qatari bank account?

Has the Qatari bank account been closed? If so, were any funds transferred to another account upon closure? To what account or where were these funds transferred?

Under what statutory authority is the Treasury Department transferring Venezuelan oil revenues from an offshore bank account to a U.S. Treasury account?

As of the date of your response to this letter, what is the current balance being held in the designated U.S. Treasury account?

Since January 28, 2026, has the Treasury Department authorized or facilitated any additional payments to the Venezuelan government or to any other recipients from either the Qatari account or from the U.S. Treasury account? If so, please provide an itemized list with details on the transaction amounts, recipients, and the purposes for which the payments were authorized.

The Federal Reserve Bank of New York serves as the primary fiscal agent for the Treasury Department, including related to management of the Treasury General Account.

Are the Venezuelan oil funds being held in a U.S. Treasury custodial account at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York? If so, are these funds being held in the Treasury General Account or held in a segregated custodial account?

Are the Venezuelan oil funds being held in a subaccount of the Government of Venezuela or Central Bank of Venezuela at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or at any other U.S. insured depository institution?

Has any U.S. financial institution been involved in or will be involved in transactions related to or the movement of Venezuelan oil funds?

In early January, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued licenses permitting the commodity firms Vitol and Trafigura to engage in certain sales of Venezuelan oil. Both firms have previously been involved in bribery schemes, and a senior employee of Vitol was a major donor to President Trump’s 2024 campaign. Please describe the process by which Vitol and Trafigura received these licenses, including whether other firms with comparable businesses were considered for these licenses.

Sincerely,

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News Ghana article on USCIRF's 2026 Annual Report'U.S. Lawmaker Pushes Harder Action After Damning Religious Persecution Report'

By Roger A. Agana

Published March 11, 2026

A senior United States congressman has called on Washington to deploy every diplomatic and economic tool available after a landmark federal commission flagged 18 countries as the world’s most severe violators of religious freedom.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released its 2026 Annual Report on March 4, documenting violations throughout 2025 and setting out policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress on advancing freedom of religion or belief abroad.

Representative Chris Smith, a Republican from New Jersey and a longtime advocate for religious liberty, welcomed the report while pressing for stronger follow-through. “The United States must use every diplomatic and economic tool at its disposal to fervently defend the fundamental right of religious freedom,” Smith said in a statement.

Nigeria Religious Persecution

Among the most significant findings, the report recommends adding five new countries to the Countries of Particular Concern (CPC) list, which is reserved for governments responsible for systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations. The new additions are Afghanistan, India, Libya, Syria, and Vietnam, joining 13 longstanding designees including China, Iran, Nigeria, North Korea, and Russia.

Smith drew particular attention to Nigeria, where the scale of violence is described in the report as abysmal. According to USCIRF, nearly 53,000 civilians have been killed in targeted violence in Nigeria since 2009, with roughly 21,000 deaths recorded in just the past five years. In 2025 alone, gunmen abducted more than 300 children from a Catholic school dormitory, a Christian priest was executed, and a market vendor was burned alive following blasphemy accusations.

Smith recently introduced the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026 to combat the widespread religious violence there, requiring the U.S. Secretary of State to compile a comprehensive report on American efforts to address ongoing persecution and mass atrocities in the country.

The USCIRF report also expressed concern over the impact of U.S. foreign aid cuts, noting that Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced reductions to 5,200 USAID programs, representing 83 percent of all USAID programs, including 85 percent of human rights and rule of law programs.

Smith has chaired more than 30 hearings across three congressional committees focused on religious persecution trends, and is the author of the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act, which expanded U.S. tools for advancing religious liberty through diplomacy, counterterrorism measures, and foreign assistance.


Congressman Cohen Scores Perfect 100 Percent on Retiree Issues

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) received a perfect 100 percent on the Alliance for Retired Americans 2025 scorecard. He has a 99 percent lifetime score with the group. Every other member of the Tennessee Congressional Delegation, including its two senators, received scores of zero (0 percent) in 2025.

The Alliance looked at House votes to gut health and safety programs, cut nursing home and nutrition program spending, efforts to disenfranchise voters, cuts to home-based health services and to provide federal workplace security programs including retirement benefits, among other issues.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“I am pleased to see my positions on issues important to senior citizens are being recognized by the Alliance for Retired Americans. As Trump and his acolytes in the Republican Congress work to give tax breaks to the rich at the expense of our safety net programs for our elderly residents, you can count on me standing up for, and voting for, what’s right. I appreciate the 99 percent lifetime score from the Alliance and pledge to continue to work hard for our seniors.”

See the Alliance for Retired Americans’ scorecard for the Tennessee Congressional Delegation here.

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CORREA RE-LAUNCHES BIPARTISAN FAMILY BUSINESS CAUCUS

WASHINGTON — Today, Representative Lou Correa (CA-46) joined Representative Claudia Tenney (NY-24) to re-launch the Bipartisan Congressional Family Business Caucus, which aims to educate Members of Congress of the contribution of family-run businesses to local and the national economy. Family businesses include a wide array of businesses—small and large—from diverse industries based all over the nation.

“Our economy is driven by family businesses whose owners and employees are usually our neighbors. My parents worked hard to give me the opportunity to reach the middle class, and starting a family business provides the same possibility to millions of Americans,” Rep. Correa said. “We need to make sure that family businesses continue to flourish across different industries, and the Family Business Caucus will work to help Main Street entrepreneurs achieve their American Dream.”

The Congressional Family Business Caucus aims to create stronger connections between small businesses with policy makers in Congress. In doing so, the Caucus will build awareness within Congress about the issues impacting local businesses, including workforce challenges, tax policy, economic issues, and community development.

The Caucus was first established in the 117th Congress to better understand the often overlooked contributions of family businesses to the national economy and to local communities. Family businesses generate over 83 million American jobs and produce $7.7 trillion in gross domestic product while navigating workforce challenges, tax policy, economic issues, and community development.

“Family-owned businesses are the backbone of communities across the country, creating jobs, supporting local economies, and carrying on traditions that span generations. As someone who helped run my family’s business, I understand the unique challenges these businesses face, from rising costs and workforce pressures to complex regulations and tax policy. I look forward to working with Congressman Correa and our colleagues in the Caucus to ensure family businesses have a strong voice in Congress and the policies they need to grow, compete, and continue supporting millions of American workers,” said Rep.Tenney.

