Sens. Cruz, Gillibrand Lead Bipartisan Bill to Protect Child Abuse Survivors’ Right to Speak Out

Washington, D.C. -U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), joined by Sens. Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) introduced the Terminating Restrictive Enforcement of Youth Settlements (TREY’S Law). The bill voids non-disclosure agreements that would silence survivors of child sexual abuse. The bill is named in honor of Trey Carlock, a beloved citizen of Dallas, Texas, who was silenced by an NDA after enduring a retraumatizing civil litigation process against Kanakuk Ministries. He ultimately died by suicide at age 28.

Sen. Cruz said, “No child who has endured sexual abuse should be forced to carry that horror in silence. Non-disclosure agreements are too often used to protect abusers, with incalculable and catastrophic consequences for their victims. We owe it to Trey to ensure that victims have the right to speak about their experiences and that contracts are not used to silence survivors. I’m grateful to my colleagues for joining me in introducing this bipartisan bill, and I’m committed to seeing it advanced expeditiously.”

Sen. Gillibrand said, “For too long, nondisclosure agreements have been used to silence survivors of child sexual abuse and shield perpetrators from accountability. TREY’S Law would void predatory nondisclosure agreements that prevent the victims of sexual abuse as minors from speaking about their experiences. Survivors deserve the right to tell their stories and hold abusers accountable. I am proud to lead this critical legislation and look forward to getting it across the finish line.”

Sen. Britt said, “The story of Trey Carlock is not only tragic, but preventable. Going through trauma as severe as sexual abuse and grooming as a child is unimaginable enough, but being put into a situation where they are essentially forced into not speaking about that trauma is beyond the pale. Anyone trying to silence survivors of these heinous crimes—through contractual agreements, litigation, or otherwise—is evil. I have long said that I intend to serve in the Senate as a voice for the voiceless, which is why I’m proud to co-lead this legislation and honor Trey’s memory so we can prevent tragedies like this from ever happening again.”

Sen. Welch said, “Survivors of abuse deserve due process and the opportunity to share their stories in their own time. Banning NDAs meant to suppress the voices of abuse victims is a long-overdue step in ensuring survivors can seek accountability. Congress must do everything in its power to support victims of sexual abuse and hold predators accountable for their crimes.”

Sen. Schmitt said, “Childhood sexual abuse is a despicable crime, and no court-enforced nondisclosure agreement should ever force a victim into silence while their abuser escapes scrutiny. This legislation makes clear that nondisclosure agreements cannot override a victim’s right to petition their government and access a court to seek justice. Child abusers should not be able to silence victims with nondisclosure agreements.”

Trey’s sister, Elizabeth Phillips said, “For decades, survivors of child sexual abuse have suffered in the shadows due to the misuse of NDAs in civil settlement agreements, terrified that sharing their story would lead to a lawsuit or other repercussions. TREY’S Law doesn’t just protect future victims; it restores the voices of those silenced by existing NDAs. This bill’s passage will say to every survivor currently living under a gag order: ‘Your voice is yours again. You are free to speak about what happened to you. And what you have to say matters.’ Senator Cruz and Senator Gillibrand’s bill has my full support.”

RAINN Vice President of Public Policy Stefan Turkheimer said, “Perpetrators try to silence child sexual abuse survivors. The justice system shouldn’t do the same thing. TREY’S Law will allow survivors’ voices to be heard and hold abusers accountable, and we at RAINN are proud to support it."

This legislation is supported by the American Association for Justice, Prevent Together – The National Coalition to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation, Protect Our Children, National Children's Alliance, Tim Tebow Foundation, Unsilenced, Joyful Heart Foundation Children's Justice Campaign – Enough Abuse, Zero Abuse Project, Children's Advocacy Centers of Texas, and Rights4Girls.

Click here to read the full bill text.

BACKGROUND:

Trey’s Law prevents the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to silence survivors of child sexual abuse and trafficking. The bill makes any NDA provision unenforceable if it prohibits or restricts someone from disclosing the sexual abuse of a minor or facts related to that abuse. Importantly, this protection applies regardless of when the NDA was signed, whether before a dispute arose or as part of a civil settlement agreement.

The bill is named in honor of Trey Carlock, a beloved citizen of Dallas, Texas, who was silenced by such an NDA, retraumatized by a civil litigation process against Kanakuk Ministries, and ultimately committed suicide at age 28. The process was related to crimes committed by Pete Newman, a former director of a Kanakuk Ministries camp for ages 6 to 11 who was convicted of sexual abuse, and who groomed and sexually abused Trey and others.

Trey was required to file civil litigation by the age of 23, due to Texas’s civil statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases at the time his abuse, which became known through a 2009 criminal investigation. Kanakuk’s settlements with “John Does” like Trey included restrictive NDAs, which silenced victims and concealed what and when Kanakuk knew about abuses.

Before he died by suicide Trey told a therapist, “They will always control me, and I’ll never be free.” His story has sparked a movement of others coming forward about institutional abuse, and survivors continue advocating for NDA reform to prevent victims of childhood sexual abuse or trafficking from being silenced.


Daines Joins Newsmax: “Trump is Giving the Iranian People a Chance for a Better, Brighter Future”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today joined Newsmax to discuss “Operation Epic Fury.”

Watch the full interview HERE.

Daines on President Trump’s bold leadership:

“These are the same critics that went after President Trump during his first administration when he took out Soleimani. President Trump has been decisive; he has moral clarity on the situation, not only in the Middle East, but around the world. Keep in mind what’s happened just in the last five days is remarkable. Forty-seven years of a reign of terror and tyranny in Iran, the greatest single destabilizing force in the Middle East and the world, the leading sponsor of terror in the world, the backers of Hamas, of Hezbollah, of the Houthis. As I’ve been traveling around the world over the course of the last 12 months, I’ve been in Qatar, I’ve been in the Emirates, I’ve been in Saudi Arabia, I’ve been in Bahrain. The topic is always front and center about the threat Iran poses, not only to the Middle East, but to the United States and to Israel. They call the United States the “great Satan,” and they call Israel the “little Satan.” They chant “Death to America.” It was only a matter of time before they had capabilities to take out the United States with a nuclear weapon. It was either we’re going to wait for them to do it or for us to preemptively strike with this imminent threat. I am thankful for President Trump and this administration, their bold and decisive leadership, because this is a generational moment. This is for our children and our grandchildren. Think about what the world would look like with an Iran that was pro-Western, pro-U.S., had a strong relationship with Israel. This is a game changer. Thank God for President Trump and his leadership.”

Daines on how President Trump is giving the Iranian people the chance for freedom:

“I’m very confident in the capabilities of the United States military, and now the help, of course, with the Israelis, as well as many of our partners in the Middle East are now joining the fight. I don’t think it was anticipated that we’re going to have so much additional cooperation, literally looking for strike packages and additional resources here militarily to take out the Iranian leadership. This is good news. The administration is saying it’s going to be four to five weeks. That’s probably an accurate assessment. But keep in mind, over the last 47 years, there’s only been two Ayatollahs since the Shah was deposed back in 1979. The first Ayatollah was there for 10 years. The second Ayatollah was there for 37 years until he was just killed four days ago. If you look at the arc of history, President Trump now is changing history and he’s moving us in a direction that was going to bring greater peace and stability. It’ll be about the Iranian people determining the future of Iran. But by taking out the Iranian leadership, by taking out their military capabilities, this gives the Iranian people a chance now to reset a much better, bolder, brighter, peaceful future.”

Daines on future regime change:

“No doubt that we do. And I don’t see this as being a protracted conflict. I don’t see us with boots on the ground. We are not going to be nation-building. One of the mistakes in Afghanistan was nation-building. That’s not going to happen. There’s a very clear mission, and that was to ensure we took out the imminent threat of the United States, and that the capability of Iranians to produce a nuclear bomb, coupled with an intercontinental ballistic type delivery vehicle. That is being accomplished. Of course, taking out the leadership. There are late reports in the last 30 minutes that perhaps there was a strike in Iran that might have taken up to 80 Iranian leaders. This gives the Iranian people a chance to take power and to serve the people again like they had once upon a time and to put in place leaders that believe in peace, prosperity, and believe in a strong relationship with Israel and the United States. That will absolutely be a game changer, but that’s not going to require a protracted type engagement by the United States. This should be get in and get out.”

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Duckworth: Trump’s Illegal Iran Campaign is a Gift to Our Adversaries that Makes Americans Less Safe, Undermines American Readiness and Puts Security in the Indo-Pacific Region at Risk

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – As the Trump Administration continues its illegal military campaign against Iran, combat Veteran and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) called out Donald Trump for once again breaking his promise to get our nation out of foreign wars—making Americans less safe while providing a gift to our adversaries like Russia and China who wish us harm. At today’s U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing, Duckworth underscored that by pushing American servicemembers into his reckless wars of choice, Trump’s military adventurism is undermining our military readiness and distracting us in the Indo-Pacific region, which threatens security across the region and here at home. Duckworth’s full hearing remarks can be found on the Senator’s YouTube.

