Sens. Scott, Budd, colleagues introduce FARM Stability Act to stabilize agricultural labor costs

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) joined Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) in introducing the Farmworker Access and Retention Modernization (FARM) Stability Act, which would codify the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) initiative to stabilize agricultural labor costs. This legislation aims to provide farmers with greater certainty and clarity when forecasting labor costs as they plan for future growing seasons.

U.S. Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), John Boozman (R-AK), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and Roger Wicker (R-MS) joined in introducing the legislation.

“Farmers across South Carolina have been struggling with skyrocketing labor costs and an Adverse Effect Wage Rate that simply hasn’t reflected reality. That’s why I’m helping to lead the FARM Stability Act, which establishes a clear, fair, and consistent wage rate for agricultural workers. These reforms will help deliver the stability and predictability our farmers need to keep feeding our nation, while continuing to protect wages in the H-2A program,” said Sen. Scott.

“As labor costs continue to climb, our nation’s farmers and ranchers deserve to know the price tag associated with keeping their operations going. Agriculture is North Carolina’s leading industry and a cornerstone of our economy, but without a stable, reliable workforce, our producers cannot plan, threatening both their livelihoods and our nation’s food supply. The DOL has helped provide farmers with the transparency they deserve, but now we must ensure agricultural labor costs remain affordable by passing the FARM Stability Act,” said Sen. Budd.

“Farmers are extremely resourceful and resilient, but their success depends on circumstances beyond their control. Ensuring they can secure a dependable agriculture workforce will lift a major burden on them and help provide needed certainty. I’m proud to join Senator Budd in championing the FARM Stability Act to bring reliable and affordable labor to farm operations across the country,” said Sen. Boozman.

“The skyrocketing labor costs hitting Mississippi farmers are threatening their operations and their ability to put food on American tables. The FARM Stability Act takes the commonsense step of locking in the Trump administration’s reforms to the H-2A wage methodology, so farmers can plan ahead without fear that the next administration will pull the rug out from under them. I’m proud to join Senator Budd on this effort to provide relief and certainty to our producers who are burdened with costly regulatory overreach from previous administrations,” said Sen. Hyde-Smith.

“Codifying the Department of Labor’s recent updates to the AEWR would help clarify and stabilize wages in the H-2A agricultural labor program. A clear, consistent wage standard protects agricultural employers from uncertainty in year-to-year rule changes, helping both our workforce and our farmers, and keeping food on Americans’ tables,” said Sen. Crapo.

“When agriculture thrives, Nebraska thrives. The FARM Stability Act ensures that Nebraska farmers and ranchers can confidently plan for growing season. Nebraska’s future depends on certainty for farmers, ranchers, and agri-business. The FARM Stability Act supports agriculture today and provides long-term stability for producers,” said Sen. Ricketts.

“The FARM Stability Act delivers the certainty our farmers need by bringing clarity and predictability to the H-2A wage process. By codifying the Department of Labor’s approach, this commonsense legislation helps stabilize labor costs, strengthen our agricultural workforce, and ensure North Carolina’s farmers can continue to feed and fuel our nation,” said Sen. Tillis.

“Our nation’s producers work sunup to sundown to fuel our economy, communities, and families. As a lifelong rancher, I know the ag industry is never easy work. I’m proud to join my Republican colleagues on the FARM Stability Act, delivering much-needed clarity and financial relief so Wyoming’s farmers and ranchers can plan growing and grazing seasons with confidence as labor costs level out,” said Sen. Lummis.

The FARM Stability Act is supported by: Agricultural Workforce Coalition, Turfgrass Producers International,Tobacco Associates, Inc., U.S. Tobacco Cooperative, North Carolina Farm Bureau, NC Chamber, NC Agribusiness Council, NC Ag Partnership, NC Sweet Potato Commission, Tobacco Growers Association of North Carolina, North Carolina Growers Association, North Carolina Apple Growers Association, Blue Ridge Apple Growers Association, Hilltop Farm WNC LLC, AgCarolina Farm Credit, AgSouth Farm Credit, North Carolina Blueberry Council, NC Christmas Tree Association, NC Cotton Producers Association, North Carolina Greenhouse Vegetable Growers Association, Inc., NC Nursery and Landscape Association, North Carolina Peanut Growers Association, NC Soybean Producers Association, North Carolina Strawberry Association, North Carolina Vegetable Growers Association, North Carolina Watermelon Association, North Carolina Tomato Growers Association, and the North Carolina Sod Producers Association.

“The Ag Workforce Coalition appreciates Senator Budd’s leadership and his effort to codify the Administration’s interim final rule on H-2A wages. Wage reform is one critical aspect of needed changes to the H-2A program to ensure farmers, growers, and ranchers can continue to feed this nation. As the needs of labor-intensive agriculture continue to grow nationwide, we look forward to working with Congress to achieve lasting program reforms as quickly as possible,” said the Agriculture Workforce Coalition.

“We strongly support the FARM Stability Act as a practical and necessary step to help specialty crop producers across the Southeast remain competitive. Unpredictable labor costs have become a serious obstacle for farms trying to plan ahead, maintain stable employment, and compete in a global market. More importantly, instability inhibits the next generation’s ability to invest into their farm’s future. By bringing greater certainty to agricultural labor policy, this bill addresses a core challenge facing growers while helping protect the rural economies that agriculture sustains and the legacy of farm families across the nation,” said Kimberly Foley, Executive Director, Tobacco Associates, Inc.

Read the full bill text here.

BACKGROUND

Farmers have been grappling with rapidly rising labor costs, driven in large part by the mismanagement of calculating the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) used in the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker program. In 2023, the Biden administration finalized a rule that altered the methodology for determining AEWR for H-2A agricultural workers, inflating the cost of farm labor. Last October, DOL sought to address this concern by issuing an Interim Final Rule (IFR). This rule established an annual adjustment to the hourly AEWR and created separate wage scales for entry-level and experienced H–2A workers, providing much-needed clarity for the agricultural industry.

Last Congress, Sen. Scott introduced a Congressional Review Act disapproving the Biden DOL rule, “Adverse Effect Wage Rate Methodology for the Temporary Employment of H-2A Nonimmigrants in Non-Range Occupations in the United States”.

Last year, Sens. Scott and Budd co-led a letter to DOL Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer requesting that DOL roll back these Biden-era regulations and bring stability to agricultural labor policy.

To ensure the future stabilization of agricultural labor costs, the FARM Stability Act would:

Codify DOL’s Compensation Adjustment Factor for the AEWR.

Ensure that housing provided by farm operators is adequately considered when determining the AEWR.

Codify the Two-Tiered Wage Scale.

Ensure that both entry-level and experienced agricultural workers are fairly compensated for their labor.

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Slotkin, Colleagues Press Trump Administration on Decision to Ease Russia and Iran Sanctions

WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) joined 24 Senate colleagues in sending a letter pressing the Trump Administration on its decision to ease sanctions on Russian and Iranian oil exports and its lack of planning regarding the economic fallout of President Donald Trump’s war in Iran. Since the war began, the price of U.S. crude oil has risen by more than 40 percent, and the average price of gasoline has risen by more than a dollar per gallon as a result of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—something that President Trump and his top national security advisers were warned about prior to the start of the war.

“We write with deep concern and confusion over your administration’s recent decision to ease sanctions on Russian and Iranian oil exports,” wrote the members. “These actions speak once again to the troubling lack of strategic foresight that has marked your administration’s decision-making prior to and during its war of choice with Iran, jeopardizing the lives of our servicemembers across the region and raising costs for Americans here at home.”

“Open source reporting suggests that prior to starting this war of choice, you and your administration were regularly briefed on, and dismissed, the potential economic fallout of a conflict with Iran. These warnings included the regime’s likely closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the resulting severe spike in global oil prices,” the senators continued. “Now that those impacts are being felt in Americans’ pocketbooks, your administration is scrambling – and failing – to contain this fallout.”

In the letter, the senators also raise concerns about easing Russian sanctions given recent reporting that Russia has been sharing intelligence with Iran regarding the movements of U.S. forces in the Middle East, and the risks both of these decisions pose to U.S. servicemembers.

