Lee Introduces PIONEER Act to Deregulate Innovation Nationwide

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) today introduced legislation to bring Utah’s regulatory sandbox model nationwide to deregulate innovation across all industries at a federal level. The Promoting Innovation and Offering the Needed Escape from Exhaustive Regulations (PIONEER) Act will apply Utah’s trailblazing sandbox concept nationwide to provide relief from overregulation and promote innovation and efficiency across American economies.

“Utah is leading the way with deregulation across all industries,” said Senator Mike Lee. “Our regulatory sandbox model is the first of its kind, successfully fostering innovation and inspiring several other states to follow our lead. The PIONEER Act will bring Utah’s successful deregulation model to business owners in every state, allowing American businesses to thrive and innovate freely.”

Background

Federal regulations cost American businesses and consumers trillions of dollars annually, chilling innovation and investment.

Utah first explored a regulatory sandbox for the FinTech industry in 2019 alongside Wyoming and Arizona. Following positive feedback, Utah extended sandbox privileges to all industries in March of 2021 – the first of its kind. Following Utah’s lead, Arizona and Kentucky also established all-inclusive regulatory sandboxes. North Carolina created a combined insurance and fintech sandbox in 2021. Overall, 14 states currently have either all-inclusive or industry-specific sandbox programs that bolster innovation and allow industries to adapt to advancing technologies.

The PIONEER Act:

Creates the federal regulatory sandbox program under which individuals and businesses can apply to have regulations waived for a period of two years in order to incentivize business success, expand economic opportunities, create jobs, and foster innovation.

Establishes the “Office of Regulatory Relief” within OIRA to receive applications, file decisions, and monitor the health and safety of the public.

When reviewing an application, federal agencies must take input from a bipartisan advisory board of 10 private sector individuals (half of which represent small businesses).

Applicants must be provided opportunities to fix issues or concerns identified in their applications, and to appeal to the Office of Regulatory Relief.

Allows approved applicants to renew their waiver up to four times, for a potential of 10 years.

Provides safeguards for consumer health, safety and financial well-being, and allows the Office of Regulatory Relief to end the regulatory sandbox relief if it determines that any pose a significant risk.

Requires an annual report to Congress that details the effectiveness of the regulatory sandbox program and whether the regulatory relief has harmed or benefited consumers and businesses.

Access the full text of the bill here.


Graham Statement on President Trump Nominating Sen. Markwayne Mullin to be DHS Secretary

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after President Trump nominated U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma) to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

“I appreciate Secretary Noem’s service to our country. She will do a great job dealing with the drug cartels in her new role as Special Envoy for The Shield of Americas, and I know she will continue to contribute in the future. However, I think it was time for a change.

“President Trump could not have chosen a better candidate to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security than Senator Markwayne Mullin.

“Markwayne understands the enemies we face, and he has been intimately involved in dealing with threats against our homeland in the public and private sectors. He is one of the most knowledgeable people I know regarding how to protect America. Markwayne is an outstanding choice and I hope he gets the overwhelmingly bipartisan vote that he deserves.

“He is one of the most prepared people President Trump could’ve picked for the role. I know he will hit the ground running on day one.”


Luján Introduces Legislative Package to Hold ICE and CBP Accountable, Increase Transparency, and Make Communities Safer

Legislative Efforts Follow Major DHS Scandals, Killings of American Citizens

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced the Homeland Security Improvement Act, DHS Hiring Review Act, and the Location Updates for Custody and Transparency Enforcement Act (LOCATE) Act. The three pieces of legislation boost training for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, increase transparency, and strengthen oversight.

“With multiple deadly shootings of American citizens by federal agents in Minnesota and no accountability, it’s clear that Kristi Noem and Donald Trump’s ICE and CBP are out of control and need to be reined in,” said Senator Luján. “A critical step to make our communities safer is ensuring ICE and CBP agents are properly trained, vetted, and held accountable. That’s why I’m introducing these bills to ensure ICE agents and CBP officers operate with the proper training and oversight. We cannot stand by and let ICE and CBP continue to terrorize our communities without guardrails. I urge my colleagues to pass these bills to create real accountability and help protect our communities.”

The Homeland Security Improvement Act: This comprehensive legislation improves public safety in border communities and gives border residents the ability to provide recommendations and oversight of border policies. Specifically, the legislation would establish a commission within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) comprised of representatives from northern and southern border states and a DHS Office of the Ombudsman, mandate certain training and education for ICE and CBP officers and agents, such as community policing practices, lawful use of force and de-escalation tactics, and history and ethics of asylum law, and require reports from DHS and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) assessing staffing needs, use of body-worn cameras, use of force policies, and death of migrants while in custody.

The DHS Hiring Review Act: The legislation would require Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to audit the personnel files for all agents and officers hired since the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill was signed into law to ensure the officers had met the requirements for hiring. Specifically, the legislation would ensure that their records were checked against State-level misconduct files, certify they completed the required training, and a GAO report based on the requirements of the bill.

Location Updates for Custody and Transparency Enforcement (LOCATE) Act: This legislation adjusts how long ICE and CBP have to update the Online Detainee Locator System to 6 hours for CBP and 12 hours for ICE. Currently, the Online Detainee Locator System is only updated about every 48 hours. The Online Detainee Locator System is a critical tool to locate a detainee who is currently in ICE or CPB custody.

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Lummis Leads Colleagues in Letter to FCC Urging Automatic Phone Unlocking

Washington, D.C. — Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), joined by Senators John Kennedy (R-LA) and Eric Schmitt (R-MO), wrote to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr this week calling on the Commission to finalize its rulemaking to require automatic phone unlocking after 180 days across all mobile carriers.

In the letter, the Senators called device unlocking – allowing consumers to use their phone on any carrier’s network if they have paid the device off – “a pro-consumer, pro-competition issue” and argued that phone locking functions as “an artificial barrier to switching, innovation, and a fully competitive marketplace.”

The Senators also cited data showing American families spend over $2,000 more annually than necessary on mobile service due in part to carrier lock-in and urged the FCC to take action to conclude its pending rulemaking and establish a uniform unlocking standard.

The Senators wrote in the letter, “We urge the Commission to seize this opportunity to deliver meaningful relief to American families by enacting a uniform unlocking rule, establishing long-sought regulatory certainty, and upholding the principle that competition best serves consumers. Therefore, the Commission should take swift action to bring its pending rulemaking to a conclusion and exercise its authority to establish consistent rules to require automatic unlocking of mobile phone service after 180 days across all mobile providers to allow real competition to benefit all consumers and American families.”

Read the full letter here or below.

—

The Honorable Brendan Carr

Chairman

Federal Communications Commission

45 L Street, NE

Washington, D.C. 20554

Dear Chairman Carr,

We strongly support the Federal Communications Commission’s work to ensure that consumers have the freedom to select mobile phone service that truly meets their needs and serves their pocketbooks. Consumer freedom is a cornerstone of lowering costs, which is at the heart of an affordability agenda.

The Commission’s pending rulemaking to establish uniform device unlocking requirements represents a critical opportunity to address affordability for consumers and ensure a vibrant and competitive mobile marketplace for years to come. Device unlocking is a pro-consumer, pro-competition issue that eliminates current obstacles to mobile subscribers’ ability to obtain affordable wireless options that best suit their needs. Phone locking, in contrast, functions as an artificial barrier to switching, innovation, and a fully competitive marketplace. American consumers deserve better and we commend the Commission’s ongoing efforts in its rulemaking to review and evaluate the role that uniform mobile phone unlocking rules can provide to bring clarity and consistency to the marketplace.

We recognize and appreciate the fraud concerns that have been raised in opposition to a uniform and automatic unlocking requirement. We are confident, however, that the Commission will be able to appropriately balance those concerns by adopting a reasonable waiting period — e.g., 180 days – before a device must be unlocked. Such a period addresses concerns of fraud while still achieving the important objectives that unlocking delivers, including expanding consumer choice, preserving competition, and improving affordability.

Recent data shows that American families are spending over $2,000 more annually than necessary on mobile service, due in large part to being locked into costly equipment or long-term service plans with major carriers. A uniform unlocking rule adopted by the Commission would provide consistency throughout the growing wireless industry and eliminate a carrier’s ability to artificially restrict consumer choice, thereby ensuring consumers are free to seek out the best value service that fits their budget, service expectations, and personal preferences.

We urge the Commission to seize this opportunity to deliver meaningful relief to American families by enacting a uniform unlocking rule, establishing long-sought regulatory certainty, and upholding the principle that competition best serves consumers. Therefore, the Commission should take swift action to bring its pending rulemaking to a conclusion and exercise its authority to establish consistent rules to require automatic unlocking of mobile phone service after 180 days across all mobile providers to allow real competition to benefit all consumers and American families.

Thank you for your consideration. We welcome the opportunity to discuss these priorities with you further.

