At Hearing, Warren Slams State Department and DoD’s Failure To Evacuate Americans From Middle East

Warren: “Let's be clear, the Trump administration chose this war. They planned this war for months, and they made no plans to safeguard hundreds of thousands of Americans in the region. There is no excuse for this.”

Video of Exchange (YouTube)

Washington, D.C. — At a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pressed the United States Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) General Randall Reed on the Trump administration's handling of the war against Iran, highlighting the administration’s failure to evacuate Americans despite spending months preparing for a war against Iran.

After the United States and Israel attacked Iran, the Trump administration dissuaded Americans from turning to the U.S. government for help and sent mixed signals about its ability to provide support. While the State Department posted on March 3 that the government was “actively securing military aircraft and charter flights for American citizens who wish to leave the Middle East,” multiple reports indicated that Americans who called the State Department number initially received a voice message stating, “Please do not rely on the U.S. government for assisted departure or evacuation at this time. There are currently no United States evacuation points.”

“Let's be clear, the Trump administration chose this war,” said Senator Warren. “They planned this war for months, and they made no plans to safeguard hundreds of thousands of Americans in the region.”

TRANSCOM has previously supported emergency evacuations of American citizens. After war broke out in Lebanon in 2006, the State Department requested support from DoD within two days. TRANSCOM helped to organize sea and air travel to help get almost 15,000 American citizens out of the country and into safety.

Senator Warren questioned General Reed on whether TRANSCOM would help to evacuate Americans if requested by the Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. General Reed confirmed that TRANSCOM would provide evacuation support, telling the senator the Department of State made a request to TRANSCOM for assistance on February 28, and they have provided some assistance. However, yesterday, TRANSCOM claimed that the State Department had not asked for assistance to bring home American citizens who want to evacuate the region.

General Reed also mentioned that Central Command has responded to the State Department's request for airlift at specified locations. When asked about the number of people airlifted, General Reed estimated it to be in the hundreds, despite thousands of Americans still reportedly being stuck in the region, and claimed TRANSCOM is responding to tasks as they are received.

Last week, Senator Warren led the Massachusetts delegation in sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding an explanation into the Trump administration’s “complete failure” to evacuate U.S. citizens — including Massachusetts residents — from the Middle East following the administration’s starting a reckless war in Iran.

Senator Warren concluded the hearing by slamming the DoD’s lack of clarity over the evacuations in the Middle East and the ongoing challenges for Americans who have been left behind.

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Transcript: Hearings to examine the posture of United States European Command and United States Transportation Command in review of the Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2027 and the Future Years Defense Program.

Senate Armed Services Committee

March 12, 2026

Senator Elizabeth Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. On February 28, Donald Trump launched his war against Iran. By March 1, Iranian strikes had hit at least six surrounding countries, but all the Trump administration said to Americans in the region was “exercise caution.” On March 2, the State Department finally told Americans in over a dozen countries to evacuate but gave no real guidance on how to do that. As thousands of flights were canceled, the State Department initially told Americans to, quote, “not rely on the US government for assisted departure or evacuation.”

Let's be clear, the Trump administration chose this war. They planned this war for months, and they made no plans to safeguard hundreds of thousands of Americans in the region.

There is no excuse for this, and I just want to draw a comparison here. In 2006, the State Department requested support from DOD just two days into the war in Lebanon. TRANSCOM arranged ships, commercial charters, and military flights for nearly 15,000 Americans.

General Reed, let me ask you if the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense asked TRANSCOM for help to evacuate Americans. Would you provide that support?

General Randall Reed: Senator, I would.

Senator Warren: Thank you. General Reed, we're almost two weeks into this war. Have Secretary Rubio and the State Department made any requests for TRANSCOM to help evacuate Americans out of the Middle East?

General Reed: Senator, on the 28th of February, the Department of State made a request to my department for that, and we have provided some assistance.

Senator Warren: So you're saying they made that request back on February 28?

General Reed: Yes, Senator.

Senator Warren: So, when we called them yesterday, they said they had not asked you for assistance. Can you explain why that would be so?

General Reed: Senator, I cannot explain that.

Senator Warren: I just don't understand this. And you have been helping them all this time?

General Reed: Senator, what we have done is, through Central Command, have responded to the request for the State Department to provide airlift at locations that they have specified.

Senator Warren: And how much have you airlifted in this period of time? How many people?

General Reed: Senator, I'll have to get that number.

Senator Warren: Can you get me a rough idea?

General Reed: Senator, it's been in the hundreds.

Senator Warren: Hundreds, not in the thousands?

General Reed: That's correct, but I will say that as we continue to watch the situation, there have been other flights and other opportunities for American citizens to get out of the way. Some of that has been by ground transportation, and some of it has been by commercial charters by the State Department.

Senator Warren: Are you saying you're not doing more because you think that Americans who are in the region are currently being adequately served by commercial flights and private vehicles out of the region? Is that what you're saying?

General Reed: Senator, what I'm saying is we have responded to requests for specific tasks, in conjunction with the commercial flights and what TRANSCOM is providing. There are a number of ways to get our citizens out of harm's way.

Senator Warren: Okay, and what I'm trying to understand is why you're not doing more. Because I'm hearing from my constituents who are stranded there, who've been stranded there for two weeks, and they're asking for help, and they're not getting help from the US government, and you're telling me that you're not helping because you think they've got plenty of other ways to get out of the region? Or is it that Secretary Rubio is not asking you for that help? I just want to understand who bears responsibility here.

General Reed: Senator, it is the responsibility of all to care for the citizens that we have in harm's way, and as we receive tasking and the opportunities to do that, TRANSCOM is responding.

Senator Warren: Okay, so my constituents and other Americans who are trapped in the region are trapped there because Secretary Rubio is not asking you for help. Is that right? I just want to understand what's happening.

General Reed: We've been asked for help, and we're available to do that. And so as we are able and the conditions permit with CENTCOM, we are involved in all the coordination to meet our citizens where we can get to them and then transport them to safety.

Senator Warren: So, you have provided all the help you've been asked for, you just haven't been asked for more help. Is that right?

General Reed: Senator, we have been, we have been tasked, and we have responded to each of those tasks.

Senator Warren: Look, I understand military speak here, but I don't understand how it is that we could get 15,000 people evacuated shortly after the war in Lebanon, and now we've still got thousands, tens of thousands of people trapped in the region. And I'm not understanding what your answer is here, and I don't think the American people are either.

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ICYMI: CBO Director Confirms The Cost of Trump’s War in Iran Could Cover Health Care for Millions of Americans

Video of Exchange (YouTube)

Washington, D.C. — At a hearing of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) questioned the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on the financial implications of the Iran war.

On February 28, the United States and Israel attacked Iran, with President Trump calling for the overthrow of the Iranian government. President Trump initially stated that Iran operations would last “four weeks or less.” But subsequent briefings and statements have made it unclear just how long this war will last.

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the cost of just the first 100 hours of the U.S.’s attack in Iran is estimated to be $3.7 billion, or $889 million a day. Other experts estimate that war with Iran is costing $1 billion a day, with some Republicans hearing that the war is costing $2 billion a day. The Pentagon is reportedly planning to ask Congress for an additional $50 billion to fund the war with Iran, on top of a $1.5 trillion budget request.

Phillip L. Swagel, Director of the Congressional Budget Office, confirmed to the Senator the estimated cost of extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies for one year would be $30 billion. Compared to the Trump administration's $50 billion estimate for the Iran war, the U.S. could fund the ACA credits and still have $20 billion left. If the Iran war cost $1 billion per day, it would exhaust the $30 billion that could have been used to fund Americans' healthcare in one month.

“This war is costing American lives and a lot of money. Money that could instead be spent lowering costs like health care,” said the Senator.

Senator Warren concluded the hearing by emphasizing the financial waste of the ongoing conflict and the potential for significant cost savings by ending the bombing of Iran.

Transcript: Hearings to examine the fiscal outlook, 2027-2036.

Senate Finance Subcommittee on Fiscal Responsibility and Economic Growth

March 11, 2026

Senator Elizabeth Warren: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So, back in 2002, the Bush White House said that the war in Iraq would be, quote, “a cakewalk,” and estimated that its cost would be about $50 billion. Well, it wasn’t a cakewalk. And what did it cost? About $756 billion. And that doesn't even count the long-term costs of war, like caring for our injured service members and veterans.

Dr. Swagel, you are the director of the Congressional Budget Office, and Congress relies on your office to help us understand the financial costs of the policy decisions that we make. But CBO is in a difficult position of forecasting when there's a rapidly spiraling war of choice.

Dr. Swagel, President Trump plans to ask Congress for an extra $50 billion to fund his war with Iran. Can you definitively say that the war with Iran will cost only $50 billion?

Dr. Swagel: No, I can't, and we don't know the duration or the scope. We will find out as much information as we can, but we can't say that right now.

