Sullivan Recognizes Olivia Klupar as “Alaskan of the Week”

WASHINGTON—On the floor of the U.S. Senate yesterday, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) recognized Olivia Klupar of Skagway, Alaska, as his “Alaskan of the Week.” Olivia is the cofounder of Voyij, a technology platform that connects Alaska’s small businesses, artists, and tour operators with visitors and consumers from around the world. Through Voyij, Olivia has helped showcase Alaska-made goods, authentic Alaska Native art, and unique experiences from communities across the state, while supporting local businesses and strengthening Alaska’s tourism economy. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Olivia and her team also helped Alaska businesses pivot to online sales when cruise tourism came to a halt, providing a critical lifeline to many entrepreneurs and artists. Olivia was recognized as part of Sen. Sullivan’s series, “Alaskan of the Week.”

Click here or the image above to watch Sen. Sullivan’s speech.

Tribute to Olivia Klupar

Mr. President, it is Thursday here in the U.S. Senate, which means it is time for one of my favorite traditions on the Senate floor—the “Alaskan of the Week.”

Now, the pages, I don't think, have had the pleasure--this group of pages has had the pleasure--of seeing an “Alaskan of the Week” presentation.

I am sure, once you see it, our great pages, you will understand why every class of pages couldn't wait until Thursday afternoon to get the “Alaskan of the Week” update. So, congratulations. I know you are literally sitting on the edges of your seats.

What I would like to do--and to our wonderful pages here, when I talk about the Alaskan of the Week, which is usually on Thursday--by the way, the press likes this, too, because they know the end of the week is here, and you know that all of the busyness of the Capitol slows down; but I would like to first talk about what is going on back home--what is going on in the great State of Alaska. Now, it is a really exciting time to be back home in Alaska. I try to get home pretty much every weekend, and last weekend when I was home, there were some fantastic things going on.

First and foremost, one of the most iconic traditions in our great State was the Iditarod, which is often called the Last Great Race. It started last Saturday, in Anchorage, and then officially out of Willow, AK. Each year, dozens of mushers and their teams of sled dogs set out on a grueling journey of nearly 1,000 miles across Alaska's vast and unforgiving landscape, racing from Anchorage to Nome, through mountain ranges, frozen rivers, and the wide-open tundra.

I had the honor of kicking off that race last week by cutting the ribbon at the ceremonial start in Anchorage. It was a great event--a huge crowd, incredible energy. The dogs were just jumping in their harnesses, ready to run.

By the way, right before we kicked off the race, I was honored to swear in 33 new Marine Corps recruits right there at the starting line of the Iditarod. These are the kinds of events that bring the whole community together--families lining the streets, kids and grandparents cheering on the teams, and visitors from literally all over the world; some of the mushers are from all over the world--to get a glimpse of this uniquely Alaskan tradition.

To anyone who is watching in the Galleries, I invite you, next time, to come on up for the Iditarod--the Last Great Race. It was snowing. We had about a foot of snow. It was beautiful.

The Iditarod captures something essential about Alaska. It reflects the same resilience, determination, and spirit of self-reliance that define our communities from the smallest villages to the largest cities. That spirit is on display across Alaska right now.

From our athletes who are representing the United States on the world stage to the fishermen, small businesses, and families who help to sustain our communities, Alaskans continue to show what makes our State so special. Whether it is the mushers crossing the Alaska Range, dog teams charging across the interior, or communities all across the State coming out to the trail to welcome racers and visitors from around the world--or what we call the Iditarod Air Force, which are small bush pilot planes helping to supply these mushers and their dogs and their canine athletes--this is a great event that helps define what the last frontier is all about.

One of the clearest places those values come together, as I mentioned, is in our tourism industry, an industry that connects our communities, supports local jobs, and allows visitors to experience Alaska not just as a destination but as a place shaped by its people, which brings me to our Alaskan of the Week.

This week's Alaskan of the Week is Olivia Klupar of Skagway, AK. She is the cofounder of Voyij, a technology platform that connects Alaska's small businesses, artists, and tour operators with visitors and consumers from all over the world to browse and discover over 20,000 Alaska items that they can buy or they can see when they come to Alaska, including fresh seafood, Alaska Native art, apparel and jewelry, and experiences from dog mushing, the Northern Lights, salmon fishing, whale watching, and much, much more.

Now, I had the honor of meeting with Olivia in DC just a few weeks ago. She is an entrepreneur, a small business advocate, and a wonderful bridge between Alaska's communities and the global marketplace.

The oldest of five siblings, Olivia was born in Skagway, a town without a hospital to deliver babies. When she was born, a doctor had to fly in from Haines, AK, during a snowstorm, and because Skagway did not have runway lights yet, the people of the town lined up their cars along the airstrip--headlights on--and guided the plane safely to the ground. That is how Olivia was born. That story may sound remarkable, but to many Alaskans, it has a familiar start to a life in the Last Frontier--one shaped by community, resilience, and shared responsibility.

Olivia grew up immersed in a small family-owned business that welcomed the world to Alaska. Her parents own and operate the Historic Skagway Inn--a Gold Rush-era bed and breakfast that now welcomes visitors from around the globe. I had the privilege of staying there before I was a U.S. Senator, and it is a great place.

Again, if you are watching on TV or from the Galleries, come on up to Alaska. Get to Skagway and stay at the Historic Skagway Inn.

Her family also operates Olivia's Bistro, a scratch kitchen of all homemade food--serving Alaska seafood, halibut, salmon, and wild game.

In addition, her parents run the Lynch & Kennedy Gallery in Skagway, which is a respected art gallery that showcases curated Alaska art and locally crafted jewelry from artists all across our great State.

From an early age, Olivia learned that tourism is not just about visitors and revenue; it is about creativity and stewardship. As Olivia said:

“Tourism isn't just about people coming to Alaska--it's about how we take care of our communities and share who we are.”

Like many Alaskans, Olivia left home to see the wider world. She earned a degree at Boston College, moved to New York City, and worked at a major law firm before joining Citigroup. She was surrounded by opportunity, but she said something was missing. As Olivia put it, “living that cubicle life” in the big city “made me realize my parents--the small business owners back home--were truly the brave ones.”

I love that quote. It is a great quote.

That realization brought Olivia back to Alaska. Together with her brother Greg, a software developer trained at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Olivia cofounded Voyij, a technology platform built specifically for Alaska's tourism and small business community.

Voyij grew directly from lived experience. Olivia remembers spending an entire summer building a website for her parents' art gallery, only to watch it become outdated as the business evolved. She recognized the challenge shared by countless Alaska entrepreneurs. As Olivia said:

“Small business owners already wear every [single] hat--they don't have time to be web developers, marketers, and operators all at once.”

So that is where Voyij came in. Today, Voyij partners with roughly 400 Alaska businesses across more than 65 communities, offering over 20,000 Alaskan-made goods, services, and experiences, connecting visitors and consumers with local operators all across the State and, really, all across the world.

More than 20 percent of Voyij's platform features indigenous artists or galleries representing authentic Alaska Native art. Olivia and her team have worked diligently with Tribal organizations, including in remote communities, to provide training on photography, pricing, and online sales, helping artists--Alaska artists--in very rural communities reach markets that they might not otherwise access.

The importance of Olivia's work became unmistakably clear during the COVID-19 pandemic, when cruise tourism all stopped. We get about 1.5, 1.6 million tourists coming up on cruise ships to Alaska every summer. And when COVID hit, none of them came. It was a very scary time for our small businesses and the tourism industry.

When it stopped, Alaska communities felt the impact immediately. Businesses that relied on short summer seasons for all their business lost critical revenue. Some, unfortunately, never even reopened.

Voyij pivoted quickly. With the platform already built, Olivia and her team worked with cruise lines, the Alaska Small Business Development Center, and BuyAlaska to help businesses sell online when ships were no longer coming. Their message was simple: Shop now, and you visit later after the pandemic.

Those partnerships continue today. Voyij now works with every major cruise line that visits Alaska--and there are a lot of them--reinforcing a message essential to our State's long-term success: When visitors come to Alaska, they should support Alaska's local businesses.

Olivia's work reflects a clear understanding of what makes Alaska's economy strong. When I met with her a few weeks ago, we discussed the issues that go beyond tourism, issues that matter to the local economy, issues that matter to the future of our State. That includes the ARTIST Act, which is my legislation that I am proud to have gotten through the Senate at the end of last year. I appreciate all my colleagues voting for that. This legislation passed the Senate unanimously and clarifies protections for Alaska Native artists who craft walrus ivory.

