Rep. Sewell Honors the Lives of Airmen Lost in Crash of Refueling Aircraft in Iraq

Washington D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) spoke on the House Floor to honor the airmen whose lives were lost in the crash of a refueling aircraft in Iraq while supporting U.S. military operations in Iran, including Major John “Alex” Klinner, Captain Ariana Savino, and Technical Sergeant Ashley B. Pruitt, who were members of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron at Sumpter Smith Joint National Guard Base in Birmingham, Alabama.

Watch on YouTube here.

Rep. Sewell: Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor six heroic Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave of their lives in defense of the United States.

On March 12, 2026, six American airmen were tragically killed when a K-135 refueler supporting U.S. military operations in Iran crashed in western Iraq.

Today, we remember them by name: Major John "Alex" Klinner, Captain Ariana Savino, Captain Seth Koval, Captain Curtis Angst, Technical Sergeant Ashley Pruitt, and Technical Sergeant Tyler Simmons.

Three of these brave airmen were members of the 99th Air Refueling Squadron, which operates in Birmingham, Alabama, in my district. I would like to take a moment to talk about the lives and legacies of these three airmen.

Major Alex Klinner was 33 years old. A native of Auburn, Alabama, he entered the Air Force through the ROTC program at Auburn University in 2017. Major Klinner deployed in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2026 and he served as Chief of Squadron Standardizations and Evaluations at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron since 2024. He was promoted to Major in January. A devoted husband and father, Major Klinner is survived by his wife, Libby, their two-year-old son, and a seven-month-old set of twins.

Captain Ariana Savino was 31 years old. Captain Savino was a native of Covington, Washington. She entered the Air Force through the ROTC program at Central Washington University in 2017. Captain Savino deployed in 2020 and in 2026, and had served as Chief Current Operations Pilot at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron since 2024. Captain Savino was passionate about serving and supporting Latina women in aviation. A dedicated friend and sister, she is survived by her parents, siblings, and pets.

Technical Sergeant Ashley Brooke Pruitt was 34 years old. A native of Bardstown, Kentucky, she entered the Air Force in 2017, deploying overseas three times and serving as an Assistant Flight Chief of Operations at the 99th Air Refueling Squadron. Technical Sergeant Pruitt is remembered as a selfless servant and a radiant mother by those in her community. She is survived by her husband, Gregory, and three-year-old daughter, and a stepson.

The loss of all six of these brave American patriots is devastating, and my prayers are with their families as they grieve. I know I speak for all of us in expressing our deep sorrow and immense gratitude for their service to the United States.

On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District and a grateful nation, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the lives of six airmen who paid the ultimate price.

May they rest in peace, and may we never, ever forget their sacrifice.

A moment of silence.

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Rep. Stevens Introduces Bill to Crack Down on Corporate Utilities, Protect Michigan Families from Rising Electricity Bills

Washington, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (MI-11) introduced the Stop Unfair Electricity Prices Act, legislation aimed at holding investor-owned utility companies accountable and protecting Michigan families from rising electricity costs while executives and shareholders reap significant profits. The bill penalizes any rate hikes that happened after January 1, 2026, meaning this legislation would actively cut Michigan families’ energy bills.

Over the past two decades, Michigan’s electricity rates have outpaced inflation and risen faster than in 46 other states. In that time, the average Michigan family has seen their annual electricity bill skyrocket by roughly $850.

Corporate utilities continue to raise costs on Michiganders while reporting strong profits and awarding massive compensation packages to their executives. In 2024, Michigan’s two largest corporate utilities paid more than $10 million each to their CEOs. Despite record profits, one of those utilities is now asking state regulators to approve yet another massive rate hike on Michigan families after recently raising rates.

The Stop Unfair Electricity Prices Act would give Michigan families a reprieve on electricity rate hikes for three years by imposing significant penalties on investor-owned utilities that raise rates:

If they raise residential rates in year one, they lose their federal funding.

If they raise residential rates in years two or three, they must cut executive pay by twice the percentage of the rate increase or lose their federal funding.

“Michigan families are paying more and more for electricity, yet too many are getting worse service in return,” said Rep. Stevens. “While hardworking Michigan families struggle to afford higher bills, corporate executives are getting richer off their backs. That is unacceptable. This legislation makes clear that if utilities want access to federal taxpayer dollars, they must put Michigan consumers first.”

Text of the bill is available here.

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Congressman Valadao Celebrates Critical Investments in California Water Infrastructure

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) released the following statement celebrating the Trump Administration’s commitment to releasing $540 million in funds for California water storage and conveyance projects to support critical water infrastructure improvements.

“After nearly a year of work, I'm proud to announce California will receive $540 million to support critical storage and conveyance projects across the state—the most significant water investment California has ever seen," said Congressman Valadao. "These funds, which my California Republican colleagues and I secured through the Working Families Tax Cut, will restore capacity, strengthen reliability, and improve our ability to capture and deliver water supplies. I appreciate the Trump Administration's efforts to ensure these resources reach the communities that need them most, and I look forward to continuing to work together to deliver a stable and secure water supply for California's 22nd Congressional District."

“Since being elected to Congress, Congressman Valadao's top priority has been to deliver real water solutions for his constituents. There isn’t a discussion or decision that’s made in Washington D.C. that doesn’t have him at the head of the table. As is the case with many of the issues and projects Congressman Valadao works on, the announcement made today will leave a lasting imprint on the east side of the San Joaquin Valley for generations. And the districts and communities that rely on the Friant-Kern Canal will forever be grateful,” said Johnny Amaral, CEO of the Friant Water Authority.

“This investment marks an important step toward restoring the capacity and performance of the Delta-Mendota Canal, a critical component of the Central Valley Project. Improving this infrastructure will strengthen water deliveries to communities, farms, businesses, and wildlife refuges across the region. We appreciate the leadership of Representatives David Valadao and Vince Fong and the Administration for advancing this funding to help improve the long-term affordability and reliability of the project," said Federico Barajas, Executive Director of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority.

"Westlands Water District applauds the Trump Administration and California congressional delegation members for their commitment to strengthening California's water storage and conveyance infrastructure. Federal funding for the Shasta Dam enlargement is a long-overdue investment in water supply reliability, one that will help California capture, store, and move water during wet years for use during inevitable dry years. Expanding storage and conveyance capacity is essential to sustaining the productive farmland and family farmers who feed America,” said Westlands Water District.

Key investments Congressman Valadao helped secure across California include:

$235 million for the Delta-Mendota Canal to raise canal embankments, repair check structures, and advance potential construction of a new concrete-lined canal segment.

$200 million for the Friant-Kern Canal for subsidence correction efforts.

$50 million for the San-Luis Canal to address subsidence issues affecting water delivery reliability.

$40 million to support planning and preconstruction activities associated with raising Shasta Dam to increase water storage capacity by roughly 634,000 acre-feet.

$15 million for the Tehama-Colusa Canal Authority to increase flow rates and improve system performance.

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Rep. Van Epps and Senator Lee Lead Coalition Urging USADF Fraud Probe

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Van Epps (TN-07) and Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) led a coalition of congressional colleagues in the House and Senate urging the U.S. Department of Justice to continue its probe of the United States African Development Foundation (USADF) in light of uncovered fraud and corruption. Joining the lawmakers in this effort are Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Tim Sheehy (R-MT).

Rep. Van Epps stated, “I am pleased to lead this letter alongside Senator Lee. The fraud uncovered so far at USADF appears to be only the tip of the iceberg. Evidence suggests that misconduct within the agency was so widespread that it became embedded in the institution itself. The Department of Justice must not stop with a single guilty plea—more must be done. We should not tolerate any agency that demonstrates such a clear and sustained pattern of corruption. American taxpayers deserve better.

The fraud at USADF was so blatant that employees reportedly locked the doors when Trump administration officials arrived to conduct an audit under DOGE. That behavior is not only alarming—it is deeply embarrassing. Our nation was founded on the principle of law and order, yet this agency was able to operate outside the bounds of the law for years without meaningful consequences.

I am grateful that President Trump is taking steps to crack down on agencies like USADF to prevent future fraud. At the same time, we must ensure that those who took such flagrant advantage of taxpayers are fully held accountable.”

Read excerpts from the letter:

“Thank you for the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) work to expose the egregious corruption at the United States African Development Foundation (USADF). … We write to support further investigation into USADF. While the Zahui case is an important win, the institutional corruption runs far deeper than one official. Other senior officials, contractors, and grantees have been exposed by credible whistleblower testimonies and evidence, and it is unclear how much of the hundreds of millions of dollars managed by USADF fed the scheme.”

