Gillibrand Cosponsors Bipartisan Bill To Crack Down On SNAP Skimming

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) joined Ron Wyden (D-OR), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), to support the Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act, legislation aimed at strengthening security protections for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) EBT cards.

The bill would modernize SNAP card technology by requiring fraud-resistant chips and phasing out outdated magnetic stripes, which are vulnerable to “skimming”, a form of fraud in which thieves steal card information to create duplicates. These duplicate cards are then used to drain victims’ benefits, depriving families of critical food assistance. The bill would also require the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to revisit cybersecurity safeguards every five years thereafter to account for new fraud threats to SNAP cards.

“In just two years, hardworking New Yorkers have lost at least $52 million in SNAP benefits to scammers,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I am proud to cosponsor the Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act to help protect families in New York and across the country from having their benefits stolen by fraudsters exploiting outdated card technology.”

The legislation would also allow states to issue replacement SNAP cards at no cost within three days for recipients whose cards are stolen, cloned, or malfunctioning. In addition, it would provide support to eligible vendors and merchants to update their payment processing systems to accept chip-enabled cards.

The bill is also cosponsored by Senators Katie Britt (R-AL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), and Dave McCormick (R-PA). Companion legislation in the House of Representatives is led by Reps. Dan Goldman, (D-NY), and Mike Lawler (R-NY).

The bill is endorsed by a broad coalition of organizations, including the National Grocers Association, the Food Industry Association, the National Association of Convenience Stores, SNAC International, the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC), Hunger Free America, the R Street Institute, the American Heart Association, and Bread for the World.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

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Gillibrand Statement On Trump Administration’s Move To Send ICE Agents To U.S. Airports

Today, in response to the Trump administration’s move to send untrained ICE agents to U.S. airports, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand issued the following statement:

“Senate Republicans and the Trump administration created this crisis, and they’re making it worse for everyday Americans. Instead of paying our dedicated TSA officers, the White House is now deploying ICE agents to our airports. This is a recipe for disaster. ICE agents are not trained or certified in aviation security and have demonstrated an inability to de-escalate situations appropriately.

“I am deeply concerned about the impact the lack of preparation from the administration could have for travelers and how there’s no clear answer on what powers ICE will have at checkpoints, or if they’ll be targeting travelers for immigration enforcement instead of focusing on security.

“Democrats have tried multiple times to pass bills to keep TSA running and fund airport security. Senate Republicans blocked every single bill because they refused to fund TSA without a blank check for ICE. The answer is simple: Republicans need to stop playing politics and work with Democrats to fund TSA and keep our airports safe.”

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Sens. Gillibrand, Schumer, Blackburn, Reps. Gillen, Obernolte Introduce New Bipartisan Bill To Boost American Quantum Innovation

Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced thebipartisan Advancing Regional Quantum Hubs Act to support our nation’s quantum innovation hubs and position the United States as a global leader in quantum technology. Quantum information science and technology (QIST) has far-reaching implications for our country’s national security, economic competitiveness, and technological leadership.

The Advancing Regional Quantum Hubs Act would amend the National Quantum Initiative to require support for regional quantum innovation initiatives and enhance the educational and research capabilities of regions that have strengths in quantum fields. Representatives Laura Gillen (D-NY) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA) introduced companion legislation into the U.S. House of Representatives.

“Quantum technologies have vast potential to help protect Americans, strengthen national security, and drive economic growth,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Providing regional quantum innovation hubs with increased federal support will help make sure that communities in New York and across the country have the resources they need to innovate, compete, and lead. New York is at the cutting edge of quantum research and development, and I’m proud to support legislation like this to help innovators thrive in our state and boost regional economies.”

“Empowering innovation in quantum development is critical to our economy and national security,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Advancing Regional Quantum Hubs Act would build on the National Quantum Initiative by ensuring states like Tennessee can drive breakthroughs and compete with adversaries like Communist China to secure American leadership for generations to come.”

“Winning the race to innovate and scale quantum computing will position the U.S. to continue to lead the global economy. New York has already established itself as a major quantum hub that can power America’s success. I have long prioritized investing in quantum computing, first with my CHIPS and Science Act and now in the push to reauthorize the National Quantum Initiative to invest in research and workforce training for this critical industry. It is more important than ever to invest in regional quantum computing research so we don’t fall behind our competitors, which is why I am proud to be part of the introduction of the Advancing Regional Quantum Hubs Act,” said Senator Schumer. “This legislation would increase federal support for regional quantum innovation hubs, a win-win for our local economies and national security, helping further position New York to lead in quantum computing. I’ve delivered historic federal funding for quantum research in New York and across the country and will continue fighting to ensure we stay a quantum leap ahead of the competition.”