We still do that in Alaska, and it is legal. Some States didn't recognize that. So our ARTIST Act makes sure the whole country recognizes you can buy beautiful Alaska Native ivory from walrus.

Alaska's economy and identity grow in our communities--in families and small businesses and the preservation and celebration of culture and tradition, including through art and through the creativity and innovations of Alaskans themselves. And that is the essence of the work Olivia does.

So, Olivia, thank you for your great work, for showcasing and supporting Alaska's economy, for helping other Alaska businesses and artists reach the entire world, for your creativity and dedication in helping our great State. I want to thank you again for all you are doing and, of course, congratulate you on this very prestigious award, being our “Alaskan of the Week.” I yield the floor.

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Tillis Statement on Powell Investigation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, issued the following statement:

“This ruling confirms just how weak and frivolous the criminal investigation of Chairman Powell is and it is nothing more than a failed attack on Fed independence. We all know how this is going to end and the D.C. U.S. Attorney’s Office should save itself further embarrassment and move on. Appealing the ruling will only delay the confirmation of Kevin Warsh as the next Fed Chair.”

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Van Hollen, Whitehouse, Heinrich Probe AI Companies About Plans for Colossal Gas-Powered Data Centers

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), and Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) today launched an investigation into eight AI companies, including xAI, OpenAI, and Meta, regarding twelve planned data center projects that would be powered by massive new gas plants. The gas plants—many of which are ten or more times the size of the average gas plant currently powering the U.S. electric grid—would emit millions of tons of greenhouse gases and tens of thousands of tons of health-harming pollutants every year.

“You are undoubtedly aware that your local air pollutants—including nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and benzene—will pollute the air surrounding the project, creating health issues for your neighbors, including asthma, heart attacks, stroke, reproductive issues, and cancer, with possible lethal effects,” the Senators wrote.

“Without adequate methane mitigation measures in place,” the Senators note, “combusting gas to generate electricity can have an equivalent carbon intensity to combusting coal.” The Senators warned that “if all the gas projects currently under development in the United States…are completed, they will add a combined 12.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions in their lifetimes, double the annual emissions from all other sources in the U.S. today.”

Limiting climate upheaval and economic harm “requires reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050, which in turn means that advanced economies’ energy sectors must achieve overall net-zero emissions by 2035,” continued the Senators.

Gas turbines are not the only option for data center developers looking to meet booming demand. Some hyperscale projects have invested in renewables, including solar, wind, and zero-carbon nuclear energy. Others employ battery storage. Gas projects can employ carbon capture to limit their footprints.

The Senators’ investigation also extends to Pacifico Energy, which is planning a 7.65GW gas plant, GW Ranch, that could become one of the largest emissions sources in the world. The project’s air pollution permit, the largest in the United States, included authorization for 12,000 tons of health-harming pollutants and over 30 million tons of greenhouse gases annually.


VIDEO: Van Hollen, Warren Call for Hegseth to Be Fired Over Civilian Casualties

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released the following video calling on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to be fired:

SENATOR CHRIS VAN HOLLEN (D-MD.): Pete Hegseth needs to be fired immediately, and here's why.

SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN (D-MASS.): A preliminary investigation out today reported that the US military likely bombed a girls' school, killing 175 people, mostly little girls, between the ages of about 7 and 14.

VAN HOLLEN: We had “Signalgate” where he put our troops at risk. We had him blowing up boats in the Caribbean.

WARREN: Yeah.

VAN HOLLEN: We had them targeting defenseless swimmers –

WARREN: That’s right with no accountability.

VAN HOLLEN: No accountability. He has no idea what he's doing in this war in Iran, and now an American missile hit an Iranian school, killing about 150 innocent school kids.

WARREN: And that's really the point. Senator Van Hollen and I've been working for a long time on questions around what’s called civilian harm, and we helped build into the law certain restrictions so whenever the military is thinking about an attack where there are civilians in the area, and innocent people could get harmed – it’s how to think through what are the risks? Are there ways to minimize the risks? Have we checked and double checked? Have we found ways to minimize the risks? But what did Pete Hegseth say about that?

VAN HOLLEN: Pete Hegseth, he came in and dismantled the whole system we’ve helped to build. He said they were “stupid rules of engagement.” As we know, rules of engagement are intended to prevent civilian harm. They’re to prevent war crimes.

WARREN: It's very different to have an accident, when people up and down the line from the leadership all the way down are saying: we will do our best not to drop bombs where there are little girls in a girls’ school – and to have a leadership that says even thinking about civilian harm is stupid.


Warner Statement on the Trump Administration's Decision to Temporarily Lift Sanctions on Russian Oil

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement on the Trump administration’s decision to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian oil:

“Trump’s war of choice with Iran has come with immeasurable cost to American lives – with 13 servicemembers killed and hundreds more injured – and passed enormous costs on to working families. Critically, the Trump administration failed to anticipate or plan for many of the inevitable consequences of this attack – including the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has cut off 20% of the world's oil and gas supply. Over the past two weeks, gas prices have skyrocketed more than 60 cents a gallon, spiking prices at the pump and increasing costs for flights, groceries, and more.

“Trump’s decision to pause sanctions on Russian oil will barely make a dent in skyrocketing gas prices, but will enrich Putin as he wages his bloody war against Ukraine. Particularly given Russia’s close relationship with Iran, this short-sighted giveaway to Putin strengthens our adversaries, undercuts Ukraine’s fight for freedom, and leaves American families footing the bill with higher prices.”

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Welch, Collins Lead Bipartisan Call Urging USDA to Release Cost Share Funding, Reduce Financial Burdens for Organic Farmers

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, today joined U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, in urging USDA to promptly release cost share reimbursements for the National Organic Certification Cost Share Program (NOCCSP), which many farms rely on to offset high certification costs. In their letter to USDA Under Secretary Richard Fordyce, the Senators warn that ongoing delays are forcing some businesses to postpone their organic certification renewal, risking further decline of U.S. organic farms at a time when demand for organic food continues to grow.

“Organic farmers and food manufacturers voluntarily opt into organic certification, which prohibits the use of most synthetic pesticides, artificial flavors and colors, and growth hormones. NOCCSP helps small and midsize farms defray the cost of the rigorous organic standards trusted by consumers,” wrote the Senators. “There is strong and growing consumer demand for organic products. Inflation-adjusted organic retail sales grew at a compounded annual rate exceeding 7 percent from 2012 to 2023, with total annual sales now surpassing $70 billion annually. Despite growing demand, certified organic acreage has declined in recent years.”

The Senators highlighted that many farmers cite certification expenses as a major barrier to entering or staying in organic production: “USDA’s FY 2023 report to Congress showed that USDA’s Farm Service Agency and State agencies distributed more than $7.4 million in NOCCSP funds to 10,522 organic operations nationwide. By offsetting certification costs, the cost share program is one of the most direct ways USDA can deliver on its commitment to reduce financial burdens on small farms, expand domestic organic production, and keep U.S. farmers competitive in a growing market.

“U.S. organic operations have not yet received their 2025 cost-share reimbursements, which are typically available in July. As a result, farms are currently carrying the full certification cost out of pocket,” the Senators continued. “This outcome runs counter to our shared goals of bolstering domestic production, supporting family farms, and increasing access to healthy food. We urge you to ensure that Fiscal Year 2025 and 2026 cost share funding is made available as soon as possible at the full reimbursement levels authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill. Prompt action is essential to maintain organic farm viability and uphold the integrity and competitiveness of the U.S. organic sector.”

Read and download the Senators’ full letter to USDA Under Secretary Richard Fordyce.

“As consumer demand for organic food continues to grow at a rapid rate, U.S. organic farmers are struggling to keep pace. The delay in providing certification cost share assistance to organic farmers and businesses is only making matters worse. The problem is particularly acute for small-and-medium scale organic farmers. The National Organic Coalition applauds Senators Welch and Collins for their leadership in drawing attention to this issue,” said Abby Youngblood, Executive Director, National Organic Coalition.

Senator Welch has led bipartisan efforts to support Vermont’s dairy farmers and strengthen the state’s organic dairy industry. In January, the Senator reintroduced the Opportunities in Organic Act, bicameral legislation designed to help farmers and other agricultural producers transition to organic practices and build successful and sustainable businesses. Senator Welch also led the reintroduction of the Organic Dairy Assistance, Investment, and Reporting Yields Act (O DAIRY) Act, legislation to expand federal support for organic dairy farmers by extending emergency assistance to farmers facing losses and increase investments in the organic dairy industry.