Sincerely,

Cynthia M. Lummis

U.S. Senator – Wyoming

John N. Kennedy

U.S. Senator – Louisiana

Eric S. Schmitt

U.S. Senator – Missouri

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Watch: Senator McCormick Delivers Floor Speech in Support of ROAD to Housing Act

“The ROAD to Housing Act represents the most consequential federal action on housing in a generation. Passing through the Banking Committee with a unanimous, 24-to-0 vote, it’s also proof that the Senate can address important issues in a bipartisan way.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor in support of the ROAD to Housing Act.

Click here to watch the video.

Senator McCormick’s remarks below (as prepared):

“Mr. President, I rise today in support of the ROAD to Housing Act.

“I grew up in Northeast Pennsylvania, in a town called Bloomsburg, believing in a simple deal: work hard, play by the rules and you can build a life in your own home.

“But that promise – the American Dream – has become increasingly out of reach for families across our great Commonwealth. There are too few homes to buy and too many aging homes that families can’t afford to maintain.

“The numbers tell a clear and disturbing story: Pennsylvania is short 100,000 homes today – that’s the same number as seats in Penn State’s Beaver Stadium. Median home prices have hit an all-time high of $325,000. Rent has surged. And more than half our housing stock is over 50 years old, which means greater repair costs for homeowners already struggling with tight budgets.

“The absence of good, new, affordable housing has locked out young families. When I was a teenager, the median age of a first-time homebuyer was 29. Today it is 40.

“That is an entire decade of homeownership and wealth-building that has been lost by a generation.

“American families did not create this problem. Washington did. Major federal housing programs have been funded for decades without serious reform. Some

haven’t been updated since the 1960’s.

“The Biden administration had four years to address this crisis. Instead, more bureaucracy, more mandates, and reckless spending drove this problem off a cliff. From the rowhouses of Philadelphia to the small towns of the Monongahela Valley, home prices across our Commonwealth have risen more than 75 percent since 2020. Nationally, the average monthly mortgage payment is over $1000 higher than when President Biden took office.

“Last year, I visited Bedford Dwellings in Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District with HUD Secretary Turner. We spoke with great Pennsylvanians who feel the American Dream is increasingly out of reach. I hear this feedback everywhere I go across the Commonwealth.

“This is a big problem. It’s an unacceptable problem. And it’s time for a new direction.

“President Trump’s leadership is lowering housing costs for American families. He cut red tape in permitting and construction and directed key agencies to keep Wall Street out of the starter home market. And he delivered the most significant federal investment in affordable housing in decades via the Working Families Tax Cut Act.

“Today, the Senate has an opportunity to build on this progress — in a serious, bipartisan way — by passing the ROAD to Housing Act.

“The bill advances three goals.

“First: build more. The Act cuts the red tape, lowers costs, and speeds up zoning and permitting.

“Second: fix what we have. Grants and forgivable loans are provided to low-income homeowners for repairs, helping preserve home values and helping stabilize neighborhoods.

“Third: empower communities, not bureaucrats. Local leaders are empowered to make decisions that fit their towns. The federal government should be a partner not a gatekeeper.

“Guided by these principles, the ROAD to Housing Act represents the most consequential federal action on housing in a generation. Passing through the Banking Committee with a unanimous, 24-to-0 vote, it’s also proof that the Senate can address important issues in a bipartisan way.

“I‘m particularly proud of the amendments my friend and colleague, Senator Fetterman, and I championed together that protect Pennsylvania workers, veterans, and homeowners.

“For example, I was the lead or co-lead on six provisions that will help ensure Pennsylvanians – including our 800,000 veterans – can afford good homes without risk of falling through the cracks.

“The bill and my provisions also empower Pennsylvania’s community lenders. There is a scene in “It’s a Wonderful Life” where George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart – who, by the way, was a native of my dad’s hometown of Indiana, Pennsylvania – fights to save the Bailey Building and Loan.

“This was the community lender in the fictional town of Bedford Falls that knew every borrower by name and made the mortgages that helped ordinary people own homes.

“That model once helped build “a wonderful life” for generations of Americans. But we have regulated it so heavily that community lenders who want to serve their neighbors can’t make the math work.

“Homeownership for most young families shouldn’t exist only in the movies. It should exist in Bloomsburg and Bradford and Braddock and every Pennsylvania community where a local lender knows the borrower and wants to say yes. This bill takes important steps in that direction.

“And one more thing: the ROAD to Housing Act builds on President Trump’s efforts and takes on Wall Street landlords competing directly with first-time buyers for single-family homes. The housing market should work for Main Street – not Wall Street.

“For ALL these many reasons, I am proud to stand in support the ROAD to Housing Act. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote yes — and make the American Dream of homeownership possible again for the next generation of Pennsylvanians.

“I yield the floor.”

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Merkley Investigates Chemical Industry Insiders Taking Over Critical EPA Chemical Safety Office

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley—the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) subcommittee overseeing environmental justice, chemical safety, and waste management—today sent an oversight letter following reports of former chemical industry lobbyists filling key positions at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP).

Merkley launched his probe in response to a report from The Washington Post, which spotlighted how EPA ethics officials have interpreted impartiality guidelines in a way that has allowed former industry employees to change regulations for chemicals they had previously worked on before joining the EPA. These corporate lobbyists have a track record of undermining scientific findings at the agency to weaken public health protections for toxic chemicals.

“Of particular concern was the agency’s announcement to re-register dicamba, an herbicide that had been banned by federal courts twice. Notably, the EPA announced its plans to re-register dicamba less than a month after a former American Soybean Association lobbyist was placed in charge of the Office of Pesticides,” Merkley wrote to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. “Plainly, when a former lobbyist—who was paid by industry to advocate for EPA approval of a pesticide—becomes the decision-maker on registration of that same pesticide, it appears to present a conflict of interest.”

“But this is not the only instance of corporate lobbyists infiltrating the EPA and influencing the agency’s actions. There is also reason to believe leadership within OCSPP, including Deputy Assistant Administrators with senior decision-making roles, have worked to deliver favorable results to industry that are at odds with previous public health determinations. Two such individuals in OCSPP previously worked as chemical industry lobbyists and advisors, and advocated in favor of rolling back risk assessments for formaldehyde, a chemical used in furniture, wood adhesives and body preservation at funeral homes,” he continued. “The updated risk assessment for formaldehyde reflects changes submitted to the agency at the request of senior leadership’s former employer. These actions, too, raise troubling questions about industry’s capture of EPA’s public health decisions.”

Merkley emphasized to Administrator Zeldin, “The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) report highlighted the historic corporate capture of science-based decision making at federal agencies, weakening the federal government’s ability to robustly regulate chemicals that are known to cause harm to the American public. Unfortunately, the past year of this administration’s decisions within OSCPP have revealed a great hypocrisy between what this administration claims to care about in the MAHA report and what is happening in practice under your leadership and behind closed doors.”

Full text of the letter can be found by clicking here and follows below:

Dear Administrator Zeldin,

I write today to express my deep concern with conflicts of interest at the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP). As January reporting in the Washington Post highlighted, the Trump administration has systematically filled OCSPP’s leadership positions with chemical industry insiders to undermine pesticide and chemical decisions at the agency that will negatively impact public health.

Of particular concern was the agency’s announcement to re-register dicamba, an herbicide that had been banned by federal courts twice. Notably, the EPA announced its plans to re-register dicamba less than a month after a former American Soybean Association lobbyist was placed in charge of the Office of Pesticides. As summarized in the reporting, when EPA was asked about this individual’s conflict of interest on pesticide regulation, the agency’s ethics office stated that “a federal employee’s ‘previous lobbying efforts’ do not constitute any conflict of interest as defined by existing federal ethics laws or regulations.” However, EPA and government-wide ethics guidelines contain strong safeguards, “to ensure that an employee takes appropriate steps to avoid an appearance of loss of impartiality in the performance of his official duties.” Plainly, when a former lobbyist—who was paid by industry to advocate for EPA approval of a pesticide—becomes the decision-maker on registration of that same pesticide, it appears to present a conflict of interest.

But this is not the only instance of corporate lobbyists infiltrating the EPA and influencing the agency’s actions. There is also reason to believe leadership within OCSPP, including Deputy Assistant Administrators with senior decision-making roles, have worked to deliver favorable results to industry that are at odds with previous public health determinations. Two such individuals in OCSPP previously worked as chemical industry lobbyists and advisors, and advocated in favor of rolling back risk assessments for formaldehyde, a chemical used in furniture, wood adhesives and body preservation at funeral homes. Presumably at their instance, OCSPP recently announced that it would reverse long- standing peer-reviewed scientific findings about formaldehyde’s cancer-causing risks. This will greatly reduce the level of protection against cancer that previous EPA assessments afforded and the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) had upheld. The updated risk assessment for formaldehyde reflects changes submitted to the agency at the request of senior leadership’s former employer. These actions, too, raise troubling questions about industry’s capture of EPA’s public health decisions.

When the Trump administration established the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission in February 2025 and subsequently published its first MAHA report in May 2025, I was cautiously optimistic as it detailed the dangers that children face from exposure to a variety of chemicals. However, EPA was conspicuously absent in the subsequent MAHA Strategy that the administration published in September 2025, despite possessing the statutory authority to regulate chemicals mentioned in the report.

