Hickenlooper, Colorado Democrats Push USFS to Prioritize Proactive Wildfire Mitigation Across the West

Effort comes as historically low snowpack increases the risk of wildfires

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet and Representatives Joe Neguse, Diana DeGette, Brittany Pettersen, and Jason Crow urged Tom Schultz, the Chief of the United States Forest Service (USFS), to prioritize more proactive wildfire mitigation efforts as this year’s historically low mountain snowpack has increased the risk of wildfires this fire season.

“We are concerned that, across 11 Western states, the USDA and Department of Interior (DOI) fired nearly 8,700 public servants, and cut 26% of Colorado’s public lands workforce in 2025. USFS alone has reduced staffing by 16%, approximately 6,000 full-time equivalents, over the last year nationwide,” wrote the Colorado lawmakers. “The agency must do everything to direct resources and personnel toward high-risk landscapes in the West.”

With the West heading into the 2026 fire season during one of the worst droughts in history, the likely detrimental effects of staffing shortages and lack of critical wildfire mitigation risk the safety of communities in the West. The lawmakers demanded the agency accelerate strategic precommercial forest thinning, prescribed fire and insect/disease treatments, along with other appropriate science-informed fuel reduction projects, where they are safe and effective to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health.

The text of the letter is available HERE and below.

Dear Chief Schultz:

We are writing to urge the United States Forest Service (USFS) to prioritize proactive wildfire mitigation efforts across the West, which faces historically low mountain snowpack and heightened wildfire risk ahead of the 2026 fire season. Proactive action by federal land management agencies will help save lives, taxpayer dollars, and protect our Western forests and Watersheds.

Snowpack conditions in the Rocky Mountains, particularly in Colorado, are deeply concerning. As of March 3rd, 2026, Colorado’s snowpack stands at roughly 60% of the median snow water equivalent in most basins. These levels point to an early and sustained drying of forests and rangelands, and could lead to a longer and more severe, and potentially catastrophic fire season. Over the last several decades, low snowpack has become less the exception and more the rule, and it demands a shift toward earlier and repeated forest health treatments in collaboration with the local communities most at risk.

We are concerned that, across 11 Western states, the USDA and Department of Interior (DOI) fired nearly 8,700 public servants, and cut 26% of Colorado’s public lands workforce in 2025. USFS alone has reduced staffing by 16%, approximately 6,000 full-time equivalents, over the last year nationwide. These severe staffing shortages led to a 38% reduction in hazardous fuels reduction work in 2025, compared to the same period over the previous four years.

As the West heads into the 2026 fire season during potentially one of the worst droughts on record, this shortfall in critical mitigation work is unacceptable. The agency must do everything to direct resources and personnel toward high-risk landscapes in the West. The USFS should accelerate strategic precommercial forest thinning, prescribed fire and insect/disease treatments, along with other appropriate science-informed fuel reduction projects, where they are safe and effective to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health.

We strongly support strategic hazardous fuels reduction treatments near homes and businesses as the first line of defense against wildfire in Western communities.

To ensure state and local partners can act quickly ahead of peak fire season, the agency should provide the flexibility and resources needed to move projects forward, while continuing to work closely with Tribes, States and local communities. This includes ensuring State, Private, and Tribal forestry programs are administered as Congress intended and use of policy tools like Joint Chiefs, Good Neighbor Authority, and expanding the Collaborative Forest LandscapeRestoration Program to bring critical capacity alongside USFS efforts.

As snowpack worsens, forest conditions continue to deteriorate, and the threat of large, high-severity wildfire expands, the USFS should, at a minimum, maintain historic investment levels in forest stewardship and mitigation practices across the West. Colorado faces escalating risk and elevated suppression and reconstruction costs, but decisive action could reduce harm to Western communities. USFS’ lack of preparation last year puts communities across the West at risk. The agency must take every possible action now to reduce the extreme danger we face going into potentially one of the driest summers on record.

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Hickenlooper Votes Against Trump’s BLM Nominee in Senate ENR Committee

Last week, Hickenlooper pressed Steve Pearce on his anti-public lands stances, Trump admin’s efforts to attack environmental protections

Hickenlooper was the first Senator to publicly oppose Steve Pearce’s nomination to lead BLM

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement after he voted NO on former U.S. Representative Steve Pearce’s nomination to be Director of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee markup.

“I’ve long believed that when someone reveals themself to you, believe them.

“Over and over again, the Trump administration has targeted our public lands and the agencies that manage them.

“Their decision to pick Steve Pearce is a choice to enable someone who committed to the sell-off of our public lands. He will not be the independent steward our public lands deserve.

“He should not lead the Bureau of Land Management. Our public lands are NEVER for sale.”

During Pearce’s ENR confirmation hearing last week, Hickenlooper pressed Pearce on his past opposition to public lands and why the Trump administration would consider rolling back methane regulations that reduce pollution, despite broad support. Pearce failed to dispel his previous anti-public lands sentiments or justify why the administration would recklessly undermine key environmental protections. Watch it HERE.

In December, Hickenlooper became the first Senator to publicly oppose Pearce’s nomination to lead BLM, the largest land management agency and has consistently pushed back on his nomination. Pearce marked his time in Congress working to undermine environmental protections, open public lands for oil and gas operations, and sell public lands.

Hickenlooper is a former geologist and one of the only scientists in the Senate. He has been outspoken against Trump administration cuts to public lands and led an effort against the admin’s plans to overturn the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Public Lands Rule. Last March, he introduced legislation to reinstate the thousands of National Park Service and Forest Service workers the Trump administration illegally fired.

Hickenlooper also helped lead the fight against Senator Mike Lee’s proposal to sell off more than three million acres of public lands. Hickenlooper first sounded the alarm back in April when he voted against the Republican budget resolution and introduced an amendment with colleagues to protect public lands from being sold to pay for Republicans’ tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy.

Last May, Hickenlooper held a press conference in Estes Park with Congressman Neguse, public lands advocates, and local elected officials to call out the Trump administration’s threats to Colorado’s national parks and public lands, including Rocky Mountain National Park.

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WATCH: Hickenlooper Blasts Trump’s Illegal War in Iran, Calls Out Failure to Lower Costs for Working Americans

“The more the president fuels this war machine, the more American families are getting closer to running on empty.”

Hickenlooper voted for the Bipartisan Iran Wars Power Resolution to restrict the president’s unilateral action

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper took to the Senate floor to denounce the president’s illegal, directionless war with Iran that takes attention away from his administration’s lawlessness and failure to bring down costs at home.

Hickenlooper voted for the bipartisan Iran War Powers Resolution, which would end further U.S. military intervention in Iran without explicit Congressional approval. Watch his full remarks HERE.

“Every strike, every military escalation, every headline is a distraction. It pulls our attention overseas from the urgent economic struggles that Americans face at home. It distracts from the hard, less-glamorous work it takes to make life more affordable for the American people. Iran is only the latest in a long line of distractions,” said Hickenlooper.

“All the chaos serves a purpose: it distracts from the president’s failures at home. The rising prices. The violence of ICE against American citizens. The unreleased Epstein files,” he continued. “And while this White House wages war abroad, working Americans are barely treading water at home.”

He has consistently condemned the administration for sidestepping Congress and dragging America into a war with no clear objective – one that risks American lives and that Americans overwhelmingly oppose.

Hickenlooper’s full speech is available HERE and below:

“Mr. President,

“‘We now have a government that cannot manage even a simple crisis at home, while, at the same time, stumbling into a continuing catalogue of catastrophic events abroad.’

“That’s a direct quote from President Trump a year ago – spoken about the Biden administration. Which President Trump spoke in his inaugural address just over a year ago.

“Fast forward one year, and now it’s this administration dragging the United States into an illegal war with Iran – one that has already taken American lives, spread chaos and destruction to an entire region.

“Iran’s authoritarian regime is brutal, corrupt, oppressive. But the president’s approach leaves us facing profound, unanswered questions about new dangers that may be unleashed.

“I don’t think there can be a clearer question raised about this administration than the president’s own words: As he said a year ago, we have a government that can’t manage a simple crisis at home. And at the same time, we have one that is ACTIVELY seeking catastrophic conflicts abroad.

“Every strike, every military escalation, every headline is a distraction.

“It pulls our attention overseas from the urgent economic struggles that Americans face at home. It distracts from the hard, less-glamorous work it takes to make life more affordable for the American people. Iran is only the latest in a long line of distractions.

“Right now, the U.S. and Israel are hitting targets all across Iran. The Trump administration entered this war with no plan of what comes next. And now, the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader has left that country facing a dangerous, uncertain future.

“The conflict is spreading. Iran is retaliating by launching missiles at U.S. bases and partner countries across the Middle East. The entire region has now been dragged into this war and six American soldiers are already dead.