“Zahui’s plea only scratches the surface. …We urge you to leave no stone unturned as you uncover more waste, fraud, and abuse. We cannot make peace with such reckless and deep corruption,”

“On behalf of the American people, we thank you for your tireless efforts to bring forth justice, and we stand ready to support the DOJ’s investigation in any way we can.”

Access the full text of the letter here.


WATCH: Rep. Gabe Vasquez Presses Defense Officials for Answers and Accountability After El Paso Airport Closure

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On March 17, 2026, during a House Armed Services Committee hearing, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) pressed Department of Defense (DoD) officials for answers and accountability following the Administration’s abrupt closure of the El Paso Airport and surrounding airspace on February 11. The closure was caused by communication failures between the DoD and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) related to the use of U.S. military-owned laser technology.

During the hearing, Rep. Vasquez pressed Assistant Secretary Joseph Humire for answers as to where the communications failure occurred and what steps the DoD is taking to prevent similar chaotic, dangerous situations from occurring in the future. He also asked about the risks counter-drone laser systems being used by the DoD pose to civilians.

WATCH THE HEARING CLIP HERE

During the hearing, Rep. Vasquez also secured a commitment from the Department of Defense officials for a classified briefing on what led to the sudden closure of the El Paso airport and subsequent coordination issues to help protect New Mexicans from similar situations in the future.

On February 11, 2025, the FAA announced a 10-day closure of the El Paso Airport citing “special security concerns.” The restrictions were lifted by the FAA within hours of being issued after Congressional inquiry. All flights, including commercial, cargo, and general aviation, were initially grounded, causing chaos and confusion in the region as the FAA provided no advance notice to Congress, local leadership, or airport officials.

A partial transcript of the exchange is also available below:

Vasquez: “I think that's the important thing — where the coordination has to be in place with the respective agencies, with DHS and FAA. That if there is no imminent threat, especially to commercial airliners, that needs to happen before we shut down international airspace. It's been about a month since Representative Escobar and I sent a letter requesting a specific briefing on this issue and what led to the sudden closure of the El Paso airport. We have not received any response. Is this something you can commit to? A briefing for myself and Congresswoman Escobar?”

Assistant Secretary Humire: “Uh, Congressman, happy to take that back and get back with your office within an appropriate time.”

Vasquez: “Is that a yes?”

Assistant Secretary Humire: “Yes.”

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Wittman, Elfreth’s MAWS Act Passes House of Representatives

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) and Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth’s (MD-03) Mitigation Action & Watermen Support (MAWS) Act of 2026 was passed by a vote of 320-66 in the U.S. House of Representatives. This bipartisan legislation will combat the invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay. The MAWS Act of 2026 will bolster the seafood industry and preserve the health of the Bay by facilitating a new market for blue catfish in the pet and animal food industry. This legislation instructs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Chesapeake Bay Office to collect data on the impacts of this program on the biodiversity of the Bay and the health of fish and crustacean populations. The measure now moves on to the Senate.

“The MAWS Act will facilitate a new market for invasive blue catfish — protecting the biodiversity of the Chesapeake Bay,” said Rep. Wittman. “I am pleased that the House has passed this legislation, and I look forward to seeing it advance to the Senate. Preserving the health of the bay remains one of my top priorities, and I am proud to have joined Congresswoman Elfreth in leading this critical legislation.”

“With House passage of the MAWS Act, we are one step closer to creating new opportunities in a growing market for blue catfish, which pose a direct ecological and economic threat to the Chesapeake Bay. While we can all do our part and order blue catfish when we see it on a menu, this is not a problem that we alone can eat our way out of,” said Congresswoman Elfreth. “That’s why we need bipartisan, innovative solutions, like the MAWS Act, that strengthen our local economy and preserve the health of the Bay. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to get this legislation past the finish line. If we can prove this innovative strategy works in the Chesapeake, my hope is it can utilize similar tools in waterways across the country – like invasive carp in the Mississippi and Great Lakes.”

Supporters include: Pet Food Institute, American Feed Industry Association (AFI), CITIZEN’S Pet Products, Virginia Marine Products Board, American Sportfishing Association, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, Virginia Watermen’s Association, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Choose Clean Water Coalition, Chesapeake Bay Commission, National Aquarium, and Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Read the full bill text here.

Watch Rep. Wittman’s remarks here.


Baldwin to Trump: Back My Bill to Support Made in USA Products Online

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) released the following statement after President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order, “Ensuring Truthful Advertising of Products Claiming to be Made in America.” The goals of the Executive Order, to get online retailers to clearly display their products’ country-of-origin and protect American consumers, align with Senator Baldwin’s bipartisan Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) Online Act. Baldwin is urging President Trump to call on Congressional Republicans to pass her COOL Online Act to ensure that all goods sold online list their country-of-origin, making sure Americans know where the products they buy are made and promoting American-made goods for online shoppers. The bill is supported by the Coalition for a Prosperous America and the American Alliance for Manufacturing.

“As more and more Americans turn to online shopping, we’ve seen an explosion of knock off products stealing business from Made in the USA businesses and undercutting American entrepreneurs. My bipartisan bill makes sure that online shoppers know whether they are supporting American businesses or not,” said Senator Baldwin. “The President made clear he’s on board, but a rule isn’t going to cut it – we need to make this law. I’m calling on him to immediately back my bill to protect Made in the USA products, increase transparency for online shoppers, and support American businesses.”

“President Trump’s executive order ensuring truthful ‘Made in America’ claims is an important step toward restoring transparency and fairness in the marketplace,” said Jon Toomey, President of the Coalition for a Prosperous America. “Consumers overwhelmingly want to buy American-made products, but misleading online labeling often obscures the true country of origin. The Administration should build on this action by supporting the bipartisan COOL Online Act, which would extend the same transparency required in brick-and-mortar stores to e-commerce and ensure American manufacturers compete on a fair and honest playing field.”

“Cracking down on false ‘Made in USA’ claims is an important step toward protecting consumers, and the administration’s Executive Order moves that effort in the right direction,” said Scott Paul, President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing. “Building on that momentum, passage of Senator Baldwin’s COOL Online Act would give consumers the same country-of-origin information online that they already receive in brick-and-mortar stores. This is a commonsense, bipartisan solution.”

The COOL Online Act will update our labeling laws for the e-commerce era by amending the Federal Trade Commission Act. Specifically, the bill requires the country-of-origin labeling for a product, as required by existing law, be clearly and conspicuously stated in the website’s description of the product. Senator Baldwin first introduced this bill with then-Senator J.D. Vance in 2023 and now leads the legislation with Senator Rick Scott (R-FL).

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Senator Banks on the Senate Floor: “We Must Pass SAVE America Act!”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) spoke on the Senate floor about the importance of requiring voter ID laws in America and how the SAVE America Act would enable this commonsense legislation.

Click the image above or view the full speech here.

See remarks below:

“Mr. President, there are some things in the world that are so obvious that there’s really no use in debating them. There are things in this world that really “go without saying.” And voter ID laws are one of those things.

Voter ID laws are so obvious. They’re so common sense that it’s shocking that we’re even having a debate on the floor of the United States Senate this week about it. It’s hard to see that there are even two sides to this issue. Unless, of course, you believe that it really is okay for illegal immigrants to vote in our elections.

But how is that even a debate? The Constitution is very clear that only citizens of the United States of America are eligible to vote in our elections. So that debate is already settled.

Indiana already has voter ID laws. Hoosiers have to show an ID when they show up to vote on Election Day, and they have to prove that they are who they say they are when they register to vote in the first place. But it’s not fair to Hoosiers when other states don’t require voter ID. It’s not fair to law-abiding Americans throughout the country because when we allow non-citizens to vote in our federal elections, we dilute the power of the American voter. And that should never be allowed to happen in the United States of America. American elections are for Americans, period.

Even with voter ID laws, there are still illegals who show up and try to vote. In fact, our Secretary of State in Indiana, Diego Morales just audited our voter rolls in our state to find every non-citizen that voted in our elections to clean up the process. And he actually found some, and the Secretary of State and our Attorney General Todd Rakita are prosecuting those voters who voted illegally. So it’s obvious that even in a state of Indiana where we take election integrity very seriously.

But we need to do more to protect our elections. And the SAVE America Act, Mr. President, goes a long way to doing that.

It’s also obvious that we need to pass the SAVE America Act for very practical reasons, to have voter ID nationwide in federal elections.

Under Joe Biden, illegal immigrants invaded and flooded into our country, tens of millions of them.

Joe Biden and the Democrats allowed this invasion to happen. Democrats defended the flood of illegal immigrants into this country on this floor. And that’s why they are so bothered today by the Save America Act, a simple bill that’s common sense to protect the integrity of our elections. Voter ID laws are the only way that we can prevent tens of millions of illegals from voting in our elections.