The senators wrote, “The economic effects of the war are already raising costs, with Americans being asked to pay even more for gas, groceries, and travel. Relieving sanctions on U.S. adversaries during an active conflict is just the most recent indicator of an incoherent and disordered policy approach.”

“We demand that you make senior officials of your Administration immediately available for public hearings in order to fully explain to the American people the rationale behind the decision to release these funds to the Russian and Iranian regimes,” the senators concluded.

In addition to Slotkin, the letter was cosigned by U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Jack Reed (D-RI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angus King (I-ME), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Ron Wyden (D-OR), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Mazie Hirono (D-HI).


Warner, Colleagues Push Regulators to Address Illegal Insider Trading in Prediction Markets

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) joined over 40 other lawmakers in writing to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) to urge the agencies to address illegal insider trading in prediction markets by federal employees.

Since January, multiple incidents have prompted heavy concern about possible insider trading in prediction markets by federal employees, including when a Polymarket user made $400,000 by betting on the capture of Venezuela’s former leader, Nicolas Maduro, and when prediction market users projected that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s speech would last for less than 65 minutes and profited when she abruptly ended the speech just 30 seconds before the 65-minute mark. Since then, there have been numerous reports of suspicious trades relating to the war in Iran.

The lawmakers pointed out that currently, under the Commodities Exchange Act (CEA), as amended by the STOCK Act, it is unlawful for federal employees to engage in insider trading, including in prediction markets.

“We ask that the CFTC and OGE issue guidance reminding federal employees of their existing legal obligation to refrain from using their insider governmental information to profit from prediction market trades,” wrote the lawmakers.

In addition, the lawmakers requested that the CFTC and OGE provide a staff-level briefing on this issue and respond to questions regarding any existing investigations into federal employees engaging in insider trading in prediction markets and any steps the agencies may have taken to detect and prevent them from doing so.

In addition to Sen. Warner, the letter was signed by U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jack Reed (D-RI), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), along with U.S. Reps. Maxine Water (D-CA), Angie Craig (D-MN), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), André Carson (D-IN), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), John Mannion (D-NY), James McGovern (D-MA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Gabe Vasquez (D-NM), Eugene Vindman (D-VA), Sean Casten (D-IL), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), George Whitesides (D-CA), Shontel Brown (D-OH), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), Jim Costa (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Mike Levin (D-CA), and Dina Titus (D-NV).

Read the full letter here and below.

Dear Chairman Selig and Division Directors of the Office of Government Ethics:

We ask that the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) circulate executive branch–wide guidance explaining that federal employees must refrain from insider trading in prediction markets.

In recent weeks, multiple incidents have prompted speculation about possible insider trading in prediction markets by federal employees. Over the weekend of January 3-4, 2026, a Polymarket user made $400,000 by betting on the capture of Venezuela’s former leader, Nicolás Maduro, raising suspicions that the user traded with insider government knowledge. Then on January 7, 2026, prediction market users projected that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s speech would last for less than 65 minutes, and profited when she abruptly ended the speech just 30 seconds before the 65-minute mark — reinforcing concerns that government officials sometimes have control over events on prediction markets. More recently, it has been reported that a number of users engaged in suspicious trades relating to the invasion of Iran and the death of Ayatollah Khamenei (sparking national security concerns about signaling impending attacks), and on whether former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem would be fired.

Under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), as amended by the STOCK Act, it is “unlawful for any employee or agent of any department or agency of the Federal Government” to use certain information — information that (1) is non-public, (2) is acquired by virtue of the individual’s government employment, and (3) may affect or tends to affect the price of a commodity or swap — “in his personal capacity and for personal gain to enter into, or offer to enter into” a futures contract, option, or swap.

The CFTC has determined that event contracts are derivatives that depend on the occurrence or nonoccurrence of an event “with a potential financial, economic, or commercial consequence.” Thus, the CEA’s prohibition on government officials engaging in insider trading also applies to such activity in prediction markets, and the CFTC is currently seeking public feedback on how the government insider trading provision should inform its regulation of prediction markets. While there is pending litigation concerning whether particular categories of event contracts traded on prediction markets should be regulated as derivatives under the CEA or as gambling under state law (or both), the CFTC maintains that event contracts are a type of swap subject to its jurisdiction, and, therefore, it should ensure that federal employees understand existing restrictions on prediction market insider trading.

In short, given the exponential growth in prediction market trading, rising evidence suggesting possible governmental insider trading in prediction markets, and potential confusion surrounding existing law in this area, we ask that the CFTC and OGE issue guidance reminding federal employees of their existing legal obligation to refrain from using their insider governmental information to profit from prediction market trades. This guidance would align with the CFTC’s growing focus on “polic[ing] illegal trading practices occurring on . . . prediction markets,” as reflected in its recent advance notice of proposed rulemaking and its flagging of Kalshi’s internal enforcement cases related to prediction market insider trading. As concerns grow about illegal insider trading in prediction markets by government officials, the CFTC and OGE should work with appropriate partners to prophylactically remind federal personnel of their obligations in this arena.

We request a staff-level briefing on these matters, along with answers to the following questions, by Monday, April 13:

Has the CFTC, OGE, or another agency distributed guidance instructing federal employees that they must refrain from insider trading in prediction markets?

Has the CFTC investigated, received reports of, or otherwise become aware of instances of federal employees engaging in insider trading in prediction markets?

What steps, if any, is the CFTC taking to detect and prevent insider trading by federal employees on unregulated or overseas prediction markets?

What steps, if any, will the CFTC take to increase federal employees’ understanding of restrictions on insider trading in prediction markets?

What steps, if any, is the CFTC taking to work with the designated contract markets it regulates to detect and prevent insider trading by federal employees?

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

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Warnock Calls for Bipartisan Investigation into Deadly Bombing of Iranian Elementary School

Senator Reverend Warnock sent a letter to the Senate Armed Services Committee requesting a public hearing and bipartisan investigation into the deadly Tomahawk missile strike on an Iranian elementary school in February

An ongoing military investigation has determined that the United States is responsible for the strike. The errant attack killed at least 168 people, most of them children

Senator Reverend Warnock: “Massive civilian casualty incidents like the attack in Minab are devastating to the Iranian civilian population and risk both undermining U.S. national security interests and rallying domestic support for the Iranian regime”

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) is calling for a bipartisan investigation into a February deadly Tomahawk missile strike on an Iranian elementary school. The errant attack killed at least 168 people, most of them children. According to the New York Times, an ongoing military investigation has determined that the United States is responsible for the strike.

“We write to request the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services (“the Committee”) launch a bipartisan investigation, culminating in a report and public hearing, into the strike on Shajareh Tattebeh Elementary School for girls in Minab, Iran that reportedly killed at least 168 people — mostly children — on the first day of U.S. operations against Iran on February 28, 2026.”

In the letter, Senator Warnock asks Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) for a report and public hearing on the strike. The Senator also requested information on who was responsible, how the target was selected, and what processes are being developed to ensure similar tragedies are not repeated in the future.

“Massive civilian casualty incidents like the attack in Minab are devastating to the Iranian civilian population and risk both undermining U.S. national security interests and rallying domestic support for the Iranian regime,” the letter continues.

“The United States’ global reputation is tied to our adherence to rules of engagement and laws of war. Failure to follow these rules and laws risks hardening our adversaries’ resolve, especially considering Secretary Hegseth’s call to show “no quarter, no mercy for our enemies”…it is crucial that Congress reassert its Article I power and ensure the Department of Defense’s civilian leadership is complying with the law as it conducts operations against Iran.”

Additionally, Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Peter Welch (D-VT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Tina Smith (D-MN) signed on to the letter.

A copy of the letter can be found HERE and the text is below:

Dear Chairman Wicker,

We write to request the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services (“the Committee”) launch a bipartisan investigation, culminating in a report and public hearing, into the strike on Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School for girls in Minab, Iran that reportedly killed at least 168 people – mostly children – on the first day of U.S. operations against Iran on February 28, 2026. Congress and the Committee have a constitutional responsibility to conduct robust oversight of the U.S. Department of Defense’s operations in Iran to provide an appropriate check and balance on the Trump administration’s use of the world’s most powerful military, and this catastrophic airstrike urgently warrants congressional oversight and accountability.