“Quantum computing, which supercharges our technological capacities, is one of the most important technologies of this century. This legislation is essential to helping the United States cement its position as a global leader and outcompete China and other adversaries,” said Rep. Gillen. “Our national security depends on our ability to invest in, scale and quickly deploy technologies like AI and Quantum. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan bill to strengthen Long Island’s leadership as a quantum powerhouse, accelerate groundbreaking research across the country and harness innovation to grow our economy and make our nation more secure.”

“Strengthening America’s leadership in quantum science requires us to build innovation capacity not just in Washington DC, but in the communities where world-class research and industry are already taking shape,” said Rep. Obernolte. “The Advancing Regional Quantum Hubs Act ensures federal agencies can partner directly with local innovators, universities, and startups working on breakthrough quantum technologies. This bipartisan bill will help accelerate discoveries, boost regional economies, and ensure the United States remains at the forefront of this strategically vital field.”

QIST leverages quantum mechanics to process, transmit, and sense information in ways that are fundamentally impossible with classical technologies. Quantum technologies can be used to create new kinds of computational systems that will revolutionize national security, aid in drug development, and solve intractable scientific problems.

Regional quantum initiatives help bring universities, research institutions, startups, industry players, and government entities together to create the ecosystem required for QIST innovation and deployment. Regional quantum innovation hubs are uniquely positioned to cultivate local talent pipelines, accessible testbeds, and boost quantum supply chain developments—helping make sure America can continue to lead in quantum innovation.

The Advancing Regional Quantum Hubs Act would support the development of these critical innovation hubs by:

Adding the U.S. Economic Development Administration to the membership of the Subcommittee on Quantum Information Science of the National Science and Technology Council and requiring the Subcommittee to facilitate interagency partnership opportunities to support the innovation, entrepreneurial, educational, and research capacity of regions with strength in quantum-related fields and industries.

Requiring the Director of NSF to carry out research and educational programs that would support regional innovation initiatives in QIST, which may include award of funds under the Regional Innovation Engines grant program.

Requiring the Secretary of Energy to support regional innovation initiatives in QIST

The bill is endorsed by: Quantum Industry Coalition, Quantum Economic Development Consortium, Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, Business Incubator Association of New York State, The City College of New York (CUNY), Clarkson University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dutchess Community College (SUNY), FuzeHub, Griffiss Institute, Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation, Mohawk Valley Community College (SUNY), Mohawk Valley EDGE, New York State Economic Development Council, New York University, Pace University, Putnam County Economic Development Corporation, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Rochester Institute of Technology, The State University of New York (SUNY), Stony Brook University (SUNY), SUNY Polytechnic Institute, Syracuse University, Unitary Foundation, University at Buffalo (SUNY), University of Rochester, and Westchester County Association. A list of quotes from endorsing organizations can be found here.

The text of the legislation can be found here.

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Capitol Hill Report, 03-23-26

Audio from this afternoon’s call is available HERE.

Topics include: Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, the Fertilizer Transparency Act, Mullin’s nomination for DHS Secretary, the SAVE America Act, Iran and birthright citizenship.


Hawley Opens Investigation into FICO, Urges FTC to Investigate Company’s Price Hikes

WASHINGTON — Today, Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to the CEO of Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), to inform the company of his investigation into FICO’s pricing practices in the mortgage credit scoring market. Senator Hawley also wrote to Andrew Ferguson, Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), urging his agency to also open an investigation into FICO. FICO’s recent price increases are contributing to the problem of housing affordability, particularly for first-time homebuyers. Senator Hawley has previously written to the Department of Justice regarding FICO’s anticompetitive practices.

Senator Hawley wrote, “As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and as a member of the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights, I am investigating Fair Isaac Corporation’s pricing practices in the mortgage credit scoring market.”

Senator Hawley continued, “FICO dominates the credit scoring market with a product used by 90% of lenders, potentially commanding an even larger market share for first-time home buyers. FICO reinforces that position through its status for decades as the only credit score accepted for conforming mortgage loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, despite the long-delayed promise of another competitor entering the market. Rather than competing on price, FICO has leveraged this market position to impose a pattern of extraordinary price increases.”

Senator Hawley concluded, “FICO has suggested that its royalty constitutes a negligible share of overall closing costs. But the relevant question is not whether the charge is small relative to other fees. Instead, we investigate whether the charge is justified by competitive market forces or is instead an exercise of monopoly pricing power. An 88% operating margin and a compound annual growth rate of 100% in per-score pricing over five years are not hallmarks of a competitive market.

Read Senator Hawley’s full letter to FICO here.

Senator Hawley sent an additional letter to the Federal Trade Commission, urging the agency to open its own investigation into FICO.

Senator Hawley wrote, “I write to urge the Federal Trade Commission to investigate the pricing practices of the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), which holds a dominant position in the business-to-business credit scoring market and has engaged in a pattern of extraordinary price increases that harm American consumers. I have twice called on the Department of Justice Antitrust Division to investigate these practices. The FTC’s consumer protection and competition authority make it equally well-positioned to investigate anticompetitive behavior at FICO.”