“Let’s be clear: We are a Pacific nation,” said Duckworth. “Securing Americans requires securing the Pacific. Not only is it where hundreds of thousands of Americans live and work, but the American economy is powered by key trade and energy routes in the Pacific. But there are very real signs that the People’s Republic of China is exploiting Trump’s adventurism to threaten all of this.”

In her exchange with the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Mr. Elbridge Colby, Duckworth underscored how critical it is that the Department of Defense (DoD) is prepared for any potential crisis in the Indo-Pacific region. For example, in the case of a flare-up involving the disputed islands on the Western side of the Philippines, more than 750,000 Americans living in the country would be at risk—and getting them to safety would involve coordination across as many as six countries’ airspaces across Southeast Asia. Additionally, a conflict on the Western side of the Philippines in the South China Sea could disrupt as much as one third of global maritime trade, especially supplies of oil, gas, electronics and agricultural goods that Americans depend on. These are just a few examples—out of dozens of possible regional flashpoints—highlighting what is at stake if the Administration neglects the Indo-Pacific region.

Mr. Colby agreed with the Senator that DoD coordination with the State Department and local nations in the Indo-Pacific region must remain a top priority.

“There is a clear danger to this Administration’s failure to prepare for crises in this region that is essential to American prosperity,” said Duckworth. “If the U.S. isn’t prepared, flinches or delays a response, the PRC could exploit it. We have to be ready right away—but that kind of crisis planning requires focus and preparation to prevent it from spiraling into war. And it can’t be done when Trump insists on illegally and recklessly using our military to generate chaos.”

In conclusion, Duckworth said: “If we continue to strain our military with wars of choice all over the world and make our enemies doubt whether we will defend our interests in the Pacific, we will all lose.”

Duckworth is an outspoken critic of Donald Trump’s illegal military campaign against Iran. Yesterday, the Senator spoke on the Senate floor excoriating Trump for launching an illegal attack on Iran without Constitutionally-required authorization from Congress, without any known imminent threat to our national security and without a plan to mitigate the instability that will come next. She also urged her Republican colleagues to consider the lives of our servicemembers and help stop this Trump-manufactured conflict by voting in support of Senator Kaine’s War Powers Resolution, which the Senate will vote on this week.

Duckworth is also proven leader when it comes to strengthening our relations with Indo-Pacific nations and improving security in the region—which she has done while successfully securing significant international investments in Illinois. Duckworth’s Indo-Pacific Medical Readiness program—a program she championed in the FY2025 NDAA—will help ensure our nation’s servicemembers as well as their families have access to quality patient care throughout the Indo-Pacific region—where they often must travel long distances to receive care. Last year, she led official visits to South Korea and Japan to meet with government and economic leaders and discuss how the U.S. can better collaborate with our Indo-Pacific partners to enhance American shipbuilding capabilities and mutually strengthen each other’s economies. Duckworth also led a bipartisan Congressional Delegation to the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore to reaffirm the United States’ strong bipartisan commitment to our partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as a visit to Taiwan to underscore Illinois’s preparedness for additional international investments similar to those she’s already successfully secured in her previous international travels.

Duckworth also successfully included a modified version of her Strengthen Taiwan’s Security Act in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to help Taiwan strengthen its military defenses.

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Durbin Calls For Action To Protect Vulnerable Children From Exploitation, Trafficking In Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing

Durbin: “Children who are trafficked and subject to horrific abuse do not have a political action committee or a big fundraiser. They do not have deep pockets. But they have us. And it’s up to us to do everything in our power to protect them.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered opening remarks in today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing entitled “Lost and Exploited: Confronting Child Trafficking and the Failure to Protect America’s Most Vulnerable.” In his opening remarks, Durbin spoke about the horrific abuses that exploited children face, from human trafficking to online sextortion, and he called on his Senate colleagues to immediately pass the STOP CSAM Act, which was unanimously reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee last year.

Key quotes:

“Today’s hearing highlights a core truth: children who are trafficked and exploited are often invisible until it’s too late. In my 25 years serving on the Judiciary Committee, protecting children from trafficking and exploitation has been a bipartisan priority—and a personal priority.”

“When I chaired the Subcommittee on Human Rights and the Law almost 20 years ago, I held multiple hearings on human and child trafficking, as well as a hearing on protecting child soldiers—a form of child trafficking. Under the leadership of both Chairman Grassley and you, Chairman Hawley, the Senate Judiciary Committee and this Subcommittee have held hearings where we have heard from survivors and experts about how predators exploit legal loopholes and technological gaps.”

“These hearings are important. But, as I have long believed, we need legislation, not lamentation. That’s why, following my hearings, Congress passed the Human Trafficking Accountability Act and the Child Soldiers Accountability Act.”

“And now in the age of online impunity, we need to enact new laws that protect child trafficking victims and survivors and hold perpetrators—and the tech companies that are enablers—accountable. And we must stop the Trump Administration’s senseless diversion of government resources from investigating these crimes, protecting victims, and prosecuting perpetrators to support the President’s cruel mass deportation campaign.”

“There is hope that we can act on a bipartisan basis to do something. Just last week, the Committee advanced the bipartisan James T. Woods Act, which I lead with Chairman Grassley, in honor of a 17-year-old young man, an athlete, and star student, who in 19 hours, succumbed to the urgings of an internet presence that targeted him, like many other predators on Instagram [and pressured him to take his own life]. This bill would revamp key sentencing laws, target violent online criminal networks, prohibit sextortion, and direct the Sentencing Commission to update the CSAM sentencing guidelines.”

“Chairman Hawley and I also have reintroduced the bipartisan STOP CSAM Act, which this Committee reported unanimously. Our bill would finally open the courthouse doors to survivors of child exploitation, allowing them to sue companies that promoted or facilitated their exploitation, or that host or store CSAM.”

“Too many parents take a deep breath every time their child logs onto a phone, tablet, or video game console. They know the internet has become a hunting ground for predators. Congress should pass our bills in their defense today.”

“As we further consider how best to address these threats, I want to recognize a young man in the audience. His name is Jose. His story underscores why identifying and protecting victims of sex trafficking matters so deeply. Like many child trafficking victims, Jose was kicked out of his house and was left vulnerable to sex traffickers who prey on vulnerable children. He was forced to perform sex acts on adults in an illegal massage parlor.”

“His trafficker was ultimately caught with another child trafficking victim, as well as CSAM. That investigation led authorities to uncover other victims, including Jose, who bravely testified against his trafficker and grew into the survivor and advocate that he is today. Jose’s story reminds us that we must seek accountability from all those involved in sexual abuse and trafficking. I thank him for his courage, and for being here today.”

“And we would be remiss in this moment not to recognize the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirator’s horrific abuses. Those victims also deserve justice, and all of their abusers must be held accountable.”

“Children who are trafficked and subject to horrific abuse do not have a political action committee or a big fundraiser. They do not have deep pockets. But they have us. And it’s up to us to do everything in our power to protect them.”

Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations.

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Durbin Delivers Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Committee Oversight Hearing With DHS Secretary Kristi Noem

Durbin: “Under your leadership, the Homeland Security Department has been devoid of any moral compass or respect for the rule of law.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing with U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem. During his opening, Durbin blasted Secretary Noem for undermining the mission of DHS by directing federal agents to indiscriminately arrest U.S. citizens and immigrants—most of whom do not have a criminal record and do not pose a threat to their community—and detain them in inhumane conditions without access to legal representation. Durbin acknowledged the family and friends of loved ones detained or deported by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the audience today.

Durbin also criticized Secretary Noem’s approach to immigration policy. Rather than focusing on the “worst of the worst,” as President Trump repeatedly promised on the campaign trail, DHS has terrorized communities by indiscriminately arresting people and wielding unnecessary and violent force against people, including American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both of whom were killed by federal immigration agents. Today’s oversight hearing is Secretary Noem’s first appearance in front of the Committee, despite Durbin calling on her to testify repeatedly since the start of the Trump Administration.

Key Quotes:

“We are joined today by friends and family members of individuals currently in ICE detention or who have been deported. I thank them for traveling here today. Their presence is a reminder that the policies implemented by DHS under your leadership, Madam Secretary, have a devastating impact on real people… Under your leadership, the Homeland Security Department has been devoid of any moral compass or respect for the rule of law.”

“Without hesitation or remorse, DHS agents have wreaked havoc in our cities—I’ve seen it in the City of Chicago—and acted with unspeakable cruelty against children, immigrant families, and American citizens. This Administration’s reckless immigration enforcement campaign is creating fear in communities and eroding the foundational tenets of our democracy. Democrats believe that Congress must do its job and rein in ICE abuses by requiring immigration agents to simply follow the same rules as local police.”

“While Republicans claim the DHS shutdown is putting us at risk, the reality is this Administration has engaged in mass layoffs of career national security officials and diverted many others from protecting the homeland [to] the President’s mass deportation campaign. This is all while Secretary Noem is sitting on an unprecedented amount of [funds from Congress] … And she is spending nearly $300 million on a fleet of luxury private jets so she can travel in style.”