Senator Warren: Yeah, interesting that it would be the same number that the Bush administration picked, only to have it turn out to be more than $750 billion. Now, this war is costing American lives and a lot of money. Money that could instead be spent lowering costs like health care.

Dr. Swagel, based on the CBO's previous estimates, how much would it cost to extend the ACA’s enhanced premium tax credits for just one year?

Dr. Swagel: For one year, our last estimate was around $30 billion.

Senator Warren: $30 billion. So, let's do a little math here. The Trump administration says this war will cost $50 billion. That means that we could help all of the people who are getting pushed off of their health care or whose health care costs are rising enormously and still have an additional $20 billion left over. Is my math right on that?

Dr. Swagel: That math is correct, yes.

Senator Warren: That math is correct. Okay, now some estimates say that Trump's war with Iran costs roughly a billion dollars a day. If that is right, how long until we've blown through the money that we could have spent to support the ACA’s enhanced premium credits this year?

Mr. Swagel: The math, again, is 30 days.

Senator Warren: One month.

Mr. Swagel: Yep. I was going to say the $1 billion figure I've seen also, we just, we don't have that, but it's a figure I've seen as well.

Senator Warren: That's right, and one that the administration has certainly not walked away from, have they?

Mr. Swagel: I haven't seen that, no.

Senator Warren: Look, all of us want to make sure that our troops have whatever they need to be safe. But we know right now that the Department of Defense is swimming in money, and we also know that there is no guarantee that Trump will end his illegal war any time soon or that he won't be coming back for more money over and over for this. You know, it seems to me that when we're talking about money here, that the way that we can save the most money would be to stop bombing Iran now, and just as a side benefit, we could also save a lot of lives. Thank you.

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Warren Presses Amazon CEO on Shady Tactics Used to Overcharge School Districts, Local Governments, American Taxpayers

New investigation reveals Amazon Business charging some consumers up to three times as much for identical products

Amazon uses opaque pricing algorithms, dynamic pricing, misleading contracts

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wrote to Amazon CEO Andy Jassy with concerns over the company’s use of opaque algorithms and misleading contracts to overcharge schools, local governments, and taxpayers for essential goods. A recent analysis by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) revealed that Amazon Business, the company’s marketplace for sales to businesses and the public sector, has been sidestepping traditional procurement processes, in cahoots with private equity firm OMNIA Partners.

“The net result…is to drive up costs for local schools, local governments, and taxpayers – while strengthening Amazon’s grip on the public procurement market and running local businesses into the ground,” wrote Senator Warren. “Small and mid-sized businesses that supply schools, cities, and other public institutions are disappearing, taking with them local jobs and tax revenue.”

A December report found that schools and local governments that procure supplies from Amazon are “routinely paying more than they should” for essential goods. While the traditional procurement process relies on competitive bidding, Amazon’s group purchasing contracts sidestep this process, and often overcharge government buyers. Amazon has won multiple group purchasing contracts from OMNIA Partners, a large private-equity-backed company.

“Because OMNIA takes a cut of every group purchasing contract, both OMNIA and Amazon have an incentive to exploit their market power to overcharge public-sector buyers,” wrote Senator Warren. Amazon markets these contracts as competitively bid agreements and consistently boasts that its platform helps buyers to save money and strengthen local business in the process. But in reality, these contract proposals are not competitive and are structured so that only Amazon can meet the criteria. And after “winning” these contracts, Amazon routinely overcharges government buyers.

Amazon Business's ability to overcharge buyers is largely facilitated by its algorithm-driven pricing, which forces school districts and local governments to pay ever-changing, often inflated costs. For example, one city purchased a 12-pack of Sharpie markers for $8.99 while a nearby school district purchased the same product for $28.63 — three times as much.

Amazon also appears to be using its market dominance and its pricing algorithms to inflate prices across the Internet. An antitrust complaint brought by the FTC and 17 states alleges that Amazon constantly crawls the web and automatically responds to prices set by both third-party sellers on Amazon and competing online retailers. As the report notes, a dominant firm with a superior algorithm can “instantly undercut any discount offered by a competitor, teaching rivals that lowering prices won’t win them more market share” and pushing up prices for consumers overall.

Amazon’s growing dominance over the public procurement market is also undermining local businesses that have traditionally supplied school districts and local governments. ILSR found that “Amazon is driving out independent suppliers that offer lower prices and better services,” thereby “draining local economies” of jobs and tax revenue and “stifling competition.”

Senator Warren asked Mr. Jassy to provide detailed explanations regarding Amazon’s pricing strategies and algorithms, its procurement contracts, and its impact on local small businesses by no later than March 25, 2026.

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Sanders, Welch, Balint Statement on Recent ICE Raids in South Burlington

BURLINGTON, VT – The Vermont Congressional Delegation, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and U.S. Representative Becca Balint (D-Vt.), today released the following statement regarding the recent ICE raids in South Burlington:

“President Trump’s domestic army, ICE, came into Vermont yesterday from out of state and, as is virtually always the case, acted in an irresponsible, reckless and unprofessional manner.

“What happened yesterday in South Burlington was outrageous and avoidable. Rather than notifying local and state law enforcement of a planned arrest, ICE created a crisis that resulted in them using flashbang grenades and tear gas against protestors. To make matters worse, they failed to arrest the person they were initially pursuing and instead arrested at least three individuals who were not named on the warrant.

“As a result of the reckless actions of ICE, local and state police were put in an impossibly difficult situation.

“At a time when our country is deeply divided, this is not the way a federal agency should be conducting itself. It is long past time for Congress to take action to rein in ICE’s lawlessness.”

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Welch, Jacobs Introduce Bicameral Bill Demanding Accountability for Hind Rajab, Palestinian Child Killed by Israeli Forces

Hind is honored in Oscar-nominated film, “The Voice of Hind Rajab”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and U.S. Representative Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51) today led Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Reps. Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07) in introducing the Justice for Hind Rajab Act, legislation that requires the U.S. government to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the killing of five-year-old Palestinian child Hind Rajab, her family, and paramedics sent to rescue her. The legislation would require the Trump Administration to provide comprehensive answers on the death of Hind and broader patterns of civilian harm in Gaza.

Hind’s tragic story was the inspiration for a new docudrama film, titled “The Voice of Hind Rajab.” The film follows Red Crescent volunteers as they attempt to rescue Hind and her family and was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best International Feature Film category. The Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026.

“Hind Rajab, her family, and the paramedics who tried to save them, should be alive today. This was not a ‘fog of war’ situation. There wasn’t any reason for the IDF to believe Hind and her family–who were trying to escape the fighting in Gaza–posed a threat,” said Senator Welch. “We need answers and accountability for the deaths of Hind, her family, and the paramedics who came to their rescue.”

“Five-year-old Hind should still be alive today. She was a beautiful and brave little girl with her whole life ahead of her. I was horrified by reports of the Israeli Defense Forces firing over 300 bullets at her and her family while they were simply trying to escape Gaza. No child should have to face that kind of terror, and no family should have to carry that kind of loss. That’s why I’m incredibly proud to partner with Senator Welch to deliver justice and accountability for Hind Rajab’s murder and all the civilian harm in Gaza. Hind’s story is a devastating reminder of the daily reality faced by Palestinians – and we won’t rest until they have safety, security, and peace,” said Rep. Jacobs.

“Hind Rajab deserves justice, as do the thousands of Palestinian children killed by Israeli forces during the war in Gaza,” said Rep. Castro. “Hind’s heartbreaking cries for help and the terror she felt during her last moments have been heard across the world. No family or child should experience this horrifying brutality and loss. It is unacceptable that no Israeli soldiers have been held accountable for her deaths, or for the deaths of so many thousands of other Palestinian children during this war. I stand with my colleagues and demand an investigation into her murder and justice for her death.”

“Today we honor the life of Hind Rajab, one of the tens of thousands of Palestinian children indiscriminately killed by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza,” said Rep. Jayapal. “This legislation importantly demands an investigation into her killing so we can finally begin to bring about accountability for the countless war crimes the U.S. has been complicit in inside Gaza.”

On January 29, 2024, five-year-old Palestinian child Hind Rajab, along with six members of her extended family, were killed by machine gun fire from an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) tank while she and her family fleeing fighting and famine in Gaza City. Investigations found a total of 355 bullet holes in Hind’s car. Two paramedics attempting to rescue Hind in an ambulance—along an IDF-approved route—were also killed by Israeli tank fire as they approached the car.

The incident, which was extensively documented and has drawn international attention, has become emblematic of the devastating toll of the Gaza war on civilians, particularly children. Hind is just one of more than at least 20,000 children killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023—the highest rate of children to combatants killed in any contemporary conflict. Despite a tenuous ceasefire, Gaza’s civilians and children have continued to be killed in military operations and airstrikes.