Mr. President, America is about to turn 250 years old. There is so much that we have to celebrate in this great country, the greatest country in the history of the world. But it’s crazy to think that we’re gearing up for this epic birthday by debating voter ID laws.

The SAVE America Act is common sense. Voter ID is common sense. We have an opportunity this week to pass maybe the most common-sense bill ever passed by the United States Senate to protect our elections. Mr. President, I hope we do that. I hope we pass the Save America Act now. It’s fundamental. I beg my colleagues to join me in supporting it this week.”

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Barrasso Praises the SAVE America Act

“The SAVE America Act protects the vote of every single American citizen. What it says is simple. If you want to vote in the United States of America, you need to be a citizen of the United States of America. You need to show ID at the polls to vote. This is common sense.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today delivered remarks ahead of a key vote to begin debate on the SAVE America Act. Senator Barrasso shared why the SAVE America Act is necessary to protect election integrity and ensure that only American citizens vote in elections.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.

Sen. Barrasso’s remarks:

“I support the SAVE America Act. I believe that only American citizens should be allowed to vote in American elections. I believe you should be required to present a photo ID in order to be able to vote. Free and fair elections are the foundation of self-government. Without strong protections, that foundation crumbles.

“The American people are clear. They believe American elections should be decided by American citizens – not illegal immigrants. When illegal immigrants vote, the voice of American citizens is undermined.

“The fact is, Joe Biden’s open border policies undermined confidence in our elections. Under Joe Biden and the Democrats, 10 million illegal immigrants entered our country. Democrats want to permit illegal immigrants to decide our elections. Democrats are once again prioritizing illegal immigrants over the American people.

“Many far-left, Sanctuary States already make it easier for illegal immigrants to vote. In 19 states and Washington, D.C, illegal immigrants can get a driver’s license with no proof of citizenship needed. In California, Maryland, Vermont, and Washington, D.C., non-citizens can vote in local elections. It is a felony for illegal immigrants to vote in federal elections. Yet we know it is happening.

“Last week, the Department of Homeland Security arrested a criminal illegal immigrant from Africa. This individual entered our country illegally in 1998. He was ordered to be deported in 2002. He first registered to vote in 2005. He has been voting in federal elections since 2008. Most recently, this illegal immigrant voted in the 2024 election. He voted in the state of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is a swing state. It was won by tight margins in both the presidential and the Senate races. This should never happen in the United States of America.

“The SAVE America Act protects the vote of every single American citizen. What it says is simple. If you want to vote in the United States of America, you need to be a citizen of the United States of America. You need to show ID at the polls to vote. This is common sense.

“Americans show ID every single day. If you want to buy a beer, you need to show photo ID. If you want to board an airplane, you need to show photo ID. I have people in the gallery from Wyoming. Students from Burlington and teachers, optometrists from around the state of Wyoming. They’re all flying back to Wyoming. Every one of them will have to show a photo ID to get on the plane. If you want to cash a check, you need to show photo ID. Voting should be no different. Photo IDs protect against voter fraud and prevents illegal immigrants from voting. More importantly, it tells each American citizen that their vote counts.

“American voters in 36 states already show an ID to vote in elections. In my home state of Wyoming, we have voter ID laws. And getting your voter ID is free. The SAVE America Act builds on current, common-sense law. It makes it easy to vote and hard to cheat in every state across the country.

“Why do Democrats in this chamber oppose showing an ID to vote? The Minority Leader is opposed because – in his words – it ‘allows ICE to kick tens of millions of people off the voter rolls.’ That’s who Democrats are for – illegal immigrants, not American citizens. The top Democrat in the Senate admitted millions of illegal immigrants are on our voter rolls. If that’s true, the problem is even worse than Americans feared.

“Senator Schumer accused this bill of being ‘Jim Crow 2.0.’ That’s fearmongering, and he knows it. One of our Democrat colleagues from Georgia

requires attendees to show a photo ID to get into his campaign rallies. Why do Democrats support showing a photo ID to attend a political rally and oppose it to vote in an election? What’s clear to all of us is that Democrats oppose elections that limit participation to American citizens. Recall, Democrats said the same thing after the state of Georgia enacted voter ID laws in 2021.What were the results? More people voted, not fewer. Turnout hit record highs. And lines moved faster than ever before. Democrats’ voter suppression lies has been thoroughly debunked.

“Voter ID and proof of citizenship are safeguards for our elections, not restrictions. The SAVE America Act is how we make elections safe, secure, and a true reflection of the will of American citizens. Every American should desire that American elections are to be decided by American citizens. Every member of the Senate should support the SAVE America Act. By opposing this bill, Democrats are once again putting illegal immigrants ahead of American voters.”

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Barrasso: The SAVE America Act is Common Sense

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today spoke at a press conference about the SAVE America Act.

Sen. Barrasso said:

“Ten million illegal immigrants flooded into our country while Joe Biden was president and the Democrats were in charge in the United States Senate and House.

“And now the Democrats want those same illegal immigrants to have an impact on the elections in the United States. I believe only citizens of the United States should be allowed to vote in American elections. I believe you should have to present a photo identification card in order to vote.

“It’s common sense. You need to present a photo ID to buy a beer, to board a plane, and to do so many other things that are part of American life. Why not to vote?

“The great number of American people agree completely with this – that you should have to have a photo ID and be a citizen in order to vote. The SAVE America Act is the best way to secure and safely provide elections that represent the viewpoints of the American people.

“You have the Democrats in this chamber who are going to come to the Floor, and each and every one of them is going to stand with the far-left – the extreme members of their party – who oppose voter identification with a photo ID.

“We’re going to put every one of them on the record so that everyone in America knows that Republicans support voter ID, and Democrats are the party of open borders and illegal voters.”

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Bennet, Hickenlooper, Boebert, Hurd Push for Passage of the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act

Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet led Senator John Hickenlooper and U.S. Representatives Lauren Boebert and Jeff Hurd in urging U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, U.S. Representative Sam Graves, Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Representative Rick Larsen, Ranking Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, to include the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act (H.R. 131) in the forthcoming 2026 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA).

“H.R. 131 passed both the House and Senate in 2025 without objection, but has not been signed into law. The bill would adjust the non-federal cost share financing for the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC), which is the final, unfinished component of the Fryingpan–Arkansas Project authorized by Congress in 1962. More than six decades later, over 50,000 residents across 39 communities in southeastern Colorado continue to rely on groundwater sources contaminated with naturally occurring pollutants, including carcinogens. These predominantly rural and economically vulnerable communities have waited generations for the federal government to meet its commitment,” wrote the lawmakers.

While the AVC has garnered overwhelming bipartisan support, rising material and labor costs have threatened the project’s completion. The Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act provides measures that ensure the project’s finalization without additional taxpayer burden by adjusting financing terms, reducing interest rates, and providing greater repayment flexibility.

WRDA regularly authorizes water infrastructure projects, and WRDA 1992 authorized constructing a component of the Arkansas Valley Conduit. WRDA has long served as a popular solution for critical water infrastructure and has a history of supporting the AVC. Including H.R. 131 in the 2026 WRDA is not only backed by precedent, it also supports the tradition of using the WRDA to adapt and support authorized water resource projects.

“Given WRDA’s established role as Congress’s bipartisan water infrastructure package, we believe 2026 WRDA is the appropriate legislative vehicle to secure completion of the AVC. We respectfully urge the Committee to include H.R. 131 in the 2026 Water Resources Development Act and help ensure that southeastern Colorado communities finally receive the safe, reliable drinking water they were promised,” concluded the lawmakers.

The text of the letter is available HERE and below.

Dear Chairmen and Ranking Members:

We write to respectfully request that H.R. 131, the Finish the Arkansas Valley Conduit Act, be included in the forthcoming 2026 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA). Incorporating this legislation into WRDA would ensure Congress fulfills a long-standing federal commitment to deliver clean, affordable drinking water to tens of thousands of rural Coloradans, while advancing a project with strong bipartisan support without increasing federal spending.

H.R. 131 passed both the House and Senate in 2025 without objection, but has not been signed into law. The bill would adjust the non-federal cost share financing for the Arkansas Valley Conduit (AVC), which is the final, unfinished component of the Fryingpan–Arkansas Project authorized by Congress in 1962. More than six decades later, over 50,000 residents across 39 communities in southeastern Colorado continue to rely on groundwater sources contaminated with naturally occurring pollutants, including carcinogens. These predominantly rural and economically vulnerable communities have waited generations for the federal government to meet its commitment.

WRDA has long served as the primary vehicle for advancing critical water infrastructure and honoring federal project authorizations. In fact, the 1992 WRDA included a Section 219 authorization supporting the AVC, recognizing its importance as a regional water supply project. Including H.R. 131 in the 2026 WRDA is consistent with this precedent and with Congress’s bipartisan tradition of using WRDA to strengthen, modify, and complete authorized water resource projects.