“Secretary Noem has repeatedly claimed that the Department is arresting the ‘worst of the worst’ and making American cities safer. In fact, less than 14 percent of immigrants arrested during Trump’s first year back in office had charges or convictions for violent criminal offenses… Immigration agents arrived in cities without consulting local law enforcement, they roam the streets in paramilitary gear, and [they] arrest and detain people based on the color of their skin, their accents, and the language they speak… That is not a public safety operation, that is a paramilitary occupation. And Secretary Noem has made excessive force the Department’s default position.”

“In my home state of Illinois, during the so-called ‘Operation Midway Blitz,’ agents violently attacked, tackled, arrested, and detained immigrants and citizens. They conducted a military-style raid of an apartment complex—kicking down doors and zip-tying children. A Border Patrol agent shot an American citizen, Marimar Martinez, multiple times… She miraculously survived. After the incident, the agent bragged… ‘five shots, seven holes.’”

“Earlier this month, the Trump Administration deployed Border Czar Tom Homan to Minneapolis, supposedly to end ‘Operation Metro Surge.’ The President is reading his sinking poll numbers and finally recognizing that the American people are sick and tired and fed up with these heavily armed, masked agents causing chaos in our cities. But the reality is the Administration has not backed down from Stephen Miller’s 3,000 person-a-day arrest quota.”

“Even with tens of billions of dollars at their disposal, the Administration already cannot meet the basic needs of the 65,000 people currently in immigration detention. Detained individuals, including children and infants, are subject to abusive conditions and inadequate medical care. This includes Liam Ramos—the five-year old arrested with his father in Minnesota—who became ill in detention.”

“We have also seen an unprecedented number of deaths in ICE custody. Seven people died last December alone, and nine have died this year.”

“Secretary Noem and her rogue immigration agents seem to believe they are above the law and accountable only to the President and Stephen Miller’s evil vision of a hateful America. Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz of Minnesota—a Republican appointee—found that ICE violated at least 96 court orders in Minnesota in January alone—which he said was ‘likely more … than some federal agencies have violated in their entire existence.’ And hundreds of federal judges have ruled more than 4,440 times that ICE is detaining immigrants illegally. That is an extraordinary rebuke from the federal bench.”

“Now the Administration is even threatening to interfere with our elections. President Trump has suggested that the federal government should ‘nationalize’ elections. Top Trump ally Steve Bannon recently said, ‘We’re gonna have ICE surround the polls… We’ll never again allow an election to be stolen.’ Secretary Noem went further [when she said], we need to ‘make sure that we have the right people voting, electing the right leaders to lead this country.’”

“History teaches us that immigrants are the first target when an authoritarian regime seeks to erode civil rights and consolidate power. But immigrants are never the last target. And we know that Donald Trump does not respect the constitutional rights of any American—regardless of party.”

“Secretary Noem, this is the first time we’ve ever met. I’ve been on this Committee for more than two decades. I’ve worked with every one of your predecessors. I tried to meet with you before and after your confirmation, but you refused every request. I want to be clear, and you should know this: no official on this side of the roster or the other is above the law. You have no right to deploy immigration agents as a paramilitary force in American cities.”

“You swore an oath to uphold the Constitution, and you have an obligation to answer questions posed by the Members of this Committee, so that meaningful accountability can begin for the terror we are witnessing in America every day.”

Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available herefor TV Stations.

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Durbin Presses DHS Secretary Kristi Noem During Senate Judiciary Committee Oversight Hearing

Durbin questioned Secretary Noem about DHS’s cruel immigration campaign, the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, the shooting of Marimar Martinez, and disregarding the rule of law

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing. Durbin first pressed Secretary Noem about her labeling Renee Good, Alex Pretti, and Marimar Martinez as “domestic terrorists,” and refusing to apologize to their families. Both Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti were shot and killed by federal immigration agents in Minneapolis, and Ms. Martinez was shot five times by a Border Patrol agent in Chicago.

“We have ample video evidence and eyewitness testimony proving you were wrong. Your statements caused immeasurable pain to these families. Let me give you an opportunity to do the right thing. Do you retract these statements identifying these individuals as ‘domestic terrorists?’” Durbin asked.

Secretary Noem refused to retract her statement.

“Where did you get that information? In a recent hearing before the HSGAC [the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs] Committee, CBP and ICE officials testified under oath that their agencies did not inform you that Pretti was a ‘domestic terrorist,’” Durbin said.

Secretary Noem responded that she was getting information “on the ground.” She continued to deflect and responded it was a “chaotic scene” in Minneapolis.

“You believe calling the victims in that violence [caused by ICE’s aggressive presence in Minneapolis] ‘domestic terrorists’ as a way to calm the scene?” Durbin asked.

Secretary Noem again deflected and blamed the “chaos” in Minneapolis. Durbin noted that DHS has terrorized communities and caused this “chaos” by indiscriminately arresting people and wielding unnecessary and violent force against people, including American citizens.

“How did you think branding them as ‘domestic terrorists’ at that scene was somehow going to calm the situation?” Durbin again asked.

Secretary Noem refused to answer Durbin directly.

“Is it so hard to say you were wrong… and when you fail, do you admit it publicly?” Durbin asked.

Secretary Noem responded to Durbin’s question by saying “absolutely,” but didn’t acknowledge that she was wrong in calling Ms. Good, Mr. Pretti, and Ms. Martinez “domestic terrorists.”

Durbin then asked about DHS hiding the facts from the American public—specifically about deaths in ICE detention facilities. Geraldo Luna Campos died in immigration detention. DHS claimed he killed himself, but an independent medical examiner found his death was a homicide. Witnesses stated Mr. Campos was strangled by the guards at the detention facility. Instead of investigating this death, DHS tried to deport these witnesses. It took a judge intervening to ensure these fact witnesses remain in the country for an investigation to be conducted.

“Secretary Noem, who ordered those witnesses be deported?” Durbin asked.

Secretary Noem responded that she can’t speak to the details of that case.

“Did you hear there was an effort to deport witnesses?” Durbin asked.

After Durbin pressed, Secretary Noem responded she wasn’t aware but that she would look into it.

Durbin then asked about DHS defying or disregarding federal court orders in hundreds of immigration cases. Just last week, the Republican-appointed chief federal judge in Minnesota identified over 200 orders that ICE officials had violated in just the last two months. He wrote, quote, “[t]he court is not aware of another occasion in the history of the United States in which a federal court has had to threaten contempt—again and again and again—to force the United States government to comply with court orders.” In a sworn declaration, the Trump Justice Department itself acknowledged that DHS has violated court orders more than 50 times in recent weeks in New Jersey alone.

“Secretary Noem, is DHS required to follow federal court orders?” Durbin asked.

Despite the Trump Justice Department stating that DHS has violated court orders more than 50 times, Secretary Noem responded that DHS does follow court orders.

“So, the judges are wrong?” Durbin asked.

To which Secretary Noem responded she “isn’t saying they are wrong.”

Durbin then asked about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals [DACA] program.

“Do you understand the people protected by DACA have to go through a background check which includes a criminal check? Yes or no?” Durbin asked.

Secretary Noem responded “yes.”

Last week, DHS informed Durbin that last year, ICE arrested 261 DACA holders and deported 86. Durbin also learned about a DACA recipient who had lived in this country for decades who was arrested by ICE at her green card appointment. In tears, she hugged her daughter goodbye, and she was deported to Mexico within 24 hours.

“Madam Secretary, why have you deported dozens of DACA holders who [completed] a criminal background check [and] are eligible for DACA?” Durbin asked.

Secretary Noem responded that they follow all laws “as applicable to the Department of Homeland Security.”

“Then why did you deport them?” Durbin asked.

Secretary Noem dodged the question and said she didn’t know the details of the case. She continued to say she would “look into it.” She again stated that DHS follows the law when it comes to who they detain and deport “back to their home country.”

“You clearly violated the law if that is the case,” Durbin responded. Although this Administration is working relentlessly to end the DACA program, for now, DACA holders are protected from deportation by a combination of federal regulations and court orders.

Durbin then pressed Secretary Noem about DHS not arresting the “worst of the worst” as President Trump claims. Less than 14 percent of the nearly 400,000 immigrants that ICE arrested during President Trump’s first year back in office were individuals who had charges or convictions for violent criminal offenses.

“It turns out that 85 percent of the people you’ve gone after have no [violent] criminal history… how do you explain that?” Durbin asked.

She was unable to dispute Durbin’s statement.

Durbin then asked about Ruben Torres Maldonado’s case. Mr. Torres Maldonado is an Illinoisan who has no criminal record. He is not one of the so called “worst of the worst.” He spent most of his days working to support his daughter Ofelia, as she struggled to fight a rare and aggressive cancer. Instead of spending her last days with her family and friends, she was forced to fight to get her father out of immigration detention. She died recently at age 16, thankfully with her father by her side after he was able to win his immigration court case.

“Is that really necessary [to arrest and detain Mr. Torres Maldonado]? Was he a violent criminal?” Durbin asked.

Secretary Noem again deflected—refusing to acknowledge Durbin’s question about a father who was detained while his daughter was dying of cancer.

Video of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available herefor TV Stations.