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Welch Joins Bipartisan Bill to Crack Down on Online Scams, Protect Vermonters’ Hard-Earned Savings

Vermonters lose millions of dollars to online fraud schemes every year

The SCAM Act is supported by The Vermont Country Store

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, cosponsored the Safeguarding Consumers from Advertising Misconduct (SCAM) Act, bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Senators Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), to crack down on predatory online scams advertisements that cost Americans billions of dollars every year. The Senators’ legislation would require online platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent fraudulent and deceptive ads and strengthen accountability when scams slip through. The bill would also strengthen the Federal Trade Commission’s and states’ ability to enforce violations of consumer protection laws.

“Nowadays, what can start as a simple ad online can rob someone of their entire life savings. Scammers are getting smarter by the day—so should Congress in combatting their schemes,” said Senator Welch. “There is no good reason why corporations and social media platforms aren’t held duly accountable for letting fraudulent ads run on their sites. We’re demanding accountability to crack down on deceptive ads and better protect Americans online.”

“Scammers are using social media to swindle Americans out of their hard-earned savings, and right now, those platforms face almost no consequences for letting it happen,” said Senator Gallego. “If a company is making money from running ads on their site, it has a responsibility to make sure those ads aren’t fraudulent. This bipartisan bill will hold social media companies accountable and protect consumers’ money online.”

“It is critical that we protect American consumers from deceptive ads and shameless fraudsters who make millions taking advantage of legal loopholes. We can’t sit by while social media companies have business models that knowingly enable scams that target the American people,” said Senator Moreno.

The SCAM Act is endorsed by The Vermont Country Store, the Alliance for Retired Americans, American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), American Bankers Association, Arizona Bankers Association, Bank Policy Institute, Consumer Federation of America, Ohio Bankers Association, and the National Consumers League (NCL).

“It is nearly impossible for people to avoid online scams and fraudulent advertising where their identity and life savings can be stolen with one wrong click. It’s equally challenging for legitimate businesses to combat fraudsters and maintain customer trust and loyalty,” said Kara Soulia, President, The Vermont Country Store. “We fully support the SCAM Act, and applaud Sen. Welch for his support, because protecting Americans, organizations, and businesses from being victimized isn’t about politics, it’s about doing what’s right.”

“Tech platforms have massive reach and it’s their responsibility to prevent the misuse of their services for scamming consumers,” said John Breyault, Vice President of Public Policy, Telecommunications, and Fraud, National Consumers League. “This bill would make clear that these giants must do more to protect the public.”

“AARP, which advocates for the more than 125 million Americans age 50 and older, is pleased to endorse the Safeguarding Consumers from Advertising Misconduct Act (SCAM Act). Online scam ads have become increasingly sophisticated and pervasive, with criminals exploiting advertising on major social media platforms to target older adults. By establishing strong protections and accountability measures, the SCAM Act will help safeguard older Americans from fraud and reduce the spread of harmful scam ads,” said Bill Sweeney, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs, AARP.

“As devastating scam losses continue to rise for the average person, some Big Tech platforms are turning a blind eye to the scam ads they profit from on their platform,” said Ben Winters, Director of AI and Privacy, Consumer Federation of America. “This bipartisan bill places the appropriate responsibility on these platforms, and clarifies there’s no get out of jail free card for social media companies facilitating scams.”

Read and download the full text of the bill.

Senator Welch has led bipartisan efforts to protect consumers from scams and rip-offs. Senator Welch’s bipartisan Tax Relief for Victims of Crimes, Scams, and Disasters Act would provide relief to victims of fraud, scams, thefts, accidents, and other personal casualty losses. The bill would also reinstate the tax deduction for personal casualty and theft losses to ensure victims of scams, robberies, storms, and fires do not have to pay taxes on stolen assets and further drain Americans’ hard-earned savings and financial security.

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Congressman Baird Offers Condolences to Family of Captain Koval

Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) released the following statement on Captain Seth R. Koval, a member of the Ohio Air National Guard from Mooresville, IN, who died supporting Operation Epic Fury:

“My heart breaks for the family of Captain Seth Koval. Captain Koval represented the very best of Indiana and our nation, and he served our country honorably. His extraordinary dedication and sacrifice in defense of our country will never be forgotten. I ask everyone to join me in praying for the comfort of Captain Koval’s wife, Heather, and all of his loved ones during this time of profound loss and continue to pray for the safety of our courageous men and women who are risking their lives for our country during Operation Epic Fury.”

Captain Koval was one of six Airmen who died on March 12, 2026, in the crash of a KC-135 in western Iraq. Captain Koval was assigned to the 121st Air Refueling Wing, Rickenbacker ANG Base, Ohio. For more information from the U.S. Department of War, please click here.

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Higgins Advocates for Crawfish Industry Amidst Workforce Challenges

LAFAYETTE, LA – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) released the following statement on efforts to address workforce challenges facing Louisiana’s crawfish industry.

“Many of Louisiana’s crawfish processors are facing significant workforce shortages due to complications involving legal immigrant temporary employee visas. Historically, seasonal workers and the visa system that allows them to be legally employed in America is fraught with controversy and bureaucratic uncertainty. Guidance from the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Labor regarding supplemental H-2B visas failed to account for the unique seasonality and 2025 “start dates” used by some H-2B employers in Louisiana’s crawfish industry. We have been working to address this issue with the Executive Branch, proposing solutions and directly engaging DHS and DOL at the highest levels. My office will continue to advocate for an immediate solution from the Executive Branch.”

Timeline and Background:

November 14, 2025 – Congressman Higgins joined other members of Congress on a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Labor (DOL), urging the agencies to “exercise authority provided by Congress to release the total allowable number of additional H-2B visas for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26).” Read the full letter here.

December 31, 2025 – DHS and DOL jointly announced that supplemental H-2B visas would be available for FY26 and that guidance would be forthcoming.

January 30, 2026 – DHS and DOL jointly announced a temporary final rule, which was formally published in the Federal Register on February 3, 2026. The temporary final rule outlined the award process for 64,716 additional visas through three tranches (January 1 – March 31, April 1 – April 30, and May 1 – September 30). While the guidance notes that employment start dates must match the dates of the respective tranche, it also states that “for purposes of this H-2B cap increase, petitioners may use TLCs that list an employment start date that has passed if the TLC is otherwise valid.” This language led crawfish processors, many of whom filed with employment start dates in November or December of 2025, to believe that their applications were eligible for supplemental visas to be awarded in the January 1 – March 31 tranche.

January 30, 2026 – Congressman Higgins’ office reached out to DHS and DOL to seek clarification regarding the eligibility of 2025 employment start dates.

January 31, 2026 – DHS and DOL experienced a lapse in funding after Senate Democrats opposed a House-passed appropriations package.

February 3, 2026 – Funding for both agencies was restored, with DHS funding set to lapse again on February 14, 2026.

February 9, 2026 – DHS affirmed to Congressman Higgins’ office that employment start dates in 2025 would be rejected.

February 11, 2026 – DOL acknowledged the issue with start dates and deferred to DHS’ interpretation of eligibility.

February 13, 2026 – Congressman Higgins delivered a letter to DHS and DOL, calling for immediate action to either allow applicants to resubmit with new dates or to deem 2025 start dates eligible. The letter reads, “I urgently request your agencies’ assistance in granting targeted exceptions for H-2B visa applications filed by Louisiana employers. These vital businesses have scrupulously complied with all applicable laws, regulations, and filing requirements. However, they now face an untenable situation due to the rapid exhaustion of the FY26 H-2B cap and the timing of the recently announced supplemental visa allocation.” Read the full letter here.

February 13, 2026 – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) conducted a random selection process for the first tranche of supplemental visas, exhausting all 18,490 available for the January 1 – March 31 time period.

February 14, 2026 – DHS experienced a lapse in funding after Senate Democrats opposed a House-passed Homeland Security appropriations bill.

February 16, 2026 – Crawfish processors notified Congressman Higgins’ office that they had begun receiving denial letters, which stated the 2025 employment start dates were ineligible and that they could resubmit a corrected application.

February 18, 2026 – Congressman Higgins’ office met with the Louisiana Farm Bureau and representatives from the crawfish industry to discuss ongoing engagement with the Executive Branch.

February 19, 2026 – Congressman Higgins’ office continued backchannel communications with the Executive Branch.

March 3, 2026 – Congressman Higgins delivered another letter to DHS and DOL, proposing “to remedy this situation, I request your immediate intervention to make up to 1,500 visas available for businesses that meet these narrow circumstances, drawing evenly from the remaining supplemental visa allocations planned for FY 2026.” Read the full letter here.

March 5, 2026 – Congressman Higgins called USCIS Director Joseph Edlow, who expressed optimism that a solution was in process and pending DOL approval.