The majority of those killed in the strike were girls between the ages of seven and 12 years old. Neither the United States nor the Israeli Government has yet taken formal responsibility for this attack. On March 4, Secretary of Defense Hegseth acknowledged that the United States was “investigating” the strikes at the school, saying “All I know, all I can say, is that we’re investigating that,” but he shared no information about a timeline for review or a commitment to accountability. The New York Times reports that preliminary findings from the ongoing military investigation have “determined that the United States is responsible for [the] deadly Tomahawk missile strike” on the school, according to officials and analysis of available evidence. The Washington Post reports that the school was “on a U.S. target list and may have been mistaken for a military site.” Reporting further suggests that U.S. forces struck the school using outdated data provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency, despite historical satellite imagery showing that the building had been walled off from the military base and used as a school since at least 2016.

Massive civilian casualty incidents like the attack in Minab are devastating to the Iranian civilian population and risk both undermining U.S. national security interests and rallying domestic support for the Iranian regime. Congress has not declared war nor authorized the use of military force against Iran, and the Trump administration has continually failed to provide a clear rationale for the war, the objectives it seeks to accomplish, or a strategy for achieving those objectives. Notwithstanding our assessment of this war’s legality and constitutionality, the United States has a responsibility to engage in this operation in adherence to our laws and values.

Secretary Hegseth’s own comments have not inspired confidence that the Department of Defense is taking the concern of civilian casualties seriously. On March 3, 2026, Secretary Hegseth stated that Operation Epic Fury would have “no stupid rules of engagement.” The United States’ global reputation is tied to our adherence to rules of engagement and laws of war. Failure to follow these rules and laws risks hardening our adversaries’ resolve, especially considering Secretary Hegseth’s call to show “no quarter, no mercy for our enemies.” Additionally, our adversaries may submit our Servicemembers to reciprocal treatment, exposing them to the precise physical and psychological abuses the Geneva Conventions were signed to prevent. Therefore, it is crucial that Congress reassert its Article I power and ensure the Department of Defense’s civilian leadership is complying with the law as it conducts operations against Iran.

The February 28 Minab strike on a school full of young girls may be remembered as one of the most devastating and tragic errors in modern American military history. It demands congressional scrutiny. We respectfully request your inquiry to determine:

Whether, as initial reporting suggests, U.S. forces were responsible for the strike on the school in Minab as part of preselected, day on strikes;

If so, how this target was selected, including any role artificial intelligence played;

How outdated intelligence was used;

Who approved the targets;

What systems or mechanisms the department used in Operation Epic Fury to prevent civilian harm incidents;

Why the systems failed so completely on day one of this operation;

What process the U.S. Department of Defense is using to investigate the incident;

What the findings of any military investigation are;

Any recommendations of the military investigation for accountability actions, and

What processes are being deployed to ensure similar tragedies are not repeated in the future.

We respectfully request the Committee conduct a thorough investigation of this incident in a transparent manner for the preservation of our military’s integrity and reputation.

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Warren, 40+ Lawmakers Push Regulators to Address Illegal Insider Trading in Prediction Markets

Warren, 40+ Lawmakers Push Regulators to Address Illegal Insider Trading in Prediction Markets

Multiple incidents prompted speculation about possible insider trading in prediction markets by federal employees

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), along with Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Representative Maxine Waters, Representative Angie Craig (D-Minn.), and 37 other lawmakers, wrote to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) urging the agencies to address illegal insider trading in prediction markets by federal employees.

Since January, multiple incidents have prompted heavy concern about possible insider trading in prediction markets by federal employees. A Polymarket user made $400,000 by betting on the capture of Venezuela’s former leader, Nicolas Maduro. Prediction market users projected that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s speech would last for less than 65 minutes and profited when she abruptly ended the speech just 30 seconds before the 65-minute mark. Since then, there have been numerous reports of suspicious trades relating to the war in Iran.

The lawmakers point out that currently, under the Commodities Exchange Act (CEA), as amended by the STOCK Act, it is unlawful for federal employees to engage in insider trading, including in prediction markets.

“We ask that the CFTC and OGE issue guidance reminding federal employees of their existing legal obligation to refrain from using their insider governmental information to profit from prediction market trades,” wrote the lawmakers.

In addition, the lawmakers requested that the CFTC and OGE provide a staff-level briefing on this issue and respond to questions regarding any existing investigations into federal employees engaging in insider trading in prediction markets and any steps the agencies may have taken to detect and prevent them from doing so.

The lawmakers who joined the letter include Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), along with Representatives Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), André Carson (D-Ind.), Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), John Mannion (D-N.Y.), James McGovern (D-Mass.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.), Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.), Eugene Vindman (D-Va.), Sean Casten (D-Ill.), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.), Nikki Budzinski (D-Ill.), George Whitesides (D-Calif.), Shontel Brown (D-Ohio), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Betty McCollum (D-Minn.), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Mike Levin (D-Calif.), and Dina Titus (D-Nev.).

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Warren, Meeks Press Commerce Department to Release Data on Gun Exports Fueling Gun Violence Abroad

U.S. firearm exports are responsible for over 37 percent of crime gun traces globally outside of North America

Without adequate controls, legal firearm exports end up in the hands of militia, cartels, other criminal actors abroad

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee (BHUA), and Representative Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, pressed Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Jeffrey Kessler for information on the exports of U.S.-made semi-automatic weapons. The letter comes after recent reporting exposed that weapons flowing from the U.S. to Mexico are fueling some of the country’s most violent crimes.

According to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), legal U.S. firearm exports are responsible for almost 20 percent of crime gun traces in Central America and over 37 percent globally outside of North America. Without adequate controls, these legal firearm exports end up in the hands of militia, cartels, and other criminal actors abroad.

“As this Administration attempts to combat cartels and other transnational criminal organizations in the Western Hemisphere, it must ensure that the illicit and legal flow of U.S.-made weapons across our borders are not contributing to instability and violence and undercutting the national security and foreign policy of the United States,” wrote the lawmakers.

As Ranking Members of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the lawmakers are responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Export Control Reform Act (ECRA). Under ECRA, the Commerce Department is required to provide the ranking members of the two committees any information obtained pursuant to the law “upon the request of the chairman or ranking minority member” of “a committee or subcommittee of Congress of appropriate jurisdiction.”

“Given our concerns, we request that you make the following information available in writing to our committees regarding semi-automatic firearms and associated accessories,” wrote the lawmakers, pressing for key information about the total number of licenses approved for firearm exports, a list of countries to which the exports were approved, a detailed accounting of all prior notifications provided to Congress, and more by April 13, 2026.

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Warren, Raskin Lead 45+ Lawmakers in Investigating Contractors, Real Estate Firms Involved in Trump’s Expansion of Inhumane Warehouse Detention Centers

ICE Director intent on building warehouse system like “[Amazon] Prime, but with human beings”

“Cramming tens of thousands of people into warehouses meant for packages, without the ventilation, temperature control, plumbing, or sanitation systems necessary for human habitation, would almost certainly exacerbate…deaths in custody, assaults, and infectious disease outbreaks.”

Letter to CoreCivic (PDF) | Letter to GEO Group (PDF) | Letter to GardaWorld Federal Services (PDF)

Letter to Newmark Group (PDF) | Letter to KVG LLC (PDF) | Letter to PNK Group (PDF)

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, led 52 members of Congress in a new investigation into whether government contractors, real estate brokers, and property owners are corruptly profiting from the White House’s fast-tracked expansion of inhumane warehouse-based immigration detention facilities. The lawmakers wrote to six companies, pressing them to explain how much they expect to earn from the new detention warehouses, their lobbying efforts to land these lucrative government contracts, and more.

“These warehouses were built to hold products, not people…Given the public’s grave concerns about this warehouse system, we request prompt answers to questions about your involvement in the system,” wrote the lawmakers.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is working at breakneck speed to implement its “Detention Reengineering Initiative,” a warehouse system to hold nearly 100,000 people by November 2026. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons has described the vision as “[Amazon] Prime, but with human beings.”

Experts have warned that because of the speed of the operation, it will be nearly impossible for ICE to build the infrastructure necessary for human habitation in warehouses. Immigrants in existing detention centers suffer from inhumane conditions, including lack of access to adequate medical care and poor-quality food.