Senator Hawley continued, “For 2026 alone, FICO doubled its per-score price from $4.95 to $10.00—a more than 100% increase for the identical product offered in 2025. This single increase has the potential to raise mortgage credit score costs across the industry by approximately $500 million. These costs are ultimately borne by borrowers. They are especially damaging to first-time homebuyers, who often pay for multiple credit checks across several loan applications before successfully purchasing a home.”

Senator Hawley concluded, “These facts warrant scrutiny under the FTC’s authority to investigate unfair methods of competition and unfair or deceptive acts or practices. I urge you to open an investigation at the earliest opportunity.”


Heinrich, Luján Applaud Senate Passage of Resolution Celebrating the Leadership and Legacy of Native Women

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, released the following statements after the U.S. Senate unanimously passed their bipartisan resolution recognizing the leadership, resilience, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women. Passed during Women’s History Month, their resolution honors Native women who have shaped communities across the nation through their contributions in public service, education, culture, business, science, and the arts.

“Right now, the White House is trying to erase history and decide whose stories get told. We will not let them,” said Heinrich. “I’m proud the Senate passed our resolution honoring the legacy of Native women. From Ohkay Owingeh’s Esther Martinez to Santa Clara’s Floy Agnes Lee, we will continue to tell the stories of all Native women who have left an enduring mark on this nation’s history through their leadership, resilience, and courage.”

“In New Mexico and across the country, Native women have long been leaders in and helped strengthen our communities,” said Luján. “This resolution celebrates and honors the incredible contributions of all Native women and their vital role in shaping our country. Today and every day, we must recognize the critical role Native women have in strengthening our communities and their continued impact in shaping our nation.”

The resolution is led by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai?i), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. In addition to Heinrich and Luján, Murkowski, and Schatz, the resolution is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), John Hoeven (R-ND), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Edward Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Full text of the resolution can be found here.

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Hoeven: NSF Awards $45 Million to North Dakota AgTech Engine at NDSU

Senator Worked to Advance Latest Round of Federal Funding, Supporting Ag Technology and Workforce Development

FARGO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today announced the National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded $45 million over three years to the North Dakota AgTech Engine housed at North Dakota State University (NDSU).

The engine is a partnership of NDSU, the Fargo Moorhead West Fargo (FMWF) Chamber of Commerce, the Fargo Moorhead Economic Development Corporation and the North Dakota Tribal College System focused on advancing:

Agricultural technology innovation.

Agricultural workforce development.

The initiative has now received a total of $60 million for its first five years of operations, with the potential to receive up to $160 million over ten years from the NSF.

Hoeven worked to secure the initial $15 million to establish the AgTech Engine and has continued working to support the initiative to ensure future funding.

The first two years of operations focused on building a network of investors, farmers, industry partners and entrepreneurs.

The latest round of funding will be used to expand startup growth and technology commercialization, as well as expand education opportunities to train the next generation of agriculture and engineering professionals.

The engine assists partnered companies with technology research and validation to bring new products to market that help meet farmer and rancher needs.

To date, the engine has leveraged more than $73 million in investment and research and development from private sector partners.

“The North Dakota Agtech Engine has proven its potential in the first two years of its operations, leveraging more than $73 million from private sector partners using $15 million in initial federal support. That’s why we were able to secure this $45 million award, which will support three more years of technology and workforce development,” said Senator Hoeven. “Our farmers and ranchers provide the highest-quality, lowest-cost food supply in the world. By bringing new innovations to market, we can help them reduce their input costs, increase their yields and retain their competitive edge in the global economy. That’s what the AgTech Engine is all about.”

Today’s announcement comes as part of Hoeven’s work to bolster agriculture research at NDSU and in North Dakota. As Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Appropriations Committee, Hoeven secured more than $50 million in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 funding legislation to strengthen North Dakota’s role as a driving force in the development of future agriculture technology and policy. Among other priorities, this funding includes:

Approximately $25 million for ag research in North Dakota with NDSU and its partners, funded through the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

$18.5 million for NDSU-led research initiatives, ranging from autonomous technologies to machine learning and data security in agriculture.

Nearly $2.5 million for the NDSU Agricultural Risk Policy Center, which provides timely economic analysis on high-impact issues in farm country.

$5 million for the AgTech Cooperative Agreement between Grand Farm, NDSU and ARS.

$3 million for continued renovations at the Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center in Fargo, bringing total funding for the project to $18 million since FY2022.

