Menendez y Grilo anuncian más de 1 millón de dólares en financiación federal para fortalecer la infraestructura de seguridad pública en East Newark

EAST NEWARK, NJ – Hoy, el congresista Rob Menendez y la alcaldesa de East Newark, Dina Grilo, anunciaron 1.031.000 dólares en financiación para proyectos comunitarios para mejorar la seguridad pública y proteger a los residentes de todo el municipio. La financiación, asegurada por el congresista Menéndez en un proyecto anual de asignaciones, reemplazará el envejecido equipo, la tecnología y los vehículos de seguridad pública, así como las mejoras de infraestructura de apoyo.

?"Me enorgullece haber proporcionado fondos federales para mejoras críticas de seguridad pública en East Newark que modernizarán el equipo, fortalecerán la infraestructura local y ayudarán a mantener segura nuestra comunidad,” dijo el congresista Menendez. "Es un privilegio trabajar con?la?alcaldesa Grilo e invertir en los recursos que nuestra comunidad necesita para responder eficazmente a emergencias, mejorar la preparación y asegurar que East Newark esté bien equipado para proteger y servir a sus residentes.”?

"Esta financiación mejorará nuestras capacidades de seguridad pública y ayudará a garantizar que nuestros agentes dispongan de las herramientas necesarias para proteger y servir a nuestros residentes cada día", dijo?la alcaldesa?Grilo. "Quiero agradecer al congresista Menéndez por su continua colaboración y por asegurar esta importante inversión para East Newark.”?

El proyecto de mejora de equipos e infraestructuras de seguridad pública de East Newark tiene como objetivo reemplazar equipos antiguos, tecnología y vehículos de seguridad pública, así como apoyar las mejoras de infraestructura. Estas mejoras proporcionarán a las fuerzas del orden locales las herramientas necesarias mientras trabajan para mantener la seguridad de East Newark.?

El congresista Menendez aseguró 1.031.000 dólares para este proyecto a través del proceso de asignaciones como parte de 19.142.000 dólares de fondos federales que está entregando a nuestras comunidades este año fiscal.?

Menendez seguirá impulsando la financiación federal para las fuerzas de seguridad locales en un esfuerzo por mantener seguras las comunidades de todo el estado.


Democratic Health Leaders: Trump’s ACA Rule Doubles Down on Raising Out-of-Pocket Costs and Forcing People to Go Without Coverage

“CMS must abandon these harmful policies intended to further dismantle the ACA by making insurance more expensive, harder to get, and harder to keep.”

Washington, D.C. – House and Senate Health Committee leaders wrote to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz today expressing opposition to the harmful consequences that will follow should the Trump Administration move forward with its proposed changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace.

The letter was signed by Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (D-MA), Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), in the House, as well as Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-OR) in the Senate.

“If finalized, this rule would exacerbate coverage losses and cost increases for the more than 20 million Americans who rely on the ACA Marketplaces for coverage,” the Democratic Committee leaders wrote. “By your agency’s own estimates, the proposed rule would decrease enrollment by up to two million people in 2027, increase premiums for those who remain covered, and cause deductibles and out-of-pocket costs to skyrocket. Making matters worse, this rule would cost nearly $1.4 billion annually to implement, with those costs ultimately passed on to consumers. The rule would also undermine and, in some cases, illegally eliminate consumer protections enshrined in the statute.”

In their letter, the Democrats voiced alarm at how the proposed rule would increase costs and take health care away from Americans, including:

Increasing deductibles and out-of-pocket costs by removing limits on how much insurance companies can charge consumers;

Eliminating protections guaranteeing adequate provider networks;

Undermining protections guaranteeing coverage of essential services like substance use disorder treatment and dental care;

Expanding high-cost catastrophic plans;

Threatening pre-existing condition protections;

Locking people into 10-year catastrophic plans;

Allowing insurance companies to charge families deductibles of more than $31,000 (in addition to premium costs) before covering most health care services;

Eliminating standardized plan requirements intended to make it easier for consumers to shop and choose plans;

Promoting third-party brokers that have a history of pushing consumers toward junk health insurance plans; and

Doubling down on red tape that makes it harder for people to get and keep their health care coverage.

“Americans need and deserve access to affordable, reliable, and comprehensive health coverage,” the Democrats concluded in their letter. “This rule does the opposite, forcing Americans to pay more for less, limiting provider access and choice, undermining high-quality coverage, and burying consumers in red tape. CMS must abandon these harmful policies intended to further dismantle the ACA by making insurance more expensive, harder to get, and harder to keep. Instead, we must focus on addressing the affordability crisis Americans are facing—including their inability to afford rising health care costs.”

Read the full letter HERE.

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Rep. Norcross Delivers Nearly $2 Million in Community Project Funding to Rowan University and Gloucester County

CHERRY HILL, NJ – Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01) delivered $1,900,000 in Community Project Funding to Rowan University and Gloucester County to support the research, development, and testing of concrete 3D printed housing and critical roadway infrastructure improvements at Rowan’s West Campus.

“With this new Community Project Funding we are making smart investments that keep South Jersey on the map as a leader in education and innovation,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “One project will support groundbreaking 3D printing research into new housing technology and the other will strengthen the roads and infrastructure needed to support Rowan’s continued expansion. “I always say that my three priorities are jobs, education, and security in our nation and our neighborhoods, and this funding helps deliver on all three—expanding educational opportunities that prepare the future workforce while improving traffic safety in our communities.”

“We are deeply grateful to Congressman Norcross for securing federal support for these transformative projects,” said Dr. Ali A. Houshmand, president of Rowan University. “This investment will accelerate our work to develop affordable, resilient housing through advanced 3D-printing research and will strengthen the infrastructure needed to support the continued growth of our West Campus. These initiatives will expand economic opportunity, attract new industry partners and help us continue building a stronger future for South Jersey.”

“This is a huge win for Gloucester County and Rowan’s West Campus, helping us deliver the road and infrastructure upgrades that will support growth for decades to come,” said Matthew Weng, Gloucester County Commissioner. “We’re excited to keep moving this project forward and to make travel safer, smoother, and more reliable for students, residents, and local businesses.”

The $1,050,000 grant to Rowan University will help students research, develop, and test advanced concrete 3D printing technology to build affordable and resilient homes. Rowan partners closely with labor unions and trade schools to cultivate the future workforce.

The $850,000 grant to Gloucester County will support Phase II of the County’s roadway infrastructure project at Rowan’s West Campus. The project includes the continued construction of Gilbreth Parkway in Mantua, from its existing terminus near the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine and extending it up along route 55 right-of-way to Edison Parkway and ending at Lambs Road.

These projects is a part of the $11.98 million Congressman Norcross secured for 15 Community Project Funding (CPF) awards throughout New Jersey’s First Congressional District to support economic development, create jobs, and respond to the most pressing needs of the community.

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Pappas Helps Introduce Congressional Stock Trading Ban, Additional Measures to Restore Public Trust as Part of ‘No Getting Rich in Congress Act’

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) helped introduce the No Getting Rich in Congress Act, sweeping legislation to crack down on insider trading in Congress and the White House, restore trust in government, and ensure public service is about serving the American people, not personal profit.

The No Getting Rich in Congress Act establishes strong, enforceable standards to prevent officials from profiting from conflicts of interest and close longstanding loopholes that have undermined confidence in federal leadership. This includes banning stock trading by public officials and their families, prohibits lobbying on behalf of foreign adversaries, closes loopholes and regulates shadow lobbying, and extends existing ethics rules to spouses and dependents.

“The American people deserve to have no doubt that their elected officials are working for them – not for personal gain and profit or rich donors or foreign governments. But currently there are far too many loopholes that public officials can use to enrich themselves at the expense of the people they were elected to serve,” said Congressman Pappas. “The No Getting Rich in Congress Act would establish enforceable standards and close loopholes on stock trading, lobbying, and ethics rules for public officials so that we can restore faith and trust in this institution. For me, representing Granite Staters in Congress will always be about public service, not self-service. We should make sure that’s the case across the country and at all levels of government.”

Specifically, the No Getting Rich in Congress Act would:

Ban trading by public officials and their families. Prohibits the President, Vice President, Members of Congress, candidates for federal office, spouses, and dependents from buying or selling individual stocks, futures, commodities, and cryptocurrency, with strict reporting and enforcement mechanisms, including penalties for violations.

Prohibit lobbying on behalf of foreign adversaries. Permanently bans former public officials from lobbying on behalf of foreign adversaries, including China, to influence U.S. government decisions.

Close loopholes and regulate shadow lobbying. Requires spouses of both Members of Congress and senior Administration officials to register and report any effort to influence government decisions, ensuring spouses cannot use public office for personal financial gain.