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Durbin Questions Witnesses About Protecting Vulnerable Youth From Sex Trafficking, Exploitation

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned witnesses in today’s Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing entitled “Lost and Exploited: Confronting Child Trafficking and the Failure to Protect America’s Most Vulnerable.” During his questioning, Durbin focused on how the federal government can intervene before children are brought into dangerous situations, including trafficking and sextortion.

Durbin began by asking Ms. Julia Einbond, CEO of Covenant House New Jersey, about her organization’s view on his bipartisan legislation, the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act.

“Ms. Einbond raised the Runaway and Homeless Youth and Trafficking Prevention Act, which I reintroduced with Senator Collins last year, to reauthorize funding for essential programs and services for runaways and homeless youth. Ms. Einbond, how do you come in contact with homeless youth?” Durbin began.

Ms. Einbond explained that some youth seek out Covenant House while others are connected to the organization’s services through the court system or law enforcement referrals. Ms. Einbond emphasized that youth homelessness is a crisis and that more resources must be made available to those in need.

“Could you give me the two or three largest [demographic] categories of homeless youth?” Durbin asked.

Ms. Einbond noted that many homeless youth are survivors of human trafficking. At Covenant House, more than 10 percent of the youth they serve annually have survived human tracking at some point in their life. Ms. Einbond further explained that other youth seeking support were pushed out of their homes or aged out of the foster care system, and roughly 20 percent of the youth served at Covenant House are part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Durbin then asked Ms. Yasmin Vafa, Executive Director of Rights4Girls, about how law enforcement engages with victims of trafficking and the difficulties in holding perpetrators accountable.

“Part of the problem is that law enforcement ends up pointing to the victim for their activity, rather than the preparator. Explain why we can’t get it across to them that they are clearly pointing in the wrong direction,” Durbin said to Ms. Vafa.

Ms. Vafa pointed to the stigma that survivors face, and often times, law enforcement does not account for the full breadth of federal law that would categorize abuses like “survival sex,” in which a victim is forced to perform a sex act to avoid physical harm, as sex trafficking. Ms. Vafa continued, explaining that young girls of color must also overcome “adultification bias,” by which dangerous stereotypes are projected on to young girls of color; they are not viewed as the children they are. Instead, law enforcement agencies and the court system see these young girls as willful participants in the violence against them rather than as victims suffering at the hands of their abusers. Ultimately, this leads to negative outcomes for these victims in the criminal justice system.

Ms. Vafa also urged the members of the subcommittee to review state laws that still inappropriately consider the sex buying of minors a misdemeanor rather than a felony.

Video of Durbin’s questions are available here.

Audio of Durbin’s questions are available here.

Footage of Durbin’s questions are available here for TV Stations.

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Senate Passes Ernst Updates to Put Small Businesses First in America’s Innovation Program

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Senator Joni Ernst’s (R-Iowa) major reforms to better safeguard and steward our nation’s research and development dollars in the SBIR-STTR programs.

Even though the SBIR-STTR programs are supposed to be America’s seed fund for small businesses, Ernst has exposed how they have prioritized a few large companies over truly small businesses, wasted tax dollars that should be producing innovation for our national interests, and failed to protect taxpayer-funded technologies from foreign influence.

Ernst has worked with small businesses, stakeholders, and across the aisle to change this unacceptable status quo, prioritize truly small businesses, and protect our innovations from Beijing.

Ernst spoke on the Senate floor ahead of its passage.

“I will always fight to put small businesses first,” said Ernst. “When confronted with the status quo of the SBIR program, I knew I could no longer let China win, allow waste to run rampant, fail our warfighters, or let large companies crowd out actual small businesses. After working across the aisle, these necessary reforms will strengthen the integrity of America’s seed fund while unlocking new innovation, and I look forward to working with this administration to make sure taxpayers’ investments are turned into a reality. Now, with these commonsense changes, America’s seed fund can serve our truly small businesses.”

Ernst secured key updates in this legislation, which include:

Strengthening due diligence standards and closing loopholes to ensure awardees safeguard tech against Chinese espionage

Holding recipients accountable to producing cutting-edge technologies and capabilities for the warfighter

Requiring for the first time all SBIR offices to place an annual limit on applications to prioritize truly small businesses over large, entrenched companies that know how to game the system

Establishing the first-of-its-kind Strategic Breakthrough awards to enable agencies to scale the most promising technologies while ensuring businesses have skin in the game by requiring matching dollars and buy-in from the agency

Creating transparency of the use of tax dollars by improving data collection and reporting

Full remarks:

“I rise today as the Senate puts small businesses first in America’s innovation program and gives them the certainty they need to build and grow.

“For too long, our nation’s seed fund programs, SBIR and STTR, have been allowed to prioritize a few large companies over truly small businesses.

“Until now, these programs received blank checks to squander tax dollars meant to advance innovation in our national interest and have not protected taxpayer-funded technologies from foreign influence.

“When confronted with this unacceptable status quo, I knew Congress could work together to find a solution for our truly small businesses.

“After working across the aisle and with our small businesses, we now have the necessary reforms to strengthen America’s seed fund while unleashing small businesses to deliver for taxpayers and our warfighters.

“Together, our bipartisan, bicameral legislation will ensure awardees safeguard tech against Chinese espionage; hold recipients accountable to actually producing cutting-edge technologies and capabilities – no more blank checks; require for the first time an annual limit on applications to prioritize truly small businesses over large companies who know how to game the system; establish the first-of-its-kind strategic breakthrough awards; and finally, provide taxpayers with transparency into who receives these awards.

“These changes were necessary and worth taking the time to absolutely get it right.

“And tonight, I am proud the Senate is unanimously passing these long-overdue updates for innovators.”

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Fischer Statement on Death of Sergeant First Class Noah Tietjens

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) released the following statement in response to the death of United States Army Sergeant First Class Noah Tietjens of Bellevue, Nebraska who was killed in Kuwait during Operation Epic Fury:

“It is with profound sadness that I learned one of Nebraska’s own was killed in Kuwait during Operation Epic Fury. Bruce and I extend our deepest condolences to Sergeant First Class Noah Tietjens’ family as they navigate this unimaginable grief. His courage and sacrifice in service to our nation will be forever honored.”


Senador Rubén Gallego, Demócrata de Arizona, Habló con Univisión Sobre Irán

WASHINGTON – El senador Rubén Gallego, demócrata de Arizona, habló con Univisión Noticias 24/7 ayer sobre la situación en Irán.

Mira la entrevista AQUÍ y lee partes claves a continuación:

Sobre la razón de ir a la guerra con Irán: “¿Por qué estamos en guerra contra Irán? ¿Qué es el interés nacional de los Estados Unidos? ¿Por qué ya casi seis hombres y mujeres se murieron en defensa de nuestro país? ¿Por qué estamos en guerra? Todavía no tiene una buena razón. El secretario Rubio tiene una razón, el secretario de la defensa tiene otra razón, el presidente tiene seis o siete razones, pero nadie nos puede decir por qué fuimos a guerra en este tiempo y sin el permiso del congreso. Porque ahora lo que está ocurriendo, tenemos miles de nuestros hombres y mujeres en las fuerzas armadas que están en peligro ahora.”


Gillibrand Statement On Trump Administration’s Failure To Help Americans Evacuate From Middle East

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee, released the following statement on the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem’s failure to evacuate Americans stranded in the Middle East and the president’s admission that the administration didn’t even think about thousands of Americans being stranded before launching a war:

“Instead of focusing on lowering costs for American families, President Trump started a war with no plan for how to evacuate Americans caught in the crossfire.

“By refusing to help Americans get to safety, the Trump administration is abandoning the very people it is supposed to assist. It is disgraceful and unacceptable.

“The Trump administration must immediately develop a plan to evacuate Americans stranded in the Middle East. I won’t rest until they do.”

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Grassley Questions Noem at DHS Oversight Hearing

WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) questioned Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem at today’s DHS oversight hearing.

Grassley pressed Noem on DHS’s efforts to combat Iranian terrorist cells in the United States, locate unaccompanied migrant children and address the Biden administration’s failures to properly vet Afghan evacuees. Grassley also questioned Noem about airport security upgrades, Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) use of administrative warrants, allegations that Noem and other political appointees were improperly surveilled and DHS’s use of Special Government Employees (SGE).

Video and a transcript of Grassley and Noem’s exchange follow. Grassley’s opening statement can be found HERE.

VIDEO

Monitoring and combating Iranian terrorist cells in the United States:

GRASSLEY: “The previous administration’s open border policy brought millions of people into this country. We don’t know everyone’s background or true intent for entering, but we know many of these [individuals] have ill intent.

“Given the Iran conflict, what steps has Homeland Security taken to protect against potential Iranian sleeper cells and related terrorism?”

NOEM: “[DHS] work[s] every single day with our intelligence agencies and law enforcement partners to make sure that we are investigating and finding any threats to the homeland here within our borders. We work with the FBI often, and Homeland Security Investigations specializes in this kind of work.

“We’re going back and re-vetting some of the individuals and some of the programs that we may have concerns about. [We’re] looking at social media [and] going through the interviews… We know that we had many dangerous individuals that came in [the country] unvetted, and we are working every single day to find them and to make sure that we're preventing the next attack.”