“Placing thousands of people in warehouses that were never intended to house human beings will only exacerbate these problems,” wrote the lawmakers.

With the Trump administration planning to spend $38.3 billion on the warehouse system, the project promises to be extremely profitable for vendors, property owners, and real estate brokers. And for many of the warehouse contracts, ICE appears to be circumventing the normal competitive bidding processes.

ICE is using a Navy’s contracting program, diverting DoD resources to avoid a competitive bidding process and avoid disclosing contract details that would typically be made public, triggering concerns of unnecessary costs and corruption.

For example, ICE paid $129 million for a facility in Georgia — nearly five times the amount it was assessed for last year. The details of some of these transactions have been kept secret, including through the use of non-disclosure agreements.

Additionally, some senior Trump officials have close ties to immigration contractors that could profit from the warehouse system. For example, David Venturella, who recently joined ICE after leaving the GEO Group — a top ICE detention contractor — is leading the ICE division that oversees detention contracts even though his former employer is competing for lucrative warehouse contracts. Attorney General Pam Bondi is also a former lobbyist for the GEO Group. Tom Homan, the “Border Czar,” and Corey Lewandowski, a former Homeland Security official, have reportedly helped contractors secure contracts to line their own pockets.

The lawmakers asked the contractors and real estate firms to provide clarity on: their roles in the warehouse expansions; their expected profit margins from the project; whether they’ve donated to the Trump campaign or cabinet officials; and whether they will commit to not allowing their work to be used to facilitate inhumane conditions at these detention centers, by April 13, 2026.

Senators Edward Markey (D-MA), Bernard Sanders (D-VT), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), and Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) joined in signing the letters.

Representatives Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Sean Casten (D-Ill.), Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.), Veronica Escobar (D-Texas), Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Jesus García (D-Ill.), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), Glenn Ivey (D-Md.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), April McClain Delaney (D-Md.), Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Robert Menendez (D-N.J.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Ilhan Omar (D-M.N.), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), Patrick Ryan (D-N.Y.), Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Pa.), Jan Shakowsky (D-Ill.), Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill), Donald Beyer (D-V.A.), and James Walkinshaw (D-Va.) joined in signing the letter.

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Young, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Support Pregnant Women and Families

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) and a group of Senate colleagues introduced the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act, legislation aimed at ensuring pregnant women and new mothers have access to critical support services by protecting funding for pregnancy resource centers and community-based family organizations.

Joining Senator Young in introducing the legislation are Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), and Jim Risch (R-Idaho).

The Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act would safeguard federal funding for pregnancy resource centers and family-support organizations that provide life-affirming care to women and families in need. These organizations offer a wide range of services, including parenting education, material assistance, housing referrals, and health care guidance—often at no cost, particularly for low-income and underserved communities.

The bill is designed to strengthen support systems for pregnant and parenting women by protecting community-based organizations from politically or ideologically motivated funding restrictions. The legislation combats attempts by the previous Biden administration to discriminate against pregnancy resource centers, which have increasingly faced conditions that threaten their ability to provide essential services when women and families need them most.

“Pregnancy resource centers play an important role in our communities. They provide critical care to women and families, including parenting education, counseling, and material support like diapers and baby supplies. Our bill will ensure that states, including Indiana, can continue to champion and support these centers,” said Senator Young.

“Supporting women means ensuring they have real resources, real care, and real options,” said Senator Scott. “I am proud to lead this legislation to protect and strengthen the community organizations that serve women and families every day—offering guidance, support, and critical services so no mother faces pregnancy or parenthood alone.”

“Our pregnancy resource centers need to know that we have their backs. They’re stepping up every single day for expecting moms and young families in ways that just can’t be replaced. This bill makes it clear: states can continue to partner with these organizations without the federal government limiting their funding. We should be doing everything in our power to help women, support parents, and strengthen families. This is just common sense, and a strong step in the right direction,” said Senator Justice.

“Pregnancy resource centers have a long history of empowering women on their journey to motherhood, and it’s unconscionable that the Biden Health and Human Services Department attempted to undercut their funding,” said Senator Cornyn. “By permanently prohibiting any restrictions on TANF funding for pregnancy centers, this legislation would safeguard these life-changing organizations against the woke policies of future Democrat administrations and equip expectant mothers with the resources to give our most vulnerable the best chance of survival.”

“Pregnancy centers are often an important lifeline for mothers and growing families,” said Senator Risch. “The Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act ensures these critical resources remain available to those who need it most.”

The legislation is supported by a broad coalition of organizations committed to life-affirming care and family support, including National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, March for Life Action, Americans United for Life, Heartbeat International, Students for Life Action, Concerned Women for America, and Family Policy Alliance.


Young, Rosen Introduce Bill to Boost Housing Supply, Lower Costs by Supporting Housing Small Businesses

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) introduced a bill to boost housing supply and lower housing costs by supporting small businesses in the housing industry.

The Boosting Housing Supply through Small Business Act would require the Small Business Administration and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to create an interagency plan to identify gaps in assistance and opportunities to streamline counseling and lending to housing small businesses, such as homebuilders, contractors, and home improvement and repair businesses.

“We need to find innovative ways to increase the number of affordable homes in Indiana and across the country,” said Senator Young. “Our bill will reduce barriers for small businesses involved in the housing industry, which will help increase housing supply and affordability for all Americans.”

“As housing prices continue to skyrocket across the country, I’m doing everything I can to lower housing costs through different approaches,” said Senator Rosen. “By supporting small businesses in the housing industry, we have the opportunity to boost the housing supply and lower costs, making the dream of buying a home for hardworking Americans a possibility. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to do just that, and I’ll keep working to lower costs for Nevada families.”


Rep. Allen Announces Winners of the 2026 Congressional App Challenge

Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) announced that Lakeside High School students Saisurya Lakkimsetti, Arnav Patel, and Mingzhe Zhang have been selected as the winners of the 2026 Congressional App Challenge for Georgia’s 12th District.


Ansari Introduces Legislative Package that Finally Recognizes Women’s Pain

Ansari in TIME: ‘America Needs Reproductive Health Leave’

WASHINGTON – On the final day of Women’s History Month, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), the youngest woman in Congress, introduced the Health, Equity, and Rights (HER) Agenda, a legislative package aimed at addressing longstanding gaps and inequities in women’s healthcare, with a focus on autonomy, pain management, and workplace protections.

“I have passed out because of period pain. Even now, every month, I have days where it feels like barbed wire is tightening inside me. I’ve taken 2,000 milligrams of ibuprofen in 24 hours and still been in tears from the pain. I often end up on the bathroom floor, in the fetal position, crying, moaning, or vomiting. Still, I’ve put on a blazer and gone to work,” Rep. Ansari wrote in a recent op-ed. “I may be the youngest woman serving in Congress, but this pain is older than me, older than my mother, older than my grandmothers. They endured it in silence. Future generations shouldn’t have to. When we start speaking honestly about this pain, and when we finally pass policies that recognize it, we can change what’s possible for every generation that comes after us.”

Read Ansari’s full op-ed in TIME here.

Ansari’s HER Agenda includes:

The Reproductive Healthcare Leave Act. This first-of-its-kind legislation would provide 12 days of paid leave for symptoms related to reproductive health conditions and procedures, including but not limited to menstrual pain, menopause, endometriosis, IUD insertion, pregnancy terminations, vasectomies, and fertility treatments.

Why it’s needed: In a 2019 study, 13.8% of women respondents reported absenteeism during menstruation and 80.7% reported presenteeism (the act of showing up for work or school without being productive). In another study, 65% of respondents in menopause reported work performance impacts, and 18% had taken sick leave. This bill ensures workers don’t have to face losing income or relying on limited sick days.

The Gynecological Pain Management Study Act. Ansari’s bill would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to more precisely identify the barriers to pain management options during and after gynecologic procedures, including IUD insertion, endometrial biopsies, and cancer screenings. It would also require the report to include legislative or administrative recommendations to close those gaps.

Why it’s needed: Last year, the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) released new guidelines for pain management in gynecological procedures, citing an “urgent need.” Despite evidence-based pain management options for procedures like IUD insertion being available, countless patients have cited only being offered ibuprofen.

The Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Awareness and Research Act. Ansari’s bill would direct the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to research and provide educational materials on PMDD and to fund clinical trials on potential treatments.

Why it’s needed: PMDD is a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that affects an estimated 3.2% to 7.7% of women of reproductive age. PMDD has been shown to cause severe symptoms of anger, irritability, depression, and anxiety, as well as a significant increase in suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Despite the intensity of PMDD, it often goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as bipolar disorder due to a lack of awareness in both medical professionals and patients.

A resolution acknowledging the history of women’s healthcare denying patient bodily autonomy and how that legacy continues in the field of gynecology and medicine today. The resolution highlights the need to turn the page on systemic reproductive injustice and commit to centering women’s comfort and health priorities in their medical care.

SUPPORT FOR ANSARI’S HER AGENDA

The Reproductive Healthcare Leave Act is cosponsored by Reps. Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Troy Carter (LA-02), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Herb Conaway (NJ-03), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).

It is endorsed by Women’s Health Advocates, the National Organization for Women, National Domestic Workers Alliance, Care in Action, Reproductive Freedom for All, the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, and the Democratic Women’s Caucus.

The Gynecological Pain Management Study Act is cosponsored by Reps. Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Troy Carter (LA-02), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Herb Conaway (NJ-03), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).

It is endorsed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Women’s Health Advocates, Society for Women's Health Research, National Organization for Women, Reproductive Freedom for All, the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, and the Democratic Women’s Caucus.

The PMDD Awareness and Research Act is cosponsored by Reps. Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Troy Carter (LA-02), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Herb Conaway (NJ-03), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).

It is endorsed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Women’s Health Advocates, Society for Women's Health Research, National Organization for Women, Reproductive Freedom for All, the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, and the Democratic Women’s Caucus.

The resolution is cosponsored by Reps. Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Troy Carter (LA-02), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Herb Conaway (NJ-03), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).

It is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Women’s Health Advocates, National Organization for Women, Reproductive Freedom for All, the Reproductive Freedom Caucus, and the Democratic Women’s Caucus.

“Women’s pain has been treated as an inconvenience rather than a clinical priority. From endometriosis to IUD insertions, women are routinely told to ‘tough it out’ while their quality of life suffers. NOW proudly supports the HER Agenda because it moves the conversation beyond procedures to the fundamental right to dignified, painless healthcare. We are done being gaslit in the exam room,” said National NOW President Kim Villanuevas.

“For too long, people have walked out of their doctor’s office or the emergency room without answers, without treatment, and without relief—especially women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people, disabled people, and immigrants. This legislation is a step towards addressing the systemic barriers that prevent patients from getting the care they deserve. As we fight against the many ongoing efforts to defund healthcare and take away bodily autonomy, we support Congresswoman Ansari’s leadership on these bills and the patients who will benefit from them,” said Mini Timmaraju, Reproductive Freedom for All President and CEO.

“Everyone, everywhere deserves to have access to the full spectrum of sexual and reproductive care to ensure that patients can make personal medical decisions that are right for them and their loved ones. We’re grateful to Rep. Ansari for championing reproductive health and highlighting the need for recognition and research into these issues, especially as the Trump administration continues to attack health care at the expense of patients. Planned Parenthood Federation of America will not stop fighting until all people have access to high-quality sexual and reproductive health care,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Federation of America.


SEEC Lands, Waters, and Nature Task Force Decries Trump Death Knell for America’s Marine Wildlife

Today, the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Lands, Waters, and Nature Task Force, led by Co-Chairs Reps. Don Beyer (VA-08), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Doris Matsui (CA-07), released the following statement in response to the Department of the Interior’s “God Squad” meeting to waive Endangered Species Act protections for wildlife affected by oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Today, President Trump’s Administration hastily convened the so-called ‘God Squad’ to consider sweeping exemptions from endangered species protections for Big Oil in the Gulf of Mexico. After causing a predictable energy crisis with their illegal war abroad, the Trump Administration is now scrambling for solutions and is doubling down on endangered species carveouts for Big Oil. This is a ridiculous sideshow; it will not lower gas prices for the American people, but it will risk the extinction of species, and the Trump Administration knows it.

“If Trump wanted to address the energy crisis, he could do so by stopping his forced dependency on the oil and gas industry. Handing out all-you-can-pollute passes to oil and gas companies not only represents a death knell for the threatened and endangered Gulf wildlife we know and love, but it also means more oil and gas spills that harm the health of our families and cost millions in lost tourism and fishing revenue for coastal economies.”


Buchanan Applauds HHS Action to Strengthen Hospital Nutrition, Support Florida Farmers

“What we serve patients matters as much as their prescriptions.”

Announcements Made During ‘Take Back Your Health’ Tour in Miami

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Vern Buchanan, Vice Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, applauded new actions by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.and the Department of Health and Human Services to strengthen hospital nutrition standards and expand partnerships between hospitals and Florida farmers. The announcements, made during the administration’s “Take Back Your Health” tour stop in Miami, aim to improve patient outcomes, prevent chronic disease and integrate nutrition more directly into care delivery.

As Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, Buchanan has been leading efforts in Congress to shift the nation’s health care system toward prevention, expand access to nutrition-based care and promote policies that treat food as a critical component of medicine. He stated:

“For too long, our health care system has focused on treating illness rather than preventing it. I applaud the Trump administration and Secretary Kennedy for putting nutrition at the forefront of health care. What we serve patients matters as much as their prescriptions. To achieve better outcomes, lower costs and healthier communities, we must prioritize prevention, champion better nutrition, encourage more physical activity and intervene earlier.

“These new standards and the partnership with Florida farmers are exactly the kind of solutions we need. Connecting hospitals with local producers delivers fresher, nutrient-rich food to patients, supports our farmers and strengthens our food supply chain. This is a win for patients, for Florida and for the future of American health care. I look forward to working with HHS to build a system that puts prevention first and empowers Americans to take charge of their health.”

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Budzinski and Fischbach Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Bolster Biomanufacturing

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) introduced the Biobased Materials Investment and Production Act to strengthen the domestic supply chain and create new markets for American farmers by incentivizing the production of biobased chemicals and materials.

While the United States has made significant strides in biofuels, many other everyday products, from plastics to industrial chemicals, remain dependent on foreign petroleum. The legislation aims to bridge that gap by providing tax incentives for companies that use American-grown biomass to create renewable materials.

“From innovative materials to lifesaving therapies, the biomanufacturing industry is making breakthroughs every day,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “As the representative of America’s ‘Silicorn Valley’ in Central and Southern Illinois, I know how important it is to grow our country’s leadership in this expanding field. I’m proud to be leading a bipartisan effort alongside Congresswoman Fischbach to drive investments in biomanufacturing that will have wide-reaching benefits for farmers, rural economies, consumers, and the environment.”

“This legislation is a crucial step in supporting our farmers and manufacturers,” said Congresswoman Fischbach. “By providing tax incentives, we can drive investment into rural communities, reduce our reliance on petroleum-based products, and strengthen our national supply chain using American-grown resources.”

The Biobased Materials Investment and Production Act allows taxpayers to choose the incentive that best fits their business model:

Production Support: A tax credit of $0.10 per pound for renewable materials produced and sold, up to $10 million a year, or

Investment Support: A 30% investment tax credit to help offset the capital costs of constructing or retrofitting manufacturing plants.

This legislation ensures that American businesses have the support they need to lead the world in renewable material production.

This legislation has significant support from outside groups:

“America’s farmers and innovators are uniquely positioned to lead the next generation of renewable materials and domestic manufacturing. This legislation helps unlock that potential by supporting investment in U.S. biomanufacturing facilities producing plant-based products from a range of agricultural commodities. These products reduce reliance on fossil resources, strengthen critical supply chains, and support vibrant rural economies,” said Plant Based Products Council Executive Director James Glueck. “By making it easier to scale biobased manufacturing here at home, Congress can ensure the United States leads the globe while making renewable materials, chemicals, and products more accessible and affordable for American consumers.”