Restrict corporate board service. Bars Members and their spouses from serving on or being officers of a corporate board, with strict reporting and conduct requirements for any pre-existing board service.

Extend existing ethics rules to spouses and dependents. Applies all gift, travel, and reimbursement restrictions that cover Members to their spouses and dependents, preventing backdoor deals and conflicts of interest.

Full text of the legislation, led by Representative Haley Stevens, can be found here.

Background:

Pappas has led the fight against Members of Congress from trading stocks since entering Congress. Pappas has repeatedly broken with his own party in support of the stock trading ban. Following his advocacy in 2022, then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi reversed course and announced legislation to ban stock trading by members of Congress would be considered by the House. Pappas led a bipartisan call for a vote on legislation to ban stock trading by members of Congress. In 2023, He joined 20 of his colleagues in calling for leaders of the House Committee on Administration to hold a markup on legislation that would prohibit Members of Congress from trading stocks. Pappas has also fought to change the rules of the House to include a ban on trading stocks by members of Congress


Pettersen Leads CO Dem Delegation in Demanding Answers from DHS Following Reports of Secret ICE Holding Cells in Colorado

Today, Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) led Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and Representatives Diana DeGette (CO-01), Joe Neguse (CO-02), and Jason Crow (CO-06) in pressing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons for answers following alarming reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is secretly holding detained individuals in small holding cells at Colorado ICE field offices for days — and in some cases weeks — at a time, with little to no oversight from Members of Congress. These rooms are designed to be used for only a few hours and do not contain beds or appropriate facilities for long-term detention.

According to information obtained by the Data Deportation Project through a Freedom of Information Act request, more than 3,000 individuals were held in ICE hold rooms in Colorado between January and October 2025. Reports indicate that detainees ranged in age from as young as one year old to as old as 91, with some confined in these temporary holding spaces for as long as 39 days.

In the letter, the Lawmakers wrote: “We write to express our deep concern regarding reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) expanding its detention capacity in Colorado by keeping detained individuals in “holding cells” in ICE field offices for days at a time. Detaining people for extended periods of time in small, confined rooms that are meant to be a temporary holding space goes against Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policy, and we demand these actions stop immediately.”

The Lawmakers continued: “In recent weeks, there have been growing reports of ICE keeping detained individuals in holding cells within ICE field offices, which don’t have beds or adequate resources for long-term detention…We are deeply concerned about the reports that ICE kept an individual in the holding cells for as long as 39 days – well beyond the three-day limit established by the DHS in June, which we also view as unacceptable.”

The full text of the letter can be found HERE and below:

Dear Acting Director Lyons,

We write to express our deep concern regarding reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) expanding its detention capacity in Colorado by keeping detained individuals in “holding cells” in ICE field offices for days at a time. Detaining people for extended periods of time in small, confined rooms that are meant to be a temporary holding space goes against Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policy, and we demand these actions stop immediately.

In recent weeks, there have been growing reports of ICE keeping detained individuals in holding cells within ICE field offices, which don’t have beds or adequate resources for long-term detention. Reporting indicates that an individual was kept in these rooms for as long as 39 days. According to data obtained by the Deportation Data Project through the Freedom of Information Act, between January and October 2025, more than 3,000 individuals were held in these locations.

DHS has recognized the safety risks of keeping individuals in these holding cells for extended periods of time. Prior to June 2025, ICE did not allow individuals to be left in these holding cells for more than 12 hours. In June, an internal policy was updated to allow individuals to be held for up to three days. We are deeply concerned about the reports that ICE kept an individual in the holding cells for as long as 39 days – well beyond the three-day limit established by the DHS in June, which we also view as unacceptable.

We strongly oppose the practice of detaining individuals for more than 12 hours in holding cells and demand your response to the following questions by March 27th.

1. Is ICE keeping individuals in holding cells in ICE field offices for more than 12 hours at a time? If so, please provide:

a) The number of individuals who have been detained in a holding cell for more than 12 hours,

b) The countries of origin of those individuals,

c) The locations they were held at,

d) The length of time that those individuals were in a holding cell, and

e) If any US citizens were among those detained in the holding cells.

2. If individuals are being held in ICE field office holding cells for more than 12 hours, what safety precautions are being taken to ensure that the detainee’s nutritional, medical, and hygiene needs are being met? Please provide the record logs of when agents supplied food, water, and any necessary hygiene and medical assistance to individuals detained for more than 12 hours.

3. When an individual is held in a holding cell, what documentation procedures does ICE follow to ensure that the detainee’s location is tracked?

4. When an individual is held in a holding cell, how does ICE ensure that their legal representation can access them?

5. Have any individuals in ICE custody in Colorado been held in a location that is not the Aurora Detention Facility or an ICE Field Office in Colorado? If yes, please provide the number of individuals held, the locations of the warehouses where individuals were held, and a copy of the contracts that ICE has with those locations.

6. Under Colorado HB23-1100, local government entities are authorized to provide health and safety resources and sanitation services to individuals held in detention. How is ICE ensuring that holding cells in field offices comply with local public health and environmental codes? Specifically, what is the protocol for allowing County Health Departments to conduct inspections for sanitation, food safety, and infectious disease control at these locations?

Rep. Pettersen, alongside Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper, recently demanded that DHS immediately reverse course and abandon plans for a new ICE detention facility in Hudson, Colorado. This would increase ICE detention capacity in Colorado drastically from around 1,500 beds to more than 2,700 beds.

Pettersen has consistently voted against Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant agenda, including opposing over $45 billion in funding for immigration enforcement in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” She also supports legislation to require DHS and ICE officers to clearly identify themselves during enforcement actions and has demanded accountability from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, including calling for Noem’s impeachment.


Pfluger, Colleagues Urge Any Lukoil Asset Sale to Permanently Sever Russian Control

WASHINGTON, DC — As first reported in Fox News, Representatives August Pfluger (TX-11), Craig Goldman (TX-12), Julie Fedorchak (ND-At Large), Randy Weber (TX-14), Pat Fallon (TX-04), and Dan Crenshaw (TX-02) sent a letter to the U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent applauding his and the Trump Administration's work to cut off Russian energy assets that help fund Moscow's military and cyber aggression against Ukraine and U.S. allies.

In the letter, the lawmakers highlight the significant decline in Russia's oil and gas reserves following recent sanctions and stress that American energy leadership is vital to national security and global stability. They also urge the Treasury Department to carefully oversee the divestment of Russian energy giant Lukoil's international assets to ensure they do not fall back into Russian hands or into the control of another U.S. adversary.

The lawmakers also noted that the recent escalation in Iran and heightened instability across the Middle East further underscore the importance of American energy leadership. With global energy markets facing renewed volatility, they emphasized that preventing Russian-controlled assets from re-entering adversarial hands is essential to maintaining a stable supply and protecting U.S. national security interests.

In the letter, the lawmakers applauded Secretary Bessent for his leadership, saying, "Your leadership in imposing and enforcing new sanctions on major Russian energy companies, including Lukoil, has demonstrated our resolve to disrupt Russia’s war machine and bring an end to its longstanding and widespread aggression."

"American energy dominance is critical to our national security, and as the events of the last several days in Iran and the broader Middle East region have highlighted, our ability to promote peace through strength is enabled by our role in facilitating the stable and secure supply of energy to world markets. In this increasingly complex geopolitical era, we believe America’s energy companies, and not those of our adversaries, should continue leading the way," the lawmakers continued.

The lawmakers concluded by encouraging the Treasury Department to carefully review proposals for the sale of Lukoil's international assets to ensure the transaction fully severs ties with the Russian parent company and aligns with U.S. interests: "We appreciate all that President Trump and members of his administration are doing to promote energy security and peace around the world. Pursuant to your Department’s own guidance, we encourage the Department of the Treasury – in concert with the White House and Departments of Energy, State, and War – to scrutinize every detail of the various proposals to ensure that any sale of LIG’s assets “completely severs” ties with the Russian parent company, paving the way for American energy companies to meet this moment with the urgency and precision it so deserves."

Full text of the letter can be found here.

Read more about the letter in Fox News here.


Rep. Pfluger Op-Ed: Our Air Force is stretched dangerously thin. Here's how to revamp it.

WASHINGTON, DC — In his Washington Post op-ed today, Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11) warns that while our Air Force remains unmatched in capability, decades of underinvestment have stretched it dangerously thin at a critical geopolitical moment.

In the piece, he highlights that the Air Force currently operates with the oldest aircraft and smallest force in its history, and that the ongoing conflict in Iran will severely test and strain our aircraft availability and munitions stockpiles.

As he says in the piece, "Over the past year, American airpower has conducted three complex integrated missions involving fighters, bombers, refuelers, intelligence and cyber forces: Operation Midnight Hammer in Iran, Operation Absolute Resolve in Venezuela, and Operation Epic Fury, currently unfolding, once again, in Iran. No other military on earth could have executed these missions at similar scale or with comparable precision. And yet the uncomfortable truth is that our system should be blinking red. We are achieving extraordinary results, but our force and fleet are wearing out faster than they are being replaced."