The MAHA report highlighted the historic corporate capture of science-based decision making at federal agencies, weakening the federal government’s ability to robustly regulate chemicals that are known to cause harm to the American public. Unfortunately, the past year of this administration’s decisions within OSCPP have revealed a great hypocrisy between what this administration claims to care about in the MAHA report and what is happening in practice under your leadership and behind closed doors.

As you make good on your promise to develop a roadmap on how EPA can further the goals of the MAHA report, we encourage your evaluation of conflicts of interest in OCSPP’s decision making and that you set a real, actionable strategy to meaningfully reduce American’s exposure to toxic chemicals. To help better understand EPA’s actions to reduce conflicts of interest within OCSPP and how the administration plans to utilize critical laws and advice from its own advisory committees to reduce exposures to chemicals, please respond to the following requests for information and documents no later than March 31, 2026:

What specific steps has EPA taken to prevent undue influence on chemical reviews and regulatory decisions following the appointment of four former chemical-industry lobbyists to leadership roles within OCSPP?

Please provide the steps EPA has taken or plans to take to prevent undue influence on chemical reviews and regulatory decisions for formaldehyde, vinyl chloride and 1,3-butadiene.

Besides each official’s ethics agreements, explain how EPA interprets ethics guidelines addressing the appearance of a lack of impartiality in agency decision-making and why EPA has concluded that no impartiality issues were presented in the instances described in the above letter?

Please provide all documents reflecting EPA’s applications of ethics guidelines to these two cases on dicamba and formaldehyde.

Please provide the official calendars of top leadership officials at OCSPP including Douglas Troutman, Nancy Beck, Lynn Ann Dekleva, and Kyle Kunkler.

Why did EPA replace dicamba restrictions proposed by pesticide manufacturers with weaker measures advanced by the American Soybean Association, and why did EPA not ensure this decision was free from industry influence after a former Association lobbyist assumed leadership of the pesticide office?

Provide a list of any pesticide currently under review that is a per- and polyfuoroalkyl substance (PFAS), including any pesticide with a single fluorinated alkyl carbon.

Who ordered the suspension of the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee, and does EPA plan to reestablish the Committee in a manner that allows meaningful public participation?

Please provide a copy of any nondisclosure agreements, confidentiality agreements, or similar documents that EPA staff have signed in relation to the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s finding that atrazine is probably carcinogenic to humans.

Yes or no, does EPA concur with scientific evidence that atrazine is probably carcinogenic to humans?

Provide a copy of the “MAHA Petition 1-pager” presented to Administrator Zeldin in February of 2025.

Please describe the factors EPA is considering as it finalizes the proposed TSCA risk evaluation framework rule (40 CFR Part 702) and how the proposal meets or fails to meet the goals described in May 2025’s Make America Healthy Again report.

Please describe the steps that EPA will take to consider cumulative exposures to chemicals, a priority described in the May 2025 Make America Healthy Again report.

Please provide a copy of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s response to the Children’s Health Protection Advisory Committee’s November 4, 2025, letter regarding the impact that plastics have on children’s health.

Please provide a description of any plans that EPA has to mitigate financial conflicts of interest from scientific advisory committees.

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Merkley, Klobuchar Launch New Effort to Ban Federal Elected Officials Profiting from Prediction Markets

Effort comes after reports of individuals suspiciously earning massive payouts before Iran Strikes, Venezuela Military Actions

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Minnesota’s U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar launched a new effort to prevent government officials at the highest levels from engaging in prediction markets, cracking down on the potential for any insider trading.

Following multiple public reports on the growing influence of prediction markets and their potential for corruption, Merkley and Klobuchar introduced the End Prediction Market Corruption Act—a new bill to ban the President, Vice President, Members of Congress, and other public officials from trading event contracts. The bill will ensure that federal elected officials maintain their oath of office to serve the people by preventing them from trading on information that they gained through their role.

“When public officials use non-public information to win a bet, you have the perfect recipe to undermine the public’s belief that government officials are working for the public good, not for their own personal profits,” said Merkley. “Perfectly timed bets on prediction markets have the unmistakable stench of corruption. To protect the public interest, Congress must step up and pass my End Prediction Market Corruption Act to crack down on this bad bet for democracy.”

“At the same time that prediction markets have seen huge growth, we have seen increasing reports of misconduct. This legislation strengthens the Commodity Futures Trading Commission’s ability to go after bad actors and provides rules of the road to prevent those with confidential government or policy information from exploiting their access for financial gain,” said Klobuchar.

Merkley and Klobuchar’s End Prediction Market Corruption Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY).

Their bill is supported by Public Citizen, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), and Project On Government Oversight (POGO).

“The American people deserve unwavering ethical standards from their government officials. Officials have a responsibility to avoid not only actual conflicts of interest but even the appearance of impropriety. POGO is pleased to endorse the End Prediction Market Corruption Act, which will further prohibit covered government officials from exploiting nonpublic information for personal gain in prediction markets,” said Janice Luong, Policy Associate for the Project On Government Oversight (POGO).

“It is now more important than ever that prediction markets be governed by ethical constraints, especially when it comes to bets placed by governmental officials. Sen. Merkley’s legislation would appropriately prohibit key government officials from buying or selling on the prediction markets contracts in which they could have insider information on changes in the market. Public Citizen heartily endorses this bill,” said Craig Holman, Ph.D., Public Citizen.

“The rapid rise of retail prediction markets creates the risk that officials across the government could use nonpublic information to trade on and profit off event contracts,” said Debra Perlin, Vice President of Policy of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW). “The American people must be able to trust that their government officials are working on their behalf rather than for personal gain. Senator Merkley’s legislation represents a vital step forward to ensure that those in positions of power, including senior executive branch officials and members of Congress, cannot abuse their access to nonpublic information in order to profit.”

Merkley has been a long-time leader in the push to end public corruption. He has led the charge to crack down on election gambling and dark money in politics, prevent lawmakers from trading stocks, and ban cryptocurrency-related corruption by elected officials at the highest levels of the federal government.

Full text of the End Prediction Market Corruption Act can be found by clicking here.

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Sen. Moran Statement on the Passing of Russ Meyer

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today released the following statement on the passing of Russell W. “Russ” Meyer, a Wichita native and longtime chairman and CEO and Chairman Emeritus of Cessna Aircraft Company:

“I’m saddened by the passing of Russ Meyer, a dear friend and someone I had the privilege of knowing well for many years. He was deeply loved by all who knew him, and his leadership was invaluable in strengthening Wichita’s standing as the Air Capital of the World. One cannot think of Kansas aviation without thinking of Russ, who dedicated decades of his life to supporting the general aviation community as the longtime chairman and CEO of Cessna.

“Russ once said, ‘If I were 25 years old today, I’d pursue a career in this industry in a heartbeat,’ and his life embodied the truth of those words. Because of him, countless young people and Kansans have pursued careers in aviation, finding the same joy and meaning in flight that he did. He treated everyone he met with kindness and respect, and I always knew I could count on his wise advice and counsel. Giving back was important to Russ and his wife, Helen, and they invested deeply in the community they loved, supporting causes such as the Boys and Girls Clubs of South Central Kansas, GraceMed Health Clinic, League 42 and more.

“Robba and I are praying for Helen, their children and their grandchildren in this difficult time. He will be deeply missed, but his life and legacy will not be forgotten. Wichita, our entire state and the field of aviation have been forever changed for the better because of Russ.”

Russ Meyer and Sen. Moran at the Wichita Aero Club Trophy presentation in honor of Russ on January 25, 2014.

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Murphy Statement On Firing Of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem

WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s firing of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem:

“Kristi Noem will be remembered for her outrageous incompetence in overseeing a department that killed American citizens, imprisoned hundreds of children, terrorized communities, and broke the law almost every single day. In an administration defined by corruption and self-dealing, Secretary Noem stood out for how shamelessly she wasted millions of taxpayer dollars on photoshoots and a life of luxury, while handing out favors to her political allies. I’m glad she got fired, but removing Noem will not solve the fundamental problems with this out-of-control agency, especially if Stephen Miller remains in the White House. Congress should not give DHS another dime until the lawlessness is reined in.”


Murray, Warren, 30+ Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Update, Expand Lifeline Benefits for Seniors and Americans with Disabilities

Nearly 8 million Americans rely on Supplemental Security Income benefits to meet their basic needs—but parts of the program haven’t been updated in over five decades

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senator Warren (D-MA) and over 30 lawmakers in introducing the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Restoration Act, a bipartisan bill to strengthen critical SSI benefits that support nearly 8 million seniors and Americans with disabilities. The bill would make much-needed updates to the benefits program — much of which hasn’t been updated since it was first established over five decades ago — and will expand benefits eligibility, increase cash payments, and fix rules that currently penalize Americans for trying to save money.

“SSI is critical for helping many people stay afloat at vulnerable points in their lives—whether that’s living with a disability, or the loss of income that comes with retirement,” said Senator Murray. “At a time when so many families are struggling to make ends meet, we need to do all we can to support seniors and Americans with disabilities, especially as Trump’s senseless tariffs send costs skyrocketing and Republicans’ reckless policies raise health care costs. This bill will make some much-needed updates to strengthen and modernize SSI so the program can meet the current needs of Americans.”