“As we speak, more troops – our courageous men and women – are being deployed into this volatile region. All to fight a war of choice, that is illegal. It’s a war the American people don’t want.

“The administration can’t agree on a joint goal, strategy, even an endgame. They don’t seem to have one.

“They didn’t anticipate how to evacuate hundreds of thousands of Americans living in or visiting the Middle East who are now being told to flee a war zone but can’t because the airspace is closed.

“The United Kingdom has been evacuating its citizens throughout the region but our government, which has been planning this attack for months, doesn’t seem to have plans for Americans.

“These are worse than mistakes. They’re failures that are already costing American lives and throwing the region into chaos.

“All the chaos serves a purpose: it distracts from the president’s failures at home. The rising prices. The violence of ICE against American citizens. The unreleased Epstein files.

“And while this White House wages war abroad, working Americans are barely treading water at home.

“Over the last year, the president’s disastrous and illegal tariffs have crushed small businesses in Colorado and across the country. They’ve raised costs for all Americans. Tariffs clearly are a tax on Americans.

“Just this week, gas prices reached an 8-month high in response to the war in Iran. Americans are already paying for this war at the gas pump.

“Rent and home prices continue to rise, pushing the average American’s first home purchase to age 40 – an all-time record.

“Tens of millions of Americans are paying DOUBLE for their health care because the president and MAGA Republicans passed legislation that will lead 15 million people to lose their coverage all together.

“In 85 of the country’s largest metro areas, child care for two kids costs more than rent.

“On top of all that – U.S. job growth is at its weakest since Covid, and wages aren’t keeping up with inflation.

“According to Moody’s, the top 10% of U.S. households now account for nearly half of all spending.

“That means on paper the economy may look relatively good, but only for half of Americans. Half of Americans at the top.

“And while working families struggle to get by, the president has given an extra boost to the powerful and well-connected.

“The Trump family themselves have made $4 billion off the presidency, and his administration helped pass $4 trillion in tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and the largest corporations. They forced taxpayers to give up health care in order to pay for this tax cut.

“Meanwhile, our communities feel out of control.

“We’ve witnessed ICE arrest children, separate families, kill Americans. All with zero accountability.

“We’ve seen the president and his Department of Justice delay and deny the release of the Epstein Files – the full Epstein Files. In the selective files we DO have, the name Trump shows up more than 85,000 times!

“Americans want safety. They want justice. They want to be able to pay their bills. Instead, what they’re getting is cover-ups, corruption, and chaos.

“Here’s the thing. Americans know that something is wrong. Every paycheck feels a little small. Every trip to the grocery store or the doctor, every bill for rent, energy, or childcare – it’s never quite enough.

“It’s a terrible feeling. Americans work hard every day and still feel like they’re getting nowhere.

“The last thing that they need, the last thing that we need, is another war.

“Americans know how this story ends because we’ve been here before. We remember Iraq.

“The more the president fuels this war machine, the more American families are getting closer to running on empty.

“It’s time to cut short this illegal war and demand that the administration deliver for Americans and focus on our homes.

“For every family, for every soldier, for every paycheck, for every taxpayer dollar.

“A year ago, the president warned about a government ‘stumbling into a continuing catalogue of catastrophic events abroad.’

“But that’s what we’ve done.

“We don’t need this war. We need to focus on doing better at home.”

“Mr. President, thank you. I yield back the floor.”

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Hirono Votes Against Trump’s Illegal War with Iran

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after voting to advance Senator Tim Kaine’s (D-VA) War Powers Resolution, which would block President Trump from using further military force against Iran.

“Just days after Trump dragged our country into a reckless war with Iran, chaos has spread throughout the region and the lives of six American servicemembers have been tragically lost, with no end in sight to this escalation. We have the strongest military in the world, but the capacity of U.S. forces is not infinite. As Trump continues to divert resources, attention, and assets away from other priorities to fuel his war in Iran, this regime has yet to articulate any plan or strategy for what comes next. By refusing to assert Congress’s power as the only branch of government that can declare war, Senate Republicans are betraying the American people and empowering Trump’s lawlessness, regardless of the consequences for our country.”

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HYDE-SMITH OP-ED MAKES CASE FOR ‘BUYING AMERICAN COTTON ACT’

Miss. Senator Pens Opinion Piece Ahead of Ag Committee Hearing on Promoting U.S.-grown Ag Products

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Agri-Pulse, an agricultural news source focused on food, fuel, fiber and farm policy coverage, today published an opinion piece written by U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith that makes a case for the Buying American Cotton Act (S.1919), which she introduced last May.

The Hyde-Smith op-ed was published shortly before the Senate Agriculture Committee announced a full committee hearing titled, Increasing Domestic Consumption of U.S.-Grown Agricultural Products, for Tuesday, March 10, which will feature witnesses from the cotton, corn, soybean, and fresh produce sectors.

Read Hyde-Smith’s op-ed here or below.

Agri-Pulse

Opinion: Buy American tax incentive could help restore U.S. cotton’s supply chain

03/04/26 11:47 AM By Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith

It’s no secret that the farm economy has experienced real struggles for several years, and the urgency for the federal government to act is growing as commodity prices remain low and input costs remain high. Conditions in Mississippi and other states have deteriorated sharply, and producers are running out of time.

The rural economy is on an unsustainable trajectory that cannot be fixed without a shift in the way that Washington thinks about how policy supports agriculture. To prevent American agriculture from falling into a deeper crisis, both short- and long-term changes are necessary. Beyond further short-term assistance, we must aim for solutions that build long-term resiliency for American agriculture through innovative demand-building legislation that harnesses the power of American consumption.

Lawmakers must do more to give producers a fair shot and provide real, tangible demand-based solutions to the challenges they face. The Buying American Cotton Act (BACA), which I introduced with bipartisan and bicameral support, is one such solution. This legislation creates forward-facing structural demand for our farmers rather than addressing economic catastrophes after they occur.

BACA would establish tax credits to incentivize the use of U.S.-grown cotton and U.S. cotton-manufactured products like yarns and fabric in cotton-based products sold in the United States. This legislation supports farm families and encourages investment in domestic textile mills. Lawmakers, producers, and industry leaders have been asking for more market-based solutions to confront the issues facing American agriculture, and BACA is a long-term solution.

The state of the farm economy has placed the cotton industry in an especially vulnerable spot and reflects the need for congressional action. Over the years, textile manufacturing has largely left the U.S. and moved to other parts of the world, leaving many rural communities in Mississippi and across the Cotton Belt without the recurring demand from a domestic textile industry that once thrived and provided cotton farmers with a strong and dependable market for their crops.

U.S. cotton farmers have lost a reliable, captive customer base largely to cheaper synthetic fibers, which are becoming increasingly linked to “forever chemicals” and the potential health risks they present. U.S. cotton now depends heavily on exports, with more than 85 percent of our bales being exported. This exposes our producers to shifts in global demand and foreign trade policies and has resulted in our nation being the largest importer of cotton products on the planet – but only a fraction of those products is made from U.S. cotton. So, we are allowing foreign competitors to put our farmers out of business by selling inferior products to U.S. consumers. This must stop.

BACA provides solutions to American cotton’s share of our nation’s robust domestic retail consumption. This legislation has unified support up and down the cotton supply chain – U.S. farmers, gins, warehouses, spinning mills, and retailers. But the benefits reach far beyond the farmers who grow the highest-quality and most responsibly grown fiber in the world or the retailers who sell the products. The environment and consumers win too.

Consumers are increasingly demanding natural fibers. Unlike synthetic fabrics derived from plastics, cotton is a natural, renewable, and biodegradable fiber. It breaks down naturally at the end of its life cycle, rather than lingering in landfills or shedding microplastics into the environment, which eventually makes its way into our bodies. For consumers who care about what they wear and how it’s made, American cotton offers a clear answer: natural, comfortable, dependable, and responsibly grown.

As Congress addresses the headwinds facing the farm economy, BACA must be a part of that debate. We’ve accomplished much through the Working Families Tax Cut Act, increasing reference prices for commodities, and other historic investments in rural America, but we must build on that success.

Cotton is an important part of our nation’s Southern agronomic system and boasts a strong economic multiplier for our rural and textile communities. The strong, bipartisan Buying American Cotton Act will stand to benefit all of us and help to build a more resilient U.S. cotton industry.

Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., is a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Senate Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee.

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HYDE-SMITH STATEMENT ON VOTE AGAINST WAR POWERS RESOLUTION TARGETING OPERATION EPIC FURY

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today issued the following statement following her vote against a resolution to short-circuit President Trump’s ability to continue Operation Epic Fury against the Islamic Republic of Iran:

“I voted against the resolution because President Trump, like presidents before him, has the authority under the War Powers Act to take military action to address threats to our nation. In this case, President Trump is taking decisive steps to eliminate the Islamic Republic of Iran’s decades-long campaign of deadly attacks against Americans and our national interests.