March 11, 2026 – Congressman Higgins’ office participated in a call with USCIS, seeking a decision timeline and stressing the urgency of the workforce challenge for the crawfish industry.

March 13, 2026 – Congressman Higgins’ office participated in a call with DOL, stressing the urgency of the issue and potential economic loss in Louisiana.


Blumenthal Statement on Revolution Wind Delivering First Power to New England Grid

[Hartford, CT] — U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal today released a statement following the announcement that Revolution Wind has started delivering power to the New England grid.

“Revolution Wind’s historic start marks a new era in Connecticut energy. I am thrilled that it has begun delivering power to our state and others, despite despicable Trump Administration attempts to stop it. As we confront a growing energy crisis that reveals how vulnerable we are to relying on fossil fuels, this stable source of reliable and renewable energy will power the region for decades to come. I’ll continue to champion renewable energy efforts like Revolution Wind— lowering electricity costs, growing jobs and our economy, and protecting our environment,” Blumenthal said.

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Senator Murray Statement on Passing of Capt. Ariana G. Savino, Following a KC-135 Plane Crash in Iraq

Washington, D.C. – Today,U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) issued the following statement expressing her condolences for Capt. Ariana G. Savino, who lost her life in the crash of a KC-135 in western Iraq on Thursday. The official identification of Air Force casualties was announced late this evening.

“I am heartbroken to learn about the passing of Capt. Ariana G. Savino from Washington state. I am deeply grateful for her courage and sacrifice in service to our country. Our servicemembers put their lives on the line to keep our country safe—remarkable women like Capt. Savino represent the absolute best of our state and country.

“I also want to express my sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of Capt. Savino and join them in mourning her loss. I, of course, also extend my condolences to the families and loved ones of the other five brave Air Force Airmen we lost in this tragic incident. As we mourn the passing of these heroes, we must remember our commitment to honor them not only with words but by supporting the families they leave behind. The families and friends of Capt. Savino are in my thoughts during this difficult time.”

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Padilla Condemns Trump Admin’s Illegal Use of Emergency Powers to Harm California’s Central Coast

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) issued the following statement condemning the Trump Administration’s orders directing Sable Offshore Corp. to restore long-closed oil operations of the Santa Ynez Unit and Pipeline System along California’s coastline:

“Californians have repeatedly rejected dangerous drilling off our coast for decades. Now, after dragging the U.S. into a war with Iran and driving up oil prices, the Trump Administration is trying to exploit this crisis to further enrich the oil industry at the expense of our communities and our environment.

“We’ve seen firsthand the devastation oil spills cause to our oceans, our communities, and our economy. California has shown a better way, investing in clean energy and protecting the coastline that millions of Californians depend on. We will fight this illegal effort and continue to protect our coast.”

Senator Padilla has been leading the charge against offshore oil and gas leases. Last December, Padilla and Representative Jared Huffman (D-Calif.-02) led 26 members of the California Democratic Congressional delegation in condemning the Trump Administration’s official draft 2027-2032 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program that includes six lease proposals off the coast of Northern, Central, and Southern California. Immediately after the Trump Administration’s sell-off to Big Oil was announced, Padilla and Huffman issued a joint statement and hosted a press call slamming the move. The month before, Padilla and Huffman led over 100 lawmakers in demanding President Trump and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum immediately cease any plans to open new offshore oil and gas leases in U.S. federal waters off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, in the Arctic Ocean and northern Bering Sea off of Alaska, and in the Eastern Gulf.

In April 2025, Padilla and Huffman, along with Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Senator Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Representative Frank Pallone (D-N.J.-06), announced a pair of bills to permanently protect the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans from the dangers of fossil fuel drilling. Padilla and Huffman’s West Coast Ocean Protection Act would permanently prohibit new oil and gas leases for offshore drilling off the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington. In 2021, Senator Padilla joined West Coast Senators in calling on Senate leadership to include the West Coast Ocean Protection Act in the Senate version of the budget reconciliation bill after an estimated 126,000 gallons of oil spilled off the coast of California.

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Whitehouse Celebrates as First Revolution Wind Power Connects to Rhode Island Grid

Providence, R.I. – U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, the top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, this morning cheered the announcement by Orsted that the Revolution Wind Project connected its first power onto Rhode Island’s power grid last night.

“Clean, affordable energy from Revolution Wind is officially on the grid. When Rhode Island families pay their utility bills, they will be grateful to Orsted and the resilient union workers who got this project over the finish line. Power from Revolution Wind will make our grid more reliable in the winter and reduce Rhode Islanders’ energy costs for years to come,” said Whitehouse.

The Revolution Wind Project has employed more than 1,000 local union workers and completed more than 2 million union work hours. The project underpins nearly $1.3 billion in state investment, new shipbuilding jobs, and critical upgrades to Rhode Island’s ports, shipyards, and supply chain. Revolution Wind is expected to lower New England regional wholesale energy prices right away. President Trump made two attempts to stop construction of the Revolution Wind project last year. Both efforts were overturned in federal court.

Finalizing construction on current offshore wind projects is one of the fastest ways to get more electrons on the grid. But as payback to Trump’s fossil fuel backers, the Trump Administration has repeatedly weaponized federal bureaucracy to try and kill clean energy projects that will save Americans money and reduce the carbon pollution that is driving the climate crisis.


LEADER JEFFRIES ON MS NOW: “REPUBLICANS HAVE MADE LIFE MORE EXPENSIVE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE”

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MS NOW’s Velshi, where he emphasized that the Trump administration should be using taxpayer dollars to make life more affordable in America rather than breaking their promises to the American people by entering an unpopular war of choice in the Middle East.

ALI VELSHI: For more on this, I’m joined by New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrat in the House of Representatives. Congressman Jeffries, good to see you. Thank you for being with us this morning.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Good morning. Great to be with you.

ALI VELSHI: Everything about this war, forgetting the part that it seems to have been badly thought out and badly planned and all of that, it is illegal. It is not permitted for the United States to enter into war without either an authorization of the use of military force or explicit permission from Congress. What do you do about the fact that that simply hasn’t happened? Whether you like the war with Iran or not, or you hate the Islamic regime, doesn’t matter. This is not a legal war.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we brought a War Powers Resolution to the Floor of the Congress that fell a few votes short when we were in session earlier this month. Upon our return, we’ll continue to do the same thing. The President has failed to make the case to the American people and to their representatives in Congress, and that is one of the reasons why, of course, this war of choice is deeply unpopular.The American people want their taxpayer dollars spent to make their lives more affordable. Instead, the administration, of course, is spending billions of dollars to drop bombs in the Middle East when Donald Trump, as Candidate Trump, promised not to get us involved in this type of conflict.

ALI VELSHI: You said that the administration failed to make the case to Congress, and one might say that one could try to make a case to Congress, and Congress could say you didn’t make the case well enough. I would assume that some of your Republican colleagues would say you didn’t even attempt to make that case. The legal part of this is you’ve got to actually come and try and tell us about that. Why wouldn’t Republicans have joined hands with Democrats, and why did a handful of Democrats not support this?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, you know, you’ll have to talk to those individual Democrats who made a decision to not support the prior War Powers Resolution, although several of them have indicated that the next time we bring such a resolution to the Floor, they will be prepared to support it. In terms of Republicans, what’s clear is that from the very beginning of the Trump presidency, these extremists have functioned like wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Trump cartel, continuing to be nothing more than reckless rubber stamps for Donald Trump’s extreme agenda, as opposed to functioning like a separate and co-equal branch of government.And what is clear to me is that Donald Trump’s war of choice that Republicans are supporting was poorly planned. There was no plan as it relates to dealing with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. There was no plan as it relates to evacuating thousands of Americans who, for days after the conflict, were stranded. There were no plans to deal with the fact that Iran was going to strike out at our allies in the Gulf states throughout the region, and now this war has intensified, so more than a dozen countries are actually involved. And there’s no clear plan to end this conflict in a way that enures to the benefit of the national security interests of the American people.

ALI VELSHI: I’m hoping this war is not continuing in November when the election is on, the midterms are on, and in January when the new Congress is formed. But is there something you can do if and when you take control of Congress to immediately stop this war if it’s going on, and immediately impose a requirement on this administration that they cannot go into war without the permission of Congress?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, certainly, it would be our hope that this would resolve itself way earlier than November or January of next year, as you’ve indicated, Ali. But the one thing that is clear is that Democrats, in taking back control of the House and/or the Senate, needing both chambers, of course, to ensure that the congressional requirement of approval of an act of war, particularly one that continues to sustain itself now for weeks, is vindicated and brought to life. And that certainly will be our intention. Listen. As Democrats, we need to reclaim the institution of Congress as a separate and co-equal branch of government, because Republicans have decided that they just want to hand over our authority on behalf of the American people to Donald Trump and the sycophants that are filled within his administration and his cabinet. And so listen. Our focus has got to be on the issues that matter for the American people, and that’s our promise to everyday Americans: that we’re going to focus on driving down the high cost of living, focus on fixing our broken healthcare system, focus on making sure that immigration enforcement in this country is fair and just and humane and focus on making sure that the taxpayer dollars of the American people are actually spent to make their quality of life better.