Rep. Pfluger later goes on to offer his four solutions for how the United States must triage and refocus investments in American Airpower.

He concludes with, "As I retire after two decades in uniform, I remain convinced that the U.S. still possesses the world’s finest air force, and that its best days lie ahead. I may be leaving the force, but I am still part of the mission as one of 17 Air Force veterans in Congress. We have started to move in the right direction. Now we must finish the job."

Rep. Pfluger retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Air Force on February 1, 2026, after more than two decades of service. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2000 and spent his active-duty career flying the F-15C and F-22, including many combat missions across the Middle East, before joining the Air Force Reserve in 2020. Rep. Pfluger now serves as Chairman of the U.S. Air Force Academy Board of Visitors, where he works to strengthen the Academy and develop the next generation of military leaders.

Read the full op-ed below or in the Washington Post by clicking here.

“Put our people first. ... Emphasize readiness. ... Continue our carefully balanced, time-phased modernization program.”

Those words come from the 2000 Air Force Posture Statement, written before 9/11, before the emergence of the Islamic State, and before two decades of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Yet nearly 30 years later, contrary to those imperatives, chronic underinvestment has left the Air Force dangerously thin in aircraft, munitions, and trained crews.

It’s a situation that puts our national security at risk and calls for a major revamp — ASAP.

I graduated from the Air Force Academy in 2000 and spent the next two decades flying the F-15 and F-22, including many combat missions in the Middle East. I joined an Air Force that had decisively shaped the post-Cold War world. When I retired in February, I left one that remains unmatched in capability but has the oldest aircraft and the smallest force in its history.

Over the past year, American airpower has conducted three complex integrated missions involving fighters, bombers, refuelers, intelligence, and cyber forces: Operation Midnight Hammer in Iran, Operation Absolute Resolve in Venezuela, and Operation Epic Fury, currently unfolding, once again, in Iran. No other military on earth could have executed these missions at similar scale or with comparable precision. And yet the uncomfortable truth is that our system should be blinking red. We are achieving extraordinary results, but our force and fleet are wearing out faster than they are being replaced.

This is even more alarming as conflict intensifies in Iran. Sustained strike operations will severely test aircraft availability and munitions stockpiles, and that strain will grow every day.

This is where decades of underinvestment have become a serious operational risk.

The average age of Air Force aircraft has nearly tripled since the Persian Gulf War. Ten aircraft types still in service first flew more than 50 years ago. Even the advanced F-22 first flew in 1997.

Operational training has followed the same downward trajectory. In 1991, fighter pilots averaged roughly 22 flight hours per month. Today, many struggle to reach half that. Combat support manpower has also been cut to the bone, and when airmen responsible for executing our most critical missions are over-tasked and undertrained, readiness — and therefore national security — suffers.

Recruiting challenges have compounded the problem. Until recently, the military was experiencing a historic recruitment crisis. Excessive bureaucracy and misplaced emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives were sending the wrong message to young Americans who wanted to serve their country as warfighters.

Budget shortfalls and misapplication of strategic resources have also contributed. For two decades after 9/11, the Air Force received roughly $65 billion less per yearthan the Army. Meanwhile, it has sustained 24/7 nuclear command and control, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and nuclear-capable bombers while attempting to modernize through strategic programs such as Sentinel, the Long Range Stand Off Weapon, and the Survivable Airborne Operations Center. That is a staggering load for a force already stretched thin.

The United States once excelled at building ahead of the threat. We assumed the next conflict would demand more than the last. Somewhere along the way, that changed, and I watched as the country was tied into ground wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and neglected investment in the Air Force despite ample warnings of the need for airpower. Preparing warfighters and building next-generation aircraft became secondary to managing institutions.

So how do we triage and revamp our once-dominant Air Force?

First, invest directly in readiness. That means upping flight-hour requirements, rebuilding munitions inventories, increasing squadron capacity, revitalizing combat support career fields, and fully investing inWeapon System Sustainment funding to be mission-capable on Day 1.

Second, accelerate modernization with stable, multiyear procurement. Modern warfare increasingly begins and ends in the air. Increasing F-35 procurement and expanding production of next-generation combat aircraft such as the F-47 and B-21 Raider is essential to maintaining industrial capacity and air dominance.

Third, require transparent readiness metrics. Congress must be regularly presented with reliable and consistent data on fleet health. High-tempo deployments increase aircraft wear and reduce training opportunities for air crew. Without sustained investment from Congress, the readiness gap only widens.

Finally, rebuild the pipeline of warfighters. We must strengthen the service academies, expand ROTC programs, modernize talent management, and remove unnecessary barriers that drive capable Americans away from military service.

The recent historic investments in our military and a renewed focus on lethality are steps in the right direction. Restoring the warrior ethos and the elimination of DEI have also sent recruitment numbers soaring. But readiness cannot be a pendulum that swings with each administration. National defense requires consistency, clarity, and long-term commitment.


Our Air Force is stretched dangerously thin. Here’s how to revamp it.

The average age of Air Force aircraft has nearly tripled since the Persian Gulf War. Ten aircraft types still in service first flew more than 50 years ago. Even the advanced F-22 first flew in 1997.

Operational training has followed the same downward trajectory. In 1991, fighter pilots averaged roughly 22 flight hours per month. Today, many struggle to reach half that. Combat support manpower has also been cut to the bone, and when airmen responsible for executing our most critical missions are over-tasked and undertrained, readiness — and therefore national security — suffers.

Recruiting challenges have compounded the problem. Until recently, the military was experiencing a historic recruitment crisis. Excessive bureaucracy and misplaced emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives were sending the wrong message to young Americans who wanted to serve their country as warfighters.

Budget shortfalls and misapplication of strategic resources have also contributed. For two decades after 9/11, the Air Force received roughly $65 billion less per year than the Army. Meanwhile, it has sustained 24/7 nuclear command and control, intercontinental ballistic missiles and nuclear-capable bombers while attempting to modernize through strategic programs such as Sentinel, the Long Range Stand Off Weapon and the Survivable Airborne Operations Center. That is a staggering load for a force already stretched thin.

The United States once excelled at building ahead of the threat. We assumed the next conflict would demand more than the last. Somewhere along the way, that changed, and I watched as the country was tied into ground wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and neglected investment in the Air Force despite ample warnings of the need for airpower. Preparing warfighters and building next-generation aircraft became secondary to managing institutions.

So how do we triage and revamp our once-dominant Air Force?

First, invest directly in readiness. That means upping flight-hour requirements, rebuilding munitions inventories, increasing squadron capacity, revitalizing combat support career fields and fully investing in Weapon System Sustainment funding to be mission-capable on Day 1.

Second, accelerate modernization with stable, multiyear procurement. Modern warfare increasingly begins and ends in the air. Increasing F-35 procurement and expanding production of next-generation combat aircraft such as the F-47 and B-21 Raider is essential to maintaining industrial capacity and air dominance.

Third, require transparent readiness metrics. Congress must be regularly presented with reliable and consistent data on fleet health. High-tempo deployments increase aircraft wear and reduce training opportunities for air crew. Without sustained investment from Congress, the readiness gap only widens.

Finally, rebuild the pipeline of warfighters. We must strengthen the service academies, expand ROTC programs, modernize talent management and remove unnecessary barriers that drive capable Americans away from military service.

The recent historic investments in our military and a renewed focus on lethality are steps in the right direction. Restoring the warrior ethos and the elimination of DEI have also sent recruitment numbers soaring. But readiness cannot be a pendulum that swings with each administration. National defense requires consistency, clarity and long-term commitment.

The 2000 Posture Statement described the Air Force as “a combat-proven, mission-focused, decisive fighting force.” Those words still ring true because of the incredible men and women who wear the uniform. But people alone cannot compensate indefinitely for aging equipment and decades of underinvestment.

As I retire after two decades in uniform, I remain convinced that the U.S. still possesses the world’s finest air force, and that its best days lie ahead. I may be leaving the force, but I am still part of the mission as one of 17 Air Force veterans in Congress. We have started to move in the right direction. Now we must finish the job.


House GOP urges Trump to choke off Iran ally's oil profits as Middle East turmoil spikes US gas prices

Originally Published in Fox News on March 11, 2026.

FIRST ON FOX: A group of House Republicans is urging the Trump administration to choke off Russia's profits from one of its largest energy companies as global oil prices spike.

It comes as the U.S. and Israel's conflict with Iran, one of Russia's closest allies and another major energy producer, is threatening to spiral the market out of control both overseas and here at home.

Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, who chairs the Republican Study Committee, is leading five fellow GOP lawmakers in a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent regarding Lukoil — which accounts for roughly 2% of the world's oil output.

Western sanctions have forced Lukoil to announce it would sell certain international assets as countries like the U.S. and U.K. attempt to whittle down Russia's control over global energy.

"The U.S. government has a significant role — in fact, a responsibility — in determining the ultimate fate of these oil and gas assets. We encourage you to exercise the utmost caution to ensure we do not inadvertently squander this opportunity and relinquish our leverage to U.S. adversaries," the Republicans wrote.

They warned against a situation where "transaction loopholes or back-room deals with Lukoil’s senior management" could allow Lukoil assets to "slip back into Russia’s hands as tensions subside or U.S. sanctions are lifted."

The six Republicans on the letter, all from Texas, are also lobbying the administration to ease a pathway for Lone Star State companies to acquire those assets.

"[W]e encourage the Department of the Treasury — in concert with the White House and Departments of Energy, State, and War — to scrutinize every detail of the various proposals to ensure that any sale of LIG’s assets ‘completely severs’ ties with the Russian parent company, paving the way for American energy companies to meet this moment with the urgency and precision it so deserves."

The push comes at a particularly consequential time on the world stage as Iran continues to retaliate against U.S. allies in the Middle East.

Earlier this month, the U.S. and Israel began a joint operation launching strikes against Iran that targeted its military and nuclear assets as well as top leadership ranks.

Russia, which has been wreaking havoc on European energy markets with its invasion of Ukraine since February 2022, has reportedly been aiding Iran against the U.S. operation.

The Washington Post reported that Moscow was providing intelligence to Tehran to help it target U.S. forces in the region. It's a particularly significant development in the wake of eight U.S. service members' deaths since the conflict began.

"American energy dominance is critical to our national security, and as the events of the last several days in Iran and the broader Middle East region have highlighted, our ability to promote peace through strength is enabled by our role in facilitating the stable and secure supply of energy to world markets," the letter said.

"In this increasingly complex geopolitical era, we believe America’s energy companies, and not those of our adversaries, should continue leading the way."

Meanwhile, AAA reported that the average national gas price in the U.S. rose by 27 cents to $3.25 as of March 5 since the Iran conflict began.

As of March 11, AAA's calculations put the national gas price average at nearly $3.58.


Rep. Simpson Cosponsors Bill to Increase Protections for Federal Officers

WASHINGTON—Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson cosponsored H.R. 7846, the Halo Act, a bill that would shield federal officers from those who threaten, interfere with, or harass them while conducting official duties. This legislation is sponsored by Rep. Michael Rulli (R-OH).

“Calling yourself a peaceful protestor does not always make you one, especially if your actions include harassing, intimidating, and even physically assaulting federal officers,” said original cosponsor Rep. Simpson. “It is common sense to enact criminal penalties for these agitators and establish a buffer zone for the safety of our dedicated law enforcement, particularly during a time when they are facing record-high threats and attacks. Not every federal officer is experienced in crowd control, so when local officers are ordered to stand down, like they were in Minneapolis, while fellow officers urgently need help, tensions escalate and problems arise. I am proud to cosponsor Congressman Rulli's bill to combat these issues, hold agitators accountable, and to shield the brave men and women who serve and protect our communities.”

“Our ICE agents and federal immigration officers put themselves in harm’s way every single day to enforce our laws and protect our communities,” said Rep. Rulli. “The American people voted for law and order in November 2024. They voted for secure borders and for the men and women who enforce our laws to be supported in the line of duty - not harassed, threatened, or assaulted. The Halo Act makes it crystal clear: if you try to intimidate or obstruct federal officers doing their job, there will be consequences.”

The Halo Act would establish criminal penalties for individuals who, after being verbally warned, remain within a 25-foot “halo” around a harassed officer. These penalties would apply to anyone interfering with, threatening, or harassing that officer while they are carrying out lawful immigration enforcement duties.

Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.


VIDEO: MI Congresswoman Haley Stevens Announces ‘No Getting Rich in Congress Act’

March 11, 2026

Washington, DC — Following the introduction of the No Getting Rich in Congress Act, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens released a new video detailing the bill’s strong accountability measures to restore public trust, including a ban on Congressional stock trading.

Watch the video here.

Key Excerpts:

Too many people are getting rich in Congress. That has to stop. I’ve been in Congress for eight years. I’m not a millionaire, I don’t trade stocks.

Today I’m introducing a new bill to ban corruption, insider trading, and yes—getting rich while in Congress. Here’s what it does:

It bans stock trading by Members of Congress and their families.

It bans lobbying for foreign adversaries after you leave Congress.

It bans Members of Congress and their spouses from serving on corporate boards while they’re in office.

So no more getting rich in Congress. Our leaders should be focused on serving their communities, not their stock portfolios.

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Issues: Congress


Trahan Demands Release of 14-Year-Old Marlborough Resident Detained by Federal Immigration Agents

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) demanded the immediate release of a 14-year-old Marlborough resident who was detained yesterday by U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents:

“Yesterday, a 14-year-old girl from Marlborough was detained by federal immigration agents. A child with no criminal history was taken into custody in an apparent overnight attempt to use her as a hostage to coerce her father into turning himself in for deportation. As a mother to 15- and 11-year old daughters, I am furious. This is not immigration enforcement. It’s the deliberate targeting of a child to inflict maximum pain on her family.”

"Two months ago, ICE detained five-year-old Liam Ramos in Minnesota under similar circumstances. The nation watched in horror as a little boy with a blue bunny hat and Spiderman backpack was taken into custody by federal immigration authorities. The ordeal was so heinous that a federal judge ordered his release and called it ‘cruel’ and ‘bereft of human decency.’ But now, federal immigration agents seem to be doing it again, this time here in Massachusetts.”

“I am demanding her immediate release. She should be returned home to her family this afternoon and able to go back to school tomorrow. In the meantime, DHS must abandon its clearly adopted policy of using children as bait to detain and deport family members and instead focus its efforts on violent criminals.”

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Rep. Gabe Vasquez Champions Bill to Cap Prescription Drug Prices for New Mexicans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On March 11, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) continued his work to bring down the cost of health care for New Mexicans by cosponsoring the Capping Prescription Costs Act — a bill that would cap annual prescription drug costs at $2,000 for individuals and $4,000 for families with private health insurance plans. The Congressman’s latest push to bring down the cost of health care comes on the heels of a new report showing 8 out of 10 Americans in districts like NM-02 have seen their health care costs go up.

“Too many hardworking New Mexicans can’t fill their essential prescriptions because the cost of medicine has skyrocketed,” said Vasquez. “I’m supporting this bill to cap out-of-pocket costs because families shouldn’t have to choose between their medicine or putting gas in their car to get to work.”

The Capping Prescription Costs Act expands on the prescription price caps for seniors and Medicare recipients that were created in the Inflation Reduction Act. The $2,000 cap on cost-sharing for individuals and $4,000 for families will apply to all of the 173 million Americans who have private health insurance.

This latest legislative push builds on Rep. Vasquez’s long record of working to bring down the cost of medicine for New Mexicans.

Rep. Vasquez voted against the Republican tax law that took coverage away from 38,000 New Mexicans in the district who rely on Medicaid for health care coverage to pay for tax breaks for corporations and the wealthy.

Rep. Vasquez has urged the Administration to work across the aisle to lower drug costs and leave Medicare’s ability to negotiate lower drug prices in place.

Rep. Vasquez has pushed for measures to cap insulin prices at $35/month for individuals, no matter their health care coverage.

Rep. Vasquez has also pushed back against efforts to privatize the U.S. postal service, a move that would make it harder for seniors and folks in rural communities to have their prescriptions delivered.

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Womack Hosts FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford in Arkansas’s Third District

ARKANSAS — March 11, 2026... House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack (AR-3) welcomed the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Bryan Bedford to Arkansas’s Third Congressional District. Together, they visited and toured key locations across Northwest Arkansas pertinent to the FAA’s mission of maintaining a safe, efficient, and modern national airspace.

Chairman Womack said, “It was an honor to welcome FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford to Arkansas’s Third District to see firsthand how our region is providing safer, more efficient air travel. Not only does the Third District boast of rapidly growing and modernized national, regional, and municipal airports, we have also become a hub for next-generation aviation innovation. As Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, I understand Administrator Bedford’s critical role in ensuring that our aviation system remains the gold standard, and his visit to Northwest Arkansas exemplifies his strong leadership.”

During the visit, Administrator Bedford said of the new technology installed at Drake Field, “Aviation has changed dramatically over the past three decades, and the importance of air traffic control and the need for more modern technology has only grown since then. This new, state-of-the-art facility represents a significant investment in aviation safety. We are grateful for the strong partnership with Congress, including Representative Womack, whose support helped make this important investment possible.”