“SSI is a critical lifeline for millions of Americans—but the program is five decades out-of-date, leaving people behind and even punishing them for trying to save up,” said Senator Warren. “At a time when Donald Trump’s policies are already driving up everyday costs, we need to make sure seniors and Americans with disabilities can afford their basic needs. My bill will expand and strengthen SSI benefits to deliver some real relief.”

“For millions of seniors, people with disabilities, and families raising children with high needs, Supplemental Security Income is the last line of defense against poverty,” said Representative Grijalva. “The program has not been meaningfully updated since the 1970s, forcing people to live far below the poverty line just to qualify for help. The SSI Restoration Act will finally modernize this lifeline by increasing benefit levels, updating outdated asset limits, and eliminating punitive rules that trap people in poverty. Our seniors, people with disabilities, and caregivers deserve the dignity and security that this program was always meant to provide.”

“Supplemental Security Income (SSI) is a vital lifeline for millions of low-income seniors, people with disabilities, and families struggling to make ends meet,” said Representative Schakowsky. “Today’s SSI system still relies on outdated, overly burdensome rules written decades ago, leaving far too many beneficiaries living in poverty. This legislation will modernize and strengthen SSI by raising asset and income limits, establishing a livable minimum benefit, ending punitive reductions, and extending benefits to eligible residents of Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and American Samoa. Every person deserves to age and live with dignity, and Congress must act to ensure SSI fulfills its promise.”

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) was first signed into law in 1972, becoming the first fully federalized disability program to provide disabled Americans with benefits. Today, nearly eight million Americans rely on SSI to meet their basic needs.

While SSI is still a key source of federal income support for older and disabled Americans, the system has barely been updated since it was first established more than fifty years ago. Currently, many of the program’s original income and asset limits — which eligible recipients may not exceed — fall below the poverty line, often trapping beneficiaries in poverty and falling short of the program’s mission.

The SSI Restoration Act will expand and strengthen benefits by:

Increasing “income disregard” amounts, which have not changed since 1974

Updating the asset limit to $10,000 / $20,000 for an eligible couple

Increasing the benefit rate to 100% of the federal poverty level and repealing the marriage penalty

Repealing penalties for in-kind support, resource transfers, state taxes, and tribal benefits

Streamlining lump-sum and back payments

Extending the program to the U.S. territories

The bill is cosponsored in the Senate by Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ed Markey (D-MA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI).

The bill is cosponsored in the House by Representatives Becca Balint (D, VT), Andre Carson (D, ID-07), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D, DC), Adelita Grijalva (D, AZ-07), Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07), Summer Lee (D, PA-12), Ted Lieu (D, CA-36), Gwen Moore (D, WI-04), James Moylan (R, GU), Chellie Pingree (D, ME-01), Stacey Plaskett (D, VI), Jan Schakowsky (D, IL-09), Melanie Stansbury (D, NM-01), Dina Titus (D, NV-01) and Rashida Tlaib (D, MI-12).

The bill is endorsed by AFL-CIO, AFSCME, Alliance for Retired Americans, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association on Health and Disability, American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), American Society on Aging, ASSIST Program, Autistic Self Advocacy Network (ASAN), Benefits Law Center, Bread for the City, California Alliance for Retired Americans, California Association of Food Banks, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Center for Medicare Advocacy, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, Cure SMA, Disability Belongs, Economic Policy Institute, Educate. Advocate., Empire Justice Center, Epilepsy Foundation of America, Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, Homeless Action Center, Homeless Advocacy Project, Inner City Law Center, Justice in Aging, Lakeshore Foundation, Latinos for a Secure Retirement, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Legal Council for Health Justice, Maryland Latinos Unidos (MLU), National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), National Alliance to End Homelessness, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities, National Association of Disability Representatives, National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, National Council of Gray Panthers Networks, National Council on Aging, National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC), National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA), National Organization for Women, National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives (NOSSCR), National Respite Coalition, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, New York Legal Assistance Group, Paralyzed Veterans of America, People With Disabilities Foundation, Public Justice Center, SAGE, Service Employees International Union, Social Security Works, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC), Strengthen Social Security Coalition, The Arc of the United States, Triage Cancer, USAging, and Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER).

The full bill text is available HERE.

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Senate Republicans Block Bill to Pay TSA Agents, Fund FEMA & Cyber Defense Agency as They Drag Their Feet on Common-Sense Reforms to Protect Americans from Violence at the Hands of ICE

Murray: “It has become all too clear that Republicans would rather keep DHS shut down than work with Democrats to prevent more Americans from being killed by masked federal agents.”

Murray: “Instead of blocking bills to pay TSA agents—or wasting time with dead-on-arrival legislation—Republicans should finally listen to their constituents who want to see ICE reined in—and work with us to enact the reforms we need. I remain ready to get it done.”

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

Washington, D.C. — Today—as Republicans set up more failed votes on the Homeland Security funding bill and drag their feet on common-sense reforms to rein in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP)—U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke on the Senate floor and pushed to pass a new bill that would fund every agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)—except ICE, CBP, and the Office of the Secretary—while negotiations continue to rein in ICE and Border Patrol.

However, Senate Republicans blocked Senator Murray’s request to pass the bill through unanimous consent—after they underscored all week that it is imperative that Congress fund the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other important DHS functions.

As negotiations proceed on measures to rein in ICE and Border Patrol, the legislation Senator Murray introduced today:

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

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

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

“It has been nearly six weeks—six weeks—since Alex Pretti was killed by masked federal agents in broad daylight. It has been over nine weeks since Renee Good was killed.

“And day after day, week after week, we have seen Americans brutalized by an out-of-control Department of Homeland Security.

“American citizens detained without cause. Children ripped away from their families as this administration treats them like political pawns in their sick games. We’ve seen peaceful protestors have their windows broken in by untrained and unidentifiable agents. And we’ve seen more people get hurt and even die because of how ICE and Border Patrol have been conducting themselves.

“And this entire time, Democrats have been pushing for serious reform to rein in these agencies.

“For months, I have been at the table, in good faith, pushing to secure basic accountability measures for ICE and Border Patrol. We are talking about standards local police already follow across the country.

“But even before Alex Pretti was shot and killed, Republicans and this White House, in particular, were telling us ‘no’ on many basic reforms that would rein in ICE and CBP.

“We pushed for common-sense steps to make sure that poorly trained agents and officers do not trample the basic rights of American citizens and kill them for no reason. And we pushed for steps to prevent these rogue agencies from hiding the facts from the public and sweeping everything under the rug.But my colleagues across the aisle came back to us and said, ‘Sorry, we cannot agree to those.’

“Sometimes, my Republican colleagues were willing to take one modest step or another, which I appreciated—only to come back to say the White House was not willing to do it and that they had to hold the line. Or worse, they backtracked on measures we had agreed to because of fears of what the White House would think.

“And now, here we find ourselves—nearly six weeks after Alex Pretti’s brutal killing and Republicans have so far continued to refuse to join us to pass any common-sense reforms to prevent more Americans from being hurt—or even killed—by masked federal agents.

“As I have said many times: we are not asking for the moon. We are asking for basic steps to protect Americans’ constitutional rights—and their safety.

“There is nothing new or controversial about body cameras—or requiring identification be displayed. There is nothing extreme about insisting ICE and Border Patrol follow the same standards as everyone else when it comes to use of force or needing a warrant before smashing in someone’s door and dragging them away.

“These are common sense, and they are overwhelmingly popular. This is what the American people are demanding.

“But Republicans have decided they would rather shut down DHS than work with us to rein in these rogue agencies. Republicans know full well—Democrats want to ensure TSA, CISA, FEMA and other important agencies are funded.

“What Democrats have a problem with—is funding rogue agencies that are actively violating court orders and our civil rights, and putting Americans’ safety at risk. We cannot, we will not, cut a blank check—funding without reforms—for ICE and Border Patrol.

“But if Republicans keep dragging their feet on those basic reforms we are asking for, to protect people from these rogue federal agencies, then we should at least make sure that TSA agents get paid, and FEMA is fully funded while those negotiations continue.

“TSA agents should not go without pay because Republicans refuse to agree to commonsense reforms instead of cutting another blank check for Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller to terrorize Americans.

“So yes, let’s pay our Coast Guard and our TSA agents, let’s replenish the Disaster Relief Fund, and support other work that we overwhelmingly all agree on.

“I have a bill, that I will offer in a moment, that will do that, and we can pass it right now while pressing ahead with negotiations on ICE and Border Patrol to get basic reforms and accountability the American people want.

“All week, I have heard my colleagues on the other side of the aisle loudly say funding for DHS could not be more important in this moment. They have argued the instability this President has unleashed with his reckless war in Iran means Democrats must fund DHS—including ICE—with no reforms at all.