Unaccompanied migrant children:

GRASSLEY: “As I said in my opening, the Trump administration has located over 145,000 children that the previous administration lost. Your department is also performing welfare checks on these children.

“Describe the ongoing efforts that your department is taking to find children who’ve yet to be located, and how recent welfare checks have exposed previous vetting failures.”

NOEM: “[DHS has] located about 145,000 [unaccompanied migrant children], and we've done that through the investigative work of our Homeland Security Investigations team…

“Under the Biden administration, the government paid sponsors in HHS to host these children… we found instances where they trafficked these children themselves. So, under that administration, we not only had children that were in this country as a part of a [government] program, [but the] government was paying individuals that were knowingly trafficking them and abusing them. That has stopped.

“We have gone through and found these children and put them back with their families…. even in one case, we have other countries [that] we've been working with to get their children back home, where we've been prevented from returning these families and helping them to be reunified by activist judges. We will continue to work to ensure that these individuals and these children that were abused… have the opportunity to be brought back to their families and to their loved ones.”

Afghan evacuee vetting:

GRASSLEY: “Regarding Afghan evacuee oversight of mine, you informed my office that thousands of Afghan parolees were potential national security risks. Nearly 1,000 [cases] were reported to me on August 12 last year.

“What steps have you taken with interagency partners to investigate these parolees? What, if any, national security concerns still exist because of the previous administration’s failures to vet [them]?”

NOEM: “Some of the things that [DHS has] implemented under President Trump's administration is to go back and look at those individuals who came in under Operation Allies Welcome and make sure that we're re-vetting [them], especially those that have come in [during] the last four years under the Biden administration. [We] recognize that [the Biden administration] wasn’t tracking, necessarily, their biometrics or their social media presence …

“There's a requirement, under that program, to come back every single year and do an interview to discuss with them… what they're doing in the United States and how they're transitioning to the United States under that program. That was not being done. So, we're going back and re-vetting all of those individuals and making sure that we know, if someone is here in this country, that they love America, they want to be a part of our way of life and they don't wish to do us harm.”

Airport security upgrades:

GRASSLEY: “As you heard in my opening statement about the Inspector General’s report on airport security screening, after Congress had been told of the report, you announced $1 billion in airport security upgrades. Press reports have sources attacking you for changing the shoe-removal policy at security checkpoints.

“Does the $1 billion investment relate to issues in the Inspector General report?

“What steps has DHS taken to resolve these questions and have they been communicated to the Inspector General?”

NOEM: “I will tell you that all the recommendations that the Inspector General had in that report have already been implemented, and that there was flawed data included in [the report]. What I will tell you is that the $1 billion investment is necessary at our TSA security checkpoints, because it's been over a decade since a significant upgrade has happened… The number one priority of TSA is security…

“There's nothing preventing the [Inspector General] from coming and briefing members of Congress, and he's free to do that. We just need to remember it’s a classified document and use those protocols to ensure it remains classified.”

Administrative warrants:

GRASSLEY: “I want to bring up administrative warrants. There’s been questions raised about your department’s use of them. Immigration laws include complex and specialized legal processes. For the record today, I’d like you to briefly discuss how an administrative warrant works and how often they’re used.”

NOEM: “An administrative warrant is utilized on a regular basis, because it's the process that Congress has given us… to ensure that someone is returned back to their home country… In the 400,000 cases [where] ICE has used these administrative warrants, only 28 times have they been used to enter a home. So, it is the legal process that [DHS has], that we follow, as given to us by Congress, and it's been affirmed by the Supreme Court as the correct way to follow the law. We will continue using this tool as it's important in the duties that the Department of Homeland Security is responsible for.”

Improper surveillance of Noem and DHS political appointees:

GRASSLEY: “You stated that the Department of Government Efficiency found software on your government devices that was used to improperly surveil you and other political officials.

“What’s the status of the investigation into this matter and has any disciplinary action been taken?”

NOEM: “Yes, sir. There was software that was doing surveillance on political appointees at the Department of Homeland Security. There were measures put in place where some people were removed from their positions and accountability measures put in place. We continue to monitor our systems. As the agency that is trusted with cybersecurity and ensuring that our critical infrastructure is protected from hacking attempts from foreign nationals who wish to do us harm, or individuals within this country, we take seriously the amount of software surveillance and work that we do within the department as well.”

Special government employees:

GRASSLEY: “Under both Democrat and Republican presidents, I’ve conducted oversight of employees called Special Government Employees (SGE). By law, these employees are limited to 130 days a year of government work, and it’s been understood that a partial day is one day of work.

“Have you ensured SGE personnel follow all laws, rules and regulations as intended?”

NOEM: “Yes, sir. [We] have career officials at the Department of Homeland Security that track that data, and they've all followed the laws and the rules regarding Special Government Employees.”


Grassley Statement on Fallen Members of Des Moines’ 103rd Sustainment Command

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) released the following statement regarding the Department of Defense’s casualty announcement identifying four fallen Army Reserve soldiers who lost their lives in Kuwait amid Operation Epic Fury. All four soldiers belonged to the 103rd Sustainment Command based in Des Moines, Iowa, and one was a native Iowan.

“I’m deeply saddened to learn of the passing of these four brave soldiers, including Sgt. Declan Coady, a young man from West Des Moines. These heroes paid the ultimate price to protect against the world’s number one state sponsor of terrorism, Iran, and we will never forget their service and sacrifice. They represent the best of Iowa, and the best of America. Barbara and I are praying for their loved ones as they mourn this great loss, and we continue to pray for the safety of all soldiers who are serving in harm's way,” Grassley said.


Hawley Exposes Child Trafficking and Online Sexual Exploitation in Subcommittee Hearing

Featuring Testimony from Tim Tebow, Experts, and Parents

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, held a hearing exposing the rampant child trafficking that exploits and abuses the most vulnerable among us. Senator Hawley heard testimony from Tim Tebow, Founder and CEO of the Tim Tebow Foundation, on the courageous work he and his organization do to rescue children and combat corrupt trafficking networks.

“Let me ask you about some folks who are in the dark hour of need,” Senator Hawley said. “I’ve got a chart… showing the increase in the production of child sex abuse material just in the United States online… in 2023 alone, there were 104,370,572 separate images and videos of suspected child abuse reported in the United States of America… How many kids are unidentified?”

Tim Tebow responded, “Well, it’s really hard to know. What I was going on was strictly just the ICSE (International Child Sexual Exploitation) database and in that we know that there are 89,000… but that’s just one database. And so one of the things that we would ask and plead this committee to work on is an international treaty of getting all of the different databases to work together, to deconflict so we actually get a ground truth on what the number is.”

“Can you tell us what this image depicts?” Senator Hawley asked, referencing a map of the United States covered in red pinpoints.

Tebow answered, “That’s a DOJ database. In every one of those red dot maps is a unique IP address that has downloaded, shared or distributed child rape images, almost all under the age of 12. And that’s just a six month screenshot of it. There are over 338,000 on there.”

“What does Operation Renewed Hope do?” Senator Hawley questioned.

Tebow replied, “It’s bringing together law enforcement and victim identification specialists from all over the world to work together in the same room with the best technology and the best training. And it’s amazing what happens when you do that, to be able to see the results.”

Senator Hawley asked Jane Doe, the mother of a survivor, “Have you had any experience with the social media platforms where this material often circulates? And this is child sex abuse material. Have you worked with them? Have you asked them to take down your daughter’s pictures? What’s your experience with them been like?”

Jane Doe responded, “I’ve been fighting since day one. That’s all I do. I contact people. I hound people down. I said, if we were famous if she was a celebrity, those pictures would be down. I said, she’s not famous. She’s famous to me, but evidently not famous enough to the world unless people here do something about it. I’ve asked repeatedly, I’ve hired lawyers… I had a fight with Google about it, saying, for the safety of my child, you have to get these images off.”

Senator Hawley replied, “Why do you think these social media companies aren’t more proactive in taking down this material?”

Jane Doe responded, “Because they’re making money off of it. They’re profiting.”

Senator Hawley concluded, “We could pass legislation that would fully fund new victim identification specialists/analysts on a permanent basis into the Department of Homeland Security and wherever else they might be helpful. We could do that on a permanent basis and that would have a tremendous effect in identifying these kids, rescuing these kids, and bringing their perpetrators to justice… It’s time for Congress to pass legislation that removes the section 230 shield that prevents these companies from ever being held accountable… No victim in here today, not a one of you can get into court against these social media companies. That is just wrong, and I’ll tell you why it is. It’s because the amount of money that flows to this body from those companies keeps the courtroom door shut for you. We need to open it up, and we need to say that you are more important than any amount of money. The Senate has the chance to do that.”


Heinrich, Toulouse Oliver, Local Elections Officials Host Roundtable on Safeguarding Voting Access for New Mexicans

PHOTOS

SANTA FE, N.M. – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee and U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, hosted a roundtable with New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver and local election officials to discuss the unprecedented threats to Americans’ right to vote and New Mexico’s elections posed by President Trump’s administration.

Trump’s U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is currently suing New Mexico for unfettered access to the state’s voter rolls. This comes on the heels of Trump’s DOJ seizing voter rolls in Georgia and demanding access to voting rolls in Minneapolis. Trump has also proposed gutting key election infrastructure funding and pushed for passage of legislation that would disenfranchise millions of Americans.