“I didn’t support this resolution because it would limit the President’s ability to act to eliminate threats and protect Americans, damage our nation’s standing with our allies, embolden our enemies, and endanger our brave fighting men and women. Frankly, I think this resolution is primarily rooted in a deep, personal dislike for President Trump among some of my colleagues.”

Under the War Powers Act of 1973, the President is authorized to conduct military operations like Operation Epic Fury for a minimum of 60 days, with the option to extend them. Presidents of both parties have relied on this authority to deploy U.S. forces in response to national security threats.


HYDE-SMITH WELCOMES AWARD OF $24.8 MILLION FOR SAFE ROOM CONSTRUCTION IN MISS.

FEMA Grants Will Advance Safe Room Facilities in Lincoln, Webster & Tate Counties

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today welcomed the award of more than $24.8 million to advance safe room projects in Mississippi toward construction, including a large multi-use facility at Copiah-Lincoln (Co-Lin) Community College.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced grants for phase II construction work at the Co-Lin Wesson campus and the Webster County Communication Center Safe Room Project in Walthall, as well as funding for the Tate County Magnolia Heights Safe Room Project in Senatobia.

“We’ve been through enough severe storms in Mississippi to understand the value of safe rooms. I’m pleased with these FEMA hazard mitigation grants to create more safe spaces in our state,” said Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee that has jurisdiction over FEMA.

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program awards are issued on a 90/10 cost-share basis, with safe rooms expected to be designed to provide protection against 250 MPH winds. Each of the Mississippi awardees received planning and design awards for these projects in 2024.

Copiah-Lincoln Community College Safe Room Project - Phase II – $16,294,746 to construct a nearly 35,000-square-foot standalone, multipurpose safe room on the Co-Lin campus to accommodate more than 2,000 occupants. An additional $175,000 administrative grant was also awarded for this project. Total project cost: $18,105,273

Webster County Communication Center Safe Room Project - Phase II – $6,693,200 to fund a safe room to harden an existing building to protect the county’s emergency operations center and accommodate almost 1,300 people, including city, school, and judicial officials, within 8,684 square feet of space. Total project cost: $7,436,889

Tate County Magnolia Heights Safe Room Project – $1,727,851 to fund a more than 6,000-square-foot tornado safe room to protect 650 students and 80 faculty at the Magnolia Heights School. Total project cost: $1,919,835

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Nearly $25 million in federal funding going toward safe room projects in Mississippi

By Caleb Salers

A multi-use facility at Copiah-Lincoln Community College is headlining $24.8 million in federal funding to advance safe room projects across Mississippi.

The funding was made available by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s hazard mitigation grant program. U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) announced that projects in Webster and Tate counties are also being funded, as they received planning and design awards in 2024.

In Wesson, $16,294,746 has been allocated to support phase II of Co-Lin’s safe room project. Officials plan to construct a nearly 35,000-square-foot, multipurpose structure on the school’s main campus. The facility will be able to accommodate more than 2,000 occupants. An additional $175,000 administrative grant was also awarded for this project.

In Webster County, $6,693,200 has been dished out at the federal level to fund a safe room project that will harden an existing building to protect the county’s emergency operations center and accommodate almost 1,300 people, including city, school, and judicial officials, within 8,684 square feet of space.

The Magnolia Heights safe room project in Tate County received $1,727,851 in federal funding. The money is going toward a more than 6,000-square-foot tornado safe room to protect 650 students and 80 faculty at the Magnolia Heights School.

“We’ve been through enough severe storms in Mississippi to understand the value of safe rooms,” Hyde-Smith, who serves on the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee that has jurisdiction over FEMA, said. “I’m pleased with these FEMA hazard mitigation grants to create more safe spaces in our state.”


Opinion: Buy American tax incentive could help restore U.S. cotton’s supply chain

By Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith

It’s no secret that the farm economy has experienced real struggles for several years, and the urgency for the federal government to act is growing as commodity prices remain low and input costs remain high. Conditions in Mississippi and other states have deteriorated sharply, and producers are running out of time.

The rural economy is on an unsustainable trajectory that cannot be fixed without a shift in the way that Washington thinks about how policy supports agriculture. To prevent American agriculture from falling into a deeper crisis, both short- and long-term changes are necessary. Beyond further short-term assistance, we must aim for solutions that build long-term resiliency for American agriculture through innovative demand-building legislation that harnesses the power of American consumption.

Lawmakers must do more to give producers a fair shot and provide real, tangible demand-based solutions to the challenges they face. The Buying American Cotton Act (BACA), which I introduced with bipartisan and bicameral support, is one such solution. This legislation creates forward-facing structural demand for our farmers rather than addressing economic catastrophes after they occur.

BACA would establish tax credits to incentivize the use of U.S.-grown cotton and U.S. cotton-manufactured products like yarns and fabric in cotton-based products sold in the United States. This legislation supports farm families and encourages investment in domestic textile mills. Lawmakers, producers, and industry leaders have been asking for more market-based solutions to confront the issues facing American agriculture, and BACA is a long-term solution.

The state of the farm economy has placed the cotton industry in an especially vulnerable spot and reflects the need for congressional action. Over the years, textile manufacturing has largely left the U.S. and moved to other parts of the world, leaving many rural communities in Mississippi and across the Cotton Belt without the recurring demand from a domestic textile industry that once thrived and provided cotton farmers with a strong and dependable market for their crops.

U.S. cotton farmers have lost a reliable, captive customer base largely to cheaper synthetic fibers, which are becoming increasingly linked to “forever chemicals” and the potential health risks they present. U.S. cotton now depends heavily on exports, with more than 85 percent of our bales being exported. This exposes our producers to shifts in global demand and foreign trade policies and has resulted in our nation being the largest importer of cotton products on the planet – but only a fraction of those products is made from U.S. cotton. So, we are allowing foreign competitors to put our farmers out of business by selling inferior products to U.S. consumers. This must stop.

BACA provides solutions to American cotton’s share of our nation’s robust domestic retail consumption. This legislation has unified support up and down the cotton supply chain – U.S. farmers, gins, warehouses, spinning mills, and retailers. But the benefits reach far beyond the farmers who grow the highest-quality and most responsibly grown fiber in the world or the retailers who sell the products. The environment and consumers win too.

Consumers are increasingly demanding natural fibers. Unlike synthetic fabrics derived from plastics, cotton is a natural, renewable, and biodegradable fiber. It breaks down naturally at the end of its life cycle, rather than lingering in landfills or shedding microplastics into the environment, which eventually makes its way into our bodies. For consumers who care about what they wear and how it’s made, American cotton offers a clear answer: natural, comfortable, dependable, and responsibly grown.

As Congress addresses the headwinds facing the farm economy, BACA must be a part of that debate. We’ve accomplished much through the Working Families Tax Cut Act, increasing reference prices for commodities, and other historic investments in rural America, but we must build on that success.

Cotton is an important part of our nation’s Southern agronomic system and boasts a strong economic multiplier for our rural and textile communities. The strong, bipartisan Buying American Cotton Act will stand to benefit all of us and help to build a more resilient U.S. cotton industry.


Kaine, Schumer, and Schiff Slam Blocking of Iran War Powers Resolution

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) slammed the Senate’s failure to pass their bipartisan War Powers Resolution that would have stopped President Donald Trump’s illegal, unnecessary war with Iran and ensured any U.S. participation in hostilities against Iran be explicitly authorized by Congress. It would not have prevented the U.S. from defending itself or Israel from an Iranian attack.

“No one is disputing that Iran has been a bad actor. But the civilian leadership of our country owes it to our servicemembers and their families that we will only send them into harm’s way if it is absolutely necessary—and that if we do, we will have clear objectives and a plan that has been fully thought through,” said Senator Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committees. “The President and his Administration’s changing and contradictory statements underscore that they rushed into a war without thinking of the consequences that this will have for the American people, our economy, and stability in the region. My colleagues’ failure to pass our bipartisan War Powers Resolution adds to a dangerous pattern of Congress ceding our constitutional duties to an increasingly erratic President. How are we supposed to look our constituents in the eyes and send our sons and daughters into war if we aren’t willing to take this most solemn responsibility seriously? I pray for the families whose loved ones will never come home and hope that this war will not turn into another endless conflict.”

“The American people have been clear: they do not want another endless and costly war in the Middle East. Yet today, most Senate Republicans made their choice—they sided with President Trump’s Iran War,” said Leader Schumer. “The Constitution gives Congress—not the president—the authority to decide when our nation goes to war. By blocking this War Powers Resolution, the Senate has failed in its duty as a check on the executive. Senate Republicans are choosing to give President Trump a green light to escalate. Senate Democrats will continue fighting for transparency, accountability, and a foreign policy that respects the gravity of sending Americans into harm’s way.”