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Hoeven Statement on Confirmation of Markwayne Mullin as DHS Secretary

WASHINGTON - Senator John Hoeven issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed Senator Markwayne Mullin to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security:

“The Department of Homeland Security has a vital mission in ensuring that the U.S. homeland is safe and secure. I’ve gotten to know Senator Mullin during our time together in the Senate, and I believe he will do a good job leading DHS in this mission. At the same time, we continue working to get the agency fully funded so they have the resources necessary to accomplish their missions from securing the border and enforcing immigration laws to preventing terrorism and helping communities recover from disasters.”

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Husted leads bill to protect children on social media

“Parents deserve to know what their kids are exposed to online and have the ability to protect them and save lives.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) joined Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Katie Britt (R-Ala.) in introducing a bipartisan bill to empower parents to protect their children on social media platforms by providing them the right to know if their children are engaging in dangerous or risky interactions.

Sammy’s Law would require large social media platforms to permit parents to receive safety notifications through FTC-regulated third-party safety providers, giving them the tools to shield their children from harm.

Reps. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) and Debbie Wasserman Shultz (D-Fla.) introduced the companion bill to Sammy’s Law in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“In Ohio and across the country, criminals are using social media to target our children—selling them dangerous drugs and exploiting them through sextortion while trying to bypass parents and other trusted adults. Tragically, teenagers Sammy Chapman from California and James Woods from Ohio are two of many young people who’ve fallen victim to these predators. Parents deserve to know what their kids are exposed to online and have the ability to protect them and save lives. Sammy’s Law would put that authority back where it belongs—with families—and give parents the tools they need to keep their children safe,” said Husted.

“Parents are struggling to protect their kids from the harmful effects of social media, where children are more exposed than ever to cyberbullying, eating disorders, and other online threats to their wellbeing. Sammy’s Law will give parents the choice to be alerted of concerning behaviors on social media, while protecting their personal information. I’m proud to join this bipartisan effort so parents have more resources to supervise their children’s social media use,” said Warner.

“At just 16 years old, Sammy Chapman had his whole life ahead of him when he was approached by a drug dealer on social media who sold him drugs laced with fentanyl—an event which tragically led to his death. Had legislation been in place like Sammy’s Law, which prevents social media companies from blocking third-party safety software for children, Sammy would likely still be with us today. As parents and legislators, it’s our job to protect our children and teens—our most vulnerable—in every way we can. In the age of social media and the challenges that come with it, Sammy’s Law is a critical step towards protecting our children online by ensuring parents have access to the necessary tools to keep their children safe,” said Britt.

“There are sick, evil people who prey on our children from the shadows of social media, selling illicit, even fentanyl-laced, drugs. Tragically, Sammy Chapman was one of those kids who died at just 16 years old, with his entire life ahead of him. Parents have the right to know when their child is engaging in dangerous online activity, and this bill will equip them with the best possible technology to protect and keep their children safe from bad actors. I thank Senator Husted for his support in this effort,” said Carter.

Statements of support:

“If Sammy’s Law had been in place when a drug dealer reached out to our son via social media, he would still be alive. Sammy was poisoned with a lethal dose of fentanyl received from a drug dealer through social media,” said Sam Chapman, father of Sammy Chapman.

“As parents who lost our only son, James, to online exploitation, we understand in the deepest way how devastating it is when systems fail to protect our youth. While our advocacy began in response to online harm, our mission has grown to encompass the overall safety, well-being, and protection of young people in every space they occupy, both online and in their everyday environments. Sammy’s Law represents a meaningful and necessary step forward in prioritizing safety, prevention, and accountability. By empowering local communities to implement life-saving safety measures, this legislation acknowledges a simple but urgent truth: our children deserve to be protected wherever they are—on their devices, in their schools, and in their neighborhoods,” said Tim and Tamia Woods, parents of James Woods.

“The Senate introduction of Sammy’s Law is a major step toward protecting children on social media. Through our work with families and schools nationwide, we have seen that third-party safety software saves young lives. This legislation will help protect children from severe social media-related harms like cyberbullying, sextortion, and drug trafficking while also strengthening privacy protections. We thank Senators Husted and Warner for their bipartisan leadership in advancing this critical, life-saving bill,” said Marc Berkman, CEO of the Organization for Social Media Safety.

“Sammy’s Law would have saved Nate’s life. Nate was attacked over Snapchat, he received a Snapchat message from a classmate telling him ‘To Kill Himself’. If Sammy’s Law was in place at that time, I would have been immediately notified that Nate was in danger. I would have had the opportunity to intervene and protect Nate from further harm and Nate would be here today. Thank you, Senators Husted and Warner, for standing up to protect our children,” said Rose Bronstein, a survivor parent, who lost her son Nate Bronstein due to severe cyberbullying over social media.