“The U.S. corn refining industry plays a critical role in transforming American-grown crops into the ingredients and biobased materials that support food, agriculture, and a growing bioeconomy. This legislation recognizes the importance of domestic manufacturing and provides the certainty needed to invest in new technologies and facilities that expand the production of renewable chemicals and materials,” said Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode. “By strengthening U.S. supply chains and supporting innovation, Congress can help ensure America remains a global leader in biobased manufacturing while delivering economic benefits for farmers, workers, and communities across the country.”

“Illinois corn farmers are ready to lead in the next generation of American manufacturing, and this legislation from Congresswomen Budzinski and Fischbach is a critical step forward,” said Illinois farmer and IL Corn Growers Association President Mark Bunselmeyer. “By investing in biobased products and expanding access to biorefinery funding, we’re creating new markets for corn and strengthening rural economies. At a time of global instability, this effort also helps reduce reliance on petroleum-based products and strengthens our domestic energy and supply chain security. This is about more than fuel—it’s about turning homegrown corn into innovative products that drive jobs, sustainability, and long-term demand for agriculture.”

“Corn growers are very appreciative of Representatives Fischbach and Budzinski for introducing this legislation that will diversify demand for our farmers, strengthen rural economies and support domestic manufacturing. Boosting market opportunities for bioproducts made from agricultural feedstocks creates new revenue streams for growers of many different crops,” said National Corn Growers Association President Jed Bower.

“This legislation offers an important opportunity to ensure American innovation leads to American economic development,” said Ag Bioeconomy Coalition Spokesperson Danielle Beck. “Providing robust ag bioeconomy infrastructure in the U.S. will create new jobs in rural communities, support farm income, and protect American national security. American agriculture leads the world in productivity and sustainability; it’s time we also lead the world in bioeconomy investment and innovation. We are grateful to Representatives Fischbach and Budzinski for their bipartisan leadership on behalf of rural America.”

You can find text of the Biobased Materials Investment and Production Act HERE.

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Budzinski Statement on Granite City Works Restarting Steel Production

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) released the following statement as steel production resumes at Granite City Works for the first time in two years.

“After more than two years of relentless advocacy, Granite City Works is coming back to life. Blast Furnace B has officially restarted, and 500 workers have returned to the mill – once again producing the steel that helps power our nation.

“Throughout this process, I was proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with the USW to demand investment and opportunity – and to make clear that U.S. Steel could not turn its back on this community. This victory would not be possible without those workers.

“And we’re not done yet. I’ll keep working alongside them to protect this progress and secure the long-term commitment Granite City deserves.”

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Castor Announces 2026 Congressional Art Competition Winner “A Million Paths To Take”

TAMPA, Fla. – Out of 124 submissions from Tampa Bay area high school students, Blake High School Senior Cora Bowen was awarded the top prize at U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor’s annual Congressional Art Competition with the Mixed Media piece “A Million Paths To Take”. Cora’s artwork will be featured for one year in the U.S. Capitol alongside other Congressional Art Competition winners from across the country.

“The arts unite us and help us see the world through one another’s experiences. At a time when we need more connection and inspiration, these students delivered powerful, deeply personal work that also speaks to the challenges they face. I’m so proud of the talent across Tampa Bay and can’t wait to see Cora represent our community in the national competition,” said Rep. Kathy Castor.

“Senior year to me feels like an open road. A million paths to take, which one will you choose? That’s the question about 60 million eighteen-year-olds are being asked across the United States, what will you do for the rest of your life? To me, rather than something overwhelming and burdening, I feel a lot of optimism, nothing guaranteed, but something will happen, and that’s exciting to me. In my piece, I wanted to utilize untraditional mixed-media techniques, like combining collage with classic glass mosaic, to express these feelings of winding, combining, parallel, linear and exponential paths, each unique in its own way. As a magnet art student at Blake, I previously participated in Rep. Castor’s Congressional Art Competition with digital media and a sculpture. This year, I was excited to use a combination of mediums to create a unique Mixed Media piece that showcases my interest across the art disciplines,” said Cora Bowen.

A photo of Cora’s art can be found here.

Tampa and St. Petersburg are blessed with a broad range of artists and art lovers who provide a substantial economic benefit. The Arts Council and Americans for the Arts demonstrated this recently in their detailed study of the economic impact of nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties.

The results of the Hillsborough study found that in 2022, arts and culture generated $387.5 million in economic activity, supported 6,764 jobs and generated more than $76 million in tax revenue to local, state and federal governments.

The results of the Pinellas study found that in 2022, arts and culture generated $294.7 million in economic activity, supported 4,528 jobs and generated more than $58.9 million in tax revenue to local, state and federal governments.

Photos of the students’ art can be found here.

Photos from the Art Show can be found here.


U.S. Rep. Castor Blasts Trump for Selling Out Florida Families to Big Oil, Again

TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) today blasted the Trump Administration’s latest proposal to weaken endangered species protections in the Gulf of Mexico to benefit Big Oil. Castor warned that the move risks repeating the costly damage of past disasters while doing nothing to lower prices for Americans already facing rising costs driven by the Trump Administration’s policies.

“The Trump Administration is once again bending over backward for polluters at the expense of Florida’s families, our ocean wildlife, and the coastal economy that depends on clean water and healthy beaches. The so‑called ‘God Squad’ proposal to dismantle endangered species protections is reckless, dangerous, and costly. Floridians remember the billions in damages from the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster—we refuse to let history repeat itself.

“This proposal will do nothing to address the high prices families are paying at the pump as a result of Trump’s war in Iran. Big Oil already sits on thousands of unused leases and receives billions in taxpayer subsidies. They don’t need another giveaway—especially when Trump’s policies are already making life more expensive for hardworking Americans. I will continue fighting to permanently ban drilling in the Eastern Gulf and protect our coastal way of life.

“The Gulf is central to life in Tampa Bay—supporting tourism, national security, and the livelihoods of families across our region and down Florida’s coast. Weakening these protections is a direct threat to our pocketbooks at a time when people are already being squeezed by Trump’s policies. Despite bipartisan efforts and overwhelming public support to keep drilling away from Florida’s shores, President Trump continues to put our communities at risk, selling off our treasured lands and waterways to the highest bidder.”


REP. CLARKE, CO-CHAIR OF THE SMART CITIES CAUCUS, JOINS CEDIA FOR “A.I. COMES HOME” SMART TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 31, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT:

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) joined CEDIA, a global trade association representing the smart home technology industry, for their “A.I. Comes Home” event where A.I.-focused smart home technologies were showcased to lawmakers, Congressional staff members, and industry professionals. As co-chair and co-founder of the Congressional Smart Cities Caucus, Rep. Clarke’s work is focused on sharing solutions, ideas, and best practices around how American communities can most benefit from new forms of smart technology, and how policymakers like her can most effectively support innovation and efforts to bring about equitable technological progress.

“It’s clear, today, that our nation stands at the dawn of a new technological revolution: the age of A.I. And, as we march deeper into this new era, it’s also clear that smart technologies will only become more integrated in our homes and communities, and more impactful in our daily lives. I was proud to join CEDIA for their exciting demonstration, and I look forward to our continued partnership in helping the American people bring the technologies of tomorrow into their homes today,” said Congresswoman Clarke.

“As illustrated in CEDIA’s “A.I. Comes Home” demonstration on Capitol Hill, technology has the power to transform every aspect of how we live. CEDIA is grateful to Rep. Clarke and the members of the Congressional Smart Cities Caucus for their leadership, and we look forward to our continued partnership to improve people’s lives through smart technology,” said Daryl Friedman, Global President and CEO of CEDIA.

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Higgins Helps Secure $772,800 for Port of Morgan City Equipment Upgrades

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded a grant of $772,800 to the Port of Morgan City for the procurement of a new crane to be used at the terminal facility.

Congressman Higgins penned a letter of support for this project to USDOT Secretary Sean Duffy in July of 2025. Read the letter here.

“The Port of Morgan City is a major economic asset to the surrounding region, and the new crane project makes it even more competitive,” said Rep. Higgins. “This investment will increase efficiency, reduce vessel turnaround times, and help expand the Port’s economic activity for years to come.”


Higgins Supports $203M in GOMESA Revenue for Louisiana

LAFAYETTE, LA – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) released a statement following the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) announcement of a record $460.9 million in energy revenue to the Gulf states, with more than $203.7 million being delivered to Louisiana.