ALI VELSHI: So let’s talk about that. You mentioned the price of gas, $3.67 now. It’s up 25% or something since before the war. Price of oil itself is up 40%, and gas always follows that. So the average American is now going to be paying probably 40% more for a gallon of gas. Then they’ll pay surcharges for everything that they order, that UPS or Amazon has to deliver, every flight they take or for every company that ships things. For farmers who have to pay more for diesel, for farmers who have to pay more for fertilizer. And then there’s the $2 billion a day that this war is costing that is not going toward the things that we need. So we can’t give healthcare subsidies to people, but we can spend $2 [billion] on a war that nobody explains to us. From an affordability perspective, this fits right into what should be Democratic messaging.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, that’s absolutely correct. Listen, our view is that Donald Trump and Republicans have taken affirmative steps to make life more unaffordable for the American people, when these are people who promised—these extremists, these Republicans—to lower the high cost of living on day one. And of course, costs aren’t going down. They’ve gone up. The Trump tariffs have increased costs on everyday Americans by thousands of dollars per year. Republicans refuse to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, causing dramatic increases in health insurance premiums for more than 20 million Americans directly and tens of millions of other Americans indirectly who receive their insurance from their employers. We’ve also seen Republicans make the affirmative decision to enact the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, to cut SNAP by $186 billion, which is making food more unaffordable for the American people. And, of course, as a result of this war of choice, this reckless war that Donald Trump and Republicans have launched, we’re seeing gas prices increase through the roof. And that’s already on top of electricity bills that have been skyrocketing because of the Republican attack on the clean energy economy. And so Republicans have affirmatively made life more expensive for the American people, and Democrats plan to do everything that we can to reverse that.

ALI VELSHI: A special election in [New Hampshire] last year—last week—over a state seat, a Democrat flipped a seat to—a Republican seat to Democrat. That’s the 28th seat that’s been flipped so far. Republicans have flipped no legislative seats—state legislative seats—since the last election. What are you reading into this? What are you hearing about that in terms of the effect that it’s going to have on primaries and the midterms?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, Democrats have effectively won every single meaningful election for 15 consecutive months at this point in time. The American people are rejecting Republican extremism and embracing our focus on actually doing the things necessary to drive down the high cost of living and ensure that every single American who works hard and plays by the rules can actually live an affordable life, a comfortable life or live the good life. And we’ve been very clear on what that means: a good-paying job, good housing, good healthcare, good education for your children and then when it’s all said and done, a good retirement. And we’re going to continue to keep our foot on the gas pedal to focus on the things that matter for the American people, to lay out a clear, forward-looking agenda in advance of November. And it’s my expectation we’re going to take back control of the House.

ALI VELSHI: Democratic Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Leader. Thank you for joining us this morning. We appreciate your time.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Thank you so much.

Full interview can be watched here.

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Cantwell Statement On Death of KC-135 Service Members In Iraq

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Pentagon identified the six U.S. service members who died Thursday when a KC-135 aircraft crashed in western Iraq. U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) gave the following statement:

“Our hearts are breaking for the families of the KC-135 members killed in Iraq. Among those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our nation was Captain Ariana G. Savino. Captain Savino was only 31 years old, from Covington, Washington. She earned her commission in 2017 through the Air Force ROTC at Central Washington University. She was one of ours and we are praying for her family and grieve her loss.


NEW DATA: GOP’s Voter Suppression Law Would Cost WA Taxpayers $35M+ This Year

A new snapshot report from Sen. Cantwell, WA SoS, and WA Assoc. of County Auditors shows the SAVE America Act would spike the cost of administering elections by 60%; Cantwell: “The SAVE America Act will actually cost Americans: time, money, and even their constitutional right to vote”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) released a snapshot report with new data breaking down just how much the SAVE America Act – a voter suppression bill that the GOP Senate majority intends to take up this coming week – would require from Washington state taxpayers.

According to a new analysis compiled jointly by the Washington Secretary of State’s Elections Office and the Washington Association of County Auditors, the State of Washington and its 39 counties together would be forced to spend at least $35.7 million this year alone to comply with the burdens imposed by the SAVE America Act. Subsequent elections would cost at least $9.5 million and up to $14.6 million more than currently spent to administer.

“The SAVE America Act will actually cost Americans: time, money, and even their constitutional right to vote.

“The SAVE America Act will really cost states and taxpayers, too.

“This report reveals how this insidious bill imposes unnecessary demands on state and local elections officials, and creates immediate cost increases for operations, equipment, and staff. From our nation’s founding, Americans have fought to expand voting rights to include every American eligible to vote. We should be making it easier, more affordable, and more accessible for American citizens to exercise the right to vote. But the SAVE America Act does the reverse, setting back gains that heroes from the suffrage movement through the Civil Rights movement fought to make real,” Sen. Cantwell said.

The Washington Secretary of State’s Elections Office reports that the costs imposed by the SAVE America Act would amount to a 60% increase in federal election administration operating costs and an additional $4 million in annual federal voter registration administration costs. New expenses include:

An estimated $20 million to upgrade systems to comply with the new requirements at state agencies like the Department of Licensing;

An estimated $3.6 million public education campaign;

Between $2 million and $4 million for WA counties to buy new voter center equipment, computers, printers, copiers, and more.

The SAVE America Act was narrowly passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Feb. 11. If it were to pass the Senate – and Senate Majority Leader John Thune has indicated his intent to open debate on the bill this week – it would impose new barriers to voting:

A requirement that all mail-in ballots include a printed copy of the voter's picture ID.

A requirement that anyone registering to vote, or changing their registration details, present a birth certificate, passport, or other proof of citizenship documents in person to their county elections office. A driver’s license, even a standard REAL ID one, is not proof of citizenship.

A new private right of action provision that would allow anyone to personally sue an elections worker who they claim registered a noncitizen, even erroneously – opening elections workers up to politically-motivated witch hunts. Election workers may also be subject to criminal prosecution that ends in up to 5-year prison sentence and up to a $250,000 fine. This provision would also act as a deterrent to potential employees as elections offices scramble to hire more personnel to accommodate these very same new requirements.

These requirements may disenfranchise at least 21.3 million legal American voters. In Washington state, for example, 2.8 million citizens do not have a passport or an original or certified copy of their birth certificate that matches the name on their ID. The burden would especially fall on:

The 1.6 million women in Washington state who have taken their spouse’s name and whose birth certificate doesn’t match their legal name;

Rural voters, who in some parts of Washington state will need to make time for a round trip of up to six hours to their county elections office to register or change their documentation in person ahead of Election Day. Currently, those voters are able to make changes online;

Young people, who are more likely to frequently change addresses.

Last month, Sen. Cantwell released another snapshot report detailing the burdens the SAVE America Act would impose on Washington voters – that report can be read in full HERE.

Despite President Donald Trump’s consistent claims to the contrary, voter fraud is so vanishingly rare in the United States as to be statistically nonexistent. Even the Heritage Foundation, the right-wing thinktank behind Project 2025, found that an average of 36 fraudulent ballots have been cast every year over the last 40 years – nationwide. For context, around 154 million Americans voted in the 2024 election.

The same Heritage Foundation analysis found that Washington state sees an average of one case of voter fraud every three years. That amounts to an error rate of 0.000006% -- fewer than one in 10 million.

An election-by-election breakdown of when fraudulent ballots have been cast in Washington state can be found in today’s snapshot report HERE.

Sen. Cantwell has been a staunch defender of Washingtonians’ voting rights and the vote-by-mail system and has been sounding the alarm about how the SAVE America Act would be disastrous for free and fair elections:


Markey Calls for FCC Chairman Carr to Resign Following Threats to Revoke Broadcast Licenses over Iran War Coverage

Letter Text (PDF)

Washington (March 15, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr, urging him to resign over his latest social media post threatening to revoke broadcasters’ licenses if they do not cover the illegal war with Iran with Donald Trump’s preferred narrative. Senator Markey highlights this post as an extraordinary abuse of FCC authority and a clear violation of the First Amendment, as well as the Trump administration’s latest authoritarian attempt to weaponize the FCC’s statutory authority to censor the media.