The Justice for Hind Rajab Act would:

Present Congressional findings on the attack that killed Hind Rajab and broader patterns of civilian harm in Gaza to reassert the United States’ commitment to the Geneva Conventions and the prosecution of war crimes;

Require a report from the State Department on all U.S. and Israeli efforts to investigate and hold accountable individuals linked to the attacks, and to comply with U.S. prohibitions on assistance to foreign security units credibly implicated in gross violations of human rights; and

Require certifications by the Secretary of State and Attorney General regarding compliance with U.S. war crimes laws, including a commitment to investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute individuals responsible for the attack on Hind, her family, and the paramedics who responded to the scene.

Learn more about the Justice for Hind Rajab Act.

Read and download the full text of the bill.

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Welch Joins 45 Senators in Pressing DOD Secretary Hegseth for Answers on the School Bombing and Civilian Casualties in Iran

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and 40 Senate colleagues in demanding that the Department of Defense (DOD) provide answers to the American people on the airstrikes on a school in Minab, Iran, and civilian casualties in the Trump Administration’s war on Iran, as well as accountability for those responsible. In their letter to DOD Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Senators demanded acknowledgment and accountability regarding the airstrike on a girls’ elementary school that reportedly killed at least 168 people—mostly children—in Minab, Iran, during the opening salvo of U.S. and Israeli operations on Iran on February 28.

As of March 10, 2026, there have been over 1,245 civilians killed and over 12,000 civilians injured in the war, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). More than 2,000 bombs were dropped on Iran in the first four days of the campaign. There have also been reports of airstrikes hitting hospitals, cultural heritage sites, and other critical civilian infrastructure. This includes the use of explosive weapons in major Iranian cities and populated areas, including the capital, Tehran, which is home to approximately nine million people.

“To be clear, the war against Iran is a war of choice without Congressional authorization. Nonetheless, as these military actions continue, the United States and Israel must abide by U.S. and international law, including the law of armed conflict. There must be a swift investigation into the strikes on this school and any other potential U.S. military actions causing civilian harm, and the findings must be released to the public as soon as possible, along with any measures to pursue accountability,” wrote the Senators. “The results of this school attack are horrific. The majority of those killed in the strikes were girls between the ages of 7 and 12 years old. Neither the United States nor the Israeli Government has yet taken responsibility for this attack.”

The Senators continued: “Massive civilian casualty incidents like the attack in Minab are not only detrimental to the Iranian people, who have already suffered so much at the hands of its own government, but they also undermine U.S. national security interests. These concerns are compounded by the reported use of artificial intelligence tools to select and prioritize targets in Iran. These civilian harm events are not taking place in a vacuum. As Secretary of Defense, you set the tone for U.S. military conduct, and your recent comments send a clear message of disregard for the laws of war.”

The Senators emphasized how Secretary Hegseth’s rhetoric about the attack only serves to endanger civilians, including American citizens, in the region and around the globe: “On March 3, you said that Operation Epic Fury would have ‘no stupid rules of engagement.’ On March 4, you said while describing U.S. military operations in Iran that there will be ‘death and destruction from the sky all day long.’…Your comments reflect a broader pattern of policies abandoning the Defense Department’s commitment to minimizing civilian harm in U.S. military operations.”

The Senators concluded that Secretary Hegseth’s actions to undermine accountability at DOD, combined with his comments and the horrific reports of civilian casualties stemming from the war against Iran, suggest the Trump Administration has abandoned its duty to protect civilians: “Under this administration, budgetary and personnel cuts at the Department have robbed military commands of crucial resources to prevent and respond to civilian casualties, including at U.S. Central Command and the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, which supports commands in this work and was codified into law with bipartisan congressional support. You have also removed senior, nonpartisan Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers who provide essential legal guidance to U.S. service members, particularly regarding compliance with the law of armed conflict and U.S. policies aimed at reducing civilian harm. These actions, combined with your comments and the horrific reports of civilian casualties stemming from the war against Iran, suggest the administration has abandoned its duty to protect civilians.”

The Senators requested answers to the following questions regarding the February 28 attack on the elementary school no later than March 18, 2026:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Senators Welch, Van Hollen, Kaine, Warren, Schatz, and Schumer were joined in sending this letter by Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Catherine Cortez Mastro (D-Nev.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Angus King (I-Maine).

Read and download the Senators’ full letter to DOD Secretary Hegseth.

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Reed, Whitehouse Seek to Make It Easier for RIers to do Their Taxes & Reverse Trump’s Cancellation of Direct File

RI’s U.S. Senators seek to ensure free, reliable tax filing option is available for those who need it & are backing the Direct File Act to reverse Trump’s decision to cancel the time and money saving Direct File program

WASHINGTON, DC – Noting that it will cost many Americans more money to file their taxes under the Trump Administration, U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse have teamed up with their Senate colleagues to introduce the Direct File Act (S.3948). This legislation would reverse the Trump Administration’s decision to end the highly successful Direct File program.

Direct File is the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) popular, in-house tax filing software program. During the previous two years it allowed eligible taxpayers to file their taxes online, for free, and directly with the government. But after significant lobbying from big, commercial tax-preparation companies, the Trump Administration axed the Direct File program after the 2025 tax season.

The Direct File Act would restart the Direct File program and make it permanent so that every year Americans have a free, reliable, hassle-free way to file their taxes. The legislation would also allow state tax systems wishing to participate to integrate seamlessly with Direct File and reduce tax fraud by allowing the IRS to verify third-party income information before issuing refunds.

“The federal government needs to simplify the tax code, target tax breaks to working people, and make it easier for people to file their taxes and access their refunds. Direct File was popular because it saved people time and money. Unfortunately, President Trump sided with special interests. He is making it harder and more expensive for many Americans to pay their taxes this year. President Trump needlessly ended the effective Direct File program,” said Senator Reed. “The Direct File Act would bring back this free, easy option for filing taxes, reducing the chance of tax errors and lowering tax prep costs for working families. And it would not prevent taxpayers who prefer to use private-sector tax preparation services from filing with accountants or other online platforms. But by modernizing IRS services, it would save taxpayers money in the long run.”

“It’s no surprise that President Trump wants to make families pay private companies to file their taxes,” said Senator Whitehouse. “Our legislation would modernize IRS services and guarantee the return of free, in-house tax assistance so families can get back to enjoying their full, hard-earned refunds.”

The average American taxpayer spends eight hours and $160 each year filing their taxes with tax prep companies, according to the office of U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), the Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Committee and the lead sponsor of the bill.

In 2024, IRS launched Direct File to save families time and money. Nearly 300,000 taxpayers used it last year, with 94 percent of users described their experience as “excellent” or “above average.” If fully implemented, Direct File could save taxpayers nationwide an estimated $23 billion annually in fees, time, and tax credits.

However, the Trump Administration decided to terminate Direct File, contradicting recommendations from the independent Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. By ending this program, the Trump Administration raises costs for many Americans and makes the tax filing experience even more challenging.

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

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

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

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

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

In addition to Warren, Reed, and Whitehouse, 37 other U.S. Senators cosponsored the legislation, including: Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM.), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Peter Welch (D-VT).

The bill is endorsed by 115 unions, advocacy groups, and national organizations, including the AFL-CIO, Public Citizen, and Americans for Tax Fairness.

The deadline to file state and federal income tax returns on time is Wednesday, April 15.

For more tax information, or to get an update on the status of your refund, visit the IRS official website: https://www.irs.gov.

Other options for free tax assistance:

The Rhode Island Department of Revenue Division of Taxation is a resource for Rhode Islanders who have questions about their taxes.

IRS Free File

For those who earn $89,000 or less per year, IRS Free File offers free guided tax preparation. It allows users to choose from eight IRS partners: 1040Now, 1040.com, ezTaxReturn.com, FileYourTaxes.com, OnLine Taxes, TaxAct, FreeTaxUSA, and TaxSlayer.

To use Free File, visit: https://www.irs.gov/e-file-do-your-taxes-for-free

The page also offers Free File Fillable Forms for taxpayers “who are comfortable preparing their own taxes using IRS forms and instructions.”

United Way of Rhode Island & Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program

Rhode Islanders who earn less than $69,000 and need assistance with their taxes may contact the United Way of Rhode Island at: 2-1-1. Individuals who need help filing their paperwork may also call the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) line at: 1-800-906-9887.

The VITA program is managed by the IRS, but operated by IRS partners and staffed with volunteers. It offers free tax assistance for people who need help preparing their own tax returns who generally make $60,000 or less, people with disabilities, and taxpayers with limited English language proficiency. There are over two dozen VITA sites across the state.

Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) & The AARP Tax Aide Program

The TCE program offers free tax help for those who are 60 years or older. This service, which is also operated at several VITA sites around the state, specializes in providing information around pensions and retirement-related issues.