The State will administer $162,989,700.89, and additional funds will be distributed across 19 parishes. Parishes in Louisiana’s 3rd District will receive the following disbursements:

Calcasieu Parish – $2,204,702.91

Cameron Parish – $2,730,987.49

Iberia Parish – $2,107,679.60

Lafourche Parish – $2,101,385.70

St. Martin Parish – $1,503,086.07

St. Mary Parish – $1,747,773.68

Terrebonne Parish – $3,073,801.57

Vermilion Parish – $2,100,436.77


Rep. Clyde Honors WJES Beta Club Students as Special Georgians of the Ninth

GAINESVILLE, GA – This week, Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09) awarded students of the West Jackson Elementary School (WJES) Beta Club as Special Georgians of the Ninth following their nationally recognized leadership and service.

Earlier this month, National Beta named the WJES Beta Club as a 2025-2026 John W. Harris Leadership Award recipient. Named in recognition of Beta’s founder, John Harris, the award celebrates clubs that exemplify Beta’s four pillars: achievement, character, leadership, and service. WJES is one of just five elementary schools from the entire nation and the only elementary school in Georgia to receive this award.

On Monday, Congressman Clyde visited West Jackson Elementary School to deliver remarks celebrating the Beta Club students’ accomplishments. Additionally, Rep. Clyde presented the group with an American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol and a Special Georgian of the Ninth certificate.


Dingell, DeLauro Urge State Department to Ensure Governments Respect Access to Holy Sites After Clergy Blocked from Church in Israel at Start of Holy Week

Today, U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) expressed their concerns over encroachments on religious freedom amid the start of Easter Week. In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the lawmakers urged the State Department to ensure foreign governments, particularly our allies, closely consult with the United States as decisions are made regarding access to holy sites for people of faith during religious holidays.

The effort follows an incident in Jerusalem at the start of Easter Week where Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and a small group of other Catholic clergy were blocked by Israeli Authorities from celebrating the start of Easter Week at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where according to Christian tradition it is believed that Jesus was crucified and resurrected. This was the first time in centuries that the Heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Church.

“In a moment already marked by tension and conflict, protecting places like this is not just about one faith, but about safeguarding shared symbols of history, humanity, and coexistence for Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. They become more important than ever in these times. And should serve as a reminder of the shared values of all faiths,” the lawmakers said in their letter.

The decision to block services drew strong condemnation from many as a violation of religious freedom. Following a public outcry, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu altered the restrictions to permit access for “representatives of the Churches” to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the remainder of Holy Week. However, other key holy sites, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Western Wall, remain closed to worshipers.

A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below:

Dear Secretary Rubio,

This letter is regarding the concerning reports that access to holy sites in Jerusalem was restricted by the Israeli government as Holy Week began.

On Palm Sunday, March 29th, 2026, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and a small group of other Catholic clergy were blocked by Israeli Authorities from celebrating the start of Easter Week at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where according to Christian tradition it is believed Jesus was crucified and resurrected. This was the first time in centuries that the Heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Church. This site holds profound significance not only for Catholics and other Christians—who commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus—but also for Jews and Muslims, for whom Jerusalem is a sacred and shared spiritual center. The decision to block services drew strong condemnation from many as a violation of religious freedom, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni describing it as "an affront not only to believers but to any community that upholds religious freedom".

On March 30th, in response to the many concerns raised, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu altered the restrictions to permit access for “representatives of the Churches” to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the remainder of Holy Week. However, other key holy sites, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Western Wall, remain closed to worshipers. While security concerns in Jerusalem are real and must be taken seriously, they should be addressed in ways that uphold—not restrict—religious freedom and dignity.

Pope Francis and now Pope Leo have repeatedly expressed concern about preserving access to holy sites and protecting the rights of worshippers, underscoring the importance of maintaining their historic importance and ensuring that sacred spaces remain open and respected. In a moment already marked by tension and conflict, protecting places like this is not just about one faith, but about safeguarding shared symbols of history, humanity, and coexistence for Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. They become more important than ever in these times. And should serve as a reminder of the shared values of all faiths.

We urge the State Department to ensure the Israeli government closely consults with you as these decisions are made and strongly uphold access to these deeply holy sites during sacred moments.

In light of these restrictions on religious freedom, we respectfully request a response to the following questions within the next two weeks:

•Did the Israeli government consult with the United States prior to restricting access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and other holy sites during religious holidays?

•Has the State Department expressed concerns to Israel regarding potential infringements on religious freedom related to these restrictions?

•Is the State Department taking action to ensure that access to holy sites in Jerusalem is preserved for religious observances?


DelBene Leads Push to Stop the Trump Administration from Using AI to Deny Medicare Treatments, Procedures

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Ami Bera, MD (CA-06), Llyod Doggett (TX-35), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), and Kim Schrier, MD (WA-08) led a letter along with 28 of their colleagues urging leadership of the House Appropriations Committee to repeal the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model, or any related prior authorization model, from traditional Medicare in the upcoming federal funding process.

Starting this January, CMS began implementing WISeR in New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and Washington. The model pays private companies to use AI to approve or deny essential medical services and devices, including for Parkinson’s, chronic pain, sleep apnea, and wound care. These companies are paid a percentage of the value of the services they deny, creating a clear incentive to deny care.

“While prior authorization is often described as a cost-containment strategy, in practice it increases provider burden, takes time away from patients, limits patients’ access to life-saving care, and creates unnecessary administrative burden,” the lawmakers wrote.

Unlike Medicare Advantage, traditional Medicare rarely requires prior authorization. For patients with traditional Medicare, treatments are determined by doctors and not by insurance companies. The use of prior authorization has steadily increased, with Medicare Advantage insurers making roughly 50 million prior authorization determinations in 2023. Ultimately, over 80% of denials are overturned on average.

“Prior authorization has long been abused. It is bad for patients and providers. The WISeR Model only perpetuates the harm that prior authorizations can cause,” the lawmakers continued.

Implementing the WISeR Model for traditional Medicare had already started putting beneficiaries at greater risk of having needed care and treatments denied. A recent Seattle Times story documents how Washington seniors are having pain care denied and forced to suffer while their prior authorization is processed.


Rep. Fallon Leads Letter Asking that CVDs on Fertilizer be Reconsidered

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- This week, Rep. Pat Fallon (TX-04) led a letter urging the U.S. International Trade Commission to reconsider the implemented countervailing duty on phosphate fertilizer from Morocco. Rep. Fallon was joined on this letter by 26 other representatives. As reported in The Washington Reporter, Rep. Fallon commented:

“The US International Trade Commission should immediately reconsider the countervailing duties, put in place by the Biden Admin, on phosphate fertilizer from Morocco. Our corn, soybean, and wheat growers depend on affordable fertilizer to grow healthy, high-yielding crops, but these duties have cost American farmers billions since being implemented in 2021. This burdensome policy hurts the very individuals who feed our nation. It is time we put our farmers first and get this reversed.”

Supporting organizations include National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, USA Rice, Texas Corn Producers, & Texas Farm Bureau.

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Congresswoman Fischbach in Barnesville

Willmar, MN -- Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) recently met with Barnesville Mayor Jason Rick and city staff to discuss the town's infrastructure needs. The group discussed their plans for how they will address those needs over the next few years. The congresswoman appreciated them taking the time to meet with her and for showing her tangible examples of what needs to be addressed, such as the water pipes that need to be replaced. The group also discussed the importance of maintaining critical care resources for rural areas by having access to ambulance services. Congresswoman Fischbach recently helped secure $750,000 in federal funding to help the city of Barnesville as they undergo comprehensive reconstruction of critical infrastructure. This investment will replace failing systems, improve water quality in Whiskey Creek, and support the continued growth of one of Clay County’s most vibrant communities. Congresswoman Fischbach is committed to working for the communities within the Seventh Congressional District to help these towns thrive!


Reps. Fischbach, Budzinski Introduce Legislation to Bolster American Biobased Manufacturing and Support Rural Economies

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) and Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) introduced the Biobased Materials Investment and Production Act to strengthen the domestic supply chain and create new markets for American farmers by incentivizing the production of biobased chemicals and materials.