Alexander Neville Foundation, Becca Schmill Foundation, Buckets Over Bullying, CADCA, Crime Victims United, Crimestoppers of Houston, D.A.R.E. America, Families Against Fentanyl, JED Foundation, National Center on Sexual Exploitation, National Crime Prevention Council, Organization for Social Media Safety, Parent ProTech, Parents Television and Media Council, Protect Young Eyes, Safe House, SafeProject, Social Media Victims Law Center, Stand for the Silent, The Village Mission and VOID all endorse Sammy’s Law.

James Woods was a 17-year-old senior from Streetsboro, Ohio who took his own life after becoming a victim of “sextortion” through social media. These schemes use social media to target young victims and persuade them to share an explicit photo or video of themselves that is then used to extort them for money.

Sammy’s Law was named after 16-year-old Sammy Chapman who lost his life to fentanyl poisoning. He was approached by a drug dealer through social media, who delivered drugs laced with a lethal dose of opioid fentanyl to his home. Sammy was unaware he was ingesting fentanyl and tragically lost his life. Sammy’s Law was introduced to give parents the tools to protect their children and other family members by:

Requiring large social media platforms with either 100 million monthly active users or garner $1 billion in gross revenue per year to make real-time application programming interfaces accessible to Federal Trade Commission (FTC)-registered third-party safety software providers.

Alerting parents when 15 specific instances or phrases arise that indicate eating disorders, suicidal ideation and sexual harassment.

This bill builds on Husted’s work to increase protections for minors on social media platforms.

In January 2026, Husted introduced the bipartisan No Fentanyl on Social Media Act. The bill would direct the FTC to report to Congress on minors’ access to fentanyl through social media, with recommendations to address this growing threat.

In December 2025, Husted joined the Kids Online Safety Act to protect minors’ personal data on online platforms and implement safety tools for parents and minors to target any harmful online content for children.

In September 2025, Husted introduced the Children Harmed by AI Technology (CHAT) Act. The bill would require owners and operators of artificial intelligence companion chatbots to bar minors from accessing sexually explicit content and implement age verification and safety measures to ensure that minors cannot access chatbots without consent from their parents.


Cleveland Municipal Airport Continues to Expand

Industrial development measures are underway to compliment existing businesses

By Scott Nelson, The Bolivar Bullet

The Daily Bullet - Monday, March 23, 2026

Vol. 37 No. 76

Quite literally, commercial development at the Cleveland Municipal Airport is taking off and achieving new heights. Clint Johnson, Airport Director, recently highlighted existing businesses and provided an overview of current development projects.

Johnson said, “We have a variety of businesses that provide services to airport users. First is Delta State University’s flight operations headquarters, which provides broad based flight instruction to an ever growing number of students. Through their training flights, we see a large number of daily takeoffs and landings.” He added, “We also have Air Repair, Inc. They have been at the airport a long time and have a thriving business mainly with agriculture aviation work, but they also serve as our FBO, or Fixed Based Operator, to provide both jet fuel and other general aviation fuel to aircraft pilots and owners. Additionally, we have the Delta Regional Agricultural Flight Training, or DRAFT, program. It provides critically needed ag pilot training in partnership with Delta State University. We have Delta Aero Service, which provides FAA certified mechanics to repair and service general and agricultural aircraft. Finally, we have Blues Air, which provides aircraft rental as well as private flight instruction.” The Cleveland Volunteer Fire Department also has a modern, fully equipped station on site.

Johnson is especially enthusiastic about the ongoing ramp and terminal road expansion project, which will ultimately provide a 20 acre shovel ready industrial development site. “Ideally, we would like to see a specialty based industry or business such as an aircraft painter or refurbisher or an avionics shop. However, we are open to other options.” He continued, “We are very grateful to Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith for her assistance with the airport receiving grants, as well as the State of Mississippi for assisting us with Strategic Multimodal Funding.” The ramp expansion project was launched last fall and is expected to be completed later this spring to complement the recent lengthening of Terminal Road. Johnson also emphasized he is very grateful to the Cleveland-Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce, Cooperative Energy and the Mississippi Development Authority for their grants and assistance with these and other airport improvement projects.


Long airport wait times persist as DHS funding remains in limbo

By Cameron Smith

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Passengers who waited for hours in line at airports on Monday said they don’t want a travel experience like that again. However, they could continue to see long wait times in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) until Congress can reach an agreement to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

According to U.S. Rep. Michael Guest (R-Miss.), this is the fourth week the DHS has not received funding. This is also the second time the department has experienced a shutdown in recent months.

“TSA, I think, that’s the most visible sign of the impacts where we see extremely long lines in airports across the country,” Guest said.

U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) said it’s not right that employees under DHS are working without a paycheck.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the safety and security of the American people is not a bargaining chip,” she said.

President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would be at airports starting on Monday to help TSA agents.

“We’re not asking these ICE agents to run any sort of equipment that would screen baggage. We’re not asking them to be the individuals, who take the license, and make sure that their information is currently in the system,” said Guest.