THUD Chairman Womack’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bill increased funding for the FAA by $1.220 billion over FY 2025 enacted levels, providing the FAA with resources to hire 2,500 new air traffic controllers and replace an aging telecommunication infrastructure. Read more bill highlights HERE.

Visit Highlights

Rep. Womack and Administrator Bedford received a tour of Fayetteville's air traffic control tower at Drake Field. Under the leadership of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Administrator Bedford, the FAA has been focused on modernizing our aging air traffic control system, and new voice switch technology installed at Drake Field is an example of this work.

At Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA), Rep. Womack and Administrator Bedford participated in the ribbon cutting of the airport’s new air traffic control tower. This new tower replaces a temporary tower constructed in 1998—improving safety and operational capacity. In FY 2023, Congressman Womack and Senator John Boozman secured $6.414 million in Community Project Funding to help construct the tower. The FAA also provided another $5 million through two separate grants.

During a working lunch, Rep. Womack and Administrator Bedford heard from XNA leadership about the airport’s history and how the new air traffic control tower will usher in a new era of air travel in Northwest Arkansas.

While at XNA, the pair also toured the ongoing modernization efforts inside and outside of the airport’s terminal. In 2025, XNA had the highest number of enplanements in the state of Arkansas—a record that came six years earlier than previously projected.

Rep. Womack and Administrator Bedford then received a tour of Game Aerospace’s facility in Bentonville where they saw how the company designs and builds advanced aerobatic aircraft and next-generation wildfire fighting planes.

At a roundtable, Rep. Womack and Administrator Bedford heard from managers and directors of national, regional, and municipal airports in the Third District. The discussion centered on how the federal government and FAA can be a valuable partner in fostering safer and more efficient air travel, in addition to supporting the larger aviation community.

Rep. Womack and Administrator Bedford also attended a demonstration of how Zipline, a U.S. drone delivery company, and Walmart are working together to deliver items like groceries to Third District homes. Zipline launched a new delivery platform in Pea Ridge in 2025 designed to make instant deliveries and better navigate urban areas. All Zipline aircraft and operations are FAA-approved.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov


Baldwin Presses Trump Admin for Answers on the School Bombing and Civilian Casualties in Iran

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) joined a group of her Senate colleagues in pressing the Department of Defense to provide answers to the American people on the airstrikes on an elementary school that killed more than 150 innocent people and other civilian casualties in the Trump Administration’s war on Iran. Today, a military investigation concluded that the United States is responsible for the deadly Tomahawk missile strike on an Iranian elementary school, despite President Trump falsely blaming Iran.

“We write with grave concern regarding the airstrikes on a girls’ elementary school that reportedly killed at least 168 people – mostly children – in Minab, Iran during the opening salvo of U.S. and Israeli operations on Iran on February 28. To be clear, the war against Iran is a war of choice without Congressional authorization. Nonetheless, as these military actions continue, the United States and Israel must abide by U.S. and international law, including the law of armed conflict. There must be a swift investigation into the strikes on this school and any other potential U.S. military actions causing civilian harm, and the findings must be released to the public as soon as possible, along with any measures to pursue accountability,” the Senators begin.

“The results of this school attack are horrific. The majority of those killed in the strikes were girls between the ages of 7 and 12 years old. Neither the United States nor the Israeli Government has yet taken responsibility for this attack,” they note.

The Senators go on to press for answers to the following questions:

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

Full text of the letter is available here and below.

Secretary Hegseth,

We write with grave concern regarding the airstrikes on a girls’ elementary school that reportedly killed at least 168 people – mostly children – in Minab, Iran during the opening salvo of U.S. and Israeli operations on Iran on February 28. To be clear, the war against Iran is a war of choice without Congressional authorization. Nonetheless, as these military actions continue, the United States and Israel must abide by U.S. and international law, including the law of armed conflict. There must be a swift investigation into the strikes on this school and any other potential U.S. military actions causing civilian harm, and the findings must be released to the public as soon as possible, along with any measures to pursue accountability.

The results of this school attack are horrific. The majority of those killed in the strikes were girls between the ages of 7 and 12 years old. Neither the United States nor the Israeli Government has yet taken responsibility for this attack. On March 4, you acknowledged that the United States was looking into the strikes at the school, saying "all I know, all I can say, is that we're investigating that," but shared no information about a timeline for review nor a commitment to accountability. A New York Times analysis of available evidence suggests that U.S. forces most likely struck the school amid attacks on an adjacent Iranian naval base, despite satellite imagery showing that the building had been walled off from the military base and used as a school since at least 2016. And U.S. military investigators themselves reportedly believe that U.S. forces were likely responsible.

There have also been reports of airstrikes that have hit multiple hospitals, cultural heritage sites, and other critical civilian infrastructure. This includes the use of explosive weapons in major Iranian cities and populated areas, including the capital, Tehran, which is home to approximately 9 million people. As of March 10, 2026, there have been over 1,245 civilians killed and over 12,000 civilians injured in the war, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). Massive civilian casualty incidents like the attack in Minab are not only detrimental to the Iranian people, who have already suffered so much at the hands of its own government, but they also undermine U.S. national security interests. These concerns are compounded by the reported use of artificial intelligence tools to select and prioritize targets in Iran.

These civilian harm events are not taking place in a vacuum. As Secretary of Defense, you set the tone for U.S. military conduct, and your recent comments send a clear message of disregard for the laws of war. On March 3, you said that Operation Epic Fury would have “no stupid rules of engagement.” On March 4, you said while describing U.S. military operations in Iran that there will be “death and destruction from the sky all day long.” This rhetoric only serves to endanger civilians, including American citizens, in the region and around the globe. The United States is a party to the Geneva Conventions and bound by international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution. These are binding and non-negotiable standards designed to protect innocent human life, and it is unacceptable for the Secretary of Defense to suggest otherwise.

Your comments reflect a broader pattern of policies abandoning the Defense Department’s commitment to minimizing civilian harm in U.S. military operations. Under this administration, budgetary and personnel cuts at the Department have robbed military commands of crucial resources to prevent and respond to civilian casualties, including at U.S. Central Command and the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, which supports commands in this work and was codified into law with bipartisan congressional support. You have also removed senior, nonpartisan Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers who provide essential legal guidance to U.S. service members, particularly regarding compliance with the law of armed conflict and U.S. policies aimed at reducing civilian harm. These actions, combined with your comments and the horrific reports of civilian casualties stemming from the war against Iran, suggest the administration has abandoned its duty to protect civilians.

We request answers to the following questions regarding the February 28 attack on the elementary school no later than March 18, 2026.

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

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

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

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


WATCH: Baldwin Fights to Fund Homeland Security & Leave Door Open to Reining in ICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) spoke on the Senate floor after Republicans again blocked legislation to fund critical agencies at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) like the Coast Guard, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), while leaving the door open to finish negotiations on reining in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Today, Senate Democrats again offered a path forward to strip funding for ICE and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) from the rest of the Department of Homeland security, ensuring critical agencies like TSA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard are funded while giving Republicans and Donald Trump more time to listen to the American people and get on board with commonsense reforms at ICE that would protect Americans. Senate Republicans blocked this effort for the second time in a week.

After the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Senator Baldwin announced that she would not support any additional funding for DHS without increased transparency, accountability, and stronger guardrails to rein in ICE. Senator Baldwin also called on Secretary Noem to resign immediately. Two-thirds of Americans say ICE and Border Patrol have gone “too far” with their tactics. A Marquette Law School poll found 6 in 10 Americans disapprove of the job ICE is doing, while 3 in 4 Americans support making changes at ICE.

Senator Baldwin also co-sponsors a bill, the PUBLIC SAFETY Act, to redirect almost $75 billion in funding passed in the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and send it instead to local law enforcement to help hire and train 200,000 local cops in communities across the U.S.

A full recording of the Senator’s floor speech is available here.

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Senator Banks, Duckworth Introduce the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday,Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) introduced the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Act. The bill would permanently codify VA’s authority for the Health Care for Homeless Veterans program, which provides outreach, treatment, rehabilitation services, case management, and permanent housing. This would eliminate the need to continually reauthorize the authority and prevent it from ever expiring again.

Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “Every veteran who served this country deserves a roof over their head. This bill makes sure the VA can always help homeless veterans get the support they have earned without the program being at risk of expiring.”

Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.): “Our nation must do everything possible to ensure that our heroes living without a home can access the health care they’ve earned through their service—and it’s unacceptable that Congress has yet to make VA’s Health Care for Homeless Veterans program permanent. We are all dishonored when any Veteran is forced to lay their head down to sleep on the same streets they once defended. The VA has a responsibility to steadily provide them with the care they need, which is why we’re introducing bipartisan legislation to permanently codify this vital program into law.”