Heinrich, Toulouse Oliver, and local election officials addressed these and other domestic election security threats heading into the 2026 midterms, including fears that the administration could use U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to deter American citizens from voting.

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and N.M. Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver host local New Mexico officials to discuss how Trump’s Department of Justice is threatening voting access in New Mexico, February 27th, 2026.

“We are seeing new threats that are unlike anything that I've ever seen before, and that's because these threats are coming from within our own federal government –from our Commander in Chief and from inside the White House. President Trump has already called for nationalizing our elections and abolishing mail-in and absentee voting. Let me be clear: We're not doing any of that. And when he isn't trying to dismantle our local elections, he is trying to get his hands on our unredacted voter rolls. Your personal information...Your records, your Social Security number, your driver's license information,” said Heinrich.

Heinrich continued, “And as if this wasn't enough, there are also very real fears about President Trump using the Department of Justice to confiscate ballots and voting machines, disrupting postal delivery of mail-in ballots, attempting to invalidate certain kinds of ballots and votes, and using the Department of Homeland Security or ICE at, or around, election sites. His own Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security has even said that they will absolutely deploy ICE to ensure that they have ‘the right people voting electing the right leaders.’ A blatant effort to scare American citizens away from making their voices heard. I think it will be deeply unsuccessful.”

“Our message today is simple: Not on our watch. We're not having any of it, and I will do everything in my power to protect every American citizen's right to vote and access to their election,” Heinrich concluded.

“Events like these are so important for the public to really understand the careful work that goes into election administration in New Mexico,” said New Mexico Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver. “As we look forward to the primary and general elections this year, New Mexico’s election administrators stand ready to continue to do what we do best – run a secure and accessible process for voters across the state – despite some very concerning changes being debated at the federal level and despite alarming rhetoric from the President.”

“I’m grateful to Senator Heinrich for convening this important conversation on election security. In Doña Ana County, as a border community, we understand that protecting our elections and our data, means being hyper-vigilant — securing our systems, safeguarding our voters, and ensuring that local officials remain in charge of administering free and fair elections. Election security is not a talking point for us — it’s our daily responsibility.” said Amanda López Askin, Doña Ana County Clerk.

“Whether urban or rural, election security matters - our county clerk’s offices work every day to keep the process secure and accessible. As we head into the midterms, New Mexicans can trust those systems. Partisan division must never undermine our democracy,” said Robert “Bubba” Serrano III, Guadalupe County Clerk.

“New Mexico ranks first in the nation on election administration – thanks to many years of tireless work with public servants, elected officials, and community members who are committed to making sure that every voice is heard here in the state. So, even when our county clerks and our Secretary of State's office are facing funding challenges and threats from the federal administration, New Mexico continues to lead the country in election security and administration. And New Mexico voters should feel confident that we will have free and fair elections this year and in years to come. And we should continue to prioritize election security and administration funding at the federal and state levels to ensure that there's always proper resources so that our incredible clerks and Secretary of State can continue to keep us number one in the country,” said Oriana Sandoval, CEO of Center for Civic Policy.

For more information on Heinrich’s actions to protect New Mexicans’ right to vote and bolster election security, click here.

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Hickenlooper Celebrates Senate Passage of Bill Funding Small Business Innovation, Growth

Hickenlooper voted yes to advance the bill

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper voted to advance the bipartisan Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act to reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“Colorado’s small businesses and researchers drive American innovation,” said Hickenlooper, a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship and a former small business owner. “These small businesses need funding to turn their really big ideas into jobs, technologies, and economic growth.”

The SBIR/STTR programs are essential to innovation, with the more than $77 billion in awards to 33,000 small businesses spurring life-changing inventions like the world’s smallest heart pump, GPS, and breakthroughs in treating diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s.

The bill would:

Reauthorize the SBIR and STTR program for five years.

Reject lifetime caps and preserve merit-based competition in the SBIR and STTR programs.

Protect the STTR program and research institutions’ ability to participate.

Ensure all SBIR funding is retained and no funding is lost as a result of the programs’ lapse.

Maintain strong foreign due diligence requirements and requires transparency from agencies.

As a member of the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, Hickenlooper fights for small businesses. He introduced legislation to strengthen capital access and economic development in rural, tribal, and other underserved communities in Colorado through the Community Development Financial Institution Fund.

He also fought back against the Trump admin’s reckless proposal to strip hundreds of millions in entrepreneurial development funding from the Small Business Administration.

Leaders in the small business innovation ecosystem across the country applauded the Senate passage of the bill.

“The Small Business Technology Council (SBTC) fully endorses the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act and urges Congress to speedily pass this legislation to restore authority to the SBIR and STTR programs. We are grateful to Senator Markey for his leadership and commitment to restoring these vital small-business funding programs to ensure that America’s high-tech small businesses can continue to receive the funding they need to drive America’s innovative economy and maintain our technological advantage,” said SBTC Executive Director Jere Glover.

“The SBIR and STTR programs have fueled American innovation for decades by investing in small businesses and research institutions across America with big ideas to advance the missions of our military and public safety agencies, to improve the nation’s health and environment, and create highly skilled jobs. This bipartisan legislation followed months of negotiations to ensure that the renewal of these investments included common sense reforms to protect our know-how from potential adversaries, keep their merit-based competitive principles, and broaden participation. Senator Markey has worked tirelessly with his colleagues in both parties to make sure what makes these programs successful are not undermined by arbitrary restrictions so we can build on their unsurpassed return on investment for taxpayers. SBIR and STTR are the envy of the world for a reason. They are back in business and that is good news for American innovation and economic competitiveness and will help foster the next generation of innovators,” said DefendSBIR, a coalition of two dozen leading small business innovators.

“The reauthorization of these programs acknowledges that investing in small business research and development is investing in the future of American competitiveness and scientific leadership. This legislation delivers certainty and stability?to the thousands of American small businesses, startups, and university researchers who depend on SBIR/STTR funding to grow new businesses and enable the United States to innovate and compete globally,” said Barbara R. Snyder, President of the Association of American Universities (AAU).

“For over forty years, the SBIR and STTR programs have served as America’s innovation engine, enabling small businesses to develop and commercialize new technologies. We thank the Small Business Committee for its tireless efforts to develop this compromise for reauthorization and get it over the finish line. Restarting these vital programs will support the creation of new businesses and jobs, attract private-sector investment, and promote American competitiveness in technology innovation,” said Lynn Abramson, President of the Clean Energy Business Network.

“This reauthorization represents a strong bipartisan commitment to U.S. competitiveness and accelerating the development and scaling of critical technologies. The SBIR and STTR programs provide catalytic, non-dilutive capital that enables entrepreneurs to de-risk breakthrough innovations and validate government demand—complementing the more than $15 in venture capital leveraged for every federal dollar invested. Beyond ensuring the program’s continuity, we applaud the inclusion of provisions that provide a clear pathway to commercialization, consistency, and transparency for entrepreneurs applying for the program,” said National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) President and CEO Bobby Franklin.

“We would like to thank Senator Markey for his persistence in advocating for provisions in the final bill regarding high impact training for SBIR teams using the proven I-Corps (TM) approach. The inclusion of this language through this bipartisan compromise will accelerate development and improve outcomes of the SBIR program,” said Phil Weilerstein, President and CEO of VentureWell.

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

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Hickenlooper Statement on Upcoming Iran War Powers Vote

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement in advance of the upcoming Iran War Powers Resolution vote in the Senate:

“I’m a YES on the bipartisan Iran War Powers Resolution. The Constitution is clear: Congress decides if we go to war — not the President.

“There has been no articulated goal, strategy, or endgame from the Trump administration for this war that has already resulted in the loss of service members and innocent lives. They very clearly don’t have one.

“The American people don’t want another forever war in the Middle East. They want President Trump to live up to his promises to make life affordable for working families.”

The Senate is scheduled to take up the bipartisan Iran War Powers Resolution this week. Last June, Hickenlooper voted in favor of a similar War Powers Resolution to prevent the use of military force against Iran unless explicitly authorized by Congress. In January, Hickenlooper also voted in favor of a Venezuela War Powers Resolution to block the use of U.S. Armed Forces to engage in further hostilities within or against Venezuela unless authorized by Congress.

Hickenlooper’s previous public statement on U.S. military action in Iran is available HERE.

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Hirono Presses Secretary Noem on Lies Spread by DHS, Demands Accountability

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, pressed U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem on the Department’s excessive use of force and repeated lies to the American people during a full committee hearing.

“We’ve all seen pictures and videos of ICE agents ripping people out of their cars, shooting them with pepper balls, or worse, murdering people in the street. This is not normal,” said Senator Hirono. “None of this is normal, but it’s what communities being targeted by ICE are forced to face every day under this regime.”

Senator Hirono raised alarms about how the Department’s failure to follow the law and consistent inability to admit the truth directly threatens the American public. She shared the stories of American citizens violently accosted by ICE including Marimar Martinez, Reverend David Black, and Alex Pretti—each of whom were falsely called “domestic terrorists” or “agitators” prior to any investigation. Hirono recounted that in each case, there was no evidence of terrorism and proved each victims’ innocence. When asked, Secretary Noem failed to acknowledge that her department spread lies.