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Congressman Cuellar Introduces American Consumer Tariff Rebate Act of 2026

This week, U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) introduced H.R. 7865, the American Consumer Tariff Rebate Act of 2026, to return money directly to consumers after the Supreme Court ruled the administration’s retaliatory tariffs unconstitutional.

“Tariffs function as hidden taxes on families and create uncertainty for businesses,” said Congressman Cuellar. “When companies pay more to import goods and materials, those added costs are passed on to consumers, driving up prices on groceries, fuel and energy, vehicles and auto parts, building materials, and other everyday household items.”

The American Consumer Tariff Rebate Act of 2026 provides direct payments to help offset those higher costs. Taxpayers with adjusted gross income above $400,000 are excluded from receiving payments, allowing those savings to fund additional support for families, including a $125 payment per qualified child.

Using current IRS return estimates, payments for South Texans would average about:

Single fiers: $1,020

Head of Household: $1,530

Married Filing Jointly: $2,040

“My bill is secure, efficient, and focused on those most affected by rising prices,” Dr. Cuellar continued. “I look forward to working in a bipartisan way to advance this provision and deliver meaningful relief to families across South Texas and the country.”


Davids, Johnson County Leaders Launch Regional Effort to Prepare for 2026 FIFA World Cup

OVERLAND PARK, KS – Today, Representative Sharice Davids spoke at the launch of Johnson County United, a regional initiative to coordinate planning and community engagement ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Davids, who founded and co-chairs the bipartisan Congressional FIFA World Cup 2026 Caucus, has been working with federal, state, and local partners to ensure host communities have the resources needed to safely and successfully welcome visitors from around the world.

“The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a chance to showcase the Kansas City region on a global stage while making smart investments that benefit our communities for years to come,” said Davids. “By working together across all levels of government, we’re making sure Johnson County is prepared to welcome visitors, support local businesses, and create lasting economic opportunities for families across the region.”

Johnson County United brings together Johnson County, local cities, regional partners, and state and federal leaders to coordinate preparations for the tournament. Planning efforts include new transportation services to help residents and visitors travel between cities and key destinations, coordinated public safety planning, and community programming so local families can participate in the World Cup experience. Leaders also launched a virtual hub for information on transportation, events, and visitor resources.

“The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to showcase Johnson County to the world while delivering lasting economic and community benefits,” said Mike Kelly, Chair, Johnson County Board of County Commissioners. “We’re grateful for the strong federal partnership that makes this work possible — especially Representative Sharice Davids, whose leadership in securing safety and transit investments is helping ensure our region is ready to welcome the world.”


DelBene, Colleagues Call on Trump to Prioritize Opening Japanese Markets to U.S. Potatoes

Today, Representative Suzan DelBene (WA-01) joined House and Senate colleagues in a letter asking President Trump to prioritize gaining market access for U.S. fresh potatoes during Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s upcoming visit to the United States.

“U.S. potato growers produce the best potatoes in the world. International trade and foreign export markets are critical to the U.S. potato industry,” wrote the legislators.

About 20 percent of American-grown potatoes are exported around the world, contributing nearly $4.8 billion in economic growth and supporting nearly 34,000 jobs in the United States. Ending Japan’s restrictions on U.S. fresh potatoes would result in an estimated $150 million a year in new American exports, benefitting farming communities in states across the country.

“With low commodity prices and increased input costs this year, the potato sector, and specialty crops more broadly, are facing a major economic crisis. Japan represents a massive market with significant export opportunities for American potato growers,” continued the legislators. “Securing this long-delayed market access petition and unlocking the critical Japanese export market would make a meaningful difference for potato growers in our states and across the country.”


Mar 11, 2026
Letter to President Trump to Prioritize Opening Japanese Market Access to U.S. Potato Industry


Rep. Garamendi, Sen. Warren Agree with Trump: Defense Contractors Must be Held Accountable For “Failures to Meet Our Warfighters’ National Security Needs”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08) a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), along with Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) wrote to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in support of their effort to limit underperforming defense contractors’ executive pay and the ability to buy back their stock. The lawmakers pressed the President and Secretary Hegseth to provide clarity on how the administration plans to tackle these contractor practices to inform legislation that would codify oversight tools for the industry. The letter follows large defense contractors agreeing to quadruple the production of “Exquisite Class” weaponry amid the Trump administration’s war with Iran.

On January 7, President Trump signed an executive order (EO) restricting executive pay packages and limiting stock buybacks and dividend payments for defense contractors that don’t meet DoD’s needs and fail to invest in expanding their production capacity. The order addresses the decades-long problem of defense contractors consistently falling short in delivering weapons programs to the Department of Defense (DoD) on time and on budget.

“Amidst these failures, some of the largest defense contractors have increasingly issued dividends and engaged in stock buybacks… instead of making investments in their capacity to produce quality products,” wrote the lawmakers.

The American Enterprise Institute has equated this pattern by defense contractors of delaying weapons programs, going over budget, and delivering under scale, to “running a victory lap after finishing fifth.”

A report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that about 100 of the most costly defense systems in the 23 years “continue to cost more and take even longer to deliver.” Delays in just 5 programs by General Dynamics, Raytheon, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed Martin represent 34 years of delayed capability.

At the same time, large defense contractors have directed a significant portion of their cash towards shareholders and stock buybacks. In 2024, Lockheed Martin used almost $6.8 billion to conduct buybacks and pay dividends to benefit its shareholders. That same year, RTX, General Dynamics, and Northrop Grumman each gave $3 billion or more to shareholders. And from 2020 to 2024, Northrop Grumman increased the amount of money it put toward dividends and buybacks by over 156 percent.

Defense contractors have failed to invest in research and development despite ongoing failures to meet required timelines. DoD has warned that even when contractors do invest, those programs are not meeting the needs of service members. In 2023, the Army issued a warning to General Dynamics explaining that an order did not meet the “technical requirements of the contract” and that the Army would seek to replace General Dynamics with another contractor for that program if it did not invest in the proper equipment.

“We are also concerned that the defense industry is underinvesting in its workforce,” wrote the lawmakers, highlighting a high turnover rate in the industry that “mak[es] clear that defense contractors’ investments in talent are not enough to keep a consistent workforce..

“Congress needs to codify this effort to ensure the executive order is a step towards lasting change. Therefore, we urge President Trump to support legislation that enhances the executive order and cements accountability tools for the defense industry,” concluded the lawmakers.