"The American people continue to say loud and clear that they do not want another endless war that puts servicemembers at risk and costs our country dearly when we have so many needs at home. If the Senate continues to forsake Congress's war powers and its responsibility, there will be soon no constraint left on this president or any other to make war whenever they choose, wherever they choose. And the American people and our sons and daughters will pay the price in blood and treasure. We will continue to use every tool we have to force this administration to end this war and to force Congress to do its job,” said Senator Schiff.

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

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Kaine Slams Trump Administration for Leaving Americans Stranded in the Middle East Amid War

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) released the following statement slamming the Trump Administration for its poor planning and coordination that has left Americans stranded in the Middle East:

“The Trump Administration waited three days after it began waging an unwise, unconstitutional, and deeply unpopular war with Iran to warn American citizens to evacuate from 12 countries in the Middle East. By that point, commercial flights were almost completely shut down, and Iran had begun firing retaliatory strikes. That lack of planning or coordination has left Americans stranded and struggling to get home as war rages around them. Now would be a great time for this Administration to actually put Americans first.”

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Warner & Kaine Share Update on Resources for Americans Struggling to Return to the U.S. from the Middle East

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) released the following update regarding resources available to Americans stranded in the Middle East:

“To Americans struggling to get home: we are doing everything we can to push for more resources to assist you. In the meantime, in accordance with current State Department guidance, we recommend that you shelter in place, immediately enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), complete the Department’s crisis intake form to request an assisted departure, call the Department’s assistance hotline, and continue to monitor commercial and charter flight opportunities closely.”

More information regarding the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)—a free service that allows the State Department to accurately and quickly contact Americans abroad in case of an emergency—is available here. The crisis intake form to request an assisted departure is available here. The Department’s 24/7 assistance hotline can be reached by calling +1-202-501-4444 from abroad and +1-888-407-4747 from the United States and Canada.

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Warner And Kaine Statement on Court Order to Refund Tariffs for All Importers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) issued the following statement after the Court of International Trade (CIT) ordered full IEEPA tariff refunds for all importers:

“Today, the Court of International Trade ruled that companies subjected to President Trump’s illegal tariffs are legally entitled to refunds. The Trump administration must move quickly to reimburse the thousands of small businesses in Virginia and across the country that bore the brunt of President Trump’s harmful and illegal tariffs.”

In February, Warner and Kaine introduced the Tariff Refund Act of 2026, legislation that would require U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to quickly refund Trump’s illegal tariffs and prioritize the interests of small businesses when doing so.

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ICYMI: Kelly Warns Lack of Strategy and Clear Goal in Iran Conflict Risks More American Lives

“When you don’t have a goal and you don’t have a timeline, that’s when you wind up putting more Americans at risk.”

In case you missed it, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly joined CNN’s Erin Burnett OutFront and MS NOW’s Morning Joe to warn about the administration’s shifting explanations for the conflict with Iran, the lack of a clear strategy or end goal, and the risks facing American servicemembers in the region.

Sen. Kelly speaks on Erin Burnett OutFront.

Watch the full Erin Burnett OutFront interview here and the full Morning Joe interview here. See key excepts below:

From Erin Burnett OutFrontonthe administration’s shifting explanations for the conflict…

“I have more questions coming out than I had going in. That’s typical of these briefs. They share a lot of the public information. They get into very few details about the ‘why’ and how does this help Americans, which is one of my biggest concerns here at Erin. How does this help the American people pay for stuff that they can’t afford right now? Groceries, rent, health care. What is in it for us? And they don’t really go into the why of this. They try to, right, they talk about nuclear weapons. They talk about an ‘imminent threat,’ the Navy, ballistic missile capability, regime change. And it’s still a constantly changing story on why we’re doing this.”

From Morning Joe, onthe consequences of a president whodoesn’ttake advice…

“I think this is a perfect example of what happens when you have a leader of a country who doesn’t take input, doesn’t take advice, puts a lot of ‘yes’ people around him, and makes these decisions without the right input and without the right data. So, I think this is not going well for them. And what that means is it’s not going well for our country, and it’s not going to go well for servicemembers. I don’t want to see a repeat of what happened in 2003, in Iraq, when we wind up with a long and bloody conflict.”

Sen. Kelly speaks on Morning Joe.

From Erin Burnett OutFrontonthe risk to American servicemembers without a clear mission…

“I don’t think we thought about the math problem that we’re going to have here very quickly. The Iranians have a lot of ballistic missiles and drones. We have interceptors in the region. We have air defense systems. We have Patriots. We have SM-6s on ships, SM-3s. We can deal with some of this, but if they have more offensive assets and we have defensive, we get into trouble here possibly really quickly. If our magazine depth goes to zero and they can then shoot these things freely around the region. And when you don’t have a goal and you don’t have a timeline, that’s when you wind up putting more Americans at risk. We already have six Americans that have paid the ultimate price. We don’t want to see any more.”


Kelly, Gallego, Stanton, Ansari, Grijalva Demand Equitable Colorado River Protections

Arizona Democratic delegation calls Bureau of Reclamation’s draft EIS unworkable for Arizona, underscores impact on tribes, semiconductor and agriculture Industries

Today, Arizona Senators Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego and Representatives Greg Stanton (D-AZ-4), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03), and Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07) raised concerns with the Bureau of Reclamation on the recently released Post-2026 Operational Guidelines and Strategies for Lake Powell and Lake Mead Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).

In their letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum and Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Andrea Travnicek, the Arizona lawmakers stress that the proposed alternatives in the current DEIS are not viable for Arizona’s water security while reaffirming Arizona remains committed to continued negotiations with the Basin States, Reclamation, and the Department of the Interior to reach a balanced, durable long-term framework for the Colorado River.

“We cannot take our focus off securing an agreement that acknowledges the environmental realities of a region plagued by megadrought but demands equitable conservation efforts by all Basin States. But in the DEIS, Reclamation risks pursuing an unsustainable distribution of reductions and responsibilities across the Basin States, placing our constituents and their livelihoods in harm’s way,” the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers emphasized that the proposal places the burden of reductions on Arizona and the Lower Basin despite the state’s continued conservation efforts: “Arizona has and will continue to do its part to protect the Colorado River, but we cannot do it alone. We are deeply troubled that Reclamation all but abandons its increasingly critical role in ensuring the Upper Basin States fulfill their delivery obligations under the Colorado River Compact of 1922 (Compact). However, the DEIS alternatives impose required reductions exclusively on the Lower Basin, despite the region accounting for approximately 75 percent of the Basin’s population and economic output. And each alternative, though broad in scope, will translate in practice specifically as drastic reductions to Arizona’s water supply.”

The delegation also warned that drastic cuts to Colorado River deliveries could have serious consequences for communities across Arizona that rely on the river for their water supply: “Across Arizona, you will find communities whose primary—if not sole—source of water is the Colorado River. The DEIS itself acknowledges that “widespread impacts on social and economic conditions may also be possible,” including circumstances in which municipalities may need to pursue alternative or even hauled water sources to maintain basic services. Drastic cuts could have cascading consequences for human health and safety and destabilize the lives and livelihoods of Arizonans, tribal communities, and critical industries that rely on Colorado River supplies.”

The lawmakers stressed that any long-term framework for the Colorado River must fully account for tribal water rights and the federal government’s trust responsibility to Arizona’s tribal nations: “Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, many of whom hold significant Colorado River entitlements that underpin economic and community development, public health, and long-planned water infrastructure investments. Any post-2026 framework for the river must fully account for the unique water rights and needs of tribal communities to fulfill the federal trust responsibility, which the current DEIS fails to meet.”

The lawmakers also highlighted the risks the proposed reductions pose to Arizona’s economy, including agriculture and the state’s growing semiconductor manufacturing sector: “Arizona’s agricultural industry supplies essential products—including fresh produce, dairy, beef, and forage crops—that ensure regional and national food security. Reductions of the magnitude contemplated in the DEIS would reverberate across rural communities and throughout the domestic food supply chain. […] Arizona also boasts the largest concentration of advanced semiconductor manufacturing investment in the country, representing roughly $200 billion in announced projects since 2020. A reliable domestic chip supply is critical to military modernization, artificial intelligence leadership, and global economic competitiveness. The scale of reductions contemplated in the DEIS places these strategic investments at risk.”

Absent a durable seven Basin State agreement, a decision on river operations could be handed down from Interior as early as July. A plan for post-2026 river operations must be in place before October 1, to fulfill federal treaty obligations with Mexico and provide certainty for Colorado River water users as they enter a new water year.

The lawmakers closed by urging Reclamation to work with the Basin States to develop a durable and balanced long-term framework for the Colorado River: “Arizona remains committed to working collaboratively with the other Basin States, Reclamation, and the Department of the Interior to reach a balanced and sustainable agreement that protects both the river system and the communities and industries that depend upon it.”