“The lies that you and this regime spread are creating a culture that fosters abuse of power. This is the reason we need clear guardrails on DHS,” said Senator Hirono.

Senator Hirono emphasized that DHS should meet the same standards as local police. She demanded that ICE agents remove their masks, end warrantless searches, and stop patrolling communities.

“Mr. Chairman, I am done with this witness,” concluded Senator Hirono.

Senator Hirono has consistently fought back against the Trump Administration’s draconian immigration policies on behalf of immigrant communities in Hawaii and across the country. Last year she reintroduced the Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2025, legislation to provide unaccompanied children with legal representation for their court when they appear in proceedings before an immigration judge. She also reintroduced the Reuniting Families Act of 2025, legislation to strengthen protections for immigrant families and address long-standing problems in a family immigration system that hasn’t seen meaningful reform in more than three decades. She also cosponsored the Upholding Protections for Unaccompanied Children Act, legislation to reverse provisions in the Republican tax law (the “Big Ugly Bill”) that harm unaccompanied children who are seeking safety from trafficking, abuse, and exploitation in their home countries. Last year, Senator Hirono also cosponsored the Temporary Immigration Judge Integrity Act, legislation to prevent inexperienced temporary immigration judge appointments in light of the Trump administration’s abuse of loopholes in current regulations.

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Arkansas senator expresses concern for declining duck populations

By K8 Newsdesk

JONESBORO, Ark. (KAIT) - Sen. John Boozman and other lawmakers are calling on the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to continue supporting conservation efforts to recover duck populations in Mississippi Flyway states.

Boozman, R-Ark., a Migratory Bird Conservation Commission member, expressed concern over a federal report estimating the breeding duck population at 34 million, below the long-term average and well below historic highs.

The lawmakers want the federal agencies to continue supporting conservation easement investments in the National Wildlife Refuge System to aid the long-term recovery of the duck populations.

Duck hunters contribute more than $300 million to Arkansas’ economy annually. Waterfowl hunting generates about $4 billion in economic activity and supports 57,000 jobs nationwide.

“[We] thank you and the Department of the Interior, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), for your work supporting America’s more than 1 million duck hunters. We are, however, increasingly concerned about continued declines in duck populations and strongly urge continued stewardship of the National Wildlife Refuge System—particularly USFWS conservation easements in the Prairie Pothole Region—as the foundation for long-term population recovery,” the lawmakers said.

“This decline can be attributed to drought conditions in the Prairie Pothole Region, where pond counts have fallen below average in three of the last four years. These trends pose a significant challenge to the future of waterfowl populations, with profound implications down the Mississippi Flyway,” the lawmakers continued.

Senators Tom Cotton, Bill Cassidy, Roger Wicker, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Marsha Blackburn and John Kennedy also signed the letter.

The text of Boozman’s letter is included below:

Dear Secretary Burgum:

We write as the 2025–2026 duck hunting season concludes to thank you and the Department of the Interior, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), for your work supporting America’s more than one million duck hunters. We are, however, increasingly concerned about continued declines in duck populations and strongly urge continued stewardship of the National Wildlife Refuge System—particularly USFWS conservation easements in the Prairie Pothole Region—as the foundation for long-term population recovery.

The USFWS 2025 Waterfowl Population Status Report estimates 34 million breeding ducks, a figure below the long-term average and well below highs. Several key species for hunters, such as mallards, blue-winged teal, and northern pintails, remain short of North American Waterfowl Management Plan goals. This decline can be attributed to drought conditions in the Prairie Pothole Region, where pond counts have fallen below average in three of the last four years. These trends pose a significant challenge to the future of waterfowl populations, with profound implications down the Mississippi Flyway.

If these conditions persist, hunters could face shorter seasons and reduced limits. These outcomes would diminish hunting opportunities and harm rural economies, especially in Mississippi Flyway states such as Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee and Mississippi. In Arkansas alone, duck hunters contributed more than $300 million to the state economy, even in a lower duck population year like 2022. Nationwide, waterfowl hunting generates approximately $4 billion in economic activity and supports nearly 57,000 jobs.

History shows that duck populations can rebound quickly when drought conditions ease and key breeding habitats are protected. Continued stewardship of the National Wildlife Refuge System, including both fee-titled lands and conservation easements in the Prairie Pothole Region, is essential to recovery and central to the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission’s (MBCC) purpose.

Since 1934, Duck Stamp revenues, paid for by generations of hunters, have conserved more than 6 million acres of habitat nationwide, including over 1.7 million acres protected by USFWS easements in the Prairie Pothole Region. These lands form the core habitat base needed for population recovery. We urge that these longstanding investments be fully considered as USFWS conducts its comprehensive review of the Refuge System under Director’s Order No. 230.


NCC to press for Buying American Cotton Act in 2026

New farm bill helps cotton farmers but won’t guarantee profitability.

By Forrest Laws

At a Glance

• U.S. cotton represents only 4 million of 20 million bales consumed domestically.

• Buying American Cotton Act offers tax credits for brands that sell U.S. cotton.

• Three years of prices below production costs have devastated producers.

The new farm bill, which the House Agriculture Committee has said it will mark up next week, should help U.S. cotton farmers who have struggled with three years of prices below production costs.

But the new legislation, along with other government measures, won’t be enough to restore the cotton industry to profitability, said Nathan Reed, new chairman of the National Cotton Council.

“While the increased safety net will provide a necessary foundation of support, the new provisions do not guarantee future industry growth,” Reed said while speaking to growers at the Midsouth Farm and Gin Show in Memphis, Tenn. “That growth depends on our ability to address several daunting challenges still in front of us.”

Reed, a cotton producer from Marianna, Ark., was elected chairman of the NCC at its annual meeting in San Antonio in early February. He said it’s easy to do the math on the U.S. cotton textile and apparel market.

“U.S. consumers represent a 20-million-bale retail market for cotton finished goods, yet we estimate that only 4 million bales of that are U.S. cotton,” Reed said.

Demand for growth

At its recent Outlook Conference, USDA estimated world cotton demand at 119 million bales in the current marketing year (August-July). “Unfortunately, we have seen no consistent demand growth for cotton products over the past 20 years,” Reed said.

“However, during that same period, manmade fiber consumption more than doubled, from the equivalent of 200 million bales of cotton to more than 400 million bales, with much of that being Chinese polyester currently priced at 42 cents per pound.”

Against this very competitive landscape, Reed said the council is working on two initiatives to build overall cotton demand and add value for U.S. cotton: the “Plant Not Plastic” campaign and the Buying American Cotton Act introduced by Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss.

The “Plant Not Plastic” campaign is aimed at educating consumers about the microscopic particles that are being released by synthetic fibers during wash cycles and ordinary wear. Scientists estimate individuals could be breathing in between 74,000 and 120,000 microplastic particles per year.

Buy American

The Buying American Cotton Act will be the council’s top legislative priority in 2026, Reed said. “BACA leverages the largest retail market for cotton textiles and apparel products by incentivizing brands and retailers to request U.S. cotton in their supply chains.

“By documenting the use of U.S. cotton, brands and retailers will be eligible for tax credits based on the volume of U.S. cotton in the products sold in the U.S. market,” he noted.

The Senate bill has 11 cosponsors, while a companion bill in the House of Representatives has 43. Support for the bill includes members of Congress not only from the Cotton Belt but also from New York, New Jersey, Ohio and Maine.

“I encourage each of you to urge your senators and representative to co-sponsor the bill, and if they are already cosponsors, then ask them to get their colleagues to sign on,” he said.

Reed’s speech at the Gin Show, which is traditionally the first public appearance by the new council chairman, was shorter than most, perhaps owing to the dire economic straits the cotton industry finds itself in in 2026.

“We are all well aware of the economic challenges facing our industry,” he said. “For many producers, financial pressures have never been greater after three years with market prices below production costs. That is the message that we have taken to Washington, D.C., during hundreds of meetings on Capitol Hill, numerous political fundraisers and many sessions with the administration.”

Economic support

Those efforts have led to securing critical economic support, including:

• almost $1 billion in assistance for cotton producers through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program

• over $1 billion expected for cotton in the Farmer Bridge Assistance program

• the single most significant increase in farm program support through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed last year

“Almost every industry priority was addressed in the new farm bill, and for that, I want to commend industry leadership and the industry organizations for their hard work in making the new farm bill a reality,” Reed said.

He said the council is also addressing its mill customers’ concerns regarding bale packaging materials, “including efforts to bring a new cost-competitive cotton bag to the marketplace.

“Coming out of NCC’s annual meeting, the Cotton Flow Committee will take a deeper dive into new data on warehouse performance, scheduling and shipping dates, and further evaluate workable options that will bring efficiencies and improvements in the movement of cotton,” Reed said.

He said maintaining access to critical products such as 2,4-D, dicamba and glyphosate remains a top NCC priority. “We cannot lose those tools and expect to compete with cotton producers in other countries.