Although administrations of both parties have supported the AVC, rising material and labor costs now threaten its completion. H.R. 131 provides a practical solution by adjusting financing terms to reduce interest rates and provide greater repayment flexibility—measures that enable completion of the project without imposing additional costs on taxpayers. These targeted updates are well suited for inclusion in WRDA, which routinely refines existing authorizations to reflect changing economic conditions and ensure project viability.

Given WRDA’s established role as Congress’s bipartisan water infrastructure package, we believe 2026 WRDA is the appropriate legislative vehicle to secure completion of the AVC. We respectfully urge the Committee to include H.R. 131 in the 2026 Water Resources Development Act and help ensure that southeastern Colorado communities finally receive the safe, reliable drinking water they were promised.

Thank you for your leadership and consideration.

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Bennet, Hickenlooper, Colleagues Demand Secretary Kennedy Reverse Changes to CDC and FDA Websites that Promote False Information About Autism

Measles cases in the U.S. topped 1,300, predominantly in unvaccinated children

Colorado currently has 11 reported measles cases

Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper joined 11 of their Senate colleagues in sending a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to demand the department reverse changes to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) websites that promote false and dangerous information about autism. In recent months, Secretary Kennedy directed the CDC to change its website to include false information suggesting a link between vaccines and autism. Secretary Kennedy also directed the FDA to remove warnings from its website about unapproved and potentially dangerous products and therapies falsely marketed as treatments for autism.

“Using the power of public health agencies to promote an ideology that will put children at risk and is simply unacceptable,” wrote Bennet, Hickenlooper, and the senators.

“Rather than focus on ensuring families have accurate information, you and others in the Trump administration have chosen to promote unproven drugs like leucovorin, a known cancer medication, for the treatment of autism,” continued the senators. “Making these claims without sufficient large-scale studies and evidence studying its long-term effects, misleads millions of families, gives false hope, and puts children in significant danger.”

“The American people deserve better. We demand that you provide accurate medical information and reverse the changes to CDC and FDA’s websites immediately,” the senators concluded.

Bennet and Hickenlooper both voted no on Secretary Kennedy’s nomination. Bennet has also been highly critical of the Trump Administration’s senseless attacks on science. In September, 2025 Bennet questioned Secretary Kennedy during a Senate Finance Committee hearing on his actions undermining vaccine safety and access for American families. He also demanded answers on whether parents would continue to have access to lifesaving vaccines following Kennedy’s appointment of vaccine conspiracy theorists to the influential Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. In September, Bennet also called on Secretary Kennedy to resign as he continues to push his dangerous anti-health and anti-science agenda, lie to Congress, and spread misinformation.

Full text of the letter can be found HERE and below.

Dear Secretary Kennedy:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently changed the information on their websites related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This comes after multiple actions by you and others in the Trump administration to promote unproven ASD treatments and use agency resources to perpetuate false information linking vaccines and autism. Using the power of public health agencies to promote an ideology that will put children at risk and is simply unacceptable.

At your direction, the CDC changed its website, “Autism and Vaccines,” to include false information suggesting a link between vaccines and autism. These changes masked in scientific language are dangerous and deceptive. The website declares that “the statement ‘Vaccines do not cause autism’ is not an evidence-based claim” and goes so far as to accuse health authorities of “ignor[ing]” evidence to the contrary, both of which are demonstrably false. It was reported that these changes were not made by scientists and public health experts at CDC but rather by political appointees at HHS at your specific direction.1 This level of political overreach to change scientific information to reflect conspiracy theories is dangerous and puts Americans’ health at risk.2

Additionally, the FDA removed a longstanding informational webpage that warned consumers about unapproved and potentially dangerous products and therapies falsely marketed as treatments for autism. The deleted page, titled “Be Aware of Potentially Dangerous Products and Therapies that Claim to Treat Autism,” had explained that there is no cure for autism, outlined evidence-based treatments for symptoms, and listed a variety of examples of bogus interventions such as chelation and other unapproved remedies that can pose serious health risks. Its removal is incredibly concerning as it eliminates a clear, science-based resource aimed at protecting patients from misinformation and unsafe practices, raising questions about your commitment to accurate and transparent public health guidance amid broader debates over health communication at FDA and CDC.

Rather than focus on ensuring families have accurate information, you and others in the Trump administration have chosen to promote unproven drugs like leucovorin, a known cancer medication, for the treatment of autism. You even went so far as to direct the manufacturer to submit a new supplemental application to expand the label of this drug, despite the lack of scientific evidence historically required for such a change.3 Several researchers have raised concerns about the dangers of expanding leucovorin for use among individuals with autism spectrum disorder and just yesterday, the FDA backed down from expanding its approval for Autism.4 Despite the FDA relying on a systematic review of the literature yielding the strongest data supporting this conclusion, the Trump Administration’s rhetoric about the promise of leucovorin for people with autism resulted in doctors being inundated with calls and requests from parents seeking prescriptions.5 Making these claims without sufficient large-scale studies and evidence studying its long-term effects, misleads millions of families, gives false hope, and puts children in significant danger.

These actions are yet another example of your attempts to undermine science and put Americans’ health at risk. The American people deserve better. We demand that you provide accurate medical information and reverse the changes to CDC and FDA’s websites immediately.

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Blackburn, Welch Call on ByteDance to Shut Down ‘Seedance 2.0’ AI Video Model Following Copyright Infringement

‘Within the first 24 hours of Seedance 2.0—an advanced AI video generation model—going live on February 12th, the damage was already visible across social media.’

‘We view your recent pledges to “strengthen current safeguards” and prevent the mass infringement of American intellectual property as a delay tactic.’

‘If ByteDance wishes to build sustainable economic ties with democratic, free market economies, it must immediately shut down Seedance 2.0.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) sent a letter to ByteDance CEO Liang Rubo regarding Seedance 2.0’s egregious infringement of copyrighted materials belonging to American innovators. Senators Blackburn and Welch are calling on the Chinese company to immediately shut down this platform and comply with U.S. copyright law.

ByteDance’s AI Video Generation Model Known as ‘Seedance 2.0’ Is Fueling Theft of American Creative Work

“We write regarding Seedance 2.0’s infringement of the copyrighted materials of both American and global innovators. This technology is the most glaring example of copyright infringement from a ByteDance product to date, and you must immediately shut down Seedance and implement meaningful safeguards to prevent further infringing outputs. Within the first 24 hours of Seedance 2.0—an advanced AI video generation model—going live on February 12th, social media users had already used the platform to generate a brawl between Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt that never happened; they had rewritten the ending of Stranger Things; and they had staged a battle between Thanos and Superman on the surface of Mars. These were not obscure experiments—they were viral moments, racking up millions of views and celebrating, openly and enthusiastically, the theft of American creative work. One content creator shared a comparison of a clip from the film F1 and a near-exact copy generated by Seedance, claiming the AI model replicated the most expensive shot in the film for nine cents. Nine cents.”

ByteDance Is Willing to Defy United States Copyright Laws for Monetary Gain

“Responsible global companies follow the law and respect core economic rights, including intellectual property and personal likeness protections. By releasing Seedance 2.0 without any effort to obtain licenses for training materials or prevent unlawful and infringing outputs, ByteDance has shown it is willing to violate U.S. federal law and steal the intellectual property of American creators for its own monetary gain. America’s copyright laws—and Article I, Section 8, Clause 8 of our Constitution—grant creators broad, exclusive rights to determine how their works are used by others. Seedance 2.0 poses a direct threat to the American intellectual property system and, more broadly, to the constitutional rights and economic livelihoods of our creative community. The reckless way that Seedance 2.0 was released without any regard for the rights of creators has been rightly denounced by multiple creative community stakeholders and experts and now—justifiably in our view—faces massive litigation risk due to the industrial-scale copyright infringement and deepfake abuses that have resulted.”

ByteDance Must Immediately Shut Down Seedance 2.0 if Company Wants to Build Sustainable Economic Ties with Free Market Economies

“China’s long record of copyright abuses, domestic digital piracy, and infringing export products remains a serious concern for American policymakers. Further, the Trump Administration rightly included China on its most recent ‘Priority Watch List’ flagging ‘longstanding issues, including technology transfer, trade secrets, counterfeiting, online piracy, copyright law, patent and related policies, bad faith trademarks, and geographical indications’ and calling for ‘fundamental change.’ Introducing Seedance 2.0 into American markets with no effort to protect copyrighted material makes it abundantly clear that ByteDance and the Chinese government are unwilling to comply with our laws. We view your recent pledges to ‘strengthen current safeguards’ and prevent the mass infringement of American intellectual property as a delay tactic to continue to abuse the innovators and profit from their success. Your disregard for American intellectual property is part of a larger trend of artificial intelligence companies stealing protected work at the expense of the creative community. If ByteDance wishes to build sustainable economic ties with democratic, free market economies, it must immediately shut down Seedance 2.0 to cease the mass infringement and related harms it has perpetrated, and excise unlicensed intellectual property from its data holdings.”