The coalition asked President Trump and Secretary Hegseth to clarify how they plan to evaluate companies and enforce President Trump’s executive order’s limits by March 24, 2026.


Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez Announces 2025 Congressional App Challenge Winners

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) announced Alyssa Wong, Chloe Luo, and Liya Zhao of Camas High School as the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge.

For the challenge, Wong, Lou, and Zhao, all sophomores at Camas High School, created “CanScreen,” an app that helps clear up confusing cancer-screening guidelines by presenting them in an interactive, approachable way and providing users with screening recommendations tailored to their age and biological sex, and simplifying access to essential health information. The app has not been launched for general use.

“CanScreen” has other functions beyond cancer screening, including educational resources, quizzes, and tools to improve the health of the user.

Wong, Lou, and Zhao’s mission is to raise awareness for cancer screening in young adults and ensure people of all ages keep up with their recommended screenings.

“I want to congratulate these three bright students for their work developing ‘CanScreen’,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “Their work shows real compassion, creativity, and technical skill, harnessing technology not for entertainment, but to help people navigate health decisions that affect lives.”

This submission was selected by a panel of local judges and will be eligible to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol as well as featured on CongressionalAppChallenge.us and House.gov.

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Reps. Grijalva, Ansari, and Stanton Demand Investigation into Death of Haitian Asylum Seeker Emmanuel Damas Held in ICE Custody

Washington, D.C. — Representatives Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), and Greg Stanton (AZ-04) sent a letter to outgoing U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem demanding a full investigation into the death of Emmanuel Damas, a Haitian asylum seeker who died after reportedly being denied adequate medical care while in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after complaining about a toothache to facility staff.

Mr. Damas had been detained for four months at the Florence Correctional Center in Arizona. According to reports, beginning on February 12, 2026, he told facility staff he was experiencing severe tooth pain and repeatedly requested medical care. On March 2, 2026, he ultimately passed away from a septic infection.

In their letter, the lawmakers highlight the adverse consequences of the Trump Administration’s rush to expand detention capacity on the health of detainees, noting that Mr. Damas was the tenth person to die in ICE custody just two months into 2026.

They write:

“His death is unacceptable and raises grave concerns over treatment and quality of healthcare that individuals in ICE custody receive. We cannot allow policies that dramatically expand detention levels and lead to overcrowded facilities to undermine the medical care and treatment that every human being in federal detention is entitled to. DHS has a responsibility to protect and ensure the health and well-being of every person in its custody, and we demand a thorough and impartial investigation into the death of Mr. Damas.”

The lawmakers also demanded the release of Mr. Damas’ full medical examiner’s report, a complete timeline of his medical complaints to staff, and all medical records related to the care he received while in ICE Custody.

You can view a full copy of the letter here.

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MEDIA ADVISORY: THURSDAY – REP. HILL TO HOST ARKANSAS HBCU SUMMIT

LITTLE ROCK, AR – On Thursday, March 12, 2026, from 8:00 AM CT – 11:00 AM CT, Rep. French Hill (AR-02) will host the 2026 Arkansas Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Summit at Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock.

Rep. Hill will be joined by Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12), founder and co-chair of the Congressional HBCU Caucus; Gov. Sarah Sanders; and several other distinguished guests for a summit entitled “Building Resilient Futures for HBCUs: Infrastructure, Innovation, and Economic Mobility.”

The summit will feature panel discussions on Campus Infrastructure and Long-Term

Sustainability, Private Capital and Public-Private Partnerships, and Connecting HBCU Talent to the Economy.

The summit will also feature keynote remarks from Asahi Pompey, Partner, Global Head of Corporate Engagement, and President of the Goldman Sachs Foundation at Goldman Sachs.

The event will be open to members of the press.

WHO:

Rep. French Hill

Rep. Alma Adams

Gov. Sarah Sanders

Asahi Pompey, Goldman Sachs

Additional panelists and guests

WHAT:

2026 Arkansas HBCU Summit

WHEN:

Thursday, March 12, 2026

8:00 AM CT – 11:00 AM CT

WHERE:

Arkansas Baptist College

Little Rock, AR


LEADER JEFFRIES: “VETERANS HAVE BEEN UNDER ASSAULT FROM THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION FROM DAY ONE”

Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined Rep. Derek Tran (CA-45), local elected officials and community representatives from veteran service organizations for a roundtable discussion and press conference about how House Democrats are standing up for veterans.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, good afternoon, everyone. It’s an honor and a privilege to be here in Orange County with Congressman Derek Tran. I’m so thankful for his leadership, for his commitment to the people of the communities that he is privileged to represent. Of course, for his service to the nation as an Army veteran and now his service to the nation and to the state of California and to these communities as a distinguished Member of the House of Representatives.

It’s an honor and privilege to be here with so many other distinguished colleagues in government, as well as leaders of the veterans community here in Orange County and it was wonderful to participate in the roundtable with them to learn firsthand about the issues of importance to veterans here in Orange County and it is our highest responsibility and our highest commitment as Members of Congress to always ensure that we are standing up to protect the dignity and respect of the veterans who have served America. And we were able to reiterate that commitment here at our roundtable today, including as it relates to making sure we see to completion the establishment of the first veterans cemetery here in Orange County. We will partner together to get that done.

Congressman Tran indicated, these are also very challenging and perilous times. Veterans in America have been under assault from the Trump administration from day one, where thousands of veterans who worked for our federal government after serving the country in uniform were unceremoniously fired, having their livelihoods ripped away from them. Shame on the administration for engaging in that type of egregious behavior while at the same time pretending as though they’re standing up to cherish our veterans.

And now, unfortunately, as I travel the country, hearing from veterans who feel betrayed by an administration where Candidate Trump promised not to get the country in another endless and deadly conflict in the Middle East, only to get the country involved in a potentially endless and already deadly conflict—war of choice—in the Middle East. We believe that taxpayer dollars should be spent to make life more affordable for the people of Orange County, for the veterans and for everyday Americans, as opposed to billions of dollars somehow to drop bombs in the Middle East, but the administration can’t find a dime to make healthcare more affordable, a dime to make housing more affordable or a dime to lower the cost of the grocery bills that everyday Americans confront when they go to the supermarket.

Our commitment will continue to be—and I’m so thankful for Congressman Tran’s leadership in this regard—We’re going to fight hard to lower the high cost of living. We’re going to fight hard to fix our broken healthcare system. And we’re going to fight to protect and cherish our veterans, not disrespect them, and to ensure that veterans are able to receive their hard-earned benefits. These aren’t entitlement programs. These are hard-earned benefits that we want to ensure can continue to be delivered and are not cut and that the veterans of Orange County, the veterans of America are always treated with the dignity and respect that they deserve.