Key Provisions of the Health Care for Homeless Veterans Act:

Make VA’s authority at 38 U.S. Code § 2031 permanent to care for veterans suffering from serious mental illness or who are homeless.

Background:

Veterans struggle with homelessness and mental illness at higher rates than other Americans. Roughly 10% of veterans experience homelessness at some point in their lives, and 31% of veterans receiving care from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have at least one confirmed mental health condition.

To address this problem, Congress granted VA authority in 1997 to treat, rehabilitate, and house veterans experiencing homelessness and serious mental illness. VA used this authority to establish the Health Care for Homeless Veterans program. Under the program, VA provides short-term case management and conducts street outreach to homeless veterans and connects them with treatment, rehabilitation services, and permanent housing.

Congress has repeatedly extended this authority in one or two-year increments, but during the fall 2025 government shutdown VA’s authority to operate the Health Care for Homeless Veterans program expired. Short-term extensions and the risk of expiration undermine this program’s stability and efficacy.

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Senator Banks Meets with President Trump’s Federal Reserve Nominee Kevin Warsh

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) met with President Trump’s nominee to serve as the next Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Kevin Warsh.

Senator Jim Banks: (R-Ind.): “The Fed needs to focus on bringing down costs and lowering the high interest rates that are hitting working families. That’s why I’m proud to support President Trump’s nominee Kevin Warsh who has the experience to help get it done. The Senate should confirm him ASAP!

Kevin Warsh served as a Fed Governor from 2006–2011 and has decades of experience in the public and private sector. He currently serves as a visiting fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution.

President Trump nominated Warsh on January 30, 2026.

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Senator Banks, Smith Introduce Legislations to Help Prevent Youth Suicide

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today,Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced the Raising Awareness for Youth Suicide Prevention (RAYS) Act, which would require middle and high schools to include the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and relevant suicide prevention information on student IDs. This bill will make suicide prevention readily accessible for students, helping to save lives and protect their mental health.

Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.):“It is unacceptable that suicide is the leading cause of death for Americans under 21. This legislation will expand access to vital resources and help save lives.”

Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.): “We can’t afford to leave holes in the safety net we’ve built to catch people when they’re going through hard times or struggling with their mental health. That’s why we created the 988 hotline in the first place. Now, we need to make sure everyone, especially young people, know help is available to them when they need it. This is a common-sense idea to help those facing mental health challenges. It tells them that they are not alone and help is out there.”

This bill has been endorsed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, National Alliance of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Association of School Psychologists, Save the Children, and Children’s National Hospital.

Key Provisions of the Raising Awareness for Youth Suicide Prevention (RAYS) Act:

Require middle and high schools to provide the phone number for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as well as relevant state and local suicide prevention contacts.

Schools that do not issue an identification card would not be required to start, but would need to publish the information on school websites and other student portals.

Background:

In 2021, suicide was the leading cause of death for youth under 21 years old. Child mental health continues to worsen, with 37 percent of high school students reporting experiencing poor mental health. By making suicide prevention resources more readily available for children and their families, lives will be saved. In fact, 25 states, including Indiana, have already adopted a version of this bill, and those states report a 36 percent increase in calls to 988 within just one year of the law being enacted, indicating reduced suicide risk as people take advantage of the resources available to them.

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Barrasso: Democrats Sit in Serenity While Americans Suffer the Consequences of the Democrat Homeland Security Shutdown

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today blasted Democrats for refusing to fund the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats are instead putting illegal immigrant criminals ahead of the safety and security of the American people.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.

Sen. Barrasso’s remarks:

“For 26 days now, Democrats have left our country undefended. Democrats in this chamber have voted three times to keep the Department of Homeland Security shut down. Once again, Democrats are putting illegal immigrant criminals ahead of the safety and the security of the American people.

“Quoted in the press this morning was Senator Brian Schatz, Democrat from Hawaii. Says he has the votes wrapped up to be the next Whip for the Democrat Party. But this is what he said about what the Democrats are doing now keeping the Department of Homeland Security shut down. He said, ‘We are very serene,’ he said, ‘with what is going on.’ Very serene.

“Well, let me tell you what that means for our country – what the Democrats are very serene about. Because right now at this very moment, Iran is targeting our homeland. They’ve announced it, they are in the process of doing it. Let me quote a headline that appeared yesterday in the Los Angeles Times newspaper. It says, ‘Iran threats on U.S. soil: sleeper cells, lone wolves, cyberattacks.’ Our government’s own threat assessment calls Iran a ‘major threat’ to our cyber network and our data. It’s the Department of Homeland Security that is responsible for defending us from these attacks, the very Department the Democrats in this body – that side of the hall – refuse to fund.

“The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is a vital part and plays a critical role in the Department of Homeland Security. It is the agency that protects our critical infrastructure nationwide, including our nation’s energy infrastructure. 2,400 people provide this vital service to protect our country each and every day. But because of the Democrat shutdown, only one out of every three of them are on the job today. And those who are, are working without pay. All of the others have been furloughed because of the Democrat shutdown. These are people who are critical to our intelligence analysis. These are people who are cybersecurity specialists. These are all off the job. The Democrats say, ‘Stay home. We don’t care. We prefer illegal immigrants than the safety and security of our nation. Stay home. We don’t care.’ And they say, ‘We’re very serene about it.’ Can you imagine that?

“The security assessments, the vulnerability scans, the protective guidance for our networks – they’ve been canceled or delayed because of the Democrats’ actions. Our energy grids, our hospitals, our state and local governments – they are all left exposed. Democrats are ‘serene’ about that this morning. That’s what they say. And this is all happening because the Democrats are driven by the far-left ideology of their most radical supporters. And that’s why they’ve shutdown the Department of Homeland Security.

“At major airports across the country, TSA Security lines are taking hours for people to get through. 50,000 TSA agents are missing their paycheck. And many of them live paycheck to paycheck. For the third time in just six months, Democrats are forcing TSA agents to work without pay.

“CBS News reported last night on what that means. It means unscheduled absences have doubled in the shutdown. Hundreds of qualified, experienced agents have quit. This is what happens when Democrats force people to work without pay. Some go to get other jobs. Take part-time jobs. Don’t show up for work. Well, how do the American people respond? Well service clubs are holding food drives for the unpaid agents. Our Rotary Club in Casper, Wyoming, has done the exact same thing to help these agents because Democrats want to keep the Department of Homeland Security shut down.

“Think about that. A food drive for federal workers who are going to work every single day who can’t get paid. And what do the Democrats have to say about it? Quote, ‘We are very serene’ they say, ‘about what is going on.’ That’s how the Democrats look at it today. Sitting back in their serenity, watching as people suffer, people work without getting paid, and our nation’s security at risk today. Democrats don’t seem to care. Once again, they’re much more interested in protecting illegal immigrant criminals than they are in protecting the wellbeing and the safety and security of the American people.

“As Democrats keep the Department of Homeland Security shut down, the threats continue to grow. Our vulnerability continues to be exposed.

“This past weekend, in Senator Schumer’s, the Minority Leader’s hometown of New York City, two radical Islamic terrorists threw homemade bombs into a crowd in front of the Mayor’s residence. The attempted bombing was carried out by two individuals who identify closely with the terrorist group ISIS. Recall, ISIS stands for the Islamic State. The New York City Police Department reported that the explosive devices could have caused serious injury, could have caused death, and we are fortunate that no one died.

“A week earlier, in Austin, Texas, another radical Islamic terrorist opened fire into a crowded restaurant. Three people were murdered. A dozen more were wounded. The shooter wore a tee shirt, and what did it say? It had an Iranian flag on it; it was underneath a sweatshirt that said, ‘Property of Allah.’

“These are the threats that we face right here on American soil today. It’s reckless for Democrats to shut down the Department designed to stop terrorists and it is insulting to the American people to say that they’re serene about it.

“Defunding American security is disruptive, it is dangerous, and it is deadly.

“Let me tell you about one more person. Her name is Stephanie Minter. She was a mother. She was 41 years old, from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Two weeks ago, Stephanie was waiting at a bus stop not an hour away from where we stand right here in the United States Capitol. She was stabbed to death by an illegal immigrant criminal. Stabbed to death.

“You know when her killer entered the country illegally? 2012. Barack Obama was president at the time. Do you know how many times that killer has been arrested in the United States in those 14 years he’s been here illegally? Thirty times. Arrested thirty times. And arrested for violent crimes. For multiple stabbings. For assaults. For rape. Do you know how many times he was convicted? Zero. Why? Because pro-crime Democrats – Democrats who prefer illegal immigrant criminals over American law-abiding citizens – pro-crime Democrats kept dropping the charges. Time after time after time after time because they were worried about something, the pro-crime Democrats were worried about something. In their words, they were worried about the ‘immigration consequences.’ Immigration consequences. What about the effect on the victims of these crimes? And now this death in northern Virginia, right across the river. It’s happening right across the river in Fairfax County, Virginia.