Booker, Adams, Moore, Underwood Reintroduce Resolution Commemorating Black Midwives Day

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), along with U.S. Representatives Alma S. Adams (D-NC-12), Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), reintroduced a resolution commemorating Black Midwives Day. This resolution honors the invaluable contributions of Black midwives to advancing reproductive justice and improving maternal and infant health in the United States and encourages Congress to proactively work to mitigate racial disparities in maternal health outcomes.

Black Americans face disproportionately higher rates of maternal mortality and morbidity, experiencing life-threatening pregnancy complications twice as often as White Americans. Black midwives are on the front lines of this crisis, collaborating with healthcare providers, community organizations, and other reproductive health professionals to ensure access to affordable, holistic, and culturally congruent care.

“Black midwives have cared for mothers, babies, and families for generations, often stepping in where our health care system has fallen short. Their tireless work has helped address the disparities that leave Black women far more likely to face life-threatening pregnancy complications and maternal mortality,” said Senator Booker. “This resolution honors the historic and lifesaving contributions of Black midwives and reaffirms our commitment to continuing the work needed to address the Black maternal health crisis and ensure every mother has access to high-quality health care.”

“Black midwifery is a centuries-old tradition, with deep roots in Black history, tradition, culture, and maternal health,” said Representative Adams. “When medical discrimination left Black families without access to care, Black midwives were the main source of perinatal care for generations. As we face a very real Black maternal health crisis today, we owe it to their legacy to commit ourselves to overcoming racial discrimination in healthcare and keeping our mothers safe.”

“Black midwives carry forward generations of knowledge and practices that have supported families for decades,” said Representative Moore. “This resolution both celebrates the vital role Black midwives play in advancing reproductive justice and calls on federal, state, and local governments to recognize Black midwifery as a model for patient-centered, culturally responsive care that helps overcome systemic barriers and leads to healthier outcomes for mothers and their babies.”

"For centuries, Black midwives have played an invaluable role in making sure moms and babies receive culturally competent care and lifesaving support,” said Representative Underwood. “As Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, I’m so proud to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution to uplift the contributions of Black midwives, both past and present, and the critical work that they do to end disparities. Their commitment to making sure that childbirth is a time filled with joy for every family should be celebrated and remembered.”


U.S. Senator Katie Britt Receives Alabama League of Municipalities’ 2026 Hometown Hero Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, accepted the 2026 Hometown Hero award from the Alabama League of Municipalities (ALM). This award honors Senator Britt for her commitment to strengthening communities and improving the quality of life for local residents.

Pictured left to right are ALM Executive Director Greg Cochran, ALM Deputy Director Kayla Bass, Riverside Mayor Rusty Jessup (ALM Vice President), Senator Katie Britt, Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan (ALM President), and Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba (immediate ALM past President)

“Each and every day in the U.S. Senate, I’m fighting hard for our values, our people, and our state. Nothing is more important to me than growing opportunity in Alabama, and I am so fortunate to have such outstanding state partners who share this goal and actively communicate the needs and priorities of their communities. From working to bring Space Command to its rightful home in Huntsville, to advocating for and securing Birmingham-Southern College as our Coast Guard’s new training center, to championing commerce at the Port of Mobile and seeing it become the deepest port on the Gulf of America, to supporting Eli Lilly’s $6 billion investment in Huntsville, I’m dedicated to strengthening Alabama’s future. I’ve also directly secured more than $456 million in federal funding for projects across our state to support our military installations, invest in roads and bridges that connect Alabamians, and provide critical resources for our rural communities. I have fought tirelessly for our state, and our work is just getting started. I am honored to receive the Hometown Heroes Award as I continue to ensure that every room I’m in, Alabama has a strong seat at the table,” said Senator Britt upon receiving this award.

Senator Britt has worked to secure over $456 million in federal funding for Alabama priorities, from medical and research equipment to updated roads and waterways. She is proud to have ushered in new workforce investments and stronger partnerships with universities and colleges across the state. She will continue to work alongside local and state partners to ensure communities across the state have the resources they need to thrive.

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U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Bill Cassidy, Colleagues Call to Repeal Restrictive Biden-Era Heat Rule

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) joined Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and 14 of their Senate Republican colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Labor to protect American workers from the Biden Administration’s disastrous proposed heat rule.

The Biden-era proposed rule would mandate that all businesses, no matter their safety record, size, location, or industry, comply with onerous requirements on safety staffing, recordkeeping and mandatory breaks at high-heat triggers that can create dangerous hazards for some workers. The one size fits all proposal is inefficient, dangerous, threatens job opportunities, and hurts local businesses.

“We represent the states of Louisiana, Idaho, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, Texas, and Montana which have experience with high temperatures and whose workplaces have already developed strategies for protecting workers,” wrote the senators. “Protecting workers from a common and easily understandable workplace hazard does not require a prescriptive rule that will cause confusion and, in several circumstances, may even undermine worker safety. Workers and businesses thrive when there are clear standards that are flexible, understandable, and pragmatic.”

U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) also signed the letter.

Senator Britt is proud to champion hardworking Americans across the nation, their safety, and their freedoms. She previously introduced the National Right to Work Act, which would protect an individual’s right to form, join or assist labor organizations, or to refrain from such activities.

You can read the full text of the letter here.

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VIDEO: Capito Speaks on SAVE America Act

To watch Senator Capito’s remarks, click here or on the image above.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee (RPC), spoke at the Senate Republican Leadership press conference in support of the SAVE America Act.

Senator Capito’s remarks as delivered:

“I come from rural America, West Virginia, where we have a great sense of accountability, fairness, and commonsense—and this is commonsense.

“We already have a voter ID law in the state of West Virginia. It’s easy to vote early with it, however you wish to vote with your voter ID. It makes a lot of sense and makes sure that whoever is presenting the ballot is actually that person and eliminates the fraud.

“On the non-citizens voting or illegals voting, to me, if that’s 90 percent, it should be 100 percent. The precious right to vote in this country is something that’s earned as an American citizen… I think we have to respect that and the common sense tells me that proof of citizenship does just that.

“I look forward to the debate today and through the rest of the week...because this is an important issue to the American people because of that fundamental right to vote that we all share.”

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Cassidy Votes to Confirm President Trump’s Judicial Nominee for the Eastern District of Louisiana

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today supported President Donald Trump’s judicial nominee, Anna St. John, to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. St. John was confirmed in the United States Senate by a vote of 51-45.

“Anna stood up for Americans in court,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Because of this, we can trust her to put the Constitution and Louisianans first.”

“I know the Eastern District of Louisiana is in good hands with Anna St. John on the federal bench. She knows our Constitution like the back of her hand and has the smarts and experience to be a great, fair judge. I was pleased to see my Senate colleagues agree with me today and am grateful for President Trump’s confidence in her,” said Senator Kennedy.

Ms. St. John began her legal career clerking for the Honorable Rhesa H. Barksdale of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and spent several years as an attorney in the Washington, D.C. office of Covington & Burling LLP. She is a graduate of Columbia Law School, where she was named a James Kent Scholar; received a Master of Arts from the Columbia Graduate School of Arts and Sciences; and received a Bachelor of Arts from Louisiana State University. Prior to her nomination, Anna St. John served as president and general counsel of Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute.

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Senator Collins Honored for Her Work to Support HIV/AIDS Prevention and Research

Click HERE and HERE for individual photos.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Business Action to End HIV presented U.S. Senator Susan Collins with its 2025 Champion Award. The award was conferred in recognition of her leadership and commitment to ending HIV in the U.S. and internationally, and her ongoing dedication to strengthening America’s public health system through increased federal funding. Caroline Jackson of Falmouth, the Director of U.S. Business Action to End HIV, presented Senator Collins with the award.

“While we have made significant progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS, our work is not finished. I remain committed to strengthening prevention and treatment efforts, supporting lifesaving research, and ensuring that the programs that have saved so many lives around the world can continue their vital work,” said Senator Collins. “Thank you to U.S. Business Action to End HIV for this recognition of my work as Chair of the Appropriations Committee to protect and bolster critical efforts like the PEPFAR program and the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program.”

In the recently enacted Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, Senator Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, secured more than $2.5 billion for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, including the restoration of $525 million in funding that the Administration’s budget had proposed to cut. The bill also included $1 billion for domestic HIV/AIDS research and prevention and more than $128 million for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Global HIV/AIDS program.