Trained AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers can provide in-person tax assistance free of charge, with a focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income. There are dozens of AARP tax assistance sites available across Rhode Island and help is available through walk-in and appointment options. Many sites require appointments, so check before you go to ensure service availability and note that taxpayers with complex returns may be advised to seek paid assistance. Last tax season, more than 28,300 AARP volunteers nationwide helped over 1.7 million taxpayers secure more than $1.3 billion in refunds and credits. Older adults with low income saved $578 million with the help of Tax-Aide. The program is offered in conjunction with the IRS and no AARP membership is required to participate.

To find the Tax-Aide location nearest you go to: https://www.aarp.info/TaxAideLocator

Beware of scams: The IRS will never contact taxpayers by email, text message, or social media channels to request personal or financial information. The IRS will also never call someone and demand immediate payment without first offering taxpayers the chance to appeal or question the amount owed.

A nation-wide text message scam continues to target Rhode Islanders. Texts claiming to be from the Rhode Island Division of Taxation are not legitimate. Do not provide your banking details or sensitive information. The Division does not contact taxpayers by text regarding a balance due or a refund owed.


Chairman Wicker Leads SASC Hearing on U.S. European Command and U.S. Transportation Command posture for FY 2027

Watch Video Here

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today led a hearing to examine the posture of U.S. European Command and U.S. Transportation Command amid growing global security challenges and ongoing military operations.

General Alexus G. Grynkewich, USAF, Commander, United States European Command and Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and General Randall Reed, USAF, Commander, United States Transportation Command, appeared before the committee.

In his opening remarks, Chairman Wicker emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong U.S. military presence in Europe to deter Russian aggression, supporting Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s invasion, and strengthening the global logistics capabilities of U.S. Transportation Command to ensure the Joint Force can operate effectively in an increasingly contested security environment.

Read Chairman Wicker’s hearing opening statement as delivered.

The committee meets this morning to receive testimony on the posture of the United States European Command and the United States Transportation Command. I would like to thank our witnesses today, General Grynkewich and General Reed, for being here. And I want to extend a special welcome to their families.

General Grynkewich oversees approximately 80,000 military personnel in U.S. European Command (EUCOM). He also serves as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, making him the military commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO)—the world’s only nuclear alliance.

General Grynkewich comes before this committee at a time of great turmoil. The United States is engaged in a high-intensity conflict in the Middle East while simultaneously supporting Ukraine’s self-defense against Russian’s invasion.

EUCOM is involved in both efforts. The command provides extensive operational and logistics support to Operation Epic Fury. At the same time, it facilitates the flow of weapons and intelligence to Ukraine. And of course, our forces in Europe remain at the ready to deter and defend against Russian aggression.

Our European allies provide access, basing, and overflight rights to our forces. This creates enormous military advantages for the United States. Our presence in Europe enables us to project power into adjacent theaters—most obviously into the Middle East but also to Africa and now the Arctic. Our European allies are rightly increasing their defense spending. But we must recognize that they are sharing the political and military risk of war, too, and that is every bit as important to U.S. interests. So, this is a welcome development.

Defending against armed aggression from Russia remains the most compelling rationale for the NATO alliance. Russia is led by Vladimir Putin, a war criminal and ruthless murderer and dictator. He possesses the world’s largest and most diverse nuclear arsenal, and he always cheats on his arms control commitments.

In Putin’s twisted view of the world, Russia is the victim of historical injustices. He has proven willing to take on extreme risks to redress these perceived historical injustices against Russia—most notably by launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, entirely a war of choice.

Some have proposed a precipitate reduction in U.S. forces deployed in Europe. Such an action, which some have it titled “NATO 3.0,” would have us take an unnecessary vulnerability on at a precarious moment. Putin could easily interpret that action as weakness rather than resolve.

During the Cold War, we shared the burden of conventional defense in Europe precisely because it was in America’s interests to do so. This remains the case today. Europe has heeded President Trump’s call to step up on defense spending. We now need to ensure that political will is turned into hard combat capability as soon as possible.

Mr. Putin has a predilection for war and aggression. That is a fact, and it led this committee to place a floor on the U.S. military’s force posture in Europe, particularly the Army ground maneuver forces. Mr. Putin’s aggression has caused us to make that decision. We took that step in the National Defense Authorization Act that became law in December, a bipartisan achievement. The law reflects our collective judgment that now is not the time to accept unnecessary risk in Europe.

The best way to reduce the need for defenses in Europe is to degrade the threat posed by Russia’s military. Ukraine is doing exactly that. Its success in defending against Russia reflects Ukraine’s resolve and ability to innovate during wartime. We should support these efforts. We should immediately begin a crash program to take advantage of new production lines here in America—building new, low-cost weapons to help the Ukrainians defend themselves. This includes low-cost cruise missiles, which we can build thousands of every year, and it includes new, more easily producible air defense interceptors.

While General Grynkewich is focused on the European theater, General Reed supports the global joint force.TRANSCOM’s expertise and precision allows the joint force to extend its reach far beyond the safety of friendly confines—whether supporting Operation Midnight Hammer, Operation Absolute Resolve, or the hundreds of regular refueling and sealift missions required by the other combatant commands.

When most Americans think of the military, they imagine airplanes, warships, and big guns. Correctly, I might add. What they do not see is the system that moves all of those pieces around the globe. A world-wide network of Americans logistics assets keeps our far-flung bases ready for action. We are the world’s best military in part because TRANSCOM runs this complex system. China and Russia know this. These adversaries are not simply modernizing their armed forces. They are intentionally targeting our global logistics network to prevent us from operating around the world.

Congress recognizes this danger. In the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, again which was passed on a bipartisan basis and signed by the President of the United States last December, elevated “contested logistics management” to a senior-leader responsibility. We charged the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Vice Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Commander of TRANSCOM to work together to integrate contested logistics across the Joint Force. This statutory direction makes explicit what the battlefield has already proven. Contested logistics is not owned by any single command or service.


Wyden, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Restore Student Loan Assistance for Students, Boost Health Care Workforce

Bill overturns provision in Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill that ripped away student loan assistance for professional and graduate students

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ron Wyden today said he has joined his colleagues in introducing legislation that would reverse a provision in the Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill that reduced federal student loan availability for graduate and professional students, including social workers, nurses, and educators.

“Buried in the Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill was a provision to make it harder for students to pursue careers in industries that are in desperate need of expanded workforces, like social workers, nurses and educators,” Wyden said. “This legislation takes a much-needed step to ensure students pursuing their dream of entering the care workforce can do so without being hit with an even greater financial burden, and secure the next generation of providers for Americans that rely on them.”

The Professional Degree Access Restoration Act would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965. This bill would expand access to advanced education for those seeking to pursue careers in nursing, teaching, social work, medicine, and more.

In addition to the nearly one trillion dollar cuts to Medicaid included in the Big Ugly Bill, reducing student loan assistance for nurses and other care givers will be devastating for health care workforce in Oregon and nationwide, particularly in rural areas, where providers are already being forced to close their doors.

Joining Wyden, the bill is cosponsored by Senators Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., and cosponsored by Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Andy Kim, D-N.J., Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., Tina Smith, D-Minn., and Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn.


Wyden, Lee, Davidson and Lofgren Introduce Bill to Reform FISA Section 702, Protect Americans’ Constitutional Rights and Plug Data Broker Surveillance Loophole

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., with Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., today introduced an updated version of the Government Surveillance Reform Act to enact new protections for Americans’ rights, including stopping the Federal government from buying data on Americans from shady data brokers, while reauthorizing and reforming Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

The Government Surveillance Reform Act is the only bipartisan, bicameral bill on offer to reform FISA 702 and other government surveillance programs. It is cosponsored by Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., and Reps. Sara Jacobs, D-Calif., and Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash.

“Advances in technology, from AI to the explosion of Americans’ data available for purchase, have far outpaced the laws protecting Americans’ privacy and civil liberties,” Wyden said. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill as a leader of the Ben Franklin caucus, which stands for the proposition that liberty and security aren’t mutually exclusive.”

“It is imperative that Congress enact real reforms to protect our civil liberties, including warrant requirements and statutory penalties for privacy violations, in exchange for reauthorizing Section 702,” Lee said. “Our bipartisan Government Surveillance Reform Act stops illegal government spying and restores the Constitutional rights of all Americans.”

“FISA Section 702 has been stretched far beyond its original purpose and now enables unconstitutional warrantless searches of American citizens and their private communications,” Davidson said. “The bipartisan Government Surveillance Reform Act counters these abuses by requiring a warrant to search Americans’ data and by closing the data broker loophole that allows the federal government to spy on citizens by purchasing private data that would otherwise require a warrant or subpoena.”

“Now more than ever, unchecked government access to Americans’ personal information threatens their privacy, their civil liberties, and our democracy,” Lofgren said. “Congress should not reauthorize broad domestic surveillance authorities without putting meaningful safeguards in place. The bipartisan, bicameral Government Surveillance Reform Act offers a comprehensive and balanced solution that would prevent abuse of Americans' personal information while preserving essential national security tools that keep our country safe.”