Laken Milner told WJTV 12 News that ICE agents were present at the Atlanta airport.


Duckworth, Curtis, Kaine Lead Bipartisan Senate Resolution Commemorating 30th Anniversary of Taiwan’s First Presidential Elections

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Curtis (R-UT) and Tim Kaine (D-VA)—all members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)—today led a bipartisan group of Senators in commemorating the 30th anniversary of Taiwan’s first presidential elections, while recommitting support for U.S. policy toward Taiwan as established by the Taiwan Relations Act and the Six Assurances.

“For thirty years, democracy has helped our close friend Taiwan flourish—and it’s critical we send a strong, bipartisan message that we’re here with them for the long haul,” said Duckworth. “As Taiwan works to strengthen their own democracy in the face of escalating threats from the People’s Republic of China, I’m proud to lead our bipartisan recognition of this historic anniversary for the island. The United States will continue to support Taiwan’s prosperity, and we will oppose any kind of unilateral aggression from the PRC that would endanger a democratic friend or the health and stability of the global economy.”

“Having lived in Taiwan during the era of martial law, I witnessed firsthand a society striving for greater freedom,” said Curtis. “Over the past 30 years, Taiwan’s embrace of democratic elections has transformed it into one of the world’s most vibrant, prosperous, and innovative societies. Its success stands as a powerful testament to the strength of liberty, the rule of law, and the enduring promise of self-government. Taiwan’s journey reminds us that democracy, when nurtured and defended, can deliver both freedom and opportunity for generations.”

“I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution with my colleagues to commemorate the 30th anniversary of democratic presidential elections in Taiwan,” said Kaine. “As China continues to take aggressive action toward Taipei, we must recommit to protecting Taiwan’s democratic institutions.”

In addition to Duckworth, Curtis and Kaine, the bipartisan resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Rick Scott (R-FL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Michael Bennet (D-CO) and John Fetterman (D-PA).

Full text of the resolution is available here.

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Warner, Kaine, and Scott Celebrate That Power is Flowing from Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Project

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S. Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA-03) celebrated the announcement that the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind (CVOW) project is now generating electricity:

“After years of work, we’re absolutely thrilled that the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project, the largest commercial-scale offshore wind project in the United States, is now providing clean, reliable energy to Virginians. We’ve been proud of what we’ve done with Dominion Energy and other partners in the region to secure federal funding for the project, improve local maritime infrastructure, and create good-paying jobs. We look forward to continuing to work together to grow Virginia’s clean energy economy.”

This comes after a federal court recently blocked the Trump Administration’s efforts to stop work on the project. CVOW will provide Virginians with greater price stability, fuel savings, and protection against future energy shocks, such as those being created by the Trump Administration’s war in Iran.

Warner, Kaine, and Scott have been strong supporters of the CVOW project and have secured significant federal funding to support the offshore wind industry and make upgrades to maritime infrastructure in Hampton Roads.

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ICYMI: On TelevisaUnivision’s Esta Semana, Kelly Highlights Cost of Iran War for American Families and Calls Out Trump for Politicizing National Security

Kelly also discussed his questioning of Intelligence officials last week and Trump’s immigration tactics that are putting Americans at risk

In case you missed it, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly spoke this weekend on TelevisaUnivision’s Esta Semana about the impact of President Trump’s Iran war on working Americans and how he’s putting our national security at risk to benefit politically.

Kelly underscored that Americans deserve leadership focused on lowering costs and protecting their rights, not policies that make families less safe and everyday life more expensive.

Sen. Kelly speaks to Ilia Calderón on Esta Semana.

Watch the full interview here. See key excepts below:

On how theIran waris not helping American families…

“There are issues that we have with Iran, but we were having negotiations. Those negotiations ended, and the next day, this administration started dropping bombs. That’s not the way we should be conducting our foreign policy, and I don’t see how this benefits the American people. How does this help them afford their daily lives? How does it help them pay their rent or buy groceries or afford health insurance?”

OnPresident Trumpusing national security for political fundraising…

“It’s a risk to national security, and it’s wrong, and it’s against the law for the President to be using the federal government to raise money for political purposes. There were links on that—if you got that email, there were places you could go to donate, to sign up to get what he called ‘private national security briefings.’ He didn’t say it was top secret or secret information, but he’s clearly using resources he has for being President to raise money to use in elections. And that’s wrong. I’ll tell you what’s worse than that, is that picture that he used was from the dignified transfer of dead service members. Did he get their families approval? I doubt it. It was an outrageous thing to do.”