Full press conference can be watched here.

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Landsman Publishes Harsh Critique of Trump During Visit to SW Ohio

Cincinnati, OH – Today, Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH-01) penned an op-ed in the Cincinnati Enquirer on President Donald Trump’s visit to Southwest Ohio.

In the piece, Landsman writes an open letter to President Trump making it clear no matter how hard he tries to sell this as the “Golden Age of America,” most Southwest Ohioans are not feeling it. From the economy and tariffs to health care costs, energy bills, public safety and federal jobs, Landsman urges the President to work with Congress to fix these issues that matter most to his constituents.

The op-ed reads, in part:

“You arrive in Cincinnati today, and it’s important for you to know what’s actually happening in Southwest Ohio…

“We are decent, hardworking people who care about one another. We don’t like the chaos. We hate the corruption in Washington. We don’t like the cruelty.

“We work together, despite our differences, to get things done for the community we all love, and we expect our national leaders to do the same – focusing on the needs of us, not big donors who seem to be getting everything they want at the expense of the rest of us.

“Please work with Congress to get costs down and end your trade war, restore your health care cuts, get utility costs down, reign in ICE and pass a bipartisan funding bill for Homeland Security, invest in local public safety, invest in our public schools, protect our federal jobs, and help end the hyper-partisan divisions that keep us from doing big things.”

Read the op-ed here.

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Larsen Announces Release of Flood Recovery Funds

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement:

“I am glad the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released funds to protect Whatcom County homes from future devastating floods,” said Rep. Larsen. “This support is long overdue to communities impacted by the devastating floods in November 2021. I will keep fighting for federal dollars to help Northwest Washington communities recover from natural disasters and prepare for future disasters.”

FEMA announced the release of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds for Whatcom County on Friday to elevate 16 properties in Sumas, Ferndale and Everson. The grants total almost $4 million and were originally requested in 2022.

Larsen Fights for Flood Recovery Resources

Rep. Larsen is the top Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, which has oversight over FEMA. After disastrous flooding in Northwest Washington in November 2021 damaged critical infrastructure and over 2,000 homes, Rep. Larsen joined Washington’s congressional delegation in a letter to then-President Joe Biden to support Governor Jay Inslee’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for federal Individual Assistance. He followed up on flood recovery efforts in Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearings on FEMA disaster preparedness in 2023 and called attention to the agency’s failure to provide effective assistance to residents in Whatcom County.

Rep. Larsen is leading bipartisan legislation to reform FEMA, which would streamline the federal government’s disaster response and recovery programs while also making FEMA a cabinet-level agency once again. The bill rewards effective state and local preparedness, cuts red tape and ensures that relief efforts are fast, fair and free from political bias. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved Rep. Larsen's Fixing Emergency Management for Americans (FEMA) Act of 2025 in September 2025.

More recently, Rep. Larsen has been fighting for federal funds to support Washingtonians whose homes and businesses were flooded in the December 2025 floods. Last week, Rep. Larsen applauded the news that the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has made available low interest federal disaster loans to Washington businesses impacted by December’s floods. Last month, Rep. Larsen joined the Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Governor Ferguson’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration for Public Assistance to help repair state infrastructure damaged in December’s historic flooding. In January, Rep. Larsen joined the Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in supporting Governor Ferguson’s application for federal Individual Assistance to aid survivors, which is currently pending approval.

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Larsen Announces Washington Selected as Testing Partner for Next-Generation Aircraft

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, released the following statement:

“The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) selecting Washington as a partner in testing next-generation aircraft will create good-paying jobs for the people I represent,” said Rep. Larsen. “Northwest Washington is home to the best aviation and aerospace workers in the world. There is nowhere better to improve advanced air mobility (AAM) technology.”

The DOT and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Monday that eight proposals were selected as part of the brand-new Advanced Air Mobility and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). These pilot projects will create one of the largest real-world testing environments to ensure the safety of innovative AAM aircraft.

Washington will participate in the Pennsylvania DOT-led project, which is a multistate collaborative partnership with private AAM companies BETA Technologies and Electra, focused on enhancing regional passenger transportation.

Larsen Fights for Washington Airports and Aviation Projects

Rep. Larsen has long advocated for federal funds to improve Washington’s aviation infrastructure and create local aerospace jobs.

Rep. Larsen was a key negotiator of the 2024 FAA Reauthorization law, which continued programs that awarded over $94 million in grants to improve Washington airports, including $5.5 million to modernize Paine Field, Skagit Regional Airport and Bellingham International airport’s aviation infrastructure. Rep. Larsen also secured three FAA grants totaling $2,841,542 to modernize airport infrastructure, improve runway safety and create jobs at Friday Harbor Airport, Lopez Island Airport and Anacortes Airport.

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Larsen Calls on Trump to Prioritize Opening Japanese Market Access to U.S. Potato Industry

Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) and House and Senate colleagues to call on President Trump to prioritize gaining market access for U.S. fresh potatoes during Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s upcoming visit to the United States. Ending Japan’s restrictions on U.S. fresh potatoes would result in an estimated $150 million a year in new American exports, benefitting farming communities in states across the country.

“U.S. potato growers produce the best potatoes in the world. International trade and foreign export markets are critical to the U.S. potato industry,” wrote the legislators.

Washington state grows over 23% of all potatoes in the United States, making it the second largest potato-producing state in the country. Washington’s potato industry is responsible for roughly $7.35 billion in economic activity and supports 32,000 jobs. Up to 70% of Washington’s potatoes are exported in the form of French fries to global markets.

“With low commodity prices and increased input costs this year, the potato sector, and specialty crops more broadly, are facing a major economic crisis. Japan represents a massive market with significant export opportunities for American potato growers,” continued the legislators. “Securing this long-delayed market access petition and unlocking the critical Japanese export market would make a meaningful difference for potato growers in our states and across the country.”

The letter was joined by Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Angus King (I-Maine), Steve Daines (R-Montana), John Hoeven (R-North Dakota), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Michael Bennet (D-Colorado), Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisconsin), Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), Patty Murray (D-Washington), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado), Elissa Slotkin (D-Michigan), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Gary Peters (D-Michigan), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota), Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Tina Smith (D-Minnesota) and Ted Budd (R-North Carolina).