Maine Delegation Urges Administration to Deliver “Targeted, Data-Driven” Economic Relief for State’s Blueberry, Potato, Apple Farmers

WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senators Angus King and Susan Collins and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden are calling on the Trump Administration to ensure its relief for specialty crop farmers addresses the needs of blueberry, potato, and apple farmers across Maine. In a letter to United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, the Maine Congressional Delegation urges the administration to continue delivering targeted, data-driven support for Maine’s specialty crop farmers, foresters, and fisheries so that they can withstand the economic impacts of on-the-ground, environmental realities.

The Delegation began, “We write to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure that payment rates under the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program fully and accurately reflect the economic realities facing Maine producers. Given the absence of reliable, up-to-date cost-of-production and farm-gate pricing data for many specialty crops, it is essential that USDA work directly with Maine’s specialty crop stakeholders to establish payment rates that meaningfully address current losses. Failure to do so risks leaving critical sectors of Maine’s agricultural economy without adequate relief during a period of extraordinary financial strain.”

“As USDA evaluates current and future relief efforts, we strongly urge the Department to ensure that Maine’s lumber and fisheries industries are not overlooked,” they continued in the letter. “Equity in federal relief requires that industries facing comparable trade-driven harm receive comparable support. The Seafood Trade Relief Program (STRP) offered by the USDA in 2020 was invaluable for Maine’s lobster fishery.”

“We appreciate USDA’s prior engagement with Maine’s potato, blueberry, and apple stakeholders. However, continued consultation is not simply beneficial, it is necessary to ensure that federal assistance reflects on-the-ground conditions. We urge USDA to adjust payment methodologies where needed, account for crop-specific production cycles, and expand eligibility where appropriate so that relief is both fair and economically meaningful,” the Delegation wrote.

The Delegation concluded, “Maine’s producers are resilient, but resilience alone cannot offset sustained market disruption and escalating costs. We stand ready to work with you to ensure that USDA programs deliver the targeted, data-driven support that Maine’s agricultural, forestry, and fishing sectors urgently need.”

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

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Dear Secretary Rollins:

We write to urge the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure that payment rates under the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) Program fully and accurately reflect the economic realities facing Maine producers. Given the absence of reliable, up-to-date cost-of-production and farm-gate pricing data for many specialty crops, it is essential that USDA work directly with Maine’s specialty crop stakeholders to establish payment rates that meaningfully address current losses. Failure to do so risks leaving critical sectors of Maine’s agricultural economy without adequate relief during a period of extraordinary financial strain.

Maine produces nearly all of the nation’s wild blueberries—an industry that contributes hundreds of millions of dollars annually to the state’s economy and sustains rural communities. In 2024, Maine produced approximately 85 million pounds of wild blueberries. In 2025, however, an exceptionally wet spring that disrupted pollination, followed by severe drought conditions, reduced production to roughly 54 million pounds—representing an estimated $28 million loss in revenue. These losses compound years of declining markets and rising labor and input costs. Moreover, because wild blueberries operate on a biennial crop-and-prune cycle, basing ASCF payments solely on reported 2025 planted acres will disproportionately disadvantage Maine growers. We strongly urge USDA to adjust ASCF Program’s methodology to account for the unique production cycle of this crop so that relief is not diminished for one of the nation’s most distinctive agricultural industries.

Maine’s potato industry, the largest agricultural sector in the state, with an estimated $1.3 billion economic impact, faces similarly acute pressures. Retaliatory tariffs, trade uncertainty, elevated input costs, labor shortages, and drought-related yield reductions are expected to result in approximately $30 million in lost revenue this year alone. Maine growers operate in an integrated cross-border market with Canada, our state’s largest trading partner. Growers rely heavily on Canadian suppliers for equipment, fertilizer, and other inputs, while also shipping a significant share of their crop across the border for processing. Growers have shared with our offices that current trade disruptions have led to an estimated 10 percent decline in export volume. This is a major decrease in income for those growers and unfortunately for some, there is no other avenue for them to sell their potatoes. Without targeted federal support that reflects these unique cross-border dynamics, Maine’s potato growers will continue to absorb disproportionate losses.

Maine’s apple industry, though smaller in scale comparatively, plays a vital role in sustaining family farms, agritourism, and regional food systems. The 2025 harvest declined to approximately 600,000 bushels, well below the typical 800,000 to 1 million bushels annually produced, resulting in an estimated $10 million loss for growers. Even where crop quality held steady, reduced volume combined with rising labor, transportation, and other input costs have significantly compressed margins. Specialty crop producers cannot simply offset these costs through scale; they require targeted and responsive relief mechanisms.

Beyond specialty crops, Maine’s forest products and commercial fishing industries are foundational to our rural and coastal economies and have experienced significant market disruption tied to trade volatility and retaliatory tariffs. Softwood lumber disputes and cross-border tariff escalation continue to undermine investment and pricing stability in the forest products sector. Likewise, retaliatory tariffs in key seafood markets have reduced demand and depressed dockside prices for Maine lobster, all while fuel, bait, and equipment costs have surged. Despite facing many of the same market distortions that justified federal assistance for other commodities, these industries were excluded from both the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program and the ASCF Program.

As USDA evaluates current and future relief efforts, we strongly urge the Department to ensure that Maine’s lumber and fisheries industries are not overlooked. Equity in federal relief requires that industries facing comparable trade-driven harm receive comparable support. The Seafood Trade Relief Program (STRP) offered by the USDA in 2020 was invaluable for Maine’s lobster fishery.

We appreciate USDA’s prior engagement with Maine’s potato, blueberry, and apple stakeholders. However, continued consultation is not simply beneficial, it is necessary to ensure that federal assistance reflects on-the-ground conditions. We urge USDA to adjust payment methodologies where needed, account for crop-specific production cycles, and expand eligibility where appropriate so that relief is both fair and economically meaningful.

Maine’s producers are resilient, but resilience alone cannot offset sustained market disruption and escalating costs. We stand ready to work with you to ensure that USDA programs deliver the targeted, data-driven support that Maine’s agricultural, forestry, and fishing sectors urgently need.

Sincerely,

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Graham Celebrates Passage of Legislation Authorizing President Trump to Give Medal of Honor to South Carolina Veteran

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today celebrated the Senate’s passage of a House bill (H.R. 3377) that would authorize President Donald J. Trump to present the Medal of Honor to Major James Capers, Jr. for his valiant efforts during the Vietnam War. Graham introduced the Senate version of this legislation last month and helped work to ensure the bill was sent to President Trump’s desk.

The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military award, recognizing heroism in combat, and must be presented to the recipient within five years of their action. This bill, however, waives the time requirement for Major Capers, Jr.

“Major James Capers, Jr. has served his nation with great distinction and is an inspiration to all Marines,” said Senator Graham. “As someone who courageously answered the call to serve his country and broke barriers along the way, Major Capers, Jr. is someone all Americans can admire. I am pleased that the Senate has approved this legislation that provides President Trump the authority to bestow this South Carolina hero with the recognition he has earned.”

Background on Major Capers’ service:

James Capers, Jr. was born in South Carolina in 1937, and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at age eighteen. During the Vietnam War, Capers led a prisoner of war (POW) rescue mission ordered by President Johnson and commanded attacks on the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces. As a trailblazer, he was the first African American to lead a Marine Reconnaissance company and receive a battlefield commission. In 2010, Major Capers, Jr. was awarded the Silver Star, the nation’s third highest award for valor.


Graham Statement on the Passing of Lou Holtz

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on the passing of former University of South Carolina football coach Lou Holtz.

“A giant tree has fallen with the passing of my good friend, Lou Holtz.

“There will be plenty of time to talk about his amazing wife, family, and accomplishments. As to this moment, I deeply believe that Lou Holtz is now in the hands of a loving God, and his pain is over.

“To his family, fans and friends – who number in the thousands – as we mourn, let us dedicate ourselves to celebrating a life well-lived.

“May God provide comfort to his family and friends.”


Luján Votes Against President Trump’s Illegal War Against Iran

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after voting for a bipartisan War Powers Resolution that blocks the use of the U.S. Armed Forces from engaging in hostilities against Iran unless authorized by Congress:

“With no accountability and in defiance of the American people, President Trump has dragged the United States into an illegal war with Iran without congressional approval or a clear strategy. American lives have already been lost, and we cannot allow another endless conflict. The administration’s conflicting explanations and lack of clear objectives only raise more concerns.

“The Constitution is clear: the power to declare war belongs to Congress, not the President. We must uphold that responsibility and stop this unilateral military action. The American people do not want another costly war. That is why I voted to block the President’s reckless actions and reassert Congress’s constitutional authority.

“My prayers are with the six American service members we have lost, their families, and all those serving in our Armed Forces. Their service and heroism will never be forgotten.”

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Lummis Annouces Historic Approval of Federal Reserve Master Account for Kraken

CHEYENNE, WY— U.S. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Chair of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Digital Assets, announced that the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City has approved Kraken Financial for a master account.