“Now, there are some obvious problems with that argument—like the bizarre notion that because Trump started a reckless war with Iran, Democrats now must run and rush and cut ICE a blank check, or the fact that the biggest threat to cyber and counterterrorism work at DHS seems to be Kristi Noem who by the way, over the last year, has gutted CISA and has taken folks off the [counter]terrorism beat to deport farmworkers with no criminal history.

“Well put all that aside—I completely agree that we should fund our cyber defense agency, and FEMA, and TSA.

“So, I hope my Republican colleagues, who also believe, I know they do, that these agencies are important, and who have been making the case that they do need funding immediately—will join with me to get this bill passed today, while talks on ICE, Border Patrol, and much-needed reform and accountability measures can continue.

[MURRAY’S RESPONSE TO REPUBLICAN OBJECTION]

“Unfortunately, what has become very clear is that Republicans would rather keep DHS shut down than work with Democrats to prevent more Americans from being killed by masked federal agents.

“My Democratic colleagues and I have been very, very clear on the reforms we need. It is not secret, and we have been pushing for them for weeks on end—in good faith—to finalize a DHS bill that funds TSA and FEMA while reining in ICE and CBP.

“But Republicans and the White House have—now for months—refused to agree to the basic reforms we need to keep Americans safe. And they have said again and again that we need to fund FEMA and TSA and other key agencies.

“Well, I just tried to pass a bill that would make sure that those agencies are funded—while talks on reforms and accountability measures for ICE and Border Patrol continue—so guess what? They blocked that too.

“This is not complicated: Democrats want to get TSA officers paid and fund disaster relief, but we will not vote to help Republicans spend one more dime letting Stephen Miller terrorize American cities.

“And we will not vote to cut a blank check so that ICE can barge into Americans’ homes without a warrant. We will not vote to allow ICE agents to continue wearing masks as they terrorize our communities and evade accountability. We need accountability for ICE and Border Patrol.

“And it is not just Democrats saying that, the American people overwhelmingly agree that Trump and Noem’s lawless rampage has got to come to an end.

“People feel that way, because we have all seen what is happening, it is in plain sight. We have all seen the videos of people that are tackled and pepper sprayed in the face, of protesters who are gassed for no reason.

“We have seen the horrific shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, and we have seen Kristi Noem, ICE, and Border Patrol blatantly lie and slander people like Renee, and Alex, and Marimar Martinez by falsely calling them domestic terrorists.

“What we have not yet seen is accountability. That has got to end. No amount of Republican revotes on the same failed bill is going to change that.

“And while our bill to fund the Coast Guard, and TSA, and FEMA as negotiations continue was just objected to. So Mr. President, I am ready at any time to pass that, it is the right thing to do.

“Instead of blocking bills to pay TSA agents—or wasting time with dead-on-arrival legislation—I hope that Republicans will listen to what we are asking for, listen to what their constituents are asking for—we need to see ICE have accountability, and work with us to pass those reforms in order to fund that full agency. With that, and with my colleagues, I will continue to work to get that done.”

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Padilla Statement on Firing of Kristi Noem

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, issued the following statement after President Trump announced that he would fire Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem and nominate Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) to replace her:

“It’s about time. Kristi Noem’s tenure was a complete failure and she never should have been confirmed in the first place. But make no mistake: a new secretary doesn’t change the need for serious reforms at DHS and doesn’t undo the cruelty and terror the agency has unleashed on our communities at the direction of Donald Trump. We still need a full overhaul of ICE and CBP to ensure these agencies enforce our immigration laws in a way that reflects our values, doesn’t tear families apart, respects civil rights, and upholds the Constitution.”

Earlier this week, Padilla questioned DHS Secretary Noem on the Trump Administration’s cruel mass deportation and detention campaign, attacks on legal immigration, and efforts to meddle in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. Padilla called on Noem to resign, be fired, or be impeached by the House for her failed leadership of the Department. He also joined a press conference after the hearing to stand by three U.S. citizens who were assaulted and detained by DHS officers and agents.

Padilla has consistently voted against funding ICE and CBP’s lawless and reckless actions under President Trump.

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Padilla, Young, Bice, Khanna Introduce America’s Living Library Act to Strengthen U.S. Biotech Innovation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.), along with U.S. Representatives Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.-05) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.-17), Commissioners on the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB), introduced the America’s Living Library Act to advance U.S. biotechnology leadership. The bill would direct the Secretary of the Interior to begin a project to collect, catalog, and sequence genomic information of animals, plants, fungi, and microbes in U.S. National Parks.

The United States is locked in a global tech competition with China and other adversaries, and access to high-quality datasets has become an important part of winning the race. Specifically, non-human biological data from animals, plants, fungi, and microbes is a strategic resource that can be used to unlock breakthrough innovations in medicine, agriculture, and defense. While this biological data can be found in public lands across our country — including in National Parks that span millions of acres and cover varied climates and topographies — America has failed to leverage this data for innovation and national security.

“America’s public lands contain rich biological data with enormous potential to bolster our medicine, agriculture, supply chain, and national security. Yet despite the wide variety of climates and biodiversity in our 63 National Parks, the United States has failed to capitalize on this abundance of biological data as a strategic national resource,” said Senator Padilla. “That’s why our bipartisan, bicameral bill would kickstart a comprehensive project to survey organisms on our public lands and collect key genomic samples to better understand the full range of America’s biological landscape and to the harness the full power of American innovation.”

“We cannot afford to stand by while China and other adversaries compile massive biological datasets intended to undermine our national and economic security. Our bill will leverage our natural resources as national strategic assets, a necessary step in ensuring the U.S. remains the global tech leader,” said Senator Young.

“Biological data from America’s vast public lands is a strategic national asset that must not only be secured, but made accessible to American innovators,” said Representative Bice. “The convergence of AI and biotech is transforming what we can do with biology, and it requires high-quality data. This act will safeguard our competitive edge unleashing growth across the biotechnology sector with the help of the plants, animals, and fungi that make up our incredible national landscape.”

“I’m proud to sponsor America’s Living Library Act of 2026 alongside Sens. Padilla and Young and Rep. Bice to help further our nation’s understanding of biology and our natural resources across America’s 85 million acres of national parks and enable future biotech breakthroughs in medicine, agriculture, and industrial production,” said Representative Khanna.

History has already shown the potential of biological data. In the 1960s, Indiana University microbiologist Thomas D. Brock studied microbes in Yellowstone’s hot springs, and that line of research later helped make Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) a reliable way to quickly copy DNA, a foundational technique that powers modern medical testing, forensics, and biological research.

The bipartisan, bicameral legislation stems from a recommendation within the NSCEB’s major report and action plan that encourages the collection of new data from U.S. public lands that researchers can use to drive innovation.

More specifically, the America’s Living Library Act would:

Establish a sampling, collection, and sequencing process that follows National Park Service and Department of the Interior standards;

Create opportunities for education and outreach related to science, biological data, and nature at the selected National Parks;

Create a public database to store genomic information gained through this effort, to include high-quality, standardized, AI-ready datasets;

Create collection and storage capacity for biological samples in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture and Smithsonian Institution;

Engage with a broad set of stakeholders to ensure public views and ideas are incorporated into program implementation; and

Establish or designate an existing office with the U.S. Geological Survey to carry out the America’s Living Library project.

Senators Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) cosponsored the legislation.

The America’s Living Library Act is supported by Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), Inari, Ginkgo Bioworks, Applied Research Institute (ARI), American Alliance for Biomanufacturing (AAB), SCSP Action Program, American Institute of Biological Sciences (AIBS), Natural Science Collections Alliance (NSCA), and American Society for Microbiology (ASM).

A summary of the legislation is available here.

Full text of the bill is available here.

As a Commissioner of the bipartisan NSCEB, Padilla introduced the bipartisan National Biotechnology Initiative Act of 2025 last year to outline a whole-of-government approach to advancing biotechnology for U.S. national security, economic productivity, and competitiveness. Last year, Padilla also introduced a bipartisan package of six bills focused on protecting America’s food security and agriculture supply chains by strengthening and streamlining biotechnology applications in domestic food manufacturing and farming.

The NSCEB was established by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 and charged with examining the critical intersection of emerging biotechnology and national security. To learn more about the NSCEB, click here.

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WATCH: Padilla, Colleagues, Immigration Advocates Demand the Release and Return of Detained and Deported DACA Recipients

Lawmakers were also joined by Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez, a Sacramento mother and DACA recipient who was recently deported

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Representative Delia C. Ramirez (D-Ill.-03) joined immigration advocates and experts from the Home is Here Campaign and a recently deported Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient from Sacramento to renew their urgent call for the passage of the Dream Act to provide a permanent pathway to citizenship. The press conference follows an alarming pattern of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detaining and deporting DACA recipients and immigrant youth.

The Senator’s remarks come after DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated — without any additional details — that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 261 DACA recipients and removed 86 individuals from the country between January 1, 2025 and November 19, 2025. This information from DHS came in response to a letter that Senators Padilla, Durbin, and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) led last September where they pressed Secretary Noem on the Trump Administration’s wrongful targeting of DACA recipients in its mass detention and deportation campaign. DACA recipients have legal protections against detention and deportation, and any attempt to remove these protections is unlawful.