“If we are serious about protecting our constitutional freedoms against government overreach, a judicially-approved warrant should be required for all section 702 searches,” Lummis said. “This legislation goes a long way to restoring our Fourth Amendment rights and curbing the inexcusable intelligence agency excesses of the last two decades.”

The Government Surveillance Reform Act would represent the most comprehensive reform of surveillance laws in nearly half a century. The bill reauthorizes Section 702 for four years with necessary privacy reforms and constitutional safeguards, including:

Closing the backdoor search loophole: The bill requires the federal government to get a warrant to access Americans’ private communications gathered under Section 702, with important exceptions for emergency situations.

Closing the data broker loophole: The bill bans the federal government from buying Americans’ data from data brokers without a warrant.

Prohibiting reverse targeting: The bill prohibits using surveillance on foreigners overseas through Section 702 as a pretext for gathering data on Americans.

Repealing the “make everyone a spy” provision: This bill repeals a controversial 2024 expansion that allows the government to force millions of Americans and companies to secretly spy on its behalf.

Reforming intelligence collection outside FISA: This bill protects Americans from intelligence agencies using non-statutory authorities, including by prohibiting backdoor searches and reverse targeting outside of FISA.

Updating privacy protections for AI and other modern technologies: This bill requires federal law enforcement to get a warrant to surveil Americans’ location information, web browsing data, search and chatbot records, and car onboard and telematics data.

Halting warrantless collection of business records: This bill protects Americans’ data from warrantless collection under an authority that expired over five years ago.

Enhancing oversight and accountability: The bill strengthens judicial oversight, public reporting, and accountability requirements under FISA.

A section-by-section summary of the bill is here. The full bill text is here.

The Government Surveillance Reform Act is endorsed by privacy and civil liberty advocates across the political spectrum: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Americans for Prosperity, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, Center for Democracy & Technology, Consumer Choice Center, Demand Progress, Due Process Institute, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Fight for the Future, Muslim Advocates, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Project for Privacy and Surveillance Accountability (PPSA), Restore the Fourth, Free Press Action, and Project on Government Oversight.

James Czerniawski, Head of Emerging Technology Policy at Consumer Choice Center: “For years, the U.S. intelligence community has repeatedly misused its authorities under FISA, including Section 702, as well as other surveillance powers, undermining public trust and raising concerns across the political spectrum. Protecting constitutional rights and protecting national security are not opposing goals. We applaud the reintroduction of the Government Surveillance Reform Act, a bipartisan path forward that brings back a comprehensive package of reforms. This package responsibly reins in warrantless surveillance while preserving the tools needed to keep Americans safe. We commend Senators Wyden and Lee, along with Representatives Davidson and Lofgren, for once again leading this cross‑party effort to advance essential, rights‑protecting reforms.”

John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice: “Reform of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is long overdue. The federal government has used this provision to engage in mass warrantless surveillance and collection of Americans' international phone calls, emails, text messages, and other communications with little oversight or accountability. Asian Americans often encounter disproportionate amounts of scrutiny framed as ‘national security’. The Government Surveillance Reform Act of 2026 is a critical step in regulating the collection of Americans’ most sensitive and private information.”

Jason Pye, Vice President of the Due Process Institute: “The Government Surveillance Reform Act is an important step toward restoring the balance between national security and the civil liberties the Constitution was designed to protect. For too long, federal surveillance authorities have created opportunities for the warrantless collection and misuse of Americans’ communications. Few would argue that surveillance authorities are required to protect the United States from foreign threats, but we have to recognize that Americans expect that their fundamental civil liberties will be protected. Congress has routinely failed to do so, including the most recent reauthorization, which actually expanded surveillance. The reforms included in GSRA are responsible and necessary to ensure that intelligence tools aimed at foreign threats are not used to sidestep the Fourth Amendment rights of Americans.”

Hajar Hammado, Senior Policy Advisor at Demand Progress: “The federal government should not have the ability to bypass courts and obtain the private emails, texts and calls of Americans, especially when they are purchased from shady data brokers who sell our private information to anyone willing to pay. The Government Surveillance Reform Act protects Americans’ privacy by finally closing the backdoor search loophole and closing the door on data brokers. Protecting Americans’ privacy and civil liberties from these threats cannot wait, Congress must implement these reforms ahead of the April 20 expiration date. We thank Sens. Wyden and Lee, and Reps. Davidson and Lofgren for their steadfast leadership and we urge all members of Congress to enact critically needed privacy protections before renewing the government’s spying authority.”

Alex Marthews, National Chair at Restore the Fourth: “The Government Surveillance Reform Act contains critical reforms to protect U. S. persons from unreasonable and warrantless government surveillance. It would rein in AI-driven misuse of NSA classified databases to spy on U. S. persons without probable cause or a warrant; it would make much less likely that Americans would be harassed or prosecuted on the basis of poor-quality data held on them by data brokers; and it would make it easier for people unfairly surveilled to get redress from the courts. We warmly encourage the Judiciary Committees in the House and the Senate to mark up a bill that takes the best parts of this bill, Senator Lee's and Senator Durbin's SAFE Act and Rep. Biggs' Protect Liberty Act, before the sunset of these authorities in April.”

Bob Goodlatte, former Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and Senior Policy Advisor to the Project for Privacy and Surveillance Accountability: “PPSA commends Sen. Ron Wyden, Sen. Mike Lee, Rep. Warren Davidson, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren for reintroducing the Government Surveillance Reform Act (GSRA) – a comprehensive surveillance reform bill that balances national security with Americans’ constitutional and privacy rights. This balanced and comprehensive bill enjoys bipartisan and bicameral support because Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle are alarmed by the abusive and pervasive surveillance of the American people by their own government. This well-crafted legislation should be included in the reauthorization of FISA Section 702 in April.”

Sumayyah Waheed, Senior Policy Counsel at Muslim Advocates: “As the federal government seeks to capture ever more intimate data and biometrics on every person in America, we must pass new laws to protect our privacy. The Government Surveillance Reform Act is a critical measure to reclaim our data and reaffirm the Fourth Amendment’s protections against mass government surveillance, which chills dissent and enables abuse. We thank Senators Wyden and Lee, and Representatives Davidson and Lofgren, for their leadership on this bill.”

Jeramie D. Scott, Senior Counsel and Director of the EPIC Surveillance Oversight Program: “The Government Surveillance Reform Act includes critical protections for our privacy and our data in an increasingly vulnerable digital world. As technology advances, so too must our laws to ensure that we secure the values enshrined in our Constitution. Our spy agencies should not turn warrantless surveillance systems inward to invade Americans’ communications, and they shouldn’t sidestep the Fourth Amendment by purchasing our sensitive information from data brokers. Our values and our Constitution demand our privacy and civil liberties be protected and EPIC is proud to support a bill that does just that.”

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Wyden Presses Trump Administration Over USPS Changes Jeopardizing Americans’ Tax Returns, Mail-In Ballots

Senator says recent postmarking rule change and consolidation of processing facilities will result in delays for tax returns and mail-in ballots in consequential election year

Washington, D.C. – Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today pressed the Trump administration over how its recent postmarking rule change and consolidation of mail processing facilities will undermine the timing of Americans' tax returns and mail-in ballots.

“Donald Trump and Republicans will stop at nothing to suppress the rights of Americans to make their voices heard this November,” Wyden said. “Between Trump’s feverish attempts to coerce Congress into passing the SAVE Act, and now his kneecapping of the U.S. Postal Service, the American people have no choice but to see these efforts as a politically-motivated attempt to interfere in Oregon’s safe and secure vote-by-mail system during a consequential election year.”

Late last year, the U.S. Postal Service finalized new guidance regarding its postmarking rules. This coupled with the closure of mail processing facilities under the Postal Service’s “Regional Transportation Optimization” (RTO) initiative will result in the delay of items being postmarked and processed, particularly in rural areas. Currently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and election officials in more than a dozen states rely on postmarks to determine whether a tax return or ballot has been received on time.

“Voters in my state of Oregon have for 30 years relied on the USPS to cast their ballots with confidence knowing their votes will be counted in a timely manner,” Wyden wrote in his letter to Postmaster General David Steiner. “These network changes and corresponding postmarking delays may jeopardize timely ballot delivery in 2026, disenfranchising voters in Oregon and nationwide.”

Wyden also expressed concerns that the Trump administration’s failure to alert the public to these changes is a politically-calculated attempt to delay and invalidate tax returns and mail-in ballots during a consequential election year.

Wyden requested a response to the following questions from Postmaster Steiner:

What is the status of the Regional Transportation Optimization Initiative (RTO) under the Delivering for America plan?

Which regions has RTO already been implemented? Specifically, which ZIP codes and approximately how many customers are subject to RTO?