Headquartered in Cheyenne, Wyoming, Kraken Financial will be able to use its limited-purpose master account to access the payments system and settle transactions in central bank money directly with the Federal Reserve. This historic approval, after five and a half years, marks the first time a digital asset company has received direct access to the Federal Reserve.

“This approval is a watershed moment for the digital asset industry,” said Senator Lummis. “The Federal Reserve has acknowledged what I’ve always said was the case—that a digital asset company can balance innovation with strong risk management. Though approval took five and a half years, the Fed’s actions—at long last—validate Wyoming’s thoughtful regulatory framework. I look forward to resolution of further pending applications in the coming weeks. I congratulate Kraken, the Kansas City Fed, and the Board of Governors for this monumental step towards making payments safer, faster, and cheaper.”

“This news has been a long time coming, but Wyoming welcomes it nonetheless,” said Governor Gordon. “This approval of a master account for Kraken by the Federal Reserve signals support for Wyoming’s banking and digital asset laws. This is good news for our state banks and our special purpose depository institutions. I am pleased by this development. Thank you to Senator Lummis for her steadfast commitment to getting us to this place. She has done yeomen’s work in the banking and finance space.”

“This milestone marks the convergence of crypto infrastructure and sovereign financial rails,” said Arjun Sethi, co-CEO of Payward and Kraken. “With a Federal Reserve master account, we can operate not as a peripheral participant in the U.S. banking system, but as a directly connected financial institution. For a Wyoming SPDI structured on a full-reserve model, this creates a uniquely resilient foundation. It gives us the ability to settle directly on Fedwire, reduce dependency on correspondent banks, and integrate regulated fiat liquidity directly into digital asset markets. Over time, this architecture could enable atomic settlement between fiat and crypto, institutional-grade cash management integrated with digital asset custody, and programmable financial products built within a fully regulated framework. This is what it looks like when crypto infrastructure matures into core financial infrastructure.”

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Lummis Applauds NRC Approval for TerraPower Kemmerer Power Station

Washington, D.C.— Senate Western Caucus Chair Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) released the following statement today applauding the approval of the construction permit for TerraPower’s Kemmerer Power Station Unit 1, a commercial nuclear power plant to be built near Kemmerer, Wyoming in Lincoln County.

“Today is a landmark day for Wyoming,” said Lummis. “The NRC’s approval of TerraPower’s construction permit for the Kemmerer Power Station is a major step forward in President Trump’s energy independence agenda. Wyoming has long powered this nation and I’m proud that we are leading the next generation of nuclear energy. TerraPower’s advanced reactor will bring economic opportunity to Kemmerer and western Wyoming, while proving that America can build the technologies of the future right here at home.

“I want to commend TerraPower, the NRC and their staff, and all who worked tirelessly to complete this rigorous review ahead of schedule. That is what is possible when industry and regulators work with purpose, efficiency, and integrity. I look forward to seeing this project begin construction and seeing it come online to serve Wyoming and the nation for generations to come.”

Background:

TerraPower filed the application in March 2024, requesting a permit to build the sodium-cooled, advanced reactor design on a site near an existing coal-fired power plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming.

In May 2024, the NRC staff accepted the application and began formal review.

In July 2025, the NRC revise its schedule to complete the application review by December 31, 2025. This was six-months ahead a previously revised completion goal of June 2026, and nine-months ahead of the original project schedule.

In October 2025, the NRC staff issued the final environmental impact statement for the site.

In December 2025, the NRC staff issued the safety evaluation for the construction permit and submitted its statement in support that the Commission approve the issuance of the permit. The paper served as the staff’s primary testimony to meet the Commission’s uncontested mandatory hearing requirements.

TerraPower would still need to submit, and the NRC staff would need to review and approve, a separate operating license application before it would be authorized to operate the facility. In September 2025, the NRC received TerraPower’s regulatory engagement plan for a potential operating license application submittal.

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McConnell Comments on War Powers, Next Steps in Iran

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor ahead of the roll call vote related to S.J.Res.104, Kaine War Powers Resolution (Iran):

Later today, the Senate will consider a resolution from Senator Kaine. The purpose, as our colleague puts it, is to prevent the nation from sending our young people to die in war without legitimate justification.

I do not doubt the sincerity of our colleague’s intentions. Like Kentucky, Virginia is a state with a large military footprint. And the magnitude of the risks undertaken by brave people we represent is inescapable.

But I would submit to each of our colleagues a few reminders as this debate unfolds:

First, this weekend's events are not the beginning of a war, but an attempt to end one that has spanned nearly half a century. The Islamic Republic of Iran was, quite literally, founded on the premise of existential war against America and Israel. And over and over again, it has escalated this war. Exported more terror. Spilled more blood. And destabilized an entire region.

This war belongs to the mullahs in Tehran. And, as I’ve explained so many times over the years, the powers of the President for the use of military force – with or without prior Congressional approval – are well-established.

Every single President during my time in the Senate has invoked these inherent authorities, from President Reagan’s strikes on Libya to President Biden’s strikes on the Houthis. President Trump’s use of force to end Iran’s war of terror is squarely within his inherent authorities as Commander-in-Chief. So I will oppose the Kaine resolution, and would recommend that our colleagues do the same.

Now, with that said: A President’s clear authority to use military force does not absolve him from a responsibility to place his national security decisions on the broadest possible political foundation. In fact, precisely because Presidents hold such expansive constitutional authority, it is incumbent on them to ensure such use is judicious, rooted in core national interests, and broadly supported by the American people.

For decades following World War II, Presidents of both parties tended to take this responsibility seriously. They understood that wild swings in foreign policy between Administrations could confuse our allies and embolden our adversaries. And so, throughout the Cold War, they spent considerable time and political capital explaining to the American people the stakes, objectives, and strategies they intended to pursue in service of our national security.

When it came to Iran policy, President Obama did not take this responsibly to heart, and it is little surprise that his unilateral deal did not survive for long after his Presidency. Likewise, despite my urging, President Biden failed to speak clearly to the American people about our national interest in helping Ukraine resist aggression.

President Trump has made a bold and tough decision – one that could transform the region for the better for generations to come. But there are risks involved. And I hope his Administration will work to explain the connection between the Commander-in-Chief’s worthy objectives and the military and diplomatic means to achieve them. Connecting ends and means is the essence of strategy, and it’s important for the Administration to explain to the American people how they intend to do so.

In turn, our colleagues in the minority have a responsibility to listen, and not to reflexively oppose foreign policy decisions of Presidents they don’t like. After all, we don’t have to look far into the past to find Senate Democrats voicing support for keeping the military option on the table in America’s dealings with Iran… Or supporting President Biden’s unilateral military force against Iran’s proxies in the absence of explicit Congressional authorization.

More immediately, I hope our colleagues will consider the consequences of terminating ongoing operations before they have succeeded. What would the Chinese or the Russians conclude if America abruptly lost its stomach for decisive action? What cold comfort would our allies take from an increasingly erratic and partisan application of U.S. foreign policy commitments?

Mr. President, the consequences of successfully ending Iran’s decades-long war against America and our allies and partners would reach far beyond the Middle East. This is evident in the way Russian and Chinese officials quickly condemned U.S. and Israeli operations… and in their unwillingness – or inability – to come to Tehran’s aid in a meaningful way.

Two observations on this point:

First, one of the reasons U.S. operations have enjoyed such freedom of maneuver in the Western Hemisphere and the Middle East is that Russia is bogged down in its war in Ukraine… a war whose battlefield innovations are already shaping operations in the Gulf. If Russia was more unencumbered, it could have provided more material assistance to its partners in Venezuela and Iran. The price of peace in Ukraine matters, and we should be careful not to compel an outcome that allows Russia to reassert itself in regions of critical importance to the United States.

At the same time, there is tremendous value – globally – to destroying Iran’s ability to produce the drones that rain down death in Europe and the Middle East, alike. There is likewise value in disrupting its illicit oil trade with the PRC.

Finally, Mr. President, a word about munitions, military readiness, and defense industrial capacity. Regardless of disagreements on the pending question, every one of us should want the United States to have the best-possible military. Every one of us should want our armed forces to be prepared for even more challenging threats.

Today, the U.S. military is not prepared to confront aligned adversaries and deter or defeat aggression simultaneously on multiple fronts. The reasons are numerous, and there’s plenty of blame to go around. Administrations have failed to submit budget requests that meet the basic requirements of the military. Congress has failed to pass timely, full-year appropriations. Industry has failed to anticipate inevitable demand. And now, America faces Russia’s war against Ukraine and China’s determined military modernization with shallower magazines of critical munitions.

But the good news? With more funding, there’s spare production capacity to be tapped this year, in FY26. We can build more munitions, produce more spare parts for airplanes, repair ships, invest in dilapidated military infrastructure, and deepen our cooperation and co-production with allies. We shouldn’t wait another year to seize these opportunities. The way to realize the well-resourced military our nation requires for future conflicts is to build it today.