U.S. Senator Young: Resolution Recognizing CTE Month passes senate

Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 7:00 PM

The United States Senate unanimously passed a resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), co-chairs of the Senate Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, recognizing February 2026 as CTE Month.

The resolution highlights the role of CTE in ensuring the U.S. has a competitive and skilled workforce and promotes CTE as a respected pathway for students in America.

“This resolution recognizes the importance of career and technical education and encourages more educators and students to seek out CTE programs. Preparing the students of today for the jobs of tomorrow will lead to more opportunities, a stronger economy, and a highly skilled workforce,” said Senator Young.

U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-Va.), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) also joined the resolution.


Kaine, Schumer, and Schiff: Senate to Vote on Iran War Powers Resolution Tomorrow

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced that the Senate will vote on their bipartisan War Powers Resolution for Iran tomorrow. The bipartisan resolution, which was introduced on January 29, would stop President Donald Trump’s illegal, unnecessary war with Iran and ensure any U.S. participation in hostilities against Iran is explicitly authorized by Congress. It does not prevent the U.S. from defending itself or Israel from an Iranian attack.

“Americans want President Trump to lower prices—not drag us into unnecessary forever wars. Yet he has unilaterally launched strikes at Iran without congressional authorization, failed to articulate a clear strategy, and callously said he doesn’t ‘have the yips about boots on the ground,’” said Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees. “The Senate will vote on our bipartisan War Powers Resolution tomorrow, and every senator will have to go on the record to declare whether it is in our best interest to send our sons and daughters into conflict against Iran. I pray that my colleagues will vote to end this dangerous and unnecessary war that has already resulted in the loss of six servicemembers and injured others. We owe it to those in uniform, their families, and all Americans to not make the same mistakes that we made in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

“Trump is engaging in a war of choice right now in the Middle East. Donald Trump has launched America into a conflict with no clear objectives, no plan, and no authorization from Congress,” said Leader Schumer. “The American people do not want an endless war that will cost billions and risk the lives of America’s sons and daughters. Congress has the duty to rein in Trump’s belligerence. Tomorrow, Senators have the opportunity to reassert our Constitutional authority and pass the War Powers Resolution. My colleagues will have their own choice to make – will you stand with American families who reject forever wars or stand with Donald Trump as he sleepwalks our country into wider conflict?”

"The Constitution gives Congress alone the power to declare war,” said Schiff. “That power was placed in our hands by our Founders – not by accident, but by design – because they feared an executive growing too fond of war-making. I believe the Founders’ worst fears have come to pass. Donald Trump has become too fond of going to war, and has done so again without Congressional authorization. Congress must demand that the president — if he believes the threat from Iran justified going to war; that war is justified; that the deaths of our troops is acceptable; that the expenditure of billions not on the American people, not on their health care, their groceries, or their housing is worth the cost — come to Congress and make his case for this war. Supporting our War Powers Resolution would ensure that Congress, at this critical moment, does not give up its constitutional power and its voice in the most perilous of policy decisions.”

Last June, the Senate voted on a similar War Powers Resolution introduced by Kaine to prevent the use of military force against Iran unless explicitly authorized by Congress. The June resolution gained bipartisan support but did not receive enough votes to advance.

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WATCH: In SASC Hearing, Kelly Presses Pentagon on Contradictions in Iran War Justification

Today, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Arizona Senator and Navy combat veteran Mark Kelly pressed Defense Department leadership on the administration’s justification for the ongoing military operation against Iran, demanding straight answers about whether the White House is overselling a threat to the American people to justify another war in the Middle East.

Kelly challenged Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby on the administration’s claim that Iran posed an imminent threat to the U.S., pointing to the inconsistency with the administration’s own National Defense Strategy (NDS).

Kelly underscored the apparent contradiction between the administration’s public claims andNDS 2026: “I’m trying to understand whether you believe Iran can be primarily contained by our regional partners, which is what you wrote a few weeks ago, or is it an imminent threat to the United States as President Trump, Secretary Hegseth and Secretary Rubio have told the American people over the last few days? Can’t be both.”

Kelly also pressed Colby on the shifting explanations and the real-world cost already being paid by U.S. service members: “The last thing we heard from the president on the nuclear weapon before this war, as he calls it, was the Iranian nuclear program was obliterated. That means completely eliminated. Gone for good. That’s what obliterated means.

“And then on Saturday, this administration started a war on that basis, inconsistent with a document that I think you’re responsible for. And now, at least six U.S. service members have paid the ultimate price based on this notion that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, to the homeland, and to our military. And many more are risking their lives right now to eliminate a threat that six weeks ago, when you published that document, you didn’t really believe existed.”

Kelly also warned against repeating past mistakes where shifting intelligence claims were used to justify military action: “I think it’s important to say that we’ve seen this playbook before. It’s what dragged us into a war decades ago. A bloody war in Iraq. And, Secretary Colby, I think if you intend to avoid this mistake again, I think we got to rethink, about how we need to be really straight with the American people about what’s going on.”

Sen. Kelly questions Under Secretary Elbridge A. Colby at a SASC hearing.

Click here to download a video of Kelly’s questioning. See the transcript below:

Sen. Kelly:

Secretary Colby, is it correct that the administration is justifying the ongoing military operation against Iran, in part, because of the urgent threat posed by Iran to U.S. forces in the region and the perceived future threat of Iranian ballistic missiles to the U.S. homeland? Yes or no?

Secretary Elbridge A. Colby:

From a general perspective, I wouldn’t comment on the legal rationale but certainly from a general strategic point of view, absolutely.

Kelly:

Absolutely. So, your 2026 National Defense Strategy downgraded the Middle East and didn’t label it as a core strategic theater on the same level as the Indo-Pacific and the Western Hemisphere. Is that correct?

Colby:

I think what we said that we were very clear-eyed and specific about the threat posed by Iran and by its missile program and the potential for resumption of its nuclear program after Operation Midnight Hammer, and the need to give the president options working with—

Kelly:

But on the core strategic theater question, it was the Indo-Pacific and the Western Hemisphere that should be the focus?

Colby:

The overarching focus of the American military, obviously, is the homeland hemisphere and the first island chain and—

Kelly:

Thank you. That’s how I read it. So, when that was drafted, did the administration believe, as it claims now, that Iran was close to having a ballistic missile capability that could threaten the homeland?

Colby:

I defer to my intelligence community colleagues on the specifics of that kind of question. But obviously, the administration, I think I can speak for the administration as a whole, thinks that the Iranian missile program is a very serious threat to be dealt with.

Kelly:

How about you?

Colby:

Yeah, I think the Iranian missile threat is a serious threat.

Kelly:

So you believed that Iran was close to having a ballistic missile capability that could range the United States?

Colby:

I think I’m talking about the general threat of Iranian ballistic cruise missiles, one-way attack drones that we’re seeing right now. Exactly this—

Kelly:

Yeah, but those are different.

Colby:

Yeah. No, I would just defer to, Senator, you’re asking—

Kelly:

I’m talking about something else. I’m talking about a missile that could—that exoatmospheric, that could get to the United States.

Colby:

Yeah. Sorry, I’m not trying to be evasive. I’m saying I think on that question, I would defer to intelligence community colleagues. The threat posed by Iran is not limited to any, whatever the status of that is, which I think would be the classified problem.

Kelly:

Yeah, so it sounds like you didn’t know of anything that could range the United States or close to it. So, here’s the thing. I’m trying to understand whether you believe Iran can be primarily contained by our regional partners, which is what you wrote a few weeks ago, or is it an imminent threat to the United States as President Trump, Secretary Hegseth and Secretary Rubio have told the American people over the last few days? Can’t be both.

Colby:

Well, the strategy I had in mind the Operation Midnight Hammer, obviously, in the past, it was written before Operation Epic Fury, but we fully anticipated providing the president with credible military options to deal with the Iranian threat.

Kelly:

But here’s the thing. Mr. Secretary, none of us here heard about Iran having missile technology that was that advanced, being able to range the United States, or being close to obtaining a nuclear weapon. I mean, the last thing we heard from the president on the nuclear weapon before this war, as he calls it, was the Iranian nuclear program was obliterated. That means completely eliminated. Gone for good. That’s what obliterated means. And then on Saturday, this administration started a war on that basis, inconsistent with a document that I think you’reresponsible for. And now, at least six U.S. service members have paid the ultimate price based on this notion that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, to the homeland, and to our military. And many more are risking their lives right now to eliminate a threat that six weeks ago, when you published that document, you didn’t really believe existed.

Colby:

Senator, I think it’s demonstrably untrue that the strategy didn’t countenance the potential for the president to use military force against Iran. In fact, it’s appeared several times.

Kelly:

Can you speak into the microphone?

Colby:

Oh. I’m sorry. Senator, I think it’s demonstrably untrue that the document didn’t countenance the provision of credible military options for the president to use force again. In fact, it specifically refers to that in a number of occasions. So, obviously, I think the military campaign that’sunderway, Operation Epic Fury—

Kelly:

But would you think that that would be a primary theater that we would be focused on in the document, if that threat, that imminent threat to the homeland, existed?

Colby:

I think the document countenances the employment by the president of military force in globally as part of the strategy.