The letter was also joined by Representatives Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), Jeff Hurd (R-Colorado), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Michigan), Suzan DelBene (D-Washington), Bryan Steil (R-Wisconsin), Andrea Salinas (D-Oregon), Julie Fedorchak (R-North Dakota), Dan Newhouse (R-Washington), Jack Bergman (R-Michigan), Shri Thanedar (D-Michigan), Tony Wied (R-Wisconsin), Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), Jeff Crank (R-Colorado), Glenn Grothman (R-Wisconsin), Marilyn Strickland (D-Washington), Cliff Bentz (R-Oregon), Gabe Evans (R-Colorado), Dan Meuser (R-Pennsylvania), Michael Baumgartner (R-Washington), Tom Tiffany (R-Wisconsin), Adrian Smith (R-Nebraska), Val Hoyle (D-Oregon), Brittany Pettersen (D-Colorado), Robert Bresnahan (R-Pennsylvania), Kim Schrier (D-Washington), Derrick Van Orden (R-Wisconsin), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pennsylvania), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Washington), Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wisconsin), Michelle Fischbach (R-Minnesota), Joe Neguse (D-Colorado), John Moolenaar (R-Michigan), Jason Crow (D-Colorado), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Oregon), Lauren Boebert (R-Colorado), Adam Smith (D-Washington), Jared Golden (D-Maine), Hillary Scholten (D-Michigan), John James (R-Michigan), Brad Finstad (R-Minnesota), Janelle Bynum (D-Oregon), Bill Huizenga (R-Michigan) and Diana DeGette (D-Colorado).

The lawmakers’ full letter to President Trump is available HERE.

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Larson and Mayor Connor Martin Announce $1 Million in Federal Funding for East Hartford Fire Department to Replace Station 2 and Combat House Fires

East Hartford, CT – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) and East Hartford Mayor Connor S. Martin announced $1 million in new federal funding for the East Hartford Fire Department to replace the town’s outdated Fire Station 2 and offer new firefighter training to better combat house fires.

View the full press conference here.

“Our firefighters work hard every day to keep our communities safe,” said Larson. “As co-chair of the Fire Services Caucus, I have been proud to deliver more than $3 million for the East Hartford Fire Department over the past five years to ensure our first responders have the equipment and training they need. The funding we announced today will fund the replacement and modernization of Fire Station 2 and connect our firefighters with up-to-date training they to better combat intensifying house fires. I will continue to work with our local leaders and Chief Munson to support our firefighters and equip them with all the necessary tools to stay safe on the job and serve the entire community well.”

“I would like to thank Congressman Larson for his continued support of East Hartford and for securing this hugely impactful federal investment to help replace Fire Station 2, one of the Town’s oldest fire facilities,” said Martin. “This crucial investment helps us move forward with our next major infrastructure priority. Investing in local infrastructure is critical because it supports the essential services our residents rely on every day. Facilities like our fire stations are what make it possible for our firefighters to reach homes across town in less than four minutes. So, this funding really ensures we can continue delivering that level of service and keeping our community safe.”

“The East Hartford Fire Department and the community we serve are incredibly grateful to the Congressman and our delegation in Washington for the continued support. The invaluable fire behavior training that this award provides will have a long-term positive impact on the firefighters in East Hartford. The allocation of resources for the replacement of Fire Station 2 goes a long way to making a new station a reality. Providing our firefighters with a safe and healthy environment in which to work ultimately yields a better product for our citizens by creating gender-inclusive spaces, implementing cancer mitigation strategies, and making much-needed improvements to enhance hygiene and reduce long-term health issues. For these reasons, we are grateful for the Congressman’s long-standing efforts to support firefighters' health and wellness in Washington,” said East Hartford Fire Chief Kevin Munson.


Larson, Courtney, DeLauro, Himes Applaud $256 Million Contract Modification for F135 Production in East Hartford and Cromwell

“This new contract from the Navy will ensure Connecticut’s skilled workforce continues to lead the world in aerospace innovation. Heeding our calls to invest in spare engines and parts, these investments will improve military readiness and bolster our manufacturing supply chain – supporting thousands of good-paying jobs across the state. Our entire delegation stands united in support of the machinists, engineers, and suppliers whose hard work will keep the eagle flying here in Connecticut for years to come.”

New funding will support spare engines and parts for the Pratt & Whitney F135, improving military readiness. This contract follows the Connecticut delegation’s calls for more funding for the Air Force and Navy to support more spare engines. Their request to increase these investments was signed into law last month.

“Beyond its national security value, the F-35 program is a key driver of the U.S. manufacturing base, supporting over 225,000 high-tech, high-paying jobs across more than 1,800 suppliers, half of which are small or disadvantaged businesses,” the lawmakers wrote in their letter to House and Senate Armed Services Committee leaders. “We recommend an increase of $500 million for the Air Force and Navy initial spare lines to address backlog, increase spares and depot material, and expand depot repair capacity. This investment will help improve mission capability rates and ensure the F-35 fleet remains ready to meet emerging threats. We also recommend a funding increase for critical spare and repair parts for the F135 engine.”


Bay Area Delegation Secures $8.8 Million to Boost Local Transit Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

“As the Bay Area prepares to welcome the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this federal investment will help ensure our public transportation system is ready to meet the moment,” Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said. “These funds will strengthen transit connections across our region, making it easier for residents and visitors alike to travel safely and efficiently while delivering long-lasting improvements for our community.”

"I'm looking forward to the economic activity that the FIFA World Cup will generate for the Bay Area, and I'm glad that soccer fans from around the world will get to enjoy safe and reliable public transportation during their visit," Rep. Lofgren said. "This is an investment that will benefit Santa Clara County even after the World Cup, and I'm thankful that federal, state, and local stakeholders came together to deliver this funding."

“Our region will soon occupy the center of the sports universe,” said Rep. Liccardo. “This investment will keep residents and global visitors moving, so no one misses a minute of World Cup action, while reducing congestion on our roads.”

"I am proud to support this $8.8 million investment that will help the Bay Area remain connected, reliable, and safe during the 2026 FIFA World Cup," said Rep. Simon. "These games will bring significant economic opportunity and a global spotlight to our region, and we must ensure they are accessible and welcoming to all."