“The United States government made a promise over 13 years ago: if young people who were brought to this country as children, who have known no other home, came forward out of the shadows, they would be protected from deportation,” said Senator Padilla. “But now, Donald Trump and Kristi Noem are breaking the government’s promise, indiscriminately and unlawfully sweeping up over 260 DACA recipients. DACA recipients like Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez — a Sacramento mother who was picked up by ICE at her green card appointment in front of her daughter, Damaris — are our friends, neighbors, and colleagues who have done everything right and are an integral part of our communities. They deserve better than to be targeted by Trump and Noem’s cruel mass deportation campaign.”

Padilla blasted ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for targeting people who “look” Latino, speak Spanish, or have an accent as they indiscriminately round up immigrants and citizens alike. Secretary Noem claimed that over 240 of the DACA recipients they detained had “criminal histories,” and President Trump claims DHS is targeting the “worst of the worst” violent criminals, but DHS’ own data shows that less than 14% of those arrested by ICE and CBP have previously been charged with or convicted of violent crimes.

Padilla was joined by Maria de Jesus Estrada Juarez, a DACA recipient and Sacramento mother who was recently deported despite her status. Ms. Estrada Juarez, who has lived in California for 27 years, was detained at her green card interview and deported within 24 hours despite being a DACA recipient with legal permission to remain in the United States. After meeting with Ms. Estrada Juarez’s daughter, Damaris, earlier this week, Padilla slammed President Trump for the cruelty of his mass deportation agenda and its devastating impact on families like Ms. Estrada Juarez’s.

The Administration has targeted not only DACA recipients, but U.S. citizens. Padilla highlighted the experience of Marimar Martinez, a U.S. citizen and resident of Chicago, Illinois who was shot five times by a CBP agent who then bragged about it to other agents. Padilla previously heard from Martinez at a bicameral spotlight forum focused on DHS officers and agents’ violent tactics and disproportionate use of force. He also joined Martinez at a press conference on Tuesday following a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing of Secretary Noem. Javier Ramirez — a U.S. citizen from California who was violently assaulted by DHS agents and held for four days, where he faced severe complications after being denied adequate treatment for diabetes — also joined the Tuesday press conference and previously told Padilla about his harsh treatment during another spotlight forum.

Video of Padilla’s full remarks can be watched here and can be downloaded here.

Video of the full virtual press conference can be downloaded here.

Senators Padilla, Durbin, and Kelly blasted DHS for wrongfully targeting and removing DACA recipients in a joint statement last week. Padilla previously took to the Senate floor to defend DACA recipients from DHS’ baseless claims and slam the Trump Administration’s push for DACA recipients to “self-deport.” He emphasized that these long-term residents — who were brought to the country as children — have been working, studying, and living legally in the United States since 2012 and are vital members of American communities.

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VIDEO: Peters Takes to Senate Floor to Speak Out Against Trump Administration War with Iran

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and member of the Armed Services Committee, took to the Senate floor to speak out against the Trump Administration’s war with Iran. Peters reiterated his opposition to the Trump Administration’s unilateral military operations by calling on the President to come to Congress and seek congressional approval, while urging his Republican colleagues to use their Constitutional authority and hold the Trump Administration accountable.

“It’s been days since this attack. But President Trump has yet to make clear to Congress, and more importantly to the American people, what exactly our objectives are here. What does victory look like?” said Senator Peters. “If Americans are going to send their sons and daughters into harm’s way across the world, they certainly deserve to know what is the President’s end goal and what is the exit strategy.”

“But unfortunately, my Republican colleagues just continue to act as a rubber stamp.”

Peters also reiterated his support of the War Powers Act resolution before the Senate yesterday, which would have prevented the President from continuing military actions against Iran without congressional authorization. The resolution does not prevent the U.S. from defending itself from an Iranian attack.

“The American people deserve answers, and our servicemembers deserve real leadership. That’s why I’ll be voting yes on the resolution before us today,” Senator Peters said. “I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it because it’s past time for this administration to show the American people a real plan. It’s past time for Congress to start acting like a co-equal branch of government. We need to exercise the checks and balances that our Constitution expects from us.”

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

During the speech, Peters paid respect to the American servicemembers killed in action or injured as a result of the U.S. military operation and highlighted that thousands more servicemembers in the region are now at risk of retaliation by Iran.

“Since President Trump’s reckless decision to escalate this conflict, at least six American servicemembers have been killed in service to their country, and many more have been injured,” said Senator Peters. “My heart goes out to their families and loved ones, and I will be forever grateful for their service and sacrifice.”

Peters, who served in the U.S. Navy Reserve, also highlighted the risk that continued escalation poses to American servicemembers serving in the region.

“During my time as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve, I served in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. Places where, right now, our servicemembers are at heightened risk because of this operation. My thoughts and prayers are with these brave servicemembers and the nearly 40,000 U.S. troops serving within range of Iranian missiles, and a situation on the ground that is rapidly changing,” said Peters.

Peters has repeatedly spoken out against the President risking American lives by dragging the United States into another war in the Middle East, without Congress’ approval.

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Reed Says Noem’s Removal from DHS ‘Overdue’ but Real Reform Still Needed

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, after President Donald Trump announced via social media that he is removing Kristi Noem from U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) leadership and transferring her to a yet-to-be-defined ‘special envoy’ role at an organization called the Shield of the Americas, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) said her removal was overdue and her toxic leadership at DHS is reflected throughout the agency, which is rife with mismanagement under the leadership of Noem and her ‘special adviser,’ Corey Lewandowski, who served as Trump’s campaign manager in 2016.

Earlier this year, the Wall Street Journal reported a series of shocking details and allegations of severe chaos and dysfunction inside Trump’s Department of Homeland Security, with multiple sources complaining about Noem and Lewandowski.

Today, Senator Reed stated: “Secretary Noem’s tenure at DHS was a trainwreck marked by mismanagement and misuse of taxpayer resources. Her departure from DHS is overdue, but it doesn’t solve the deeper problems at Trump’s DHS, particularly at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which continues to aggressively trample on the rights of all Americans. Unfortunately, Secretary Noem’s transfer to another government job signals the Trump Administration is not committed to real reform and accountability. The Trump Administration has shifted DHS away from its core national security and disaster recovery mission. These underlying issues cannot be resolved with a cabinet reshuffle. There needs to be meaningful policy, not just personnel changes, at DHS. It is time to rein in ICE and enact the commonsense reforms Democrats have been insisting on.”

Reed was one of 34 U.S. Senators to vote against Kristi Noem’s nomination to lead DHS.


VIDEO: Ricketts Honors Noah Tietjens, Highlights Efforts to Strengthen the Good Life

WASHINGTON, D.C.– This week, during his weekly press call with Nebraska media, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE)commemorated Sgt. First Clast Noah Tietjens. Ricketts subsequently discussed a local restaurant roundtable he hosted last week at La Casa Pizzeria in Omaha. During the event, he shared tax benefits from the Working Families Tax Cuts with the workers who will benefit from it most.

“Susanne and I mourn the death of Nebraska hero Noah Tietjens,” began Ricketts. “Noah died in Kuwait this weekend during Operation Epic Fury. My prayers are with the Tietjens family as they mourn the loss of their heroic son. May we always remember and honor the sacrifices made by Noah Tietjens and the Tietjens family.”

“Last week, I heard from Nebraska restaurant owners, franchisees, and a hotel manager at a luncheon in Omaha. They all told me how the Working Families Tax Cuts will benefit their small businesses and help their workers. We’re strengthening our local businesses,” said Ricketts. “We’re giving hard-working Nebraskans back more of their hard-earned money. Nebraska is the best place in the world to work, live, and raise a family. Thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, it’s going to get even better.”

Watch the video here.

TRANSCRIPT:

Senator Ricketts: “First, Nebraska got heartbreaking news yesterday.

“Susanne and I mourn the death of Nebraska hero Noah Tietjens.

“Noah died in Kuwait this weekend during Operation Epic Fury.

“My prayers are with the Tietjens family as they mourn the loss of their heroic son.

“May we always remember and honor the sacrifices made by Noah Tietjens and the Tietjens family.

“We’re in the middle of tax season.

“This tax season, I’ve been traveling our state with goodnews.

“Nebraskans are likely to see more money in their pockets this year.

“Two weeks ago, I shared this with ag leaders at a roundtable in Hastings.

“Last week, I heard from Nebraska restaurant owners, franchisees, andahotel manager at aluncheonin Omaha.

“They all told me how the Working Families Tax Cuts will benefit their smallbusinesses andhelp theirworkers.

“We’re strengthening our local businesses.

“We’regiving hard-working Nebraskansbackmoreoftheirhard-earnedmoney.

“Nebraska is the best place in the world to work, live, and raise a family.

“Thanks to the WorkingFamilies Tax Cuts, it’s going to get even better.

“I was home in Omaha last Friday and hosted an event at a local pizzeria.

“It focused on provisions from the Working Families Tax Cuts that will benefit families and restaurant workers.