My colleagues have heard me invoke the wartime words of the late Admiral Harold Stark. But his warning bears repeating: “Dollars cannot buy yesterday.”


Senators Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen U.S. Response to Situation in Burma, Hold Burmese Military Junta Accountable for Rampant Abuses

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.), joined by U.S. Senators Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen the U.S. response to the current situation in Burma, including by cracking down on the repressive Burmese military junta as its ongoing violence and gross violations of human rights worsen the humanitarian disaster in Burma and the region. Building on the 2022 BURMA Act, the Bringing Real Accountability Via Enforcement in (BRAVE) Burma Act blocks funding to the junta by authorizing stronger sanctions on the entities that finance its operations and strengthens mechanisms to implement these sanctions while countering the growing influence of China and Russia in the region.

“The Burmese military junta has devastated the country through a relentless campaign of bloodshed, repression, and persecution of vulnerable communities. This bipartisan legislation will strengthen our ability to starve the junta of the resources that finance its reign of terror and, in turn, support future peace and democracy for the people of Burma,” said Senator Van Hollen, who urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio in December to use the United States’ leverage to help end the junta’s violence and support a path toward democratic governance in Burma.

“The United States should do more to protect the Burmese people from the oppression being committed by the military junta,” said Senator Young. “This legislation will help cut off the primary source of funding that is making it possible for airstrikes to be conducted against Burmese civilians. Indiana is home to one of the largest Burmese communities in America, and I stand with the people of Burma as they seek the restoration of a legitimate government.”

“Throughout my career, I have been proud to champion the democratic aspirations of the people of Burma. The BRAVE Burma Act comes at a particularly critical moment, as the military junta’s sham elections threaten to deepen the PRC’s influence in a critical region. It’s as important as ever that the United States continue to lead the West in turning the screws on this oppressive regime and standing firmly with the long-suffering people of Burma,” said Senator McConnell.

“I’ll never forget the painful stories I heard during my travels to Burma and Bangladesh in 2017—stories of brutal crimes against humanity against Rohingya and other vulnerable communities that are part of decades of violence, discrimination, and marginalization. I remain steadfast in my belief that American action is needed to achieve lasting peace,” said Senator Merkley. “Our bipartisan BRAVE Burma Act makes clear: the Burmese military’s brutality will not be forgotten.”

U.S. Representative Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) leads the BRAVE Burma Act in the House of Representatives.

The BRAVE Burma Act:

Requires the President to make an annual determination on whether to impose stronger sanctions on Burmese state-owned enterprises such as Myanma Economic Bank and foreign entities supporting the country’s jet fuel sector, which are known to finance the junta’s operations

Directs the U.S. Treasury Secretary to use its leverage at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to restrict Burma’s ability to borrow money from the IMF

Establishes a Special Envoy for Burma at the State Department, at ambassador rank, responsible for coordinating all aspects of U.S. policy toward Burma – increasing focus on implementing America’s diplomatic tools to help end the violence, protect human rights, and facilitate democratic governance in Burma

This legislation is supported by the Burma Research Institute and Campaign for a New Myanmar.

“I welcome and support this bill, which reflects the bipartisan congressional support for Burma. I am grateful to Senators Chris Van Hollen and Todd Young for their leadership. This legislation will help reduce the Burmese military's aerial attacks on civilians and religious sites, including Christian churches, and advance the efforts to counter the influence of China and Russia in Burma,” said Zo Tum Hmung, President & CEO of the Burma Research Institute.


Merkley, Sanders: Immediate Relief Needed for Student Loan Borrowers

Letter follows federal judge dismissing an ongoing legal challenge to borrowers under SAVE Plan repayment program

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Vermont’s U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, led their Senate colleagues to press the Trump Administration’s Education Department (ED) for urgent answers about its plans for federal student loan repayment options following a federal judge’s dismissal of an ongoing legal challenge to the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan and its affordable payments.

“This decision formally ends the SAVE injunction that has forced over 7 million SAVE borrowers into economic limbo—pushing meaningful debt relief and affordable monthly payments out of reach. Considering the ongoing affordability crisis, we call on the Department of Education (the Department) to implement the benefits of the SAVE plan and administer loan cancellation for borrowers on the SAVE Plan who are eligible for such relief immediately,” the Senators wrote to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.

The SAVE Plan was originally created in 2023 to help student loan borrowers nationwide by creating a new income-driven repayment (IDR) plan—which links payments to a borrower’s income and family size.

“Unfortunately, due to court challenges brought by right-wing Attorneys General, the SAVE plan has been enjoined since the summer of 2024 and SAVE borrowers have been stuck in forbearance for over one year,” they continued. “Congressional Republicans also took aim at the SAVE plan in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which requires the SAVE Plan and other IDR plans to be eliminated by July 2028.”

In response to the judge’s ruling, the Senators urged the Education Department to swiftly provide student loan relief for millions of Americans, “Now that the injunction blocking SAVE has ended, the Department must ensure borrowers have access to the benefits they are entitled to under the law.”

Merkley and Sanders have been leaders in Congress to ensure students have a much-needed path to student debt relief. Previously, Merkley led his Senate colleagues, including Sanders, to demand answers from Secretary McMahon about the Trump Administration’s proposal to eliminate affordable student loan repayment options for millions of Americans.

Merkley also leads the Savings Opportunity and Affordable Repayment (SOAR) Act, which Sanders co-sponsors. The bill would better protect borrowers from unaffordable payments and runaway balances due to rapidly accruing interest, while offering a clearer path to debt relief after at least a decade of payments.

In addition to Merkley and Sanders, this letter is also signed by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

Full text of the letter can be found by clicking here and follows below:

Dear Secretary McMahon:

We send this urgent letter in response to last Friday’s decision by a federal judge to dismiss Missouri v. Trump and reject the Trump Administration’s request to vacate the Saving on A Valuable Education (SAVE) rule. This decision formally ends the SAVE injunction that has forced over 7 million SAVE borrowers into economic limbo—pushing meaningful debt relief and affordable monthly payments out of reach. Considering the ongoing affordability crisis, we call on the Department of Education (the Department) to implement the benefits of the SAVE plan and administer loan cancellation for borrowers on the SAVE Plan who are eligible for such relief immediately.

First announced in July 2023 as the most affordable income-driven repayment (IDR) plan to date, the SAVE Plan seeks to better protect borrowers from unaffordable payments and runaway balances due to rapidly accruing interest and offers a clearer path to debt relief. According to Protect Borrowers, of the more than 8 million borrowers who enrolled in the SAVE plan, 4.6 million individuals had their monthly payments lowered to $0 and nearly half a million borrowers would have been provided with immediate debt relief, had the plan been allowed to take full effect.

Unfortunately, due to court challenges brought by right-wing Attorneys General, the SAVE plan has been enjoined since the summer of 2024 and SAVE borrowers have been stuck in forbearance for over one year. Congressional Republicans also took aim at the SAVE plan in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which requires the SAVE Plan and other IDR plans to be eliminated by July 2028.

Making matters even worse for borrowers, in December 2025, the Trump Administration voluntarily entered into a settlement agreement, which would have formally ended the SAVE plan two years earlier than what is required under the OBBBA. The proposed settlement agreement would have required 7 million borrowers to be moved out of the SAVE plan earlier than the law would have required and forced those borrowers into less affordable repayment plans. This would occur while an increasing number of borrowers struggle to afford their monthly payments, defaults are on the rise, and the Department works to implement unprecedented changes to the student loan repayment system as required under the OBBBA.

Now that the injunction blocking SAVE has ended, the Department must ensure borrowers have access to the benefits they are entitled to under the law. We respectfully request responses to the following questions by Monday, March 9, 2026:

What are the Department’s plans to implement the SAVE plan in light of the end of the SAVE injunction?

When will borrowers be able to apply to and be enrolled in the SAVE plan?

When will borrowers with pending SAVE plan applications be enrolled?

When will SAVE-enrolled borrowers who are currently in the SAVE litigation forbearance be placed back in active repayment?

Will time spent in the litigation forbearance count toward forgiveness?

How will the Department ensure that SAVE borrowers already eligible for cancellation under the SAVE plan have access to such relief?

How many borrowers are currently entitled to SAVE cancellation as of Friday, February 27, 2026?

Are the Department’s systems currently programmed to identify borrowers who qualify for the SAVE plan’s debt cancellation provisions for:

borrowers with lower original principal balances, per 34 C.F.R. 685.209(k)(3)?

borrowers who have been in debt and making qualified income-driven payments for 20 years or longer, per 34 C.F.R. 685.209(k)(2)?

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Merkley: Senate Refuses to Stop Unauthorized War with Iran

“The Trump Administration has repeatedly misled the American people about its plans for war against Iran, sending our nation down a dangerous path. This war is illegal and unnecessary.