Last June, Senator Collins protected the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) program from $400 million in proposed rescissions by the Administration. Her intervention prevented any reduction in funding for the program—which has saved an estimated 26 million lives globally since it launched in 2003.

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Senators Coons, Blunt Rochester, colleagues introduce new bill to cut taxes for millions of working Americans

Bill eliminates federal income taxes for Americans making under $46,000; is fully paid for by ensuring Americans making over a million dollars pay their fair share

WASHINGTON –U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester (both D-Del.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Andy Kim (D-N.J.) introduced the Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act, new legislation to provide much-needed tax relief for millions of working Americans who are struggling to afford the cost of living as wages remain stagnant and prices rise. This bill provides broad, permanent tax cuts to nearly 130 million working Americans.

The Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act eliminates federal income taxes for Americans who make under the national median cost of living, estimated at $46,000. The bill additionally provides a significant tax break to individuals making between $46,000 to $80,500, with proportionally higher rates for heads of households and married couples. The legislation is fully paid for by ensuring the wealthiest pay their fair share through a tiered surtax on income above a million dollars. This proposal stands in stark contrast to a tax law that President Trump and Republicans in Congress passed last year – which provided a tax giveaway to billionaires and exploded the deficit, while offering only temporary relief for some working families.

In addition to Senators Coons, Blunt Rochester, Van Hollen, Kelly, Gillibrand, Booker, and Kim, this legislation is cosponsored in the Senate by Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). Congressman Don Beyer (D-Va.) introduced a companion in the House.

“Middle class Americans struggling under the cost of President Trump’s disastrous tariffs, his reckless war with Iran, and his health care price hikes deserve a real tax cut – not the wealthy donors to whom President Trump and Republicans in Congress gave trillion-dollar tax breaks last year,” said Senator Coons. “President Trump’s policies have made life harder and more expensive for Delawareans and millions of Americans. I’ll support any effort to undo that harm and give American families better economic opportunities and more financial security in their lives.”

“Affordability is a top concern for millions of Americans. This bill would give working families some much-needed financial relief while ensuring billionaires pay their fair share. With income inequality at an all-time high – made worse by Trump’s big ugly bill – I’m proud to join my colleagues in the effort to pass the Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act into law,” said Senator Blunt Rochester.

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

“Families across Arizona are working hard and doing everything right but still falling behind. Instead of helping them get ahead, Trump gave more huge tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans while hiking up prices on everyone else,” said Senator Kelly. “Our plan is to put more money in the pockets of middle-class Americans – from nurses and teachers to firefighters and electricians – and restore the basic promise that in this country, hard work pays off.”

“Families are struggling amidst higher costs in Trump’s America,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I’m proud to cosponsor the Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act to support working families, drive economic growth, and reduce income inequality. While the Trump administration turns its back on hardworking Americans, I will keep fighting to lower costs and make sure Americans can take home more of their hard-earned pay.”

“It’s unacceptable that while so many are struggling to afford everyday expenses in our country, those at the top still aren’t paying their fair share. While Trump continues to protect a system that only works for his billionaire buddies, this tax proposal delivers real relief to working Americans – and it can’t come soon enough,” said Senator Kim.

The Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act provides needed tax relief for working Americans – whether they are a single adult, a head of household, or a married couple filing jointly – by reducing their federal income taxes based on their income to help ensure they can afford their cost-of-living expenses.

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

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

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

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

According to an analysis by the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, nearly 130 million people, including over 25 million children, would receive a tax cut through this legislation. Additionally, it is fully paid for through a tiered surtax on millionaires. The bill applies an additional 5% tax to the first dollar an individual makes over $1 million and the first dollar a married couple earns over $1.5 million annually; an additional 10% tax to the first dollar an individual makes over $2 million and a married couple makes over $3 million annually; and an additional 12% tax to the first dollar an individual makes over $5 million and a married couple makes over $7.5 million annually. This surtax would apply equally to wages and salaries as well as to capital gains and other investment income. The Yale Budget Lab has estimated that this surtax would impact 615,000 tax filers and raise $1.46 trillion over 10 years.

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

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

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

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

“Billionaires are hoarding their wealth to corrupt our politics and entrench their own power. Those very same billionaires are bankrolling the wannabe king, making a bet that selling out our democracy will be rewarded with personal financial favors. Senator Chris Van Hollen’s Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act offers a clear alternative: make the ultra-wealthy finally pay their fair share in taxes. If Democrats want to build a strong opposition to this regime, it means advancing bold, easy-to-understand policies like this that stand up to concentrated wealth and fight for working Americans,” said Ezra Levin, Co-Executive Director of Indivisible.

“While millionaires and billionaires make hand over fist, Americans across the country have to choose between paying rent or getting food on the table. If Democrats want to be the party of working people, then they need policies that make lives better for working people. Senator Van Hollen’s plan to cut taxes for half of American workers, paid for by ensuring millionaires pay their fair share, will move us closer towards a government that works for all of us,” said Britt Jacovich, MoveOn spokesperson.

“The federal tax code should reflect a basic principle: the government should not tax people into poverty. The Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act does exactly that — it exempts income up to the cost of living from federal taxes and asks millionaires to make up the difference. That’s not redistribution. That’s math. DCI was founded on the principle that democracy and free markets work best when working people have real economic stability, and right now too many Americans are taxed before they can afford rent or groceries. This legislation is the kind of pragmatic, common-sense reform that can actually pass and actually help people — and that’s why DCI is proud to support it,” said Lori Mayberry, CEO of the Democratic Capitalism Institute.

“Marylanders know the system isn’t working for everyday people when we are paying our taxes, year in and year out, while billionaires are getting big tax breaks and handouts,” said Larry Stafford, Jr., Executive Director of Progressive Maryland. “Senator Van Hollen’s proposal would deliver real tax relief to working families while making our tax system fairer. This is a clear example of how Democrats can fight for people who work for a living.”

“The Working Americans Tax Act is an important and vital move to restoring economic opportunity and fairness for people who are not rich (most Americans). The Act is a necessary component to restore equity to our tax code – a tax code which, since the Reagan era, has increasingly favored the already rich. Using the tax code to enhance existing wealth has always come at the expense of everyone else (society must fund the expense of giving tax relief to the wealthy). Growing economic inequality weakens our society and this bill seeks to reduce the inequality produced by the tax code. Economic fairness (defined by the average person, not the wealthy) makes us strong and this bill can make us stronger,” said the Indivisible Maryland Coalition.


Cornyn, Colleagues’ Bill to Aid Recovery of Nazi-Confiscated Art Passes House Unanimously

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), John Fetterman (D-PA), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), and Katie Britt (R-AL) released the following statements after their Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act, which would aid in the recovery of Nazi-looted art and deliver justice for Holocaust survivors and their families, passed the House unanimously and now heads to the President’s desk:

“The thousands of missing pieces of art looted from Jewish families by Hitler’s regime during the Holocaust are a painful reminder of a time when cruelty and hatred reigned,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This legislation renews our commitment to Holocaust survivors and their families by ensuring cases are heard on their merit, offering a path to restitution and assurance that such injustices are never forgotten.”

“The theft of art by the Nazi regime was more than a pilfering of property—it was an act of inhumanity,”said Sen. Blumenthal.“Our bipartisan effort seeks to strengthen measures to bring long overdue justice to families whose cherished art was brazenly stolen by the Nazis.”

“This legislation helps to right a historic wrong committed during one of the darkest chapters in history,” said Sen. Tillis.“By eliminating unnecessary legal obstacles, the HEAR Act establishes a clear path to restitution for Holocaust survivors and their families, ensuring that art and cultural property stolen by the Nazis can finally be returned to their rightful owners.”

“Despite decades’ long efforts by the United States and allies to return Nazi-looted art to Holocaust victims and their heirs, over 100,000 works of art have yet to be recovered and returned to their rightful owners,” said Sen. Booker. “I’m pleased this law will soon be signed into law so that survivors and their heirs will finally regain possession of their stolen art.”

“Hundreds of thousands of pieces of artwork were taken from the Jewish people during the Holocaust, and survivors in the United States should not be unfairly barred from claiming artwork that is theirs,” said Sen. Blackburn. “The Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act will ensure Holocaust survivors and their heirs have a fair opportunity to recover artwork stolen from them by resolving claims based on merits.”

“There is no denying the pure evil of the Holocaust and the lasting trauma endured by millions of survivors. We have a moral responsibility to do right by the victims of these atrocities, including working together to restore personal and meaningful possessions,”said Sen. Fetterman.“I’m proud to join my colleagues on the HEAR Act and I’m glad to see it advance. Updating the federal law is a commonsense move so survivors and their heirs have an opportunity to recover artwork stolen by the Nazis.”