On the administration’s immigration enforcement abuses inside the United States…

“The situation at the border during the Biden administration was chaos, and it was a mess, and it wasn’t handled well, and President Biden should have, and could have done a lot better job, and it got out of control. That is different than internal immigration enforcement. And as bad as that was, what this President is doing internally in the United States, enforcing immigration law is—there’s a case you could make for that. It is worse. We have dead Americans. People’s constitutional rights have been violated repeatedly. Folks have had agents come into their houses. In Arizona, we’ve had people sprayed with mace from federal vehicles just for standing on the sidewalk and protesting. This is in violation of their Constitutional rights. And communities have been ripped apart. Children have been taken away from their parents. U.S. Citizens have been deported. This has been a disaster.”


Kim and Booker Statement on Appointment of Robert Frazer, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey

WASHINGTON, D.C.– U.S. Senators Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) issued the following statement after federal district judges in New Jersey appointed Robert Frazer to lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey:

“Since the White House’s failure to name a capable U.S. Attorney nominee over 14 months has now had a detrimental impact on cases before our courts, the federal district judges in New Jersey have today exercised their lawful authority to appoint Robert Frazer, a long-time federal prosecutor, to lead the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey. While our repeated efforts to work with the President to appoint a qualified individual to the role to be confirmed by the Senate were ignored or rebuffed, we are supportive of the District Court’s decision to fill the role and allow the U.S. Attorney’s Office to fulfill its critical law and order responsibilities before the people of New Jersey suffer any further.

“We remain deeply frustrated that the White House refused to engage in the normal process of consulting with home-state senators on this appointment. That process exists for a reason–it ensures that the people chosen to serve as our nation’s top prosecutors have the qualifications, independence, and commitment to justice that the job requires. None of this turmoil was necessary.

“For over a year, the Trump Administration did everything in its power to circumvent the law and sideline the Senate’s constitutional role to advise and consent on U.S. Attorneys. First, the Administration installed the President’s personal lawyer to lead the office, and when multiple federal courts found that appointment unlawful, the Administration cobbled together an unprecedented three-person leadership structure that was likewise struck down by the court. At every turn, this Administration chose loyalty over legality, and federal judges– appointed by presidents of both parties–rejected those unlawful maneuvers.

“The people of New Jersey deserve a U.S. Attorney’s Office focused on keeping them safe, not one mired in constitutional crisis because the Administration refused to follow the rule of law. The Office can now at long last move past the chaos and partisanship of the past year and return to its critical mission: combating violent crime, fighting public corruption, dismantling drug trafficking networks, and protecting the rights of all New Jerseyans.

“We look forward to meeting with Mr. Frazer to discuss how we can work together to best serve the people of our state.”

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Senator Kim to Hold Mullin Accountable to Americans’ Demands at Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) voted against Senator Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and against the deep rot of lawlessness and corruption within the Trump administration.

Senator Kim has directly pressed Mullin about the critical reforms Americans need to see at the agency. With his confirmation, Senator Kim is committed to holding Secretary Mullin accountable to the promises he made to the American people, including visiting Roxbury, New Jersey, where DHS is trying to build a detention facility against the local community’s wishes, and reversing Kristi Noem’s needless red tape that held up critical FEMA assistance.

WATCH EACH PROMISE SENATOR MULLIN MADE TO SENATOR KIM DURING HIS CONFIRMATION HEARING

(Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, Substack)

As he mentioned in the hearing, Senator Kim will continue pressing to ensure Mullin:

Immediately reverses Secretary Noem’s disastrous $100,000 approval policy – Senator Mullin agreed he would “absolutely” commit to revoking the policy. WATCH MORE HERE

Senator Kim has led the push to revoke this needless red tape that has left disaster-impacted communities without crucial funding they need to rebuild.

This month, Senator Kim and HSGAC Ranking Member Peters released a report that found the review policy has created severe delays in delivering FEMA disaster assistance, specifically identifying at least 1,034 FEMA contracts, grants, or disaster assistance awards that have been delayed or left pending.

Opposes the elimination of FEMA – Having concerns about severe cuts to FEMA staff and President Trump’s calls to eliminate FEMA, Senator Kim pressed on future plans for this crucial agency. Senator Mullin stated, “I think it needs to be restructured, not eliminated.”

Senator Kim has long worked to deliver bipartisan reforms to FEMA that ensures the agency can fulfill its mission to deliver vital resources and support to Americans in their time of greatest need.

Nominates a FEMA administrator that has real experience in emergency management – Senator Mullin said “absolutely” when asked about putting a nominee before the committee.

Travels to Roxbury, New Jersey to speak directly to local leaders and hear their opposition to DHS building a detention facility in their community – Senator Mullin agreed it is important to talk to local officials and committed to talking to the local Roxbury Mayor and traveling to Roxbury.

Senator Kim pointed out that no ICE officials spoke to the local Mayor or local law enforcement to get a local assessment prior to purchasing a warehouse facility the size of eight football fields to house over 1,500 detainees.