In the letter, Senator Markey wrote, “Your post on Saturday demonstrated your continued effort to turn the FCC into Trump’s personal speech police. … Your Saturday post is not an aberration. It is the latest and most dangerous step in a sustained campaign to use the FCC’s licensing authority as a weapon against broadcasters and journalists whose coverage displeases the Trump administration. … The FCC’s credibility depends on its willingness to exercise its authority on the merits, not at the direction of the President, and not as an instrument of retribution against journalism. You have once again shown that you are unwilling to maintain that independence and uphold your sworn oath to defend the U.S. Constitution, and I once again call on you to resign.”

Senator Markey has aggressively pushed back on the Trump administration’s efforts to attack news organizations and intimidate the media. In November 2025, Senator Markey asked unanimous consent to pass a resolution condemning President Trump’s suggestion that criticism of him is “illegal” and recognizing Americans’ constitutional right to criticize the president. Republicans blocked it. In September 2025, Senator Markey, Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) led seven of their colleagues in writing to Chairman Carr urging the FCC to cease its censorship of media organizations. Senator Markey then went to the Senate floor to ask unanimous consent to pass a resolution condemning Chairman Carr for his censorship of Jimmy Kimmel. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) objected without any explanation. In March 2025, Senators Markey and Luján, along with Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) introduced the Broadcast Freedom and Independence Act, legislation that would prohibit the FCC from revoking broadcast licenses or taking action against broadcasters based on the viewpoints they broadcast.

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Moreno Mourns the Loss of Ohio Service Members Killed in Iraq

WASHINGTON – Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) released the following statement on the devastating loss of three Ohioans – Curtis Angst, Tyler Simmons, and Seth Koval – in last week’s military plane crash in Iraq.


Schatz Statement On Severe Rain, Flooding Across Hawai‘i

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) released the following statement on the severe weather affecting communities across Hawai‘i.

“My team and I are in contact with state and local leaders and closely monitoring the devastating storm impacting communities across Hawai‘i.

“The priority right now is keeping people safe and supporting first responders. We will continue working with federal, state, and county partners to ensure Hawai‘i gets the federal resources it needs in the days and weeks ahead.”

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SCHUMER SOUNDS ALARM: AS TRUMP STRIPS STAFF FROM 9/11 HEALTH PROGRAM AND REASSIGNS THEM TO ICE, SENATOR DEMANDS IMMEDIATE REVERSAL TO PROTECT 140,000 SURVIVORS

Schumer Says Reassigning 9/11 Health Program Staff To ICE Is A Disgrace And Betrayal Of First Responders Who Put Their Lives On The Line

Schumer Calls On Trump And Secretary Kennedy To Immediately Return All Reassigned Staff To The World Trade Center Health Program

Schumer: 9/11 Survivors Are Dying Of Cancer And Fighting To Breathe — Stripping Their Care To Staff ICE Is Callous, Senseless, And Cruel

NEW YORK, NY – U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today called on President Trump and HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy to immediately reverse the reassignment of World Trade Center Health Program staff to Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agencies, warning the moves are delaying care for the 140,000 survivors enrolled in the program. The World Trade Center Health Program, which covers medical expenses for those suffering from 9/11-related illnesses, is budgeted for 120 staffers but currently has only 84, a 25% drop in personnel. HHS has reassigned key officials, including those responsible for processing enrollments, handling appeals, and certifying treatments, to ICE.

"9/11 survivors are dying of cancer, fighting to breathe, and Trump is ripping away their care to staff ICE," said Senator Schumer. "It is a disgrace and a betrayal of our first responders. This will delay care and increase wait times for the 140,000 survivors in the program. President Trump and Secretary Kennedy must reverse these reassignments immediately."

The CDC remains in turmoil without a permanent Director, causing staff shortages that have direct consequences for survivors. At least three dozen enrollment applications are being denied and left without anyone to process the appeals, leaving those survivors unable to access care. Those already enrolled in the program are reporting delayed or denied reimbursements and have nowhere to turn. Meanwhile, the steering committees that guide the program have barely met since Secretary Kennedy took office, and the program has yet to issue determinations on pending petitions to add autoimmune, cardiac, and cognitive conditions to the list of covered 9/11 illnesses, despite indicating those decisions would be announced in March 2025.

Benjamin Chevat, Executive Director of Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act, called on Kennedy to take specific steps to address the crisis: "Secretary Kennedy needs to lift his staff hiring freeze and allow the World Trade Center Health Program to hire the additional staff it was supposed to hire to deal with the thousands of 9/11 responders and survivors who have come forward in recent years, and at the very least stop sending the remaining program staff on other assignments. Ensure that CDC is providing the support staff the program needs. Restart the program's annual research grant process that awards millions of dollars in research grants under the Zadroga statute that normally would have started last March but has been continually delayed. Finally, the program needs to issue determinations on the pending petitions to add autoimmune, cardiac and cognitive conditions to the list of covered conditions that the program said was going to be made last March but were never announced."

Schumer and Senator Gillibrand wrote to HHS on February 17, 2025, and August 5, 2025, to raise concerns about staffing and administrative issues at the program. HHS responded on February 6, 2026, writing that the department "remains committed to ensuring that 9/11 first responders and survivors in the WTC Health Program receive the critical health care services they need."

"You cannot claim to be committed to this program while gutting its staff and sending them to ICE," Schumer said. "RFK made a personal promise to me that he would protect this program. He has broken that promise repeatedly."

Earlier this year, after Schumer raised concerns about the cancellation of research grants and the firing of over a dozen program employees, Kennedy reversed course and acknowledged the firings were a mistake. In January 2026, Schumer and Gillibrand secured full funding for the program through 2040. The World Trade Center Health Program was established under the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act in 2011 and currently serves 140,000 survivors, with enrollment expected to grow by approximately 10,000 this year.

"This is the 25th anniversary of 9/11. The promise was "never forget." This administration is breaking that promise," Schumer said. "I will not stop until every reassigned staff member is back where they belong, caring for the brave heroes who put their lives on the line."

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Press Releases

Rep. Aguilar Visits Local Food Truck Impacted by Rising Gas Prices and Affordability Crisis

Since Trump’s war with Iran began, gas prices in San Bernardino County have soared to over $5.50 per gallon

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) visited the La Bufadora Baja Grill food truck, a local, family-owned restaurant chain that has been impacted by the skyrocketing price of gas caused by Trump’s war in Iran. La Bufadora Baja Grill relies on their food trucks to serve customers throughout the Inland Empire. The higher cost of gas in San Bernardino County and the rising cost of other goods, thanks to Trump’s war with Iran and his chaotic tariffs, have put financial pressure on La Bufadora Baja Grill. You can find photos from the visit above and here.

“From the gas pump to your favorite lunch spots, hardworking Americans are paying the price for Trump’s war in the Middle East,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “For local restaurants like La Bufadora that rely on their trucks to serve their customers, higher gas prices mean lower profits. Small businesses and working people can’t afford to pay the price for Trump’s war with Iran. It’s time for the President to end this reckless conflict overseas and focus on bringing down costs for people here at home.”


During District Work Week, Rep. Ansari Continues to Stand Up Against ICE

PHOENIX– Last week, Representative Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) hosted a series of local events during her congressional district work period focused on standing up against ICE and providing constituents with resources to be prepared. On Thursday, Ansari hosted a Know Your Rights Tele-Town Hall in partnership with ACLU Arizona. On Friday, she conducted an oversight visit to the Central Arizona Correctional Center in Florence, Arizona, following the death of Emmanuel Damas, who had been held at the facility—marking her fifth oversight visit to a detention facility in Arizona. Ansari also sent a letter demanding an investigation into Mr. Damas’ death and pushing for answers about the $313.4 million contract awarded by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to GardaWorld to renovate an immigration facility in Surprise, Arizona.

See coverage below.

ABC15 Arizona: Ansari Discusses Visit to Florence Prison

Rep. Ansari: “We asked about how they notified Emmanuel's family of his death because my team spoke with Emmanuel's brother about all of this, and they've heard nothing. They don't know when an investigation is happening. They don't even know how it got to the point where their brother's toothache led to his death because of ICE. Emmanuel is now at least the 10th person to die in ICE custody so far this year. And sadly, this is not at all an isolated case. I've seen this type of cruelty firsthand, not only at the Florence Correctional Center, but at the Eloy Detention Center nearby. I have a constituent named Yari, who is currently detained at the Eloy Detention Center in central Arizona. She has leukemia, and she's dying, and she's been there for over a year now. For more than a year, she's experienced severe medical neglect. She's lost over 70 pounds and cannot even move without a walker. She's often forced to go without any pain medication other than Tylenol. When I visited her last, I witnessed her vomiting blood, and she was too weak to stand. Just like Emmanuel, she is being denied the critical medical care she desperately needs while in ICE custody. This kind of inhumane medical neglect must end. No agency is above the law.”