“The theft of artwork by the Nazi regime is yet another atrocity in the long list of injustices committed against victims of the Holocaust and their families,”said Sen. Schmitt.“This legislation seeks to right that historic wrong by facilitating the return of stolen art to its rightful owners by extending an already existing law.”

“The HEAR Act of 2025 empowers Holocaust survivors and their families to continue to be heard in court and to reclaim their part of history,” said Sen. Britt. “I’m proud to see our bipartisan bill pass the House and head to President’s Trump’s desk to honor and dignify the families of individuals whose property was stolen or sold by the Nazi regime over 80 years ago.”

U.S. Senators Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Chris Coons (D-DE), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) are also cosponsors of this legislation, which passed the Senate unanimously on Dec. 10, 2025.

Background:

Nazi Germany’s campaign of annihilation and genocide against the Jewish people in the Holocaust included massive theft of property, including hundreds of thousands of works of art. Despite post-war efforts by the United States and allies to return Nazi-looted art and renewed efforts since the late 1990s, more than 100,000 works of art have not been returned to their rightful owners.

In 2016, Congress unanimously passed the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act, spearheaded in the Senate by Senator Cornyn, to ensure Holocaust survivors and their heirs could access U.S. courts to pursue claims for the recovery of Nazi-looted art, allowing cases to be decided on their factual merits rather than dismissed on time-based technical defenses. Congress found that the circumstances of the Holocaust imposed extraordinary obstacles to survivors and heirs to locate and recover stolen art, necessitating a national six-year statute of limitations that only begins when the owner actually discovers the location of the stolen artwork.

Unfortunately, many museums, governments, and institutions have contradicted Congress’ intent and obstructed justice by stonewalling legitimate claims, obscuring provenance, and employing aggressive legal tactics designed to exhaust and outlast survivors and their families. Rather than embracing transparency and reconciliation, too many have chosen to entrench and litigate, effectively preserving possession of stolen works rather than returning them to their rightful owners. Moreover, some court cases have interpreted the law narrowly, leaving survivors without recourse.

The original HEAR Act includes a sunset provision and is set to expire December 31, 2026. This legislation would amend and reauthorize the original law to ensure victims of the Holocaust are not denied justice by legal loopholes, institutional intransigence, or the mere passage of time. As another insidious wave of antisemitism hits society, this legislation would reaffirm our commitment to the Jewish people and Holocaust survivors by sending a clear message that the United States will not allow looting to be legitimized, justice to be denied, or Holocaust profiteering to be tolerated.

The HEAR Act would:

Eliminate the sunset date, recognizing that the challenges of restitution remain urgent and unresolved;

Clarify and strengthen procedural protections to ensure that claims are considered on their merits and not dismissed due to time-based technical defenses or other non-merits discretionary defenses; and

Fortify victims’ remedies and access to the courts.

The legislation is endorsed by Art Ashes, Agudath Israel of America, American Jewish Committee (AJC), Anti-Defamation League (ADL), Bet Tzedek, House of Justice, Christians United for Israel (CUFI Action Fund), Creative Community for Peace (CCFP), Holocaust Survivors Foundation USA, Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), Jewish Women International (JWI), Justice for Atrocities Clinic, LMU Loyola Law School, Simon Wiesenthal Center, StandWithUs, The 1939 Society, Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, and World Jewish Congress.


Cornyn, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Allow Law Enforcement Officers to Purchase Retired Firearms

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) today led 11 of his Senate GOP colleagues in introducing the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act, which would allow active and retired federal law enforcement officers in good standing to purchase retired service weapons and firearms:

“There’s no reason the brave men and women in law enforcement who dedicate their lives to preserving public safety should not be able to purchase retired firearms,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This commonsense legislation would reduce unnecessary waste and save both taxpayers and federal agencies money by allowing officers to exercise their Second Amendment rights.”

“Millions of taxpayer dollars are spent each year destroying retired federal service firearms,” said Sen. Crapo.“This practice effectively means the government pays for the same firearm twice—first when it is purchased, and again when it is destroyed. Allowing federal officers in good standing to purchase their retired service weapons is a common-sense, cost saving measure.”

“I am committed to protecting the right to bear arms for individuals not only in Montana, but across our nation. I’m proud to work with Senator Cornyn on the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act, which will ensure that retired firearms can be available for purchase, saving costs for both taxpayers and officers,” said Sen. Daines. “This is a commonsense initiative that recognizes the hard work of law enforcement members and protects constitutional rights for Americans.”

“This is a straightforward way to cut waste and respect our law enforcement officers,” said Sen. Lankford. “Instead of forcing agencies to destroy retired firearms at taxpayer expense, this bill allows officers in good standing to purchase the weapons they’ve used. It saves money and recognizes their service.”

“Our Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every single day—the very least we can do is give them the opportunity to purchase the firearm they carried during their service,”said Sen. Lummis.“This commonsense legislation eliminates a costly and wasteful mandate to destroy usable weapons and creates a program that respects our officers and taxpayers.”

“Destroying a perfectly good firearm when a federal agency no longer needs it is a waste of taxpayer dollars,” said Sen. Risch. “Allowing law enforcement to purchase these firearms is fiscally responsible and plain commonsense.”

“The current cost-of-service weapons policy forces taxpayers to pay twice—once to purchase these weapons and again to destroy them. That’s wasteful and unnecessary,” said Sen. Budd. “I’m proud to partner with Senator Cornyn on a commonsense solution that puts an end to this double spending by allowing active and retired law enforcement officers, in good standing, to purchase retired weapons at salvage value to keep themselves and their families safe.”

“I can’t even begin to tell you how commonsense this bill is, and I applaud Senator Cornyn for introducing legislation that makes a real difference,” said Sen. Justice. “We did the same thing at the state level in West Virginia, and I wholeheartedly believe we should let our honorable law enforcement officers purchase and keep their duty weapons. Let’s stop wasting taxpayer dollars on destroying retired firearms. This bill is supported by every police group possible, and I am fully behind it as well.”

“This bill ends an unnecessary practice of destroying unneeded firearms used by federal law enforcement. Currently, taxpayers must pay for the destroying of these weapons after they are retired from usage or no longer needed,” said Sen. Ricketts. “Senator Cornyn’s Federal Law Enforcement Service Weapon Purchase Act makes it so that law enforcement officers in good standing can purchase these weapons. This will save taxpayers money, by no longer requiring the cost incurred of destroying these weapons.”

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), James Lankford (R-OK), Cynthis Lummis (R-WY), Jim Risch (R-ID), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Ted Budd (R-NC), Jim Justice (R-WV), and Ted Cruz (R-TX) are cosponsors of this legislation. Congressman Russell Fry (SC-07) introduced companion legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives last year.

Background:

Under current federal regulations, a firearm must be destroyed once it is either retired from use or is no longer needed by an agency. This destruction process costs taxpayers millions of dollars a year. Sen. Cornyn’s legislation seeks to alleviate the burden facing taxpayers and give law enforcement the opportunity to recoup costs by allowing federal agencies to sell retired service weapons to federal law enforcement officers at fair-market value or a discounted price. Recovering this value can in turn offset the cost of new equipment and technology, fund training programs, and support other public safety needs. It also honors the Second Amendment rights of current and retired law enforcement officers by allowing them to purchase their firearms.

Specifically, the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act would direct the Administrator of the General Services Administration to establish a program allowing active and retired federal law enforcement officers who are in good standing with their employing agency to purchase retired firearms within six months of the weapon’s retirement at salvage value. This simple and commonsense measure recognizes the service that law enforcement officers provide to our country, while also delivering cost savings that benefit both taxpayers and federal agencies.

This legislation is endorsed by the Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO), National Narcotics Officers’ Associations’ Coalition (NNOAC), and National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).


Cornyn Votes for SAVE America Act to Secure Elections

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after voting in favor of the motion to proceed to the SAVE America Act, kicking off debate on landmark legislation that would secure America’s elections by requiring individuals to present proof of citizenship when registering to vote as well as photo identification before voting in a federal election, and reiterated his support for the talking filibuster and larger reforms to Senate rules that may be needed to ensure the bill passes the Senate and is signed into law by President Trump as soon as possible:

“I was proud to cast my vote in favor of the historic SAVE America Act, and I support using the talking filibuster and making any changes necessary to the Senate rules to get it passed and signed into law by President Trump as soon as possible,” said Sen. Cornyn. “I’m glad the Senate will debate this bill and hold Democrats’ feet to the fire to see who is willing to go on the record opposing voter ID and proof of citizenship to vote – things that an overwhelming majority of Texans and Americans support. Let’s get it done.”


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353

March 17, 2026

Cotton Introduces Bill to Denaturalize Convicted Felons

Washington, DC — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) today introduced legislation to keep Arkansas communities safer by providing grounds to revoke citizenship from any naturalized citizen who commits a felony or supports a terrorist group. The Naturalization Accountability Act will ensure that naturalized citizens who break our nation’s laws are subject to denaturalization criminal proceedings.