“We are strengthening the Good Life with no tax on tips and no tax on overtime.

“We’reproviding taxcuts for families and incentives for businesses to invest intheirworkers.

“I washappy to share this good news with the people who will benefit from it most.

“The Working Families Tax Cuts also removes taxes on tips, up to $25,000 per year.

Tips are earned—not given.

“These savings will bring meaningful relief for hard-working servers, bartenders, and workers who depend on gratuities at that establishment and countless others across the state.

“The Working Families Tax Cuts also eliminates taxes on overtime pay, up to $12,500.

“This supportsall ofthe jobs that keep Nebraskansand our country safe and running.

“Some jobs require workers to give a little moreandrequire extra hours.

“One restaurant manager told me of a waitress whose wages were incorrectly reported.

“Her W-2 reported some overtime pay as regular pay.

“When this was corrected, shereceived an extra $1,500 in her tax returns because of the no tax on overtime provision.

“That’s more money to buygroceries and gas.

“That’sa monthly house payment.

“That’s meaningful.

“The Working Families Tax Cuts also benefits restaurants and small businesses.

“It encourages them to invest in their workers.

“Thanks to full, immediate expensing on capital equipment, years of deferred maintenance is now affordable for mom-and-pop businesses.

“Another restaurant ownerdescribed how he was able to afford deferred maintenance because of the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“These are necessary expensesandhe nolongerhad toput off.

“He just couldn’t afford it before.

“Nowit was affordable, thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“Best of all, these businessesknowthat their workers keep more of their income.

“Bureaucratic government will take less from hard-working Nebraskans, keeping more money in our communities.

“Across the nation, we have seen an individual income tax reduction of over $125 billion.

“This tax season will be better for hard-working Nebraskans.

“Restaurants and theirworkers will be better off.

“All Nebraskans will be strengthened.

“The Working Families Tax Cuts have delivered for Nebraska.“I’ll keep fighting to protect the Good Life.“


VIDEO: Ricketts on Philippines: One of the Most Consequential Diplomatic Assignments in the Indo Pacific

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) chaired a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing where he discussed the importance of the U.S.-Philippines alliance and the importance of countering Communist China’s malicious behavior.

“The Ambassador to the Philippines is one of the most consequential diplomatic assignments in the Indo Pacific,” said Ricketts. “The Philippines is our oldest treaty ally in the region. This year represents the 75th anniversary of our Mutual Defense Treaty, which has helped anchor stability in the region.”

“In recent years, that relationship has undergone a historic transformation,” said Ricketts. “Enhanced defense cooperation, expanded access to strategic sites, joint maritime patrols, and a growing interoperability are now a central pillar of our mutual deterrence in the West Philippine Sea. However, Communist China continues its illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities within the Philippines, especially within their exclusive economic zone.”

“The next ambassador must therefore do more than just maintain the status quo,” concluded Ricketts. “This role requires strengthening deterrence, deepening defense coordination and enhancing resilience. It also requires expanding our economic relationship beyond traditional trade flows. This includes prioritizing high-tech sectors and supply chain security, boosting US investment in semiconductors and infrastructure, and advancing cooperation in critical minerals.”

Watch the video HERE


Sen. Rick Scott Visits eSmart Recycling in Tampa, Highlights How Good-Paying Jobs and Strong Businesses Power the American Dream

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott released the fourth episode of his ‘American Dream at Work’ series, where he sits down with Tony Selvaggio, owner and founder of eSmart Recycling in Tampa, Florida. Senator Scott toured the facility and sat down with Tony to discuss how a good-paying job is essential to living the American Dream, and how government too often doesn’t understand the complexity of the problems Americans and business owners face. Tony shared how the best thing government can do is get out of the way and let the free-market work to empower businesses and business owners to innovate, solve problems, and help those in their communities live their American Dreams.

As part of his ‘American Dream at Work’ series, Senator Scott is traveling the state to highlight Florida’s entrepreneurs, their businesses, and the incredible work they’re doing to grow jobs and contribute to their communities. Senator Scott lived his American Dream – from growing up in public housing, to starting a family, building businesses, being elected Governor of Florida, and U.S. Senator – he continues working tirelessly to ensure every American has the same opportunity to live their American Dream.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Tony Selvaggio’s story, and the stories of so many Floridians like him, remind us why the American Dream is worth fighting for. As someone who immigrated here from Venezuela and became a U.S. citizen, Tony shared with me just how special the United States is, and how lucky we are to have the freedoms and opportunities that Washington politicians take for granted. In Washington, too many politicians see big government as the answer to every problem. But Tony and I know better. We know that it’s businesses, families, and people on the ground who are best at solving the complex issues in their communities. By getting big government out of the way, reining in federal spending, cutting taxes, and empowering business owners like Tony, we can Make Washington Work Better for all Floridians who are working to live their American Dream and help those around them do the same.”

Watch the fourth episode, featuring Tony Selvaggio HERE or below:

Watch episode one with Jon Taffer HERE, episode two with Fernando Mendoza, the owner and founder of Nando Grill, HERE, and episode three with Naples Lumber’s Ron Labbe, HERE.

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Rounds Accepting Summer 2026 Internship Applications

PIERRE – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) is currently accepting applications from college students to serve as interns during the summer 2026 semester. Positions are available in the Washington, D.C. office and the state offices in Rapid City and Sioux Falls.

“Our internship program is an incredible opportunity for students to experience a deeper understanding of the political process,” said Rounds. “Interns are crucial to our office operations both in South Dakota and in D.C. The program is open to students from all areas of discipline, not just political science. I encourage college students interested in serving the state of South Dakota to apply for the upcoming summer internship.”

Students will work closely with constituents and staff, polish their research and writing skills and gain an in-depth understanding of a Senate office. Summer internships typically run from May to August, but dates can be tailored to specific schedules. Interns will receive a stipend, and the office works closely with all universities to meet the criteria necessary for interns to receive college credit.

Duties in Rounds’ Washington, D.C. office include tracking legislation, researching bills, attending committee hearings and briefings, leading tours of the U.S. Capitol, answering constituent phone calls, sorting mail and providing legislative support. Duties in the South Dakota offices include researching constituent inquiries and requests, attending outreach activities, assisting staff on special projects, sorting mail and answering phone calls. Internships can also be tailored to an intern’s specific interest areas when possible.

Interested students can apply at https://www.rounds.senate.gov/internships. The application deadline is March 15, 2026. For more information, please contact Rounds’ Pierre office at 605-224-1450.

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Hawai‘i To Receive More Than $13 Million To Improve Waiānuenue Avenue Bridge In Hilo, Protect It From Flooding, Natural Disasters

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) today announced that the State of Hawai‘i will receive $13.4 million in new federal funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to modernize the Waianuenue Avenue Bridge and protect it from flooding and earthquakes. The new funding follows an initial $1.5 million in federal grant money secured in 2021.

“This new federal funding will modernize the Waianuenue Avenue Bridge, making it safer for local families to use and get where they need to go,” said Senator Schatz, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The modernized bridge will be designed to withstand earthquake forces and erosive forces of flood waters as established by current national standards. The $13 million grant is being funded through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides funding to state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments so they can rebuild in a way that reduces, or mitigates, future disaster losses in their communities.

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Leader Schumer Floor Remarks Urging Big Corporations To Pass Tariff Refunds To Consumers & Small Businesses

Washington, D.C. – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke on the Senate floor calling for the US Chamber of Commerce to tell its member companies to pass tariff refunds to their consumers, who bore the brunt of the tariffs. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:

Yesterday, a federal judge sent the Trump administration a very clear message: refund the tariffs. In the wake of the Supreme Court's ruling invalidating a large portion of the President's tariffs, the U.S. Court of International Trade in New York said yesterday that importers are entitled to refunds. But let's be very clear, the people who deserve a refund from Donald Trump's trade war are American households and small businesses, not large corporations. When the tariffs hit, large companies often pass the buck over to their customers. They’re the ones who are owed a refund.

So today, with Senator Wyden, I'm calling on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to tell their members to pass savings of any tariff refunds to American consumers. If any refunds happen, large companies should not keep them but rather pass them back to consumers. It’s simple fairness that the financial burden borne by small businesses and working people should not become a windfall for large corporations’ balance sheets.

American consumers and small business didn't choose this trade war and therefore should not have to pay for this trade war. They are owed a refund. They need to be made whole. I am glad that some companies have already announced that they will pass any refunds over to customers, and I urge the Chamber of Commerce to push more of their members to do the same.

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SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND, MORELLE DEMAND ANSWERS & FOR PUBLIC TO BE HEARD OVER PROPOSED BORDER PATROL DETENTION CENTER IN DOWNTOWN ROCHESTER

Last Week Revealed Border Patrol Plans A Detention Center In Rochester Downtown Federal Building, Potentially Disrupting Critical Services, A Daycare, & Federal Court The Community Relies On

Rochester Residents & Local Leaders Already Oppose This Plan, And Lawmakers Say It’s Unacceptable & Blast The Lack Of Transparency – Now They Are Demanding Answers, And That The Public To Be Allowed To Make Their Voices Heard And Stop This Plan From Advancing

Schumer, Gillibrand, Morelle: Keep CBP Out Of Keating Fed Building

After plans to build a detention center inside Rochester’s Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building were revealed, U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and U.S. Congressman Joe Morelle today demanded U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) halt their plans to build a detention center in downtown Rochester. The representatives blasted the lack of transparency by the federal agencies, demanding urgent answers, and a formal process to allow the public to make their voices heard.