Which regions have been planned for RTO, but it has not yet been implemented? Specifically, which ZIP codes and customers will be impacted? Does USPS plan to implement RTO in any of these ZIP codes during 2026?

Will the Postal Service consider suspending or otherwise altering RTO during the election season?

What specific outreach has USPS undertaken to familiarize the public with these changes? Please provide examples of the specific public-facing documentation USPS has provided regarding this guidance change.

The November 2025 Federal Register notice stated that the “Postal Service is developing an approach to provide public and internal education regarding postmarking.” Please provide details of that approach.

How does USPS plan to communicate these changes to the public to protect voters from unintended consequences?

Has USPS worked with state and local elections officials to provide awareness about these changes?

How is USPS ensuring uniform implementation of this rulemaking across retail locations and processing facilities?

What steps are being taken to prevent delays that could affect ballot eligibility or the on-time filing of tax returns?

Did USPS consult any IRS or Treasury Department officials about the implications of this policy change for tax filing? If so, what input did they provide?

When does the Postal Service intend to organize its National Election Mail Taskforce force this year?

Does USPS commit to implement its “extraordinary measures” for the 2026 midterm elections? Does USPS intend to alter or supplement these measures when compared with prior elections?

The full letter can be found here.

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Young, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Ensure American Leadership in AI and Biotech

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), chair of the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB), and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced the AI-Ready Bio-Data Standards Act. The legislation would direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish standards that will support American leadership in the convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) and biotechnology.

High-quality biological data has become a strategic asset in the global tech competition, yet the United State currently lacks the digital infrastructure and national standards needed to ensure our researchers and innovators have world-class biological datasets. Conversely, China has recognized the importance of this data and made it a priority, often at the expense of the U.S.

The AI-Ready Bio-Data Standards Act would counter China’s efforts and support American research and innovation by authorizing NIST to create standards, definitions, and resources to ensure biological datasets are ready for further research, AI-enabled discoveries, and other cutting-edge innovation.

“Ushering in the Golden Age of Innovation is about more than just winning the global tech race – it’s about securing the safety and prosperity of our country for generations to come. Our bill is an important step in this effort and will better ensure the United States has the infrastructure in place to lead the 21st century,”said Senator Young.

“New Mexico is a rapidly growing hub for biotechnology and computational biology. That’s why I’m introducing legislation that will help support research at Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories, as well as our universities and growing bioscience industries,” said Senator Luján. “The AI-Ready Bio-Data Standards Act will establish a national framework to standardize federally funded biological datasets so they can be readily used to train advanced AI systems. It will also simplify data sharing across federal agencies, improving federal oversight and research capabilities across the country.”

Full text of the Senate AI-Ready Bio-Data Standards Act can be found here. A summary of the legislation can be found here.

U.S. Representatives Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), a fellow NSCEB commissioner, and Jay Obernotle (R-CA-23) introduced companion legislation in the House.

“America’s ability to lead in AI-driven biotechnology depends on high-quality biological data. Without clear standards, our researchers waste valuable time dealing with incompatible datasets instead of driving breakthroughs. I’m proud to introduce the AI-Ready Bio-Data Standards Act to build the data infrastructure and standards we need to accelerate innovation, strengthen our economy, and protect our national security,” said Representative Khanna.

“The convergence of artificial intelligence and biotechnology will define the next era of American innovation,” said Representative Obernolte. “We currently lack common standards for biological data, which limits our ability to fully harness AI and puts us at risk of falling behind competitors like China. The AI-Ready Bio-Data Standards Act will help us build the infrastructure and frameworks needed to power breakthrough discoveries, strengthen our national security, and keep the United States at the forefront of the AI and biotech revolution.”

In April 2025, NSCEB delivered a report and action plan to Congress, which included several recommendations to ensure U.S. leadership in the convergence of AI and biotech. Four of those recommendations were reflected in the Trump Administration’s AI Action Plan, which was released in July 2025. The AI-Ready Bio-Data Standards Act is the final piece of legislation introduced to codify the four shared priorities between NSCEB and the AI Action Plan. Other legislation includes Senator Young’s Cloud LAB Act and America’s Living Library Act, along with theBiosecurity Modernization and Innovation Act.


Alford Announces DHS Releases World Cup Security Funding Following Republican Push

Washington, DC— Congressman Mark Alford (MO-04) announced today that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has begun releasing federal security funding for host cities of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including Kansas City, following a Republican push led by Alford earlier this week.

“Kansas City has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to host the world during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. We have been pushing for this funding to be released for some time, and earlier this week I led a letter urging DHS to move forward so our city can continue preparing the strong security operations this event requires. I’m glad to see this funding now moving forward in spite of the Democrats' reckless DHS shutdown, so our local leaders and law enforcement can finally have the resources they need to safely host this global event,” said Congressman Mark Alford.

On March 10, Rep. Alford led a letter with Congressman Derek Schmidt (KS-02) urging DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to release the $625 million in federal security funding that Congress appropriated for World Cup host cities in the Working Families Tax Cut Law.

This funding is critical for security planning, personnel, equipment, and coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement ahead of one of the largest international sporting events ever hosted in the United States.

Read the full letter to Secretary Noem here.

This critical funding was secured by Republicans through the Working Families Tax Cut Law to ensure host cities have the resources necessary to implement robust security operations.

Earlier this week, Alford and Schmidt warned that delays in the grant process were creating uncertainty for local officials responsible for coordinating security plans, contracting vendors, and preparing law enforcement operations ahead of the tournament.

Kansas City is one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is expected to bring millions of visitors to the United States.

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Congressman Allen Introduces the PBM Kickback Prohibition Act

This week, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12), Chairman of the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee, introduced the PBM Kickback Prohibition Act. This legislation would amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to prohibit pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from paying kickbacks or referral fees to brokers, consultants, advisors, or similar intermediaries in exchange for directing employer health plan or insurer business to the PBM. Upon the bill's introduction, Congressman Allen issued the following statement:

"The Trump Administration and House Republicans are laser-focused on lowering prescription drug prices and making health insurance more affordable. The PBM Kickback Prohibition Act—a signature component of the President's 'Great Healthcare Plan'—would rein in PBMs by ending kickbacks that deceptively raise the cost of health insurance for patients, workers, and families. I thank Chairman Walberg for his support in introducing this bill and look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues to get it across the finish line," said Congressman Rick Allen.

"If we’re serious about lowering health care costs, we have to take on the middlemen driving prices higher. Banning kickbacks paid by pharmacy benefit managers to a medical plan’s advisor or consultant is a commonsense reform that protects workers, employers, and patients. Simply put, Rep. Allen’s bill makes sure decisions are made based on what’s best for patients and plan sponsors—not who’s paying the biggest kickback. This kind of transparency is a key part of the broader effort Republicans are advancing with President Trump to bring down health care costs and make the system work better for American families," said Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI).

BACKGROUND: Specifically, the PBM Kickback Prohibition Act adds a restriction to ERISA section 408 stating that when a PBM provides pharmacy benefit management services to a covered health plan, the PBM may not provide any direct or indirect compensation to third parties for referring that plan’s business. The prohibition would apply to plan years beginning after the bill’s enactment, aiming to reduce conflicts of interest and increase transparency in PBM contracting with employer-sponsored health plans.


Ansari Conducts Oversight Visit to Florence Correctional Center

Visit Follows the Death of Haitian Asylum Seeker Emmanuel Damas in ICE Custody

PHOENIX– Today, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) conducted an oversight visit of the Florence Correctional Center. Her visit comes after the death of Emmanuel Damas, a Haitian asylum seeker who died after reportedly being denied adequate medical care while in ICE custody after complaining about a toothache to the Florence Correctional Center facility staff.

This was Ansari’s fifth oversight visit to a detention facility in Arizona.

“I visited the Florence Correctional Center to conduct an oversight visit following the death of Emmanuel Damas. To my surprise, I was met by CoreCivic’s private legal counsel and denied the ability to speak with detainees,” said Rep. Ansari. “This is unacceptable. I will be returning next Friday. No one should die under these horrific conditions, and I will continue demanding answers about what happened.”

WATCH

Transcript of Ansari’s remarks following her oversight visit:

I just stepped out of the Florence Correctional Center here in Arizona, and what I saw was absolutely appalling.

We came here today because just a couple of weeks ago, a 56 year old man named Emmanuel Damas, a Haitian asylum seeker had a toothache here in this facility, and just a couple of weeks later, because of neglect and lack of proper medical care, he died by sepsis at a Scottsdale hospital.

We came here today to demand answers and to conduct an oversight visit. I've written to ICE about this tragedy and have not received a response.

We came here, as you all know, ICE and DHS under Kristi Noem have made it nearly impossible for Members of Congress to do our jobs of conducting oversight, so we followed all of their outrageous protocols, requesting this visit over a week in advance, getting the right privacy release forms, jumping through hoops, even as Congressional Representatives to do our jobs.