News/Talk 92.3 KTAR

Reporter: “[Representative Ansari] has long been concerned about medical responses within ICE detention; and really, that’s what she was trying to drill down and figure out today. She says she was trying to learn more about policies within the Florence ICE detention center and how site contractors, CoreCivic—who are contracted by ICE to actually staff and run the facility—operate. She wants to learn more about how, when somebody says, ‘Hey, I’m having a medical issue,’ ICE is directing these companies to respond. Are they responding in a timely manner?

She said today she didn't get a lot of clarity. In fact, she says when she went into that facility, she was met by CoreCivic, the company contracted to run the site there. She was met by a lawyer from CoreCivic who was guiding people on how to respond to questions; so, she felt as if, again, she wasn't able to get a lot of clarity into what may have happened with this Damas situation. This is against a backdrop where she's concerned about, again, these medical shortcomings happening very broadly nationwide within ICE detention and custody.”

IN PRINT

AZ Luminaria: If an ICE detention center opens in Marana, who would hold it accountable?

[Yana Kunichoff, 03/16/26]

Democratic Rep. Adelita Grijalva, joined by Reps. Greg Stanton and Yassamin Ansari, sent a letter on Feb. 19 to now-outgoing Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons asking for clarity on the possibility of a detention center opening in a shuttered prison in Marana.

On March 9, the group sent a letter to Noem asking for an investigation into the death of Emmanuel Damas at Florence.

“His death is unacceptable and raises grave concerns over treatment and quality of healthcare that individuals in ICE custody receive,” the letter said. “Additionally, this incident calls into question the training, standards and guidelines that DHS provides to ICE and detention center staff.”

KJZZ: Trump administration awards contract to operate immigration detention facility in Surprise

[Wayne Schutsky, 03/12/26]

“The decision to convert a warehouse not designed or zoned for human habitation into a large-scale detention facility on an expedited basis raises profound questions about contractor qualifications, concern for human health and safety, and the humane treatment of individuals who will be held there,” Reps. Greg Stanton, Yassamin Ansari and Adelita Grijalva wrote in a letter to GardaWorld Federal President Pete Dordal.

KTAR: Arizona Democrats seek answers from DHS, ICE on West Valley detention facility contractor

[Kylie Werner, 03/13/26]

It’s the second time Stanton, Ansari and Grijalva questioned federal officials about the planned Surprise ICE facility, following a Feb. 5 letter.

“Once again, DHS leaves Arizonans in the dark, awarding a massive contract to a firm with no experience in detention center oversight,” Stanton said in a joint press release Thursday. “This is Trump’s mass deportation agenda at work, and none of this makes our community safer or more prosperous — just the opposite.”

Arizona Republic: DHS taps 'Alligator Alcatraz' company to run Surprise ICE center

[Elena Santa Cruz, 03/13/26]

U.S. Reps. Greg Stanton, Yassamin Ansari and Adelita Grijalva, all Democrats, signed March 11 letters to government leaders and the company about their concerns regarding GardaWorld's qualifications and the safety and treatment of the people who will be held at the facility.

"We are greatly concerned by reporting that GardaWorld, a security contractor, has never been directly contracted to oversee any detention facility but nevertheless has been awarded this significant contract," they said in the letter. "Furthermore, the contract was awarded through a Department of Defense procurement system, bypassing a normal bidding process that would have ensured community buy-in and necessary due diligence."

Deseret News: ‘Arizona Alcatraz’? U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hires a contractor for a new detention facility in Phoenix suburbs

[Gitanjali Poonia, 03/15/26]

“This was done without any local input or the slightest concern for the surrounding community,” a letter, cosigned by Democratic U.S. Reps. Greg Stanton, Yassamin Ansari and Adelita Grijalva of Arizona, and addressed to the DHS, stated.

“The decision to convert a warehouse not designed or zoned for human habitation into a large-scale detention facility on an expedited basis raises profound questions about contractor qualifications, concerns for human health and safety, and the humane treatment of individuals who will be held there.”


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 16, 2026

Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

Reps. Swalwell, Barragán, Lofgren, Simon, Mullin, & Sens. Padilla, Schiff Demand Answers from State Department and DHS After Deaf Six-Year-Old Deported Without Hearing Devices

Washington, D.C. — Rep. Eric Swalwell, alongside Reps. Nanette Barragán, Zoe Lofgren, Lateefah Simon, Kevin Mullin, and Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of State demanding urgent answers following the deportation of a Hayward mother and her two young children, including her six-year-old son, Joseph, who was removed from the country without his assistive hearing devices.

The letter outlines serious humanitarian and due-process concerns surrounding the deportation of Lesly Rodriguez Gutierrez and her children after they appeared for a routine immigration check-in in San Francisco. According to the family’s attorney, Rodriguez Gutierrez complied with the law and presented herself for the required check-in, where she and her children were detained and deported to Colombia Joseph had been learning American Sign Language and attending school in the United States before the deportation. According to the family, his removal from his community and support system has led to severe isolation and distress. The family has filed applications for humanitarian parole that would allow them to return to the United States while Joseph’s medical and educational needs are addressed and the circumstances of the deportation are investigated.

“What did this family do wrong?” said Rep. Swalwell. “The deportation of a young deaf child without the assistive hearing devices he needs is dangerous. Sadly, there appears to be no line this administration won’t cross. I’m past frustration. I’m outraged. We will not allow this treatment to continue. My colleagues and I are demanding answers, and we demand them now.”

“There is no excuse for ICE to have taken away 6-year-old Joseph’s hearing aids. None. To take away a young child’s tools that help him to hear is a cruelty that is both disgusting and pointless. Shame on DHS and ICE. They must work to bring the family back to the US and get Joseph the care he needs and deserves,” said Congresswoman Barragán.

“It’s really unconscionable to deport a deaf six-year-old without his hearing devices. This administration claimed that they were targeting the worst of the worst with their immigration policies, and yet they’re going after disabled children. The Gutierrez family was trying to follow the law, and they need to be returned to their home in Hayward,” said Congresswoman Lofgren.

“The Administration’s treatment of the Rodriguez Gutierrez family and their deaf 6-year-old son is cruel, unnecessary, and sickening. As the first congenitally blind Member to serve in Congress, I join my California colleagues in demanding answers and holding the Department of Homeland Security accountable for their disturbing treatment of minors with disabilities — so this never happens again,” said Congresswoman Simon. “No government that calls itself humane would treat people like this, and we will keep pushing until this deportation machine that is terrorizing families is stopped.”

“Deporting a six-year-old deaf child while refusing to let him retrieve his hearing aids is a truly shameful example of the Trump Administration’s utterly inhumane and chaotic approach to immigration. I am hard of hearing and know firsthand how essential hearing aids are, yet I can still only imagine the terror and unnecessary trauma this poor child endured under DHS. I have also visited the California School for the Deaf where this young child attended, and my heart breaks for his family and the entire community. I join my colleagues in demanding DHS immediately answer why they failed to follow disability protections and explain the legal basis for ICE’s ridiculously cruel actions in this case,” said Congressman Mullin.

“There is no excuse for ICE to have taken away 6-year-old Joseph’s hearing aids. None. To take away a young child’s tools that help him to hear is a cruelty that is both disgusting and pointless. Shame on DHS and ICE. They must work to bring the family back to the US and get Joseph the care he needs and deserves,” said Congresswoman Barragán.

“The deportation of six-year-old Joseph Londono Rodriguez and his family is inhumane and inexcusable. Donald Trump’s out-of-control ICE and CBP continue terrorizing California communities through indiscriminate immigration enforcement, going as far as disappearing a deaf first-grader without his hearing aids during a routine immigration check in,” said Senator Padilla. “The cruelty and lawlessness have to end. We’re demanding the Trump Administration bring Ms. Rodriguez Gutierrez and her sons back immediately to a safe community away from isolation where Joseph can receive the specialized accommodations and continuity of care he needs.”

“The deportation of a deaf child seeking asylum and his family from the Bay Area is yet another tragic example of how Donald Trump’s indiscriminate immigration raids are targeting the most vulnerable among us,” said Senator Schiff. “Joseph Londono Rodriguez should be at home in California, and we will do all we can to reverse this.”