“Soccer taught me a lot growing up about teamwork and self-discipline. It also paved a pathway for a soccer scholarship. Seeing the World Cup return to California is beyond exciting,” said Rep. Swalwell. “Beyond the excitement of the matches, this will be a huge boost for our economy, bringing visitors from around the world who will be supporting local businesses, hotels, and restaurants. It’s a great moment to showcase the best that California has to offer.”

“The San Francisco Bay Area is proudly sought after as a premier destination for world-class sporting events, and it’s incredibly exciting that we’ll be hosting World Cup matches this summer and welcoming soccer fans from around the globe. Public infrastructure is absolutely essential to coordinating successful events, and this critical federal funding will have lasting benefits while helping to ensure our transportation systems are prepared to keep visitors and residents moving safely and efficiently,” said Rep. Mullin.

“As the Bay Area prepares to host soccer fans from around the world for the FIFA World Cup, I’m proud to have helped secure federal funding alongside my congressional colleagues to provide safe and reliable public transportation. These infrastructure improvements will allow fans to move throughout cities affordably and provide long lasting benefits to our communities,” said Rep. Khanna


Rep. Nancy Mace Urges Senate To Pass The Save America Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Mar. 11, 2026) – Congresswoman Nancy Mace is calling on the Senate to pass the SAVE America Act immediately, as today marks one month since the House passed the bill 218-213 to secure election integrity.

"The House did its job. One month ago today we passed the SAVE America Act with a clear message from the American people: secure our elections. This is not rocket science, it is common sense. American citizens vote in American elections. No one else. The Senate has no excuse to sit on this any longer. It is time to act," said Congresswoman Mace.

The SAVE America Act would require:

Proof of Citizenship to Register: Individuals registering to vote in federal elections must provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport.

Photo ID to Vote: Voters must present a valid photo ID, such as a driver’s license or state-issued identification, when casting a ballot in federal elections.

Rep. Mace filed an amendment to move the voter ID requirements up from 2027 to 2026. After our amendment was filed, the bill was changed to apply to elections as soon as the bill is enacted. Voter ID cannot wait until 2027. Election integrity must be restored. The midterms are coming and control of Congress is on the line.

"We're closing the door on fraud, not on voting. If you're an American citizen, your voice should be the ONLY one heard in American elections. The Senate needs to get this bill to President Trump’s desk immediately,” Mace continued.


Díaz-Balart, Chairwoman McClain Highlight Tax Relief as Families See Bigger Refunds During 2026 Tax Season

DORAL, FL – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart, Dean of the Florida Delegation, joined House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain to host a roundtable with working moms, small business owners, and tax professionals to discuss how the Working Families Tax Cuts are delivering real relief for families and workers during the 2026 tax season.

Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart said, “I’m grateful to be joined by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain, who has been a strong leader in ensuring Americans across our country understand and benefit from the many tax relief provisions included in the Working Families Tax Cuts.

I am especially pleased to welcome her to Sergio’s restaurant in Doral, in Florida’s 26th Congressional District, where we had the opportunity to hear directly from my constituents — from working parents, entrepreneurs, UBER and DoorDash drivers, and local tax professionals — about how these policies are making a difference during tax season. These hardworking Americans are already seeing the benefits of the tax relief passed last year by House Republicans and signed into law by President Trump.

I also want to thank Carlos Gazitua for his hospitality and leadership and for bringing together such an outstanding group from our community.”

Chairwoman Lisa McClain said, “Across the country, we’re seeing the real people who benefit from these policies – hardworking Americans keeping more of what they earn. In Miami, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart has been a steady leader, fighting to put money back where it belongs: in the pockets of families, small businesses, and workers. It’s been extremely helpful to hear directly from Congressman Diaz-Balart’s constituents about how these tax cuts are helping their businesses grow, their families, thrive, and their communities succeed.”

Carlos Gazitua, CEO of Sergio’s Restaurants, said, “When our team members keep more of what they earn through policies like no tax on tips, it puts money back into the local economy. At Sergio’s, we’ve seen sales grow as working families have more money in their pockets. That growth has helped us expand our business and create more opportunities for our team.”

Bob Mitchell of Miami, FL, Uber Driversaid, “Because of the no tax on tips legislation, I saved thousands of dollars on my tax return. I was able to use that money to reinvest in my family’s future and support my son as he goes through college. Thank you President Trump and Congress.”

Maria M. Negron-Gonzales, a realtor from Hialeah, Florida,said, “As a mom, my priority is making sure my child has every opportunity to succeed. The expanded Child Tax Credit is helping my family afford private tutoring so my child can feel confident and succeed in school.”

Adriana McLamb, Marketing Director of the Independent Women’s Forum, said, “I really appreciate the focus on these provisions and the leadership on this issue. Policies like the Working Family Tax Cuts Act make a real difference for families like mine, and it’s meaningful to be part of an organization that is helping elevate that message and support solutions that empower working parents.”

Chief Matthew Castillo, City of Miami Springs Police, said, “Overtime is a regular part of the job in law enforcement. Whether it’s covering shifts, responding to emergencies, or making sure our communities stay safe, those extra hours are often necessary.

The No Tax on Overtime delivers real relief to officers who regularly go above and beyond the call of duty. It also boosts morale across the department and helps leaders like me better support our teams when those extra hours are required. I’m grateful to see legislation like this that recognizes the sacrifices law enforcement officers make every day.”

Lt. Albert Vargas, City of Miami Springs Police, said, “No tax on Overtime is a big deal for law enforcement. Many officers work over 100 hours in a pay period, which means a lot of time away from our families. Whether it’s covering shifts, responding to emergencies, or making sure our communities stay safe, officers often work beyond our scheduled hours. The No Tax on Overtime provision recognizes those sacrifices, and it certainly helps officers like me keep more of the money we’ve worked hard to earn.”

Stephen G. Bussé, Metro-Dade Firefighter, said, “Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts Legislation, the extra hours I put in away from my family are finally being respected! I just filed my taxes and received the largest return I’ve ever received, providing my family with breathing room and dignity. Policies like these, supported by House Republicans and signed into law by President Trump, recognize that firefighters shouldn’t be penalized for the overtime it takes to protect the public. Thank you Congressman Diaz-Balart for your dedication to the hard-working first responders families like mine."

Andrei Stern, Owner at SuViche Hospitality, said, “The No Tax on Tips and No Tax on Overtime provisions have been a huge benefit for our hardworking staff and have helped us, as employers, to recruit and retain the best workers. I’m grateful this historic legislation was signed into law to improve the livelihoods of those working in the service industry.”