We were greeted here today by more than 20 people, including the private counsel of CoreCivic.

CoreCivic is one of the two major private prison companies that is making billions of dollars from the Trump Administration's mass deportation agenda.

CoreCivic happens to run the Florence Correctional Center.

So I thought it was very interesting that the private counsel was here today in the conference room with us, and as I was asking very specific questions about what sort of medical facilities are available here, how many doctors are here, what the protocol is if somebody gets sick. And specifically asking questions about what happened with Emmanuel, there was extreme reluctance to answer any questions, especially from the private counsel of CoreCivic which I found very, very disturbing.

We also wanted to speak with a gentleman who had requested to speak with us. We had the privacy release form, and we were told that it would not be possible today, because allegedly, we were not within the 48-hour period.

We drove all the way from Phoenix here to get answers and to meet with this individual, I had to literally request and demand that I speak with one of these ICE agents bosses over the phone to try to make this interview and conversation happened today, he still said no.

We will be coming back here next Friday now to speak with this individual.

And I will be going back to the Eloy Detention Center, where my constituent, Yari is.

All of this is unacceptable. What is so glaring about everything happening is that it is very clear that there is so much cover up happening for the abuse and the neglect and the mistreatment of human beings inside these us, government run and private prison company run detention centers.

During my first oversight visit, I went to Eloy and spoke with 30 women without any of this nonsense and jumping through hoops and hoops and extra bureaucracy. Today, there were 20 people trying to present this picture-perfect image of this place, not answering any questions relating to Emmanuel's case, which was a tragedy.

And one final thing that I just want to know about today, we asked about the investigation that will be happening. They say an investigation will start later this month, which is again unacceptable when this tragedy has occurred.

We asked about how they notified the family, because my team spoke with Emmanuel's brother about all of this, and they've heard nothing. They don't know when an investigation is happening. They don't even know how it got to this point where their brother's toothache led to his death because of ICE.

We will not stop until there's full accountability for this. Emmanuel is one of dozens of people who has died in ICE custody since the beginning of Trump 2.0, and we will not stand for it.

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Arrington Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Customs Enforcement

Washington, D.C. – House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (TX-19) introduced the Securing Accountability in Foreign Entries (SAFE) Act, legislation aiming to strengthen the integrity of the U.S. customs system by closing loopholes that make it possible for foreign importers to avoid paying tariffs.

This legislation is being led in the Senate by Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA).

“President Trump has taken decisive action to confront unfair global trade practices, but Congress must do its part to close loopholes that allow foreign companies - often backed by adversaries like China - to skirt U.S. trade enforcement,” said Chairman Arrington. “My Securing Accountability in Foreign Entries (SAFE) Act requires every Importer of Record to have a real and verifiable presence in the United States and subjects them to enforcement by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). I’m proud to support the President’s America First trade agenda by leading this effort to safeguard taxpayer dollars and ensure a level playing field for American businesses and workers.”

“American markets should be safe from foreign fraudsters,” said Senator Cassidy. “We’re making it easier to do business with the partners we trust, and harder for those we don’t.”

“Right now, the U.S. is the only major economy that allows foreign companies to import without meaningful accountability. That creates a huge enforcement gap and an uneven playing field for businesses that are doing things the right way.” said Ryan Petersen, Founder and CEO of Flexport. “The fix here is actually pretty simple. We should continue allowing foreign companies to import into the U.S. but require basic accountability—like establishing a U.S. subsidiary, having at least one local employee, and a U.S. bank account. That’s a common-sense standard that would weed out bad actors while still supporting open trade.”

“The International Trade Surety Association recognizes the need for new legislation and enhanced CBP processes to meet the increasingly fraudulent use of Non-Resident-Importer privileges and the ability to easily create new importers of record that later are found to be insolvent shell companies.” said the International Trade Surety Association. “This legislation provides new tools important for protecting US revenue and enforcement of law.”

Background:

Non-Resident Importers (NRIs), primarily from China, frequently declare import values far below the cost of the product to pay fewer tariffs.

When an American importer commits fraud, CBP can take action through domestic legal channels as their form of enforcement. However, when a Chinese importer does the same thing, they often disappear, making it nearly impossible for CBP to track them down and take legal action.

The SAFE Act would prevent this form of customs fraud by requiring that all importers have U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, or a physical presence in the United States, with some exemptions for trusted trading partners.

The legislation also requires importers to pay duties, taxes, and fees directly to CBP from a verified U.S. bank account tied to the importer’s legal entity; ensuring CBP can trace payments to legitimate and identifiable entities.

This bill would ensure that only accountable entities benefit from expedited customs processing, while protecting U.S. systems from exploitation by adversarial regimes.

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Barr Introduces “No Tax on Drill Pay” Act to Support National Guardsmen and Reservists

Washington, D.C.— Today, U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY) introduced the No Tax on Drill Pay Act, legislation to exempt federal income taxes on Inactive Duty Training (IDT) pay earned by members of the National Guard and Reserve during their drill weekends. U.S. Congressman Max Miller (R-OH) and U.S. Congressman Zach Nunn (R-IA) are original cosponsors of the bill. Congressman Miller served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and Congressman Nunn is currently serving in the Iowa Air National Guard.

Barr’s bill recognizes the service and sacrifice of citizen-military members by ensuring the pay they receive for monthly drill weekends and required training is not subject to federal income tax. Barr also strongly supported the Warrior Dividend of $1,776 ahead of Christmas announced by President Trump that some National Guardsmen and Reservists received. Barr also voted to exempt federal taxes on tips, overtime, and social security last year in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

More than 800,000 Americans serve in the Guard and Reserve, and of that, over 15,000 Guardsmen and Reservists are deployed overseas each year. Guardsmen and Reservists play a critical role in U.S. national defense while also responding to emergencies at home—including natural disasters, border security missions, and domestic crises.

Under current law, National Guardsmen and Reservists must pay federal income taxes on compensation received for Inactive Duty Training, which typically includes one weekend of training per month and additional readiness activities throughout the year.

“Members of the National Guard and Reserve answer the call to serve our country while balancing civilian careers and family responsibilities,” said Congressman Barr, a past recipient of the Charles Dick Medal of Merit, the highest honor given to elected officials for advocacy of the National Guard. “Ending federal taxes on a portion of their military pay will reward these patriots for their service to our country. The No Tax on Drill Pay Act will boost recruitment and retention, strengthen military readiness, and continue our commitment to treating our military better than any in the world.”

“If we truly value the service of our Guardsmen and Reservists, the least we can do is let them keep every dollar they earn while preparing to defend our country,” said Congressman Miller. “I am proud to cosponsor the No Tax on Drill Pay Act to ensure the pay they earn during drill weekends stays in their pockets, not Washington’s. This bill affirms our commitment to those who boldly defend our nation both at home and abroad.”

"Our Guard members and Reservists serve on drill days, training deployments, and stand at the ready for our communities. Time away from families, jobs, and home. Under current law, they pay federal income taxes on every dollar they earn doing it. I hear from Iowa Guardsmen and their families about the financial strain that comes with that commitment, and this bill is a straightforward fix: exempt drill pay from federal income taxes so more of that money stays with the families who earned it,” said Congressman Nunn.

“Drill pay is not a bonus – it is compensation for time spent training to respond to emergencies, deploy overseas, and protect the homeland,” said Maj. Gen. Francis M. McGinn (Ret.), president of the National Guard Association of the United States. “Exempting inactive-duty training pay from federal income taxes recognizes that service, helps recruit and retain the force, and ensures Guardsmen are not financially penalized for answering the call. NGAUS strongly supports this legislation and thanks Reps. Barr, Miller, and Nunn for introducing a bill that provides meaningful support to the citizen-soldiers and airmen who stand ready every day.”

“Thank you, Congressman Barr, for your leadership and recognition of the sacrifices by the brave men and women serving in all reserve components,” said Joe Gardner, Executive Director of the Kentucky National Guard Association.

"I strongly support this measure to provide federal tax relief to our reserve and guardsman during drill," said Kentucky State Senator Matthew Deneen (R-SD-10), Chairman of the Kentucky State Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee. “These dedicated men and women providing service to their communities and country both at home and overseas, and they play a vital role in our national security, disaster response efforts and the strength of our armed services. Supporting those who step forward to serve is not only the right thing to do, it’s essential to maintaining a strong and ready military."

“The Guard and Reserve are essential to both our national defense and the safety of our communities,” said Kentucky State Senator Matt Nunn (R-SD-17), a champion of veterans in Frankfort. “As a former guardsman, I know full well the sacrifices our guardsmen and their families make. Whether responding to emergencies here in our Commonwealth or supporting missions overseas, they serve with professionalism and dedication. I want to thank Congressman Barr for supporting our Guard and Reserve with a proposal that will help them invest in their American Dream while protecting all of ours.”