“American citizenship is sacred and should not be given to criminals and terrorists under false pretenses. My bill will keep Arkansans safer by subjecting felons and terrorists to denaturalization proceedings when appropriate,” said Senator Cotton.

Text of the bill can be found here.

The Naturalization Accountability Act would:

Add any felony conviction that occurred before, during, or after naturalization as grounds for revoking citizenship.

Ensure any naturalized citizen who is a member or affiliated with a terrorist organization, at any point after receiving citizenship, is subject to having his or her citizenship revoked.

Allow denaturalization criminal proceedings against an individual at any point after receiving citizenship.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Patrick McCann (202) 224-2353

March 17, 2026

Cotton Introduces Bill to Strengthen Access to Care for Active-Duty Military Families

Washington, DC — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-Virginia) today introduced legislation to strengthen pharmacy access for active-duty military members and their families. The Rx ACCESS Act protects independent pharmacies from unfair reimbursement practices in the TRICARE program and ensures that military members and their families have easy access to the prescriptions they need.

“Our active-duty troops and their families make extraordinary sacrifices for our nation, yet they often face difficulties accessing essential prescription medications. Our bill will ensure that active-duty military families can access their prescriptions at pharmacies of their choice,” said Senator Cotton.

“We have an obligation to our servicemembers and their families to ensure they have access to high-quality health care. This bipartisan legislation is critical to ensuring active-duty military members and families can get the prescription medication they need, and I’ll be working with my colleagues to get it passed,” said Senator Kaine.

Text of the bill can be found here.

The Rx ACCESS Act would:

Require pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to reimburse pharmacies participating in TRICARE:

The actual cost of the drug; or

The national average drug acquisition cost.

Ensure pharmacies are paid a dispensing fee equal to the Medicaid dispensing fee.

Direct the Comptroller General to conduct an annual audit of TRICARE PBM data related to:

Prescription drug reimbursement rates, and;

Adequacy of TRICARE retail pharmacy network access with respect to continuity of care and geographic accessibility.

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Bureau of Reclamation Announces $108 Million to Support North Dakota Water Supply

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) announced an award of $100 million for work on the Eastern North Dakota Alternate Water Supply (ENDAWS) project, and $8 million at the McClusky Canal and Snake Creek Pumping Plant. This funding was provided by the Working Families Tax Cuts bill, which President Trump signed into law in July.

“Today’s announcement is the result of the North Dakota delegation’s work to secure this funding in the Working Families Tax Cuts law,” said Cramer. “It builds on our efforts to include funding for ENDAWS in the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water appropriations bill and brings us closer to finishing the project. Upon completion, ENDAWS will ensure reliable water supply to roughly 50% of North Dakota’s population.”

The ENDAWS project relies on water from the McClusky Canal to deliver water supply and help meet the needs of people in Central and Eastern North Dakota, especially during times of drought. Through the utilization of existing BOR infrastructure such as the McClusky Canal, the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District estimates ENDAWS could reduce project costs by $200 million from the state-led Red River Valley Water Supply Project. Congress included $50 million for ENDAWs in the Fiscal Year 2026 Energy and Water appropriations bill.


Crapo Joins Cassidy to Urge U.S. Department of Labor to Ditch Democrat Heat Rule Proposal

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo joined U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-Louisiana) and 15 additional Senate Republican colleagues in penning a letter to urge the U.S. Department of Labor to protect American workers from the Biden Administration’s disastrous proposed heat rule.

The Biden-era proposed rule would mandate all businesses, no matter their safety record, size, location or industry, comply with onerous requirements on safety staffing, recordkeeping and mandatory breaks at high-heat triggers that can create dangerous hazards for some workers. The one-size-fits-all proposal is inefficient, dangerous, threatens job opportunities and hurts local businesses.

“We represent the states of Louisiana, Idaho, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, Texas and Montana which have experience with high temperatures and whose workplaces have already developed strategies for protecting workers,” wrote the Senators. “Protecting workers from a common and easily understandable workplace hazard does not require a prescriptive rule that will cause confusion and, in several circumstances, may even undermine worker safety. Workers and businesses thrive when there are clear standards that are flexible, understandable and pragmatic.”

Crapo and Cassidy were joined on the letter by U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi), James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Ron Johnson (R-Wisconsin), Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), Jim Banks (R-Indiana), Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana) and Steve Daines (R-Montana).


Curtis, Padilla Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Save Our Sequoias Act

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Alex Padilla (D-CA) introduced the Save Our Sequoias Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to protect giant sequoias from the growing threat of wildfires, insects, and disease. Representatives Vince Fong (R-CA) and Scott Peters (D-CA) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

This bill would enhance interagency coordination, accelerate forest restoration efforts, and provide important resources to land managers to guard these ancient trees from further destruction. It would help reverse the damage caused by catastrophic wildfires and restore the resilience of giant sequoias groves—which provide critical ecological, scientific, and cultural benefits.

“Wildfires across the nation are burning longer and hotter than ever before, due to outdated forest management policies and increased fuel build-up,” said Senator Curtis. “Land managers need the tools, coordination, and resources to reduce wildfire risk, restore forests, and ensure the next generation of growth can flourish. The Save Our Sequoias Act is an important complement to our broader bipartisan effort to manage and maintain our vibrant natural resources.”

“For millennia, giant sequoia trees have been a cornerstone of California’s rich natural heritage, offering stunning recreation opportunities, vibrant natural habitats, and critical protections from wildfires and climate change,” said Senator Padilla. “However, immense fuel buildups, forest mismanagement, increasingly long wildfire seasons, and other threats from insects and disease have decimated nearly a fifth of these ecological marvels in the past decade alone. We must work across the aisle to strengthen the resiliency of these groves to ensure these California icons endure for generations to come.”

“California’s Giant Sequoia groves are a symbol of our state’s natural heritage in the Central Valley, and we need to take immediate action to preserve them for future generations,” said Representative Fong. “I was proud to lead this bipartisan bill in the House and thank Senator Padilla for spearheading this important effort in the Senate. This legislation will return resilience to our forests by streamlining science-based management and enhancing collaboration between state, federal, and tribal partners. Our iconic Giant Sequoias are a true national treasure and must be protected.”

“For generations, the majestic giant sequoia has provided innumerable cultural, environmental, and recreational benefits to humans,” said Representative Peters. “Unfortunately, insufficient land management and climate change have led to increasingly severe fires that threaten the survival of giant sequoias and the stability of the climate. In just one year, the California wildfires that threaten the Sequoias contributed more to climate change than the state’s entire power sector. Our Save Our Sequoias Act charts a new path forward in federal forest and wildfire policy to combat climate change and ensure the giant sequoias stand safely in their natural habitat for years to come.”

Speeding up science-based forest treatments will boost resilience, improve water and air quality, reduce carbon emissions, and protect vital habitats. Specifically, the Save Our Sequoias Act would:

Establish a comprehensive reforestation strategy to regenerate giant sequoias in groves destroyed by recent wildfires, helping to ensure their long-term survival.

Codify existing emergency procedures and maintain robust scientific analysis to accelerate necessary forest treatments.

Codify the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition, an ongoing collaboration between federal, state, Tribal, and local land managers.

Establish a Giant Sequoia Health and Resiliency Assessment to prioritize forest management projects, track progress, and study the trees’ health and resiliency over time.

Create a protection fund through the National Park Foundation to promote the resiliency of giant sequoia groves.

The Save Our Sequoias Act is endorsed by groups including Save the Redwoods League and the Tule River Tribe.

“Save the Redwoods League is grateful for Senator Padilla’s leadership to advance restoration and reforestation efforts across the giant sequoia range, where nearly 20% of mature giant sequoias have perished in recent years due to extreme wildfires,” said Ben Friedman, Director of Government Affairs and Public Funding at Save the Redwoods League. “By officially declaring this crisis as an emergency, this bill will help Save the Redwoods and our Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition partners boost the fire resilience of the most at-risk groves. We look forward to working with Senators Padilla and Curtis to pass science-driven legislation that provides the resources necessary to accelerate much-needed restoration work for these iconic forests.”

“The Tule River Tribe is thankful to Senator Padilla for introducing this bipartisan legislation,” said Chairman Neil Peyron, Tule River Tribe. “The bill empowers resourceful experts and stewards to employ critical resiliency efforts to combat the very real threat of fire that plagues our sacred Sequoia groves.”

This continues a broad bipartisan effort to combat catastrophic wildfires, restore forest ecosystems, and make federal forest management more efficient and responsive, including Curtis and Padilla recently introducing the Senate version of the Fix Our Forests Act.