“Who supports this? Well, apparently the Democrats do. Sanctuary State Democrats. Democrats like their newly elected governor of Virginia. Because on her very first day of office, and, of course, she ran as a moderate, but her very first day of office, she announced Virginia would no longer cooperate with federal immigration enforcement. You know, they used to say, there’s a new sheriff in town. This isn’t a sheriff. This is somebody who wants to undermine the law of our nation. Undermine the security of the American people. She said – get this – she said that enforcing federal immigration law, she said, ‘Is certainly not contributing to any strengthening of our community, let alone making our community safer.’ This is blood on their hands. This is blood on the hands of the Democrats.

“Governor Spanberger is wrong. Enforcing federal immigration laws save American lives. Failing to enforce them endangers every American. The police force – the police are besides themselves. The county police from Fairfax County repeatedly have warned the liberal prosecutors to lock up this killer who killed Stephanie. But what happened? The local Police Commander wrote, ‘It is not a question of if’ this man would hurt someone ‘but when.’ And now it happened with a murder. Three months after that message was sent, Stephanie Minter was murdered by an illegal immigrant in cold blood.

“We owe every American citizen a government that keeps them safe and secure. The Democrats have a whole different view of America today. It’s not a view of laws and citizenship. It’s a view of open borders and illegal immigrant criminals. Republicans want a nation where mothers can go to work, where college kids can go out on runs, where women can ride on the train without fear of losing their lives to illegal immigrant criminals being protected by the Democrats. Democrats are fighting for something so different than what Republicans believe the American nation stands for and our history stands for. They want open borders. They want to release illegal immigrant criminals into our communities. They want to turn America into a sanctuary country. That’s why they defunded the Department of Homeland Security.

“Make no mistake. If Democrats continue to obstruct funding for the Department of Homeland Security, more blood will be on their hands. The next terrorist plot that goes undetected, Democrats – blood will be on your hands. The next lone wolf attack, Democrats – blood will be on your hands. The next criminal who crosses our border illegally and kills an innocent American, Democrats – blood will be on your hands.

“The American people deserve safety and security. It is time to reopen the Department of Homeland Security. It’s time to pay the people who protect our country. Let them get back to work protecting us. It is time to put the American people first, not illegal immigrant criminals as the Democrats continue to want to do.”

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Bennet, Hickenlooper, Hurd Urge DOI to Evaluate Law Enforcement Capacity on the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation

Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and U.S. Representative Jeff Hurd urged the Department of the Interior (DOI) Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs, William Kirkland, to evaluate the law enforcement capacity needed to keep Tribal members and the community safe on the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe’s Reservation (the Reservation).

“The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (the Tribe), primarily located in southwest Colorado and with boundaries extending into northern New Mexico and southeast Utah, prides itself on its sovereignty and self-reliance. However, the Tribe has struggled to ensure that its members are safe in their communities – and in their own homes. The Reservation’s remote nature, including an approximately 75-mile distance between the Tribe’s police station in Towaoc and its satellite community of White Mesa, Utah, contributes to delayed response times and inadequate policing,” wrote the lawmakers.

Tribal representatives told the lawmakers that there is only one law enforcement officer from the federal government and one law enforcement officer employed by the Tribe patrolling the nearly 600,000-acre reservation. The lawmakers stressed that over the last two years, violent crime has increased on the Reservation. In the absence of a proper law enforcement presence, the Tribe is concerned that violent crime will continue to persist and only intensify.

“It is the legal responsibility of the United States government to fulfill its trust obligations to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and protect its resources and its Tribal members. A 90-day analysis to determine the law enforcement capacity needed at the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation is essential to determining Tribal and community law enforcement needs, and will give the Tribe the ability to plan for future resource needs,” concluded the lawmakers.

The text of the letter is available HERE and below.

Dear Assistant Secretary Kirkland,

We write to express our concern with the Department of the Interior’s level of support for law enforcement resources on the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe’s Reservation (the Reservation). We request that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) conduct a 90-day analysis to determine the law enforcement capacity needed to keep Tribal members and the community safe on the Reservation.

The Ute Mountain Ute’s Tribal Council has informed our offices that there is only one BIA-assigned law enforcement officer patrolling the nearly 600,000-acre reservation in addition to one officer employed by the Tribe. One BIA officer is inadequate to meet the needs of the nearly 2,000-member Tribe.

The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (the Tribe), primarily located in southwest Colorado and with boundaries extending into northern New Mexico and southeast Utah, prides itself on its sovereignty and self-reliance. However, the Tribe has struggled to ensure that its members are safe in their communities – and in their own homes. The Reservation’s remote nature, including an approximately 75-mile distance between the Tribe’s police station in Towaoc and its satellite community of White Mesa, Utah, contributes to delayed response times and inadequate policing.

The Tribe has not assumed law enforcement functions under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. Instead, the Tribe is one of six Tribes that receive Direct Services through the BIA Office of Justice Services, District IV, for law enforcement needs. In previous years, ten BIA officers were assigned to patrol the Tribe’s land, but this capacity has precipitously decreased over time. Over the years, the Tribe has requested, and we have supported, greater law enforcement resources from BIA to address rampant crime and violence, but these requests have gone unanswered.

Over the past two years, the Tribe has seen significant growth in gun violence on the Reservation, in addition to domestic violence incidents and multiple stabbings. In December 2024, a gunman fired a semi-automatic weapon 24 times into a home, killing a 7-year-old boy who was in bed. And in August 2025, a gunman fired a semi-automatic weapon at a car, killing a 24-year-old woman. In January, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribal Council enacted a nightly curfew across the Reservation in an attempt to mitigate violence in the absence of adequate policing.

Without the necessary resources to appropriately police the Reservation, the Tribe is concerned that violent crime will only continue to persist and intensify. It is the legal responsibility of the United States government to fulfill its trust obligations to the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and protect its resources and its Tribal members. A 90-day analysis to determine the law enforcement capacity needed at the Ute Mountain Ute Reservation is essential to determining Tribal and community law enforcement needs, and will give the Tribe the ability to plan for future resource needs. The outcome of such an analysis would provide a clearer picture of the prerequisites to keeping the Reservation safe and how they can best be met through a dedicated effort by the Administration and Congress.

We look forward to working with you to maintain the federal government’s trust responsibility to the Tribe and ensure the safety of its members.

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Bennet Joins Colorado Democrats to Demand Answers as ICE “Death Cards” Investigation Raises Oversight Concerns

Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet joined his Colorado Democratic colleagues – U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper and U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse, Diana DeGette, Brittany Pettersen, and Jason Crow – in requesting further information from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on the investigation into reports that ace of spade “death cards” were left in cars belonging to individuals detained by ICE agents in Eagle County. The lawmakers requested a response before DHS Secretary Noem’s last day at the agency, on March 31, 2026.

This letter follows a February request from the lawmakers demanding DHS launch an immediate independent investigation. DHS said the Office of Inspector General referred the case to the Office of Professional Responsibility, which then sent it to a field office to conduct the investigation. DHS failed to specify which field office is overseeing the investigation or to provide the requested Congressional briefing, raising serious concerns about transparency and possible conflicts of interest.

“We remain deeply concerned by the allegations that federal agents were falsely acting as local law enforcement and that the ace of spades, long known as the “death card”, was used to intimidate Latino communities,” the lawmakers wrote.

“While the investigation is ongoing, we request a formal, detailed briefing on ICE activities in Eagle County, to include information on the field office that is conducting the investigation.” In addition, the lawmakers demanded, “… a report on findings of the investigation, and written confirmation of any disciplinary or corrective actions taken.”

Historically, “death cards” have been used by white supremacist groups to intimidate people of color. These specific cards found in Colorado reportedly had the address and phone number of the Aurora ICE detention facility printed on them.

Bennet has consistently fought the Trump Administration’s cruel and inhumane immigration policies. He recently took to the Senate floor to condemn Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) violence and lawlessness and to denounce the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Bennet has also continuously called on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Noem to resign. Bennet voted against recent budget bills to extend DHS funding because they failed to overhaul ICE or ensure they are subject to the same common-sense standards we expect of our local law enforcement officials. He also introduced six amendments to the FY26 DHS appropriations bill that would protect children and families, bar enforcement at sensitive locations, and prohibit officers from wearing masks while requiring visible identification. Additionally, Bennet is working on legislation to rein in DHS and ICE. Last month, Bennet conducted an oversight visit of the ICE-GEO detention facility in Aurora, Colorado, and called for increased oversight of such facilities as well as expanded transparency and accountability for ICE. He also demanded DHS Secretary Kristi Noem abandon the proposed plan to open a new ICE detention facility in Hudson.