Nikki Trevino, Florida Door Dasher said, “After a surgery in 2020 left me with a permanent disability, many traditional jobs were no longer possible for me. As a former nurse, caring for others has always been my calling, but I needed work that could adapt to my health. Dashing has been a godsend because it lets me choose when I work — and rest when I need to. Tips aren’t extra for me; they’re essential income. Being able to keep more of my hard-earned tips through No Tax on Tips will make a real difference for my family, especially as my daughter prepares for college. This policy recognizes and supports workers like me who are doing everything we can to provide for our families."

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McGovern Delivers $12+ Million in Federal Funding for Community Projects In Second Congressional District of Massachusetts

WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee, is announcing $12,101,000 in federal funding has been awarded to local projects throughout Massachusetts’ Second Congressional District.

McGovern secured the money through the FY2026 appropriations process, partnering with community stakeholders and local officials to develop strong proposals and bring federal dollars back to the Bay State.

“Every one of these awards is tied to a specific, tangible improvement folks here at home will see and feel—more childcare slots in Whitinsville, safer streets on Route 20 in Shrewsbury, cleaner drinking water in Leicester, a new fire truck for Conway, affordable housing in Worcester, and new resources to address economic injustice in Amherst and Northampton,” said McGovern. “These are concrete things that will make life better for all of us. My team and I worked closely with mayors, town managers, nonprofits, and community leaders before doing the work in Congress to get this funding across the finish line.”

McGovern worked with stakeholders in communities throughout the Second District of Massachusetts to secure funding for the following local projects:

$1,500,000 for Worcester Polytechnic Institute to build a continuous flow reactor to destroy PFAS in contaminated soils and plants in Worcester County.

$1,200,000 for Worcester to support utility separation and lead/asbestos remediation at 128 Providence Street, enabling development of affordable, accessible housing for older adults.

$1,092,000 for Holliston to build wastewater infrastructure in its downtown sewer district, supporting smart growth, environmental management, and local economic development.

$1,015,000 to renovate a historic building and expand childcare capacity at the Whitin Community Center in Whitinsville.

$1,000,000 for Princeton to support construction of a new public safety building for firefighters, police, and EMTs.

$1,000,000 for Colrain to support construction of a shared wastewater disposal system.

$1,000,000 for Amherst to design and construct a 35-bed shelter with supportive housing.

$950,000 for Leicester to build a water interconnection with Worcester, strengthening drinking water reliability and addressing capacity constraints.

$879,000 to expand Stop It Now! child sexual abuse prevention programming in Northampton.

$850,000 for Shrewsbury to advance Route 20 corridor improvements, including design work for traffic safety upgrades, new and improved signals, and shared-use paths.

$700,000 for Conway to purchase a replacement pumper fire truck for its volunteer fire department and strengthen emergency response capacity.

$500,000 for Northampton to create a Community Resilience Hub that provides daily access to shelter, meals, and hygiene facilities.

$250,000 for Ashfield to reconstruct a century-old retaining wall near Sanderson Academy.

$165,000 to support renovations at the Shea Theater Arts Center in Turners Falls, helping preserve and improve Franklin County’s only large, publicly owned performing arts venue.

“These are targeted, practical investments that will strengthen public safety, expand opportunity, and improve people’s lives,” added McGovern. “And we’re investing in the next generation by making smart choices now—paying it forward with safer neighborhoods, healthier communities, and the infrastructure and services that our commonwealth needs to grow and thrive for years to come.”

A full list and detailed descriptions of all the projects that McGovern requested federal funding for can be found here.

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Menendez and Grilo Announce Over $1 Million in Federal Funding to Strengthen Public Safety Infrastructure in East Newark

EAST NEWARK, NJ – Today, Congressman Rob Menendez and East Newark Mayor Dina Grilo announced $1,031,000 in Community Project Funding to enhance public safety and protect residents across the Borough. The funding, secured by Congressman Menendez in an annual appropriations bill, will replace aging public safety equipment, technology, and vehicles, and support infrastructure upgrades.

“I am proud to deliver federal funding for critical public safety upgrades in East Newark that will modernize equipment, strengthen local infrastructure, and help keep our community safe,” said Congressman Menendez. “It is a privilege to work with Mayor Grilo and invest in the resources our community needs to respond effectively to emergencies, improve preparedness, and ensure East Newark is well equipped to protect and serve its residents.”

“This funding will enhance our public safety capabilities and help ensure our officers have the tools they need to protect and serve our residents every day,” said Mayor Grilo. “I want to thank Congressman Menendez for his continued partnership and for securing this important investment for East Newark.”

East Newark’s public safety equipment and infrastructure enhancement project aims to replace aging public safety equipment, technology, and vehicles, and support infrastructure upgrades. These enhancements will provide local law enforcement with the necessary tools they need while working to keep East Newark safe.

Congressman Menendez secured $1,031,000 for this project through the appropriations process as part of $19,142,000 in federal funding that he is delivering for our communities this fiscal year.

Menendez will continue to push for federal funding for local law enforcement in an effort to keep communities across the state safe.


Menéndez impulsa inclusión de medidas clave de seguridad para la región de Nueva Jersey y Nueva York en legislación sobre helicópteros

“Como saben, la seguridad de los helicópteros y las preocupaciones por el ruido son temas prioritarios en la región de Nueva York y Nueva Jersey para quienes representamos a estas comunidades. Nuestro espacio aéreo es uno de los más complejos del mundo y, debajo de él, se encuentran algunas de las zonas más densamente pobladas del país”, escribieron los legisladores. “La serie de tragedias ocurridas la primavera pasada, incluido el trágico accidente de helicóptero en Jersey City que cobró la vida de una familia de cinco personas y del piloto, evidenció las consecuencias de una supervisión insuficiente en materia de seguridad aérea. Cualquier legislación integral sobre seguridad de helicópteros debe tomar en cuenta las necesidades de nuestra región. Por ello, instamos al Comité de Transporte e Infraestructura (el ‘Comité’) a trabajar con nuestra delegación para garantizar que esta iniciativa legislativa aborde los problemas críticos de seguridad que enfrentamos.”