“Kentucky has a long tradition of service, and our Guard and Reserve members are a big part of that legacy,” said Kentucky State Representative Bobby McCool (R-HD-14), Chairman of the House Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee. “As a former Air National Guardsmen myself, I know the impact the No Tax on Drill Pay will have on Guard and Reserve families. I commend Congressman Barr for his leadership on this bill and I fully support it.”

“Guardsmen and Reservists are always ready to answer the call from Kentucky and the nation,” said Kentucky State Representative Stephen Bratcher (R-HD-25), Vice Chair of the House Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee. “Their service often takes place quietly on weekends and during training periods that many people never see. I couldn’t think of a better way to reward this patriotic service.”


Bergman Announces Major Additional FEMA Help From President Trump Following the Historic Ice Storm of 2025

Gaylord - Today, after months of collaborative effort from state, federal, and local leaders, Rep. Jack Bergman announced that FEMA has officially amended the disaster declaration for the March 2025 ice storm - opening additional funding through Public Assistance (PA) Category F for public utilities.

In addition to countless meetings, discussions, and advocacy on behalf of the affected counties, Rep. Bergman and his Republican colleagues in Michigan sent a letter to President Trump requesting that he overturn FEMA’s denial of certain categories of federal assistance following the historic ice storm. The letter recognized the incredible recovery efforts already underway while emphasizing that the work is far from finished and that communities still face significant challenges ahead.

Bergman has repeatedly warned that without additional federal support, the remaining recovery costs would ultimately fall on individual households and families across Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula - those least able to shoulder the burden.

Following FEMA’s amended declaration, Bergman thanked President Trump and partners across all levels of government for their work to secure this support.

"I'm grateful that President Trump corrected FEMA’s initial decision to deny key categories in the disaster declaration and ensured Northern Michigan was not left hanging out to dry," Bergman said. "Through countless hours of work with my colleagues in Congress, Governor Whitmer, state legislators, and local leaders, we were able to deliver this critical support for the communities still recovering from this historic storm."

Background:

In the months following the devastating March 2025 ice storm, Rep. Bergman worked continuously with federal, state, and local partners to secure essential disaster assistance for the impacted communities of Northern Michigan.

Rep. Bergman first supported Governor Whitmer’s May 16, 2025, request for a Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act, emphasizing the widespread damage to homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure across thirteen counties and the need for federal support to supplement strained local resources.

As recovery efforts progressed, Rep. Bergman joined Senators Peters and Slotkin on June 9, 2025, in sending a letter to the Small Business Administration urging approval of the Governor’s request for a Rapid Disaster Declaration so that small businesses across the region could access federal disaster loans and begin rebuilding.

On June 25, 2025, Rep. Bergman led the full Michigan congressional delegation in sending a letter to President Trump reinforcing the need for federal disaster assistance and pressing for approval of the Governor’s request as communities continued to face substantial recovery costs.

When FEMA later denied certain categories of aid, on November 13, 2025, Rep. Bergman and the Michigan Republican delegation again appealed directly to the President to reconsider the decision and extend Public Assistance Category F and Individual Assistance to help households and electric cooperatives struggling with the financial burden of recovery.

Throughout this process, Rep. Bergman has remained in close communication with FEMA leadership to identify any available administrative or statutory flexibilities that could deliver additional financial relief to affected communities and not-for-profit utilities.


ICYMI: Department of Justice Endorses Buchanan’s Thin Blue Line Act

“Our Message Is Clear: We Stand with Our Law Enforcement and They Have Our Full Support.”

Trump Administration Backs Legislation to Strengthen Penalties Against Cop Killers

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan announced that the Trump Administration and the U.S. Department of Justice have formally endorsed his Thin Blue Line Act, legislation to strengthen federal penalties for criminals who murder or target law enforcement officers and first responders.

“Law enforcement officers and first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect the American people, and far too many are facing dangerous and targeted attacks simply for enforcing the rule of law,” said Buchanan. “I’m grateful to the Trump Administration and the Department of Justice for their strong support of my Thin Blue Line Act, which ensures those who target the brave men and women who serve our communities will face the full force of the law. Our message is clear: we stand with our law enforcement and they have our full support.”

“Combatting violent crime remains a priority of this Administration and holding violent criminals who attack and murder law enforcement accountable is paramount to those effort,” wrote Assistant Attorney General Patrick Davis.

The letter was first reported by LiveNOW from Fox watch the exclusive here.

The Thin Blue Line Act would make the murder or attempted murder of a police officer or other first responder an “aggravating” factor in federal death penalty determinations.

Buchanan’s legislation is supported by leading local and national law enforcement organizations, including the National Fraternal Order of Police, National Sheriffs’ Association, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, National Association of Police Organizations, United States Deputy Sheriffs’ Association and Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells.

Buchanan is a longtime advocate for the law enforcement community and was joined last year by Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells in a joint op-ed urging swift passage of the Thin Blue Line Act in Congress.

Read the Department of Justice letter supporting the Thin Blue Line Act here or below.

Dear Representative Buchanan:

This letter presents the views of the Department of Justice on S. 83, the “Thin Blue Line Act,” as introduced in the Senate on January 14, 2025. The Department strongly supports this bill.

Combatting violent crime remains a priority of this Administration and holding violent criminals who attack and murder law enforcement accountable is paramount to those efforts. The Thin Blue Line Act would expand the list of statutory aggravating factors in death penalty cases to include killing, or targeting, a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder, either while engaged in official duties or because of his or her official duties, consistent with the priorities of this Administration.

We look forward to working with you in support of this important piece of legislation.

Sincerely,

Patrick Davis

Assistant Attorney General

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Carbajal Statement on Trump Invoking Defense Production Act to Restart Offshore Oil Production in Santa Barbara County

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) issued the statement below following the Trump administration’s announcement that they are invoking the Defense Production Act to advance Sable Offshore’s plans to restart offshore oil production at the Santa Ynez Unit.

“President Trump is using the war in Iran as a pretext to override the will of Santa Barbara County residents and the state of California. The reality is that restarting the Sable project would produce nowhere near enough oil to lower the skyrocketing gas prices families are facing. His reckless war is causing immense damage, and jamming the Sable project through is a hollow solution. Once again, the President is prioritizing Big Oil over the well-being of our community. I will continue to fight this federal overreach in Congress and stand with our local partners as they pursue legal challenges in court.”


Smith presents Purple Heart, Bronze Star medals to Vietnam combat Veteran 58 years after battle

Corporal Leo Perlmutter

Fifty-eight years ago, U.S. Marine Corporal Leo Perlmutter did not know what hit him. He was in one of the battles in the Tet Offensive, launched by North Vietnam and the Viet Cong against the U.S. and Vietnamese forces in January of 1968. Enemy mortar rounds were coming in all around, and one struck close to his position.

“I didn’t even know I was hit,” Perlmutter said. “A medic came to treat me. I was bleeding from the head from shrapnel.”

He qualified for the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and other medals, but the Purple Heart never arrived.

Yesterday, Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), former Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, presented Perlmutter with the Military Order of the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star at his Constituent Service Center in Toms River, New Jersey.

“You took shrapnel, but thank God, you got through it. You survived,” Smith told Perlmutter, who was accompanied by his girlfriend, Kathy Hoernlein; family friend, Peter Schneider; and several neighbors. Representative Marines from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst’s Marine Air Group 49 (MAG-49), a helicopter unit, also participated in the ceremony.

Smith expressed regret that it took so many years for the Marine to finally obtain his Purple Heart, but underscored that the nation’s gratitude for his bravery and service has never diminished.

Perlmutter accepted the Purple Heart and other medals to a warm round of applause, after which he shared harrowing details of his military service, as well as the respect he holds for those who served with him.

Born in Hamburg, Germany, his parents, Martin and Mary Perlmutter, survived concentration camps and came to America to start a new life. When the Vietnam War escalated, Leo had volunteered to become a U.S. Marine.

When Perlmutter returned to the States after the war, he eventually settled in New York City. Following a career as a lifeguard swimming instructor, he has resided in Lakewood for five years.

PHOTO: Cpl. Leo Perlmutter is presented with his Purple Heart medal during a ceremony at Rep. Smith’s Constituent Service Center. From left to right: Rep. Smith, SSGT Anthony Francisco, Cpl. Leo Perlmutter, Kathy Hoernlein, Peter Schneider, and Maj. Daniel Dennen.

In March of 2024, Smith asked the director of the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) to investigate—and, if warranted—approve the hallowed medal, reserved only for those injured in combat. He sent the NPRC a copy of Perlmutter’s DD-214 separation paper. In an unfortunate twist of fate, while the medals shipped, they never arrived, prompting Smith to submit additional inquiries to the NPRC.

“We are so very grateful for what you did,” Smith said to Perlmutter during the ceremony. “The fact that you have received these medals is just further recognition of how much respect and honor we need to afford you for that sacrifice. Thank you so much.”

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