While the United States has made significant strides in biofuels, many other everyday products, from plastics to industrial chemicals, remain dependent on foreign petroleum. The legislation aims to bridge that gap by providing tax incentives for companies that use American-grown biomass to create renewable materials.

"This legislation is a crucial step in supporting our farmers and manufacturers," said Rep. Fischbach. "By providing tax incentives, we can drive investment into rural communities, reduce our reliance on petroleum-based products, and strengthen our national supply chain using American-grown resources."

“From innovative materials to lifesaving therapies, the biomanufacturing industry is making breakthroughs every day,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “As the representative of America’s ‘Silicorn Valley’ in Central and Southern Illinois, I know how important it is to grow our country’s leadership in this expanding field. I’m proud to be leading a bipartisan effort alongside Congresswoman Fischbach to drive investments in biomanufacturing that will have wide-reaching benefits for farmers, rural economies, consumers, and the environment.”

The Biobased Materials Investment and Production Act allows taxpayers to choose the incentive that best fits their business model:

Production Support: A tax credit of $0.10 per pound for renewable materials produced and sold, up to $10 million a year, or

Investment Support: A 30% investment tax credit to help offset the capital costs of constructing or retrofitting manufacturing plants.

This legislation ensures that American businesses have the support they need to lead the world in renewable material production.

This legislation has significant support from outside groups:

“America’s farmers and innovators are uniquely positioned to lead the next generation of renewable materials and domestic manufacturing. This legislation helps unlock that potential by supporting investment in U.S. biomanufacturing facilities producing plant-based products from a range of agricultural commodities. These products reduce reliance on fossil resources, strengthen critical supply chains, and support vibrant rural economies,” said Plant Based Products Council Executive Director James Glueck. “By making it easier to scale biobased manufacturing here at home, Congress can ensure the United States leads the globe while making renewable materials, chemicals, and products more accessible and affordable for American consumers.”

“The U.S. corn refining industry plays a critical role in transforming American-grown crops into the ingredients and biobased materials that support food, agriculture, and a growing bioeconomy. This legislation recognizes the importance of domestic manufacturing and provides the certainty needed to invest in new technologies and facilities that expand the production of renewable chemicals and materials,” said Corn Refiners Association President and CEO John Bode. “By strengthening U.S. supply chains and supporting innovation, Congress can help ensure America remains a global leader in biobased manufacturing while delivering economic benefits for farmers, workers, and communities across the country.”

"Illinois corn farmers are ready to lead in the next generation of American manufacturing, and this legislation from Congresswomen Budzinski and Fischbach is a critical step forward,” said Illinois farmer and IL Corn Growers Association President, Mark Bunselmeyer. “By investing in biobased products and expanding access to biorefinery funding, we’re creating new markets for corn and strengthening rural economies. At a time of global instability, this effort also helps reduce reliance on petroleum-based products and strengthens our domestic energy and supply chain security. This is about more than fuel—it’s about turning homegrown corn into innovative products that drive jobs, sustainability, and long-term demand for agriculture."

Jed Bower - President, National Corn Growers Association

"Corn growers are very appreciative of Representatives Fischbach and Budzinski for introducing this legislation that will diversify demand for our farmers, strengthen rural economies and support domestic manufacturing. Boosting market opportunities for bioproducts made from agricultural feedstocks creates new revenue streams for growers of many different crops."


Franklin Leads Florida Delegation Urging EPA Action To Support Citrus Industry

Today, Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18) led members of the Florida delegation in sending a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urging timely, science-based review of emerging citrus rootstock technologies to combat citrus greening (HLB).

Florida’s citrus industry has faced steep declines due to HLB, compounded by recent hurricanes and freeze damage. Production has dropped by more than 90 percent from its peak, putting significant pressure on growers and limiting their ability to reinvest.

“Florida’s citrus industry has taken hit after hit, from greening to hurricanes to recent freeze damage, but growers are resilient and science is starting to move in the right direction,” said Congressman Scott Franklin. “Innovations like these rootstock technologies and other emerging tools are giving producers confidence that a solution to greening is finally here. Growers are ready to reinvest and replant, but they need EPA to complete its review and provide a clear path forward. Timely, predictable decisions will help keep momentum going, protect jobs and strengthen the future of this industry.”

“Thank you to Congressman Scott Franklin and Florida’s Congressional delegation for urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to approve emerging citrus rootstocks developed to bolster our nation’s fight against citrus greening disease,” said Matt Joyner, Executive Vice President and CEO of Florida Citrus Mutual. “Florida citrus growers have partnered with researchers for two decades to develop tools that combat citrus greening. With disease-tolerant rootstocks now available, we urge the EPA to enable their rapid deployment, enhancing disease tolerance, strengthening crop production and preserving Florida’s iconic citrus industry.”

“Florida’s citrus growers have endured decades of devastating losses from HLB, and the path forward depends on innovation,” said Jeb S. Smith, President, Florida Farm Bureau Federation. “Gene-edited rootstock technologies offer a promising, science-based solution to improve disease tolerance and restore confidence for growers looking to replant. We appreciate Congressman Franklin’s leadership and urge EPA to move forward with a timely review so these tools can get into the hands of producers who need them most.”

The letter highlights innovative rootstock technologies that improve HLB tolerance by targeting the plant’s existing biology. Growers are prepared to invest in more than 2.5 million new trees this year, but that depends on regulatory certainty and access to emerging tools.

Click here to read the full letter.


ICYMI: Guthrie Continues Leading Effort to Combat Illicit Drugs That Harm American Communities

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, continued his efforts to counter the devastation in American communities that has been caused by the distribution and use of illicit drugs.

Last week, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health conducted a legislative hearing titled Policies to Protect Our Communities from Illicit Drug Threats. It focused on over one dozen bills that aim to crack down on illicit drug threats facing our nation. By examining the supply chain dynamics of these drugs and their precursors, in addition to looking at new and emerging illicit drug threats, the subcommittee took a comprehensive look at the crisis that has ravaged communities and killed hundreds of thousands of Americans for decades.

This hearing built upon the work Chairman Guthrie and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce have done throughout the 119th Congress to prevent overdose death and support those battling addiction; including the passage of the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act and HALT Fentanyl Act – both of which were signed into law by President Trump last year.

Additional information about this hearing can be found HERE.

You can watch the full subcommittee hearing HERE.

Chairman Guthrie’s Opening Statement, as Prepared for Delivery:

“Thank you, Chairman Griffith. And thank you to all of the witnesses for being here.

“Today, we will hear from a diverse panel about existing and emerging drug threats and discuss policies designed to help keep our communities safe.

“These drug threats continue to evolve from opioids like oxycodone and heroin, to illicit fentanyl—to now—the prevalence of nitazenes, as well as synthetic 7-OH, known as ‘gas station heroin.’

“Bad actors are using illicit pill presses and fentanyl to make pills including punches and dyes imprinting logos onto those pills, making them look like legitimate prescription medication.

“Just last week, DEA announced a significant seizure in my home state of Kentucky from this past January. The DEA seized approximately 17 kilograms of fentanyl, two industrial grade pill presses, and two kilo-brick presses. According to DEA, this seizure prevented almost 9 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl from reaching our communities.

“I’m proud of the work we’ve done in this Committee to crack down on the influx of illicit drugs and to uplift individuals and families struggling with substance use disorders—like getting the HALT Fentanyl Act and the SUPPORT Act signed into law—but there is still work to be done to ensure law enforcement can adequately detect and combat the proliferation and distribution of deadly substances. I’m thankful to my colleagues who are leading on these efforts.

“We have bills like the Combatting Illicit Xylazine Act to permanently place xylazine into schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act while ensuring veterinarians, farmers, and ranchers can continue to administer the sedative to animals, and the STOP Nitazenes Act to permanently place the drug class of nitazenes into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.

“Further, the END 7-OH Act would place synthetic 7-OH into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, and we’ll consider a range of bills aimed at cracking down on the illicit distribution of pill press machines.

“We must work to advance policies that ensure those who make, import, and distribute these poisons in our communities are brought to justice on behalf of the families who have experienced so much pain already, and to help those with substance use disorders find treatment and recovery so we can save lives in the future.

“I thank the witnesses for their participation and look forward to today’s discussion. I yield back.”