“The lack of transparency from the Trump administration’s Customs and Border Protection on what they are doing in Rochester to set up a detention facility right smack in the middle of a busy and vital Keating federal building downtown is unacceptable. No communication, no public comment period, and local leaders can’t even get basic details on their plans. We need answers now, no more secrecy. Putting a Border Patrol detention center in a downtown office building with a large federal courthouse, a daycare, and so many other vital services is inappropriate and virtually unprecedented,” said Senator Schumer. “The Rochester community deserves to have its voice heard. Rochester deserves transparency, answers, and a real public comment period. We remain united in our opposition, and this shows you exactly why this DHS must be reined in.”

“We are unequivocally opposed to ICE or Border Patrol installing detention cells in downtown Rochester, steps from a daycare and surrounded by homes and businesses,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “Donald Trump has a pattern of creating and escalating combustible situations and then forcing communities to deal with the fallout, and Rochester will not be treated as a staging ground for this administration’s reckless political agenda.”

Senator Gillibrand said, “U.S. Customs and Border Protection must withdraw their plans to relocate into the Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building in Rochester. Reports indicate that CBP intends to run 24/7 detention operations and construct holding cells at the facility, in a stark departure from federal courthouse operational norms. This action is deeply disturbing and must be reversed for the sake of all Rochester residents and officials who have raised their voices loudly in opposition to this misguided effort. Federal agencies have an obligation to ensure that major decisions are made carefully and responsibly. My constituents and area stakeholders have expressed grave concern about conditions in DHS’ immigration detention facilities and the inability of the agency to properly care for those in its custody. We need answers. New Yorkers deserve transparency and accountability from the institutions involved.”

The lawmakers explained that building a detention center would disrupt the day-to-day operations of other federal offices in the building and the Western District of New York Federal Courts. The lawmakers emphasized opposition to this plan from the local residents and officials, legal community, and more, and demanded clarity and transparency from the Trump administration.

A copy of the lawmakers’ letter to the Commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Acting Administrator of the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) can be found HERE or below:

Dear Mr. Scott and Mr. Forst:

We write to express our strong opposition and demand you immediately reverse any effort to establish a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) detention center at the Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building in downtown Rochester, New York. This proposal raises serious concerns for the Rochester community, the federal judiciary, and the day-to-day operations of the building itself.

Numerous residents utilize the Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building every day for a variety of vital services. It’s a civic building that houses the Western District of New York Federal Courts, Social Security Administration Office of Hearings, U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office, congressional offices, and other federal offices, serving as a hub for judicial proceedings and public services for the community. It is also home to a daycare facility, providing essential, on-site childcare for working parents, and is located next door to a major hotel, public park, and 600-space municipal parking garage.

It is unacceptable that CBP and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) have planned and proceeded upon establishing this detention center without meaningfully consulting local officials, community members, or without addressing the concerns raised by the Federal Court. Decisions of this magnitude and impact should never be made in secrecy; rather, they require opportunity for full public review and input. It is deeply disappointing and disturbing that this course of action was not followed in this instance. In the span of just a few days, after details of this proposal were learned by the public, we have seen hundreds of community members protest in outrage at the lack of transparency and in fierce opposition to this plan.

On Friday, the GSA claimed that “The Court approved CBP’s occupancy as a compatible tenant five years ago in 2021.” This statement is inaccurate. In 2021, CBP said that it would only use temporary holding cells in the federal building, where individuals would be detained for just a few hours before being released. The plan being proposed now, however, calls for CBP to operate 24/7 detention facilities in the Keating Federal Building, with detainees being held for multiple unspecified periods of days and nights, and with detainees cycling through continuously to be held in cells.

This approach is a major departure from the representations CBP made in the 2021 Tenant Suitability Survey, which indicated that detainees would be held for only 1 to 3 hours before being released on their own recognizance. To say this arrangement is unusual would be an understatement — it is entirely inappropriate. We understand there is no other federal courthouse of Rochester’s size or with this many judges that also houses detention cells. What is being proposed at the Keating Federal Building in downtown Rochester would be a rare, and entirely unacceptable, exception to operational norms. In other words, combining a large federal courthouse with continuous detention operations is virtually unprecedented.

The vast majority of the people who would be held in these detention cells do not have any connection to the Western District of New York Federal Courts. They are not held under judicial warrants or oversight, not facing federal charges in this district, nor are they appearing before any judges housed in the Keating Federal Building. This lack of connection means there is no legitimate reason to co-locate detention operations within a federal courthouse, and doing so serves no judicial purpose as it relates to the Western District federal court.

Housing unrelated detainees in the same building as active court proceedings disrupts the functioning of the courthouse and introduces tension between unrelated federal operations, as well as with non-federal operations, including the childcare facility. It blurs the line between judicial functions and law enforcement detention, which are typically kept separate to ensure both public access to courts and the integrity of judicial proceedings.

It must be acknowledged that no one has ever lived in the federal building 24/7. And now, CBP is seeking to detain men, women, children, and families there. And because this would be a CBP facility, it would not be subject to the same strict detention standards that apply to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. That means basic necessities we take for granted—hygiene supplies, showers, full meals, and adequate medical care—would not be guaranteed.

We worry that those who would be detained there would be forced to live in a building designed for offices and courts, not for human habitation, with inadequate safeguards to protect their safety, dignity, and wellbeing.

Recent events under the Trump administration, such as the death of Nurul Amin Shah Alam, a 56-year-old nearly blind, non-English-speaking Rohingya refugee from Myanmar, make it painfully clear that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and CBP have profound operational challenges in ensuring the safety of those in its custody. Expanding DHS detention cells in the heart of downtown Rochester, is not only misguided but dangerous, and it is absolutely not supported by those who work in the building, the public which must regularly access this building, or the broader Rochester community.

Given the serious community concerns—and the fact that this process moved forward without public notice, a public process, or transparency— we request answers in writing to the following questions:

Please provide and make public detailed design plans for the entire proposed CBP leased space in the Keating Federal Building including the detention areas, including total square footage, layout, and the specific location of the detention cells within the building; as well as any and all other spaces that will be included in the CBP lease such as an 1,840 sq ft fitness center that CBP reportedly requested to be included solely for the use of CBP personnel.

Provide a detailed breakdown of the total cost and timeline to construct this new CBP facility, including all necessary security upgrades in and around the Keating Federal Building including the projected timeline, in weeks, for building out and completing the proposed space.

Provide a detailed breakdown of traffic studies and traffic modeling for State Street and Andrews Street and the associated area that have or will be conducted as part of this construction. Andrews St. is a major downtown city thoroughfare and one of only a few east-west connections that traverse the Genesee River between the City’s east and west sides. It is not unusual for vehicles to get “stacked up” behind each other on Andrews Street and impede traffic as they must queue up and wait for the slow-moving motorized entrance gates at the Keating Federal Building to open in order for each vehicle to enter one-by-one to eventually access the employee parking and loading dock areas.

How will the addition of CBP vehicles and personnel entering and exiting the Andrews Street motorized gates on a 24/7 basis exacerbate the likelihood of unsafe vehicle and pedestrian conditions along Andrews Street?

How will the construction and operation of the additional CBP facilities impact on the ability of employees and the public to access the building and the ability of parents dropping off and picking up their children from the daycare center?

Provide a detailed accounting of the local and regional jurisdictions, including the City of Rochester, County of Monroe, and local law enforcement agencies that have been included to date and entities that you intend to include as involved parties to provide input and public comment on the viability and safety of this facility to be constructed in downtown Rochester. Provide a breakdown of how this construction will adhere to zoning, traffic, safety, and other building requirements.

What CBP facilities and activities will be relocated from CBP’s current 5,500 sq ft “Rochester Station” headquarters and operational facility at 171 Pattonwood Drive to the new facility planned to be constructed at the Keating Federal Building. During and after the construction of the CBP Keating facility, what will be the disposition of the Rochester Station facility at 171 Pattonwood Drive?

How many detention holding cells do you plan to construct, how many people will be housed in each detention cell, and what is the intended duration of detention for individuals held there? Will these facilities be used to detain women, children, or pregnant individuals?

What services and standards of care will be provided to individuals held in these facilities, including access to hygiene supplies, showers, full meals, and adequate medical care? Please specify the applicable standards governing care and treatment.

Given the strong opposition by local leaders and the community, will you delay implementation of these plans to allow for a public comment period where Rochester residents can make their voices heard and concerns taken into account?

Let us be clear this is not how an agency should conduct operations in a community. We remain staunchly opposed to this plan and our constituents expect answers to these basic questions which should have already been made public. We ask that you provide written responses to this letter by no later than March 13, 2026.

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