In January, Bennet joined his colleagues in introducing the Providing Useful Budgets for Localities to Invest in Cops by Substituting Appropriations from Federal Enforcement To Yield Results (PUBLIC SAFETY) Act to redirect nearly $75 billion in funding passed in the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) from ICE and send it instead to local law enforcement programs to help hire and train 200,000 local police officers in communities across the country. In February 2025, Bennet joined his Senate colleagues to introduce the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which would reinstate DHS’s long-standing policies to prevent ICE from making arrests at sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and places of worship. In August 2025, he joined the Immigration Enforcement Identification Safety (IEIS) Act to prohibit immigration enforcement officials from wearing masks and to require them to wear visible identification. In November 2025, Bennet joined his colleagues in introducing the bicameral Restoring Access to Detainees Act to ensure DHS allows non-citizens who have been detained to contact their legal counsel and families.

The text of the letter is available HERE and below.

Dear Secretary Noem:

We are writing to follow up on our February 2, 2026 letter regarding disturbing reports about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities in Eagle County, Colorado. Reportedly, ICE agents in unmarked vehicles with attached sirens conducted imitation traffic stops and ultimately detained ten Latino individuals who are now being held at the Aurora Detention Facility. Additionally, according to multiple news reports and local community organizations, family members of the detained individuals found ace of spades cards inside multiple abandoned vehicles, printed with the address of the Aurora Detention Facility:

We remain deeply concerned by the allegations that federal agents were falsely acting as local law enforcement and that the ace of spades, long known as the “death card”, was used to intimidate Latino communities. This behavior undermines public trust in law enforcement, raises civil rights concerns, and falls far short of the professional standards expected of federal agents. Additional death cards were reportedly also found in cars in other Colorado counties, heightening our concerns.

In our February 2 letter, we requested that DHS provide a formal, detailed briefing on ICE activities in Eagle County; a report on findings of the DHS investigation into the incident; an independent investigation by the DHS Office of the Inspector General into the activities of the Denver Field Office; and written confirmation of disciplinary or corrective actions taken. In response, DHS wrote that the DHS Office of the Inspector General referred the complaint to the Office of Professional Responsibility, who assigned the incident to a field office for investigation.

While the investigation is ongoing, we request a formal, detailed briefing on ICE activities in Eagle County, to include information on the field office that is conducting the investigation. We request immediate notification once the investigation is complete. At that time, we request a report on findings of the investigation, and written confirmation of any disciplinary or corrective actions taken.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. We respectfully request a response by March 20.

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Bennet, Van Hollen, Kaine, Warren, Schatz, Schumer, Colleagues Press Pentagon for Answers on the School Bombing and Civilian Casualties in Iran

Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, joined U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and 40 colleagues in demanding that the Department of Defense carry out a swift investigation into airstrikes on a school in Minab, Iran and other civilian casualties in the Trump Administration’s unauthorized war on Iran, as well as accountability for those responsible.

“We write with grave concern regarding the airstrikes on a girls’ elementary school that reportedly killed at least 168 people – mostly children – in Minab, Iran during the opening salvo of U.S. and Israeli operations on Iran on February 28. To be clear, the war against Iran is a war of choice without Congressional authorization. Nonetheless, as these military actions continue, the United States and Israel must abide by U.S. and international law, including the law of armed conflict. There must be a swift investigation into the strikes on this school and any other potential U.S. military actions causing civilian harm, and the findings must be released to the public as soon as possible, along with any measures to pursue accountability,” the Senators wrote.

“The results of this school attack are horrific. The majority of those killed in the strikes were girls between the ages of 7 and 12 years old. Neither the United States nor the Israeli Government has yet taken responsibility for this attack,” the Senators continued.

“There have also been reports of airstrikes that have hit multiple hospitals, cultural heritage sites, and other critical civilian infrastructure. This includes the use of explosive weapons in major Iranian cities and populated areas, including the capital, Tehran, which is home to approximately 9 million people. As of March 10, 2026, there have been over 1,245 civilians killed and over 12,000 civilians injured in the war, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). Massive civilian casualty incidents like the attack in Minab are not only detrimental to the Iranian people, who have already suffered so much at the hands of its own government, but they also undermine U.S. national security interests. These concerns are compounded by the reported use of artificial intelligence tools to select and prioritize targets in Iran,” the Senators pressed.

The Senators go on to call for answers to the following questions:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In addition to Bennet, Van Hollen, Kaine, Warren, Schatz, and Schumer, the letter was signed by Senators Reed (D-R.I.), Shaheen (D-N.H.), Hirono (D-Hawaii), Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Murray (D-Wash.), Merkley (D-Ore.), Heinrich (D-N.M.), Baldwin (D-Wis.), Markey (D-Mass.), Welch (D-Vt.), Duckworth (D-Ill.), Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Smith (D-Minn.), Kim (D-N.J.), Sanders (I-Vt.), Gallego (D-Ariz.), Warnock (D-Ga.), Durbin (D-Ill.), Padilla (D-Calif.), Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Luján (D-N.M.), Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Wyden (D-Ore.), Peters (D-Mich.), Kelly (D-Ariz.), Slotkin (D-Mich.), Coons (D-Del.), Rosen (D-Nev.), Booker (D-N.J.), Ossoff (D-Ga.), Cortez Mastro (D-Nev.), Schiff (D-Calif.), Warner (D-Va.), Cantwell (D-Wash.), Hassan (D-N.H.), Murphy (D-Conn.), and King (I-Maine).

The text of the letter is available HERE and below.

Secretary Hegseth:

We write with grave concern regarding the airstrikes on a girls’ elementary school that reportedly killed at least 168 people – mostly children – in Minab, Iran during the opening salvo of U.S. and Israeli operations on Iran on February 28. To be clear, the war against Iran is a war of choice without Congressional authorization. Nonetheless, as these military actions continue, the United States and Israel must abide by U.S. and international law, including the law of armed conflict. There must be a swift investigation into the strikes on this school and any other potential U.S. military actions causing civilian harm, and the findings must be released to the public as soon as possible, along with any measures to pursue accountability.

The results of this school attack are horrific. The majority of those killed in the strikes were girls between the ages of 7 and 12 years old. Neither the United States nor the Israeli Government has yet taken responsibility for this attack. On March 4, you acknowledged that the United States was looking into the strikes at the school, saying “all I know, all I can say, is that we’re investigating that,” but shared no information about a timeline for review nor a commitment to accountability. A New York Times analysis of available evidence suggests that U.S. forces most likely struck the school amid attacks on an adjacent Iranian naval base, despite satellite imagery showing that the building had been walled off from the military base and used as a school since at least 2016. And U.S. military investigators themselves reportedly believe that U.S. forces were likely responsible.

There have also been reports of airstrikes that have hit multiple hospitals, cultural heritage sites, and other critical civilian infrastructure. This includes the use of explosive weapons in major Iranian cities and populated areas, including the capital, Tehran, which is home to approximately 9 million people. As of March 10, 2026, there have been over 1,245 civilians killed and over 12,000 civilians injured in the war, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA). Massive civilian casualty incidents like the attack in Minab are not only detrimental to the Iranian people, who have already suffered so much at the hands of its own government, but they also undermine U.S. national security interests. These concerns are compounded by the reported use of artificial intelligence tools to select and prioritize targets in Iran.

These civilian harm events are not taking place in a vacuum. As Secretary of Defense, you set the tone for U.S. military conduct, and your recent comments send a clear message of disregard for the laws of war. On March 3, you said that Operation Epic Fury would have “no stupid rules of engagement.” On March 4, you said while describing U.S. military operations in Iran that there will be “death and destruction from the sky all day long.” This rhetoric only serves to endanger civilians, including American citizens, in the region and around the globe. The United States is a party to the Geneva Conventions and bound by international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution. These are binding and non-negotiable standards designed to protect innocent human life, and it is unacceptable for the Secretary of Defense to suggest otherwise.

Your comments reflect a broader pattern of policies abandoning the Defense Department’s commitment to minimizing civilian harm in U.S. military operations. Under this administration, budgetary and personnel cuts at the Department have robbed military commands of crucial resources to prevent and respond to civilian casualties, including at U.S. Central Command and the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, which supports commands in this work and was codified into law with bipartisan congressional support. You have also removed senior, nonpartisan Judge Advocate General (JAG) officers who provide essential legal guidance to U.S. service members, particularly regarding compliance with the law of armed conflict and U.S. policies aimed at reducing civilian harm. These actions, combined with your comments and the horrific reports of civilian casualties stemming from the war against Iran, suggest the administration has abandoned its duty to protect civilians.

We request answers to the following questions regarding the February 28 attack on the elementary school no later than March 18, 2026.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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