“Working in lockstep with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Administration has escalated this conflict and failed to provide clear objectives for this reckless war, nor has it explained how its actions will avoid spiraling into further chaos across the Middle East. While the Iranian regime is deeply repressive and the Iranian people deserve a say in their future, acknowledging this reality does not mean giving President Trump a blank check for war.

“The Founders placed the power to declare war with Congress. There needs to be debate about matters of war and peace to ensure America’s interests are best pursued. But Congress has once again failed to stand up to Trump.

“American servicemembers and their families pay the price for Washington’s rush to war, while the decision-makers who launched the war live life largely unchanged. We owe our troops better than another open-ended conflict with no clear plan.


Moreno Joins President Trump in Calling on Senate to Pass Market Structure

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) joined President Trump in calling for the Senate to pass Market Structure.


Murkowski, Merkley Send Letter Urging Department of Ed to Help Address Rural Nursing Shortage

Washington, DC—Earlier this week, U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) sent a letter to Nicholas Kent, the Under Secretary of Education, calling on him to categorize all post-baccalaureate nursing degrees (MSN, DNP, PhD) as “professional degrees.” This comes in response to a proposed regulation that would prevent students seeking advanced degrees in nursing from accessing the full amount of federal student aid that many of these students need to complete their degrees.

“Nurses provide high-quality care to patients in all communities, including rural and urban areas, yet we are in the midst of the nursing workforce crisis in this country,” the senators wrote. “…Post-baccalaureate prepared nurses are essential for patients to have access to high-quality care in the United States, and for educating and providing clinical training for the next generation of nursing students.”

The full text of the letter can be found here or below.

Dear Under Secretary Kent:

We write regarding the Department of Education’s notice of proposed rulemaking to implement the student financial aid provisions included in Public Law 119–21. As Members of Congress who have championed legislation to strengthen the nursing workforce, we write with disappointment over the Department’s decision to omit post-baccalaureate nursing degrees from the regulatory definition of “professional degree.” As such, we strongly urge you to categorize all post-baccalaureate nursing degrees (MSN, DNP, PhD) as “professional degrees.”

Nurses comprise the largest health care workforce in the United States, with more than 5 million registered nurses nationwide, including over 500,000 advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Nurses provide high-quality care to patients in all communities, including rural and urban areas, yet we are in the midst of a nursing workforce crisis in this country. According to the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Study, more than 138,000 nurses have left the workforce since 2022 due to stress, burnout, and retirement, and by 2029, almost 40 percent of nurses intend to leave the workforce. Post-baccalaureate prepared nurses are essential for patients to have access to high-quality health care in the United States, and for educating and providing clinical training for the next generation of nursing students. Given this trend, we have a strong interest in bolstering the nursing workforce, and the nursing faculty that educate them. This support extends to legislation and regulations that will make it easier for nurses to enter the field.

The Department’s interpretation of the term “professional degree” will make it more difficult for nurses to join the health care workforce because the Department explicitly said that a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) would not satisfy the “professional degree” definition. This will make it harder for nursing students to access the loans that they need. Moreover, it is important to note that the original regulation cited by Congress, which the Department recognizes, describes a professional degree as a degree that “signifies both completion of the academic requirements for beginning practice in a given profession and a level of professional skill beyond that normally required for a bachelor’s degree.” That regulation also states that “professional licensure is also generally required.” Post-baccalaureate nursing degrees satisfy these criteria, as all APRNs must have a graduate degree, such as an MSN or a DNP, and require national certification and state licensure to practice.

The Department also omits nursing from its definition of a “professional degree” due to its troubling explanation that degrees that may be required under state law to have a supervisory agreement or relationship with another licensed professional cannot be professional degrees. However, this particular characterization goes far beyond how professional students are defined in § 685.102 and the definition of “professional degree” in § 668.2 as intended by Congress.

According to that definition, students must possess “a level of professional skill beyond that normally required for a bachelor’s degree.” These qualifications are clearly satisfied by an MSN, a DNP, a PhD in nursing. The additional limits the proposed rule places on health professionals are arbitrary and unprecedented.

Furthermore, this new proposed limit to exclude professions that may be required under state law to have a supervisory agreement or relationship with another provider was never part of discussions by the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee. Similarly, when defining the term “professional student,” the text of H.R. 1 pointed to “section 668.2 of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this paragraph).” That regulation gives specific examples of a professional degree but explicitly says that those examples “include but are not limited to” a list of professions. Congress specifically pointed to a broader regulation, but the Department has circumvented the text of H.R. 1 by including a fixed list of degrees rather than a larger group or a recognition that these examples “include but are not limited to,” as Congress intended.

Post-baccalaureate nursing students also have a demonstrated need to access the higher borrowing limits for professional degrees set in Public Law 119–21. The law states that students earning professional degrees may borrow up to $50,000 annually and $200,000 aggregate, in contrast to students earning graduate degrees, whose borrowing limits are capped at $20,500 annually and $100,000 aggregate. In a recent survey on the impact of federal loan limits on postbaccalaureate nursing education, 81% of nursing students surveyed indicated that the $100,000 aggregate federal loan cap will negatively impact their ability to finance their education.

Similarly, the current graduate level loan cap would not meet the need of most Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) programs, which can cost over $200,000, thereby restricting the pipeline of CRNAs and further limiting an anesthesia workforce that is suffering from shortages across all provider types. For example, a recent survey of nurses showed that 75% of those surveyed reported that CRNA education would no longer be financially feasible under the new loan caps. CRNA programs have shown to be a critical return on investment, with default rates near zero percent, and a workforce that overwhelmingly provides anesthesia to rural and underserved communities where higher cost physicians do not practice.

In addition, many post-baccalaureate nursing programs hit the annual limit of $20,500, including some programs that may be under the aggregate limit. For instance, many nurse practitioner and other post-baccalaureate academic programs operate year-round across three full-time semesters, as opposed to the traditional two-semester academic calendar, and thus cost more than $20,500 per year. A recent survey also found that 82% of nursing students reported that the $20,500 annual loan limit would negatively affect their ability to finance their education. These same students reported an average annual cost of approximately $38,500, nearly double the new annual graduate borrowing cap. Classifying these programs as graduate programs would result in these students having to take out additional student loans to cover the remainder of their tuition, which will limit the ability for students to complete their advanced degree.

At a time when our nation is facing a health care shortage, especially in primary care, now is not the time to cut off the student pipeline to these programs. According to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), fifty-seven percent of Medicare beneficiaries received a primary care service from an NP or physician associate (PA), and sixty-six percent of rural Medicare patients received a primary care service from an NP or PA. Consequently, we believe that post-baccalaureate nursing degrees should be included in the department’s definition of a “professional degree.”

Nurses and nurse faculty make up the backbone of our health system, and post-baccalaureate nursing degrees lead to demonstrated outcomes, with a recent study from the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity showing that nursing was one of the top three master’s degrees for return on investment.4 As such, post-baccalaureate nursing degrees should be treated equally to other accredited post-baccalaureate health profession degrees.

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and we implore you to work with us to improve and expand the nursing workforce across the country.

Sincerely,

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Senator Murkowski Opposes War Powers Resolution

Washington, DC— Today, U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement regarding her vote on Senate Joint Resolution 104:

“We in Congress can debate the merits of the War Powers Act, but the hard reality is that the President has committed U.S. troops to active engagement in combat with an enemy that has targeted and killed Americans for decades. We have lost six soldiers in this fight with the potential for more casualties. What our troops need now is for our Congress, and this country, to know that they are supported. It is for this reason that I oppose Senator Kaine’s War Powers Resolution—based on the practical implications of its passage.

“As written, it requires removal of troops from hostilities, leaving no room for operations that have already started to reach an even partially successful conclusion to degrade Iran’s nuclear capabilities. As Iran attacks everything it can, from military bases to embassies to civilian targets, we cannot tie our military’s hands or abruptly leave our allies and partners to fight on their own.

“There is no question that the President should have sought authorization from Congress before striking Iran on this scale, likewise bringing in our allies ahead of time as they now are equally in danger. However, the abrupt cessation of all offensive operations would not leave any Americans—soldiers, diplomats, or civilians—in the Middle East in a safer position.

“The President acknowledged in his notification to Congress that no one knows the full scope and duration of military operations that may be necessary. It then becomes the duty of Congress to define the scope of this conflict, requiring the President to fully and transparently make his case for this action. We should begin drafting and debating an authorization for the use of military force, critically examining requests for supplemental funding, as well as conduct rigorous oversight hearings, so the American people know the limits and objectives of this military operation.

“My focus is on the safety of America’s armed forces and the American civilians who are on the ground in the Middle East. At this point, we have little choice but to continue the military operation to degrade and destroy Iran’s capability for nuclear weapons. That will not happen without support for our U.S. military.”