“Durante años, nuestros electores, los controladores de tráfico aéreo y los miembros del Congreso han expresado su preocupación por el volumen de tráfico de helicópteros no esenciales en nuestra región”, continuaron. “Lamentablemente, el 10 de abril de 2025, un helicóptero turístico que transportaba a una familia de cinco personas se estrelló en el río Hudson, causando la muerte de todos los ocupantes, incluido el piloto. Esta tragedia, junto con el accidente ocurrido en el Aeropuerto Nacional Reagan (DCA), que involucró a un helicóptero militar y una aeronave comercial, demuestra las graves consecuencias de la congestión del espacio aéreo y los riesgos que puede representar la operación de helicópteros.”

“Nuestra delegación ha desarrollado varias propuestas para abordar este problema. En particular, estamos instando al Comité a incluir una prohibición del tráfico de helicópteros no esenciales en nuestra región (H.R. 3196, Ley para Mejorar la Seguridad de los Helicópteros). Esta medida reduciría significativamente la cantidad de aeronaves que operan en nuestro espacio aéreo y aumentaría la seguridad tanto para la navegación aérea como para las comunidades que viven bajo estas rutas. Asimismo, solicitamos la inclusión de un estudio sobre el impacto de los helicópteros no esenciales en la seguridad y el bienestar de las comunidades ubicadas bajo las rutas de vuelo, así como alternativas para desviar ese tráfico lejos de zonas densamente pobladas y áreas recreativas (H.R. 5049, Ley para Proteger a las Comunidades del Ruido de Helicópteros). También pedimos que los acuerdos para vuelos turísticos consideren el bienestar de las comunidades afectadas (H.R. 6153, Ley Comunidades Antes que el Turismo Aéreo). Estas soluciones cuentan, en gran medida, con apoyo bipartidista y permitirían atender problemas urgentes de seguridad y calidad de vida para nuestros electores”, concluyeron.

La carta también solicita al Comité de Transporte e Infraestructura que incorpore recomendaciones clave del informe de investigación de la Junta Nacional de Seguridad en el Transporte (NTSB) tras la colisión entre un avión y un helicóptero ocurrida el 29 de enero de 2025 en el Aeropuerto Nacional Ronald Reagan, en Washington, D.C., y que se asegure de que dichas recomendaciones consideren las particularidades de la región metropolitana de Nueva York. Entre las medidas propuestas se encuentran:

El congresista Menendez ha sido durante años un referente en la promoción de medidas para mejorar la seguridad de los helicópteros, impulsando iniciativas como la Ley para Mejorar la Seguridad de los Helicópteros, la Ley Comunidades Antes que el Turismo Aéreo y la Ley para Proteger a las Comunidades del Ruido de Helicópteros. Además, ha trabajado junto a la FAA y autoridades locales y del condado en la búsqueda de soluciones frente a los problemas de seguridad aérea y contaminación acústica. También lideró una carta dirigida a la Agencia de Protección Ambiental (EPA) solicitando acciones para abordar el ruido de helicópteros y fortalecer la coordinación con la FAA. En 2024, organizó en Jersey City un taller con la FAA sobre este tema. Actualmente integra el Comité de Energía y Comercio de la Cámara de Representantes y forma parte de los subcomités de Medio Ambiente, Energía y Comunicaciones y Tecnología.


Menendez Leads Push to Include Critical Safety Provisions for New Jersey and New York Region in House Transportation and Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congressmen Rob Menendez and Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12) led an effort to include critical safety provisions for the New Jersey and New York region in comprehensive helicopter safety legislation being considered by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The effort was joined by Congressmembers Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), Frank Pallone, Jr (D-NJ-6), and Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-7).

“As you know, helicopter safety and noise concerns are prominent issues in the New York and New Jersey region and are a top priority for Members representing these constituencies. Our region’s airspace is one of the most complex in the world, and beneath it lies some of the most densely populated areas in the country,” the Members wrote. “Last spring’s string of tragedies, including the tragic helicopter crash in Jersey City that killed a family of five and the pilot, highlighted the consequences of inadequate oversight of helicopter safety. Any comprehensive helicopter safety legislation should consider our region, and we urge the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (the “Committee”) to work with our delegation to ensure this vital piece of legislation addresses critical safety issues specific to our region.”

“For years, our constituents, air traffic controllers, and Members of Congress have been raising safety concerns regarding the volume of non-essential helicopter traffic in our region,” the Members continued. “Unfortunately, on April 10, 2025, a tour helicopter flight carrying a family of five crashed into the Hudson River, killing everyone on board, including the pilot. This tragedy and the tragedy at DCA involving a military helicopter and a commercial plane demonstrate the grave consequences of over-congested airspace and the dangers that helicopters can pose.”

“Our delegation has developed several interventions to address this issue. Specifically, we are urging the Committee to include a ban on non-essential helicopter traffic in our region (H.R. 3196, the Improving Helicopter Safety Act),” This bill will significantly reduce the number of aircraft navigating our airspace, and increase safety for the airspace and the communities living beneath it. We also urge the Committee to include a study of how non-essential helicopters impact the safety and wellbeing of the airspace and under-route communities, and solutions for diverting helicopter traffic away from densely populated and recreational areas. (H.R. 5049, the Protecting Communities from Helicopter Noise Act), and require air tour agreements to consider the well-being of under-route communities (H.R. 6153, the Communities Before Air Tourism Act). These solutions are largely bipartisan and would address critical safety and quality of life issues for our constituents,” the Members concluded.

The letter also calls on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to adapt key recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation report following the January 29, 2025 plane-helicopter collision at Ronald Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., and to ensure that those recommendations consider the New York metropolitan region. The changes the members are calling to be adopted are:

Ensuring that annual reviews of helicopter route charts are being conducted throughout the National Airspace System as required by Federal Aviation Administration Order.

Amending helicopter route design criteria and approval process to ensure that current and future route designs or design changes provide vertical separation from airport approach and departure paths.

Reviewing all existing helicopter routes to ensure alignment with these updated criteria.

Creating an objective definition of close proximity encounter and a public database of those encounters and their locations that can be used to monitor their prevalence and identify areas of potential traffic conflict for safety assurance and safety risk management.

Congressman Menendez has long been a leader on helicopter safety issues leading several bills to combat this issue including the Improving Helicopter Safety Act, Communities Before Air Tourism Act, and the Protecting Communities from Helicopter Noise Act. He has worked with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local and county officials on solutions for helicopter safety and noise pollution. Congressman Menendez also led a letter to the EPA urging action on addressing noise pollution and collaboration with the FAA on helicopter noise. In 2024, he hosted the FAA in Jersey City for a workshop on helicopter noise. He currently serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and sits on the Subcommittee on the Environment, Subcommittee on Energy, and the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.