The letter calls on DHS and the State Department to work immediately with the family’s legal representatives to facilitate the family’s return to the United States through humanitarian parole, allowing Joseph to regain access to the specialized care, services, and stability he needs while the circumstances of the deportation are reviewed.

The letter requests detailed information from the administration, including:

The legal basis for detaining and deporting Rodriguez Gutierrez and her children after appearing for a scheduled immigration check-in.

Evidence supporting claims that she “agreed” to deportation and whether she had access to legal counsel before any such agreement.

What assessment, if any, was conducted regarding Joseph’s disability and his need for assistive hearing devices.

Why immigration officials withheld the child’s hearing devices during the deportation process.

Whether DHS complied with federal disability protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act, which require reasonable accommodations and continuity of care.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

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Beyer, Van Hollen Introduce New Bill to Ensure the Wealthy Pay Their Fair Share of Taxes and Provide Relief for Millions of Working Americans

U.S. Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) today introduced the Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act to ensure the wealthiest pay their fair share through a tiered surtax on income above a million dollars. The revenue generated by this surtax will provide much-needed tax relief for millions of working Americans who are struggling to afford the cost of living as prices rise. Additionally, the bill eliminates federal income taxes for Americans who make under the $46,000 median cost of living and provides a significant tax break to individuals making between $46,000 to $80,500, with proportionally higher rates for heads of households and married couples. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

This legislation has been endorsed by a broad range of organizations including: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Americans for Tax Fairness, Community Change Action, Demos, Get Out the Vote PAC, Indivisible, Institute for Policy Studies, MoveOn, National Education Association (NEA), NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Oxfam US, Patriotic Millionaires, People’s Action, Public Citizen, Social Security Works, Strong Economy for All Coalition, SURJ, Take on Wall Street, and United for a Fair Economy.

“For decades, our tax code has been tilted to benefit the wealthiest Americans – especially those making millions of dollars each year from investments and capital gains. Our bill would restore balance and fairness to our tax code by asking the wealthiest Americans to contribute more through a tiered surtax on income above one million dollars. That revenue will deliver meaningful tax relief for working Americans trying to afford basic necessities like groceries, rent, child care, and gas,” said Representative Beyer.

“Far too many Americans are working hard for their paychecks but still having trouble making ends meet. These Americans who are earning just enough to get by – to meet their basic living expenses – should not have to pay a federal income tax. Our bill would ensure just that – and it would provide a significant tax break to millions of other working Americans, so folks can keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets,” said Senator Van Hollen.

The Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act implements a tiered surtax on millionaires. The bill applies an additional 5 percent tax to the first dollar an individual makes over $1 million and the first dollar a married couple earns over $1.5 million annually; an additional 10 percent tax to the first dollar an individual makes over $2 million and a married couple makes over $3 million annually; and an additional 12 percent tax to the first dollar an individual makes over $5 million and a married couple makes over $7.5 million annually. This surtax would apply equally to wages and salaries as well as to capital gains and other investment income. The Yale Budget Lab has estimated that this surtax would impact 615,000 tax filers and raise $1.46 trillion over ten years.

The revenue generated through this surtax will fund needed tax relief for working Americans – whether they are a single adult, a head of household, or a married couple filing jointly – by reducing their federal income taxes based on their income to help ensure they can afford their cost of living expenses.

The median cost of living for a single adult with no children in the United States is estimated to be $46,000 a year, based on county-level data aggregated by the Living Wage Institute. Individuals who earn less than that will not pay federal income taxes.

For individuals with income ranging from $46,000 to $80,500, the legislation provides a significant tax break to also combat cost of living expenses. It phases out this cost-of-living exemption at 175% of the median cost of living for a single adult with no children. As a result, a person making between $46,000 and $80,500 a year would have a lower tax rate using this exemption than they do under the current tax system. To illustrate, a single person who makes $50,000 would typically receive a tax cut of approximately$2,800.

The bill includes a larger exemption for heads of households, 140% of the single exemption or $64,400; and for married couples filing jointly, 200% of the single exemption or $92,000.

These exemptions will also phase out at higher rates, with heads of households making between $64,400 and $112,700 a year and married couples making between $92,000 and $161,000 a year receiving a tax cut under this legislation. For example, a family of four who earns $95,000 would typically receive a tax cut of approximately $6,000 due to the cost-of-living exemption.

According to an analysis by the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, nearly 130 million people, including over 25 million children, would receive a tax cut through this legislation.

“Working people are one medical bill, one car repair, one bad break from not making rent,” said AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler. “They are working longer hours than ever and still struggling to put food on the table, while paying more in taxes than the billionaires. As we continue to fight for universal affordable health care, universal child care, and livable wages, the Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act is an important step toward getting working people some real relief.”

“The Working Americans’ Tax Act is one of the most important concrete actions Congress can take to ease the squeeze on working families. Right now, workers can’t pay the bills. Their wallets are being drained by a severe affordability crisis caused by the current administration and aggravated by the ‘Big, Ugly Bill’, which doubled down on tax cuts for billionaires, while stripping healthcare and nutrition assistance away from everyone else. This long-overdue legislation puts cash back in the pockets of millions of Americans who are being forced to choose between paying the rent and putting food on the table. It is a meaningful down payment on a solution that actually works for workers and the AFT is proud to be leading on it,” said Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers.

“At this point in American life, both parties want to be the party of the working class. Over the summer, Republicans tried to prove themselves by putting forward a budget bill that only offers tax relief for the 3% of working people who rely on tips. But today, Senator Van Hollen and his Democratic colleagues made their pitch to wear the label by introducing a bill that provides help to ALL working people. To us, it’s abundantly clear who actually deserves it,” said Morris Pearl, Chair of Patriotic Millionaires. “This is a watershed moment that would offer economic stability to a vast majority of the country. Millionaires like me will be better off paying a little more in taxes so that all of the workers we depend on can afford to provide for their families. That’s why the Patriotic Millionaires are thrilled to see Senator Van Hollen, Senator Kelly, Representative Beyer, and their colleagues introduce the Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act to get our country on a better and more sustainable path for the sake of our economy and democracy.”


Budzinski and Luján Introduce Legislation to Strengthen the Resilience of the U.S. Food Supply Chains

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), a member of the House Agriculture Committee and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) introduced the Grocery, Farm, and Food Worker Stabilization Grant Program Act, legislation that would create a new, permanent grant program to provide stabilization payments to farm, grocery, and meatpacking workers in the case of a major disaster.

“During disasters, workers at grocery stores, farms, and meatpacking plants are on the front lines, ensuring families in Illinois and across the country continue to have access to safe, reliable food,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “With global instability on the rise, there’s no better time to strengthen the resilience of our food system. I’m proud to partner with Senator Luján and grateful for the support of the UFCW as we work to protect the workers who keep our food system running and our families fed.”

“Across the country, our farm, grocery, and meatpacking workers show up day in and day out to perform the demanding and often dangerous work necessary to keep our communities fed,” said Senator Luján. “The COVID-19 pandemic showed us exactly how fragile our food supply chains can be, and we must learn from the past and work to strengthen the resilience of our food system. That is why I am partnering with Representative Budzinski on this legislation that would provide the vital support our farm, grocery, and meatpacking workers need to ensure our communities stay fed in times of disaster and crisis.”

The Grocery, Farm, and Food Worker Stabilization Grant Program Act is endorsed by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW).

“We are proud to endorse the Grocery, Farm and Food Worker Stabilization Grant Program Act. This legislation would create a program to compensate millions of workers across the food supply chain who risk their lives to keep families fed when disaster or crisis strikes. While the now-terminated Farm and Food Workers Relief (FFWR) Grant Program provided some relief to frontline food workers during the pandemic, it would be a grave mistake to ignore the lessons we’ve learned regarding just how vulnerable our food chain can be. Permanent programs are needed to ensure these essential workers are adequately supported, and families continue to have access to food and supplies in times of crisis. We applaud Sen. Luján (D-NM) and Rep. Budzinski (D-IL) for their leadership,” said UFCW International President Milton Jones.

In 2021, the United States Department of Agriculture created the Farm and Food Workers Relief (FFWR) Grant Program to help farm, grocery, and meatpacking workers with the COVID-19 pandemic-related health and safety costs. The FFWR Grant Program distributed nearly $680 million in competitive grant funding to farm, grocery, and meatpacking workers for expenses incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Grocery, Farm, and Food Worker Stabilization Grant Program Act would create a new, permanent grant program similar to the FFWR Grant Program to provide stabilization payments to farm, grocery, and meatpacking workers in the case of a natural disaster or other disaster as determined by the President or Governor of the impacted state.

Full bill text is available HERE.

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