Last month, Senator Kim introduced legislation to end President Trump’s warehouse detention in New Jersey and nationwide by prohibiting DHS from using taxpayer dollars to purchase warehouses or use warehouses to detain non-citizens. This bill built off ofprevious work by Senator Kim to stop the opening of the warehouse in Roxbury specifically.

Ensures dignified and humane conditions at detention facilities – After Senator Kim witnessed unacceptable conditions of detainees at Delaney Hall in New Jersey firsthand, he pressed Senator Mullin on ensuring direct oversight by DHS to ensure dignified conditions, including allowing oversight by congress. Senator Mullin responded that, “everyone deserves to be treated by a dignified hand.”

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Heinrich, Luján Join Push to Stop Department of Education’s Weaponization of Civil Rights Investigations

Senators demand Education Department drop politicized investigations as tool of partisan agenda, expose dismantling of protections for students

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and 13 other Senate Democrats in urging the Department of Education to reverse its efforts to weaponize the Office of Civil Rights to carry out the Trump administration’s ideological agenda.

The Senators point to a series of alarming actions taken by the Department of Education, including cases targeting transgender student protections and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, gutting protections for students in public schools and institutions of higher education, calling attention to the mass firings and lack of investigations into cases alleging sexual, racial, religious, and disability harassment in schools.

The Senators wrote in part: “The Department has severely undermined OCR’s capacity to carry out its mission.”

“Beyond its diminished output, the types of cases OCR is choosing to investigate, or not investigate, are concerning, and OCR has failed to provide transparency into its work. The Department has neither updated its public database listing OCR’s open investigations since January 2025 nor released its annual report for the 2025 fiscal year, as required by law […] OCR is also reportedly neglecting to investigate and resolve cases involving racial harassment,” the Senators wrote.

In March 2025, the Department issued Reduction in Force (RIF) orders to about half of its staff and closed seven of its twelve regional offices, and issued further RIFs during the government shutdown.

“The RIFs and closures of seven of OCR’s regional offices left millions of students without dedicated regional investigators to conduct field visits, gather facts in person, resolve investigations, and enforce agreements. In many cases, the Department provided no communication or updates whatsoever to students, families, or schools as investigations stalled and complaints piled up. These breakdowns in communication and access to OCR employees created uncertainty and frustration for students, their families, and schools, as they waited for updates on their complaints and investigations,” the Senators wrote.

With the growing backlog of cases and remaining employees left with doubled caseloads, the Senators emphasized how “the Department is now expected to rely upon hundreds of employees it attempted to fire to work through this self-inflicted caseload backlog.” The Senators are demanding answers to the timeline of actions taken that led the department to veer off course and increasingly become part of the administration’s ideological agenda.

In addition to Heinrich, Luján, and Schiff, the letter was signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawai’i), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.)

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

Dear Secretary McMahon and Assistant Secretary Richey:

We write to express our serious concerns about the current crisis at the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). OCR’s mission is to provide remedy to students who are denied their right to an education free from discrimination. Unfortunately, the Department of Education (the Department) has severely undermined OCR’s capacity to carry out this mission through unprecedented personnel cuts and the injection of political considerations into OCR’s investigatory work. These choices are gutting protections for students in our nation’s public K-12 schools and institutions of higher education. We urge the Department to reverse OCR’s partisan turn and to ensure that it can carry out its intended mission, as required by statute, to protect the civil rights of all students.

In March 2025, the Department issued Reduction in Force (RIF) orders to 299 OCR employees —about half of its staff—and closed seven of its twelve regional offices. These employees were placed on administrative leave and prohibited from working, costing taxpayers a reported $38 million through the end of 2025. During the government shutdown in October, the Department issued RIFs to an additional 137 OCR employees. Had the Department not been enjoined by federal courts and the November government funding agreement, it would have fired 436 OCR employees overall, 90 percent of its workforce, completely decimating the office.

Before these RIFs, OCR was already understaffed. Even with insufficient staffing, OCR impressively resolved more complaints from 2021 to 2024 than it had the previous four years. Despite its recent track record of success, these RIFs left its remaining employees with doubled caseloads and a backlog of 24,000 complaints. That is an unacceptable outcome. When caseloads balloon, investigators are forced to spend less time gathering evidence or ensuring schools provide legally required remedies. Higher caseloads mean more delays, more dismissals, and more students falling through the cracks of a system that is supposed to safeguard their civil rights.

Indeed, the RIFs and closures of seven of OCR’s regional offices left millions of students without dedicated regional investigators to conduct field visits, gather facts in person, resolve investigations, and enforce agreements. In many cases, the Department provided no communication or updates whatsoever to students, families, or schools as investigations stalled and complaints piled up. These breakdowns in communication and access to OCR employees created uncertainty and frustration for students, their families, and schools, as they waited for updates on their complaints and investigations.

Publicly available data, court documents, and a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report reveal OCR’s diminished output due to RIFs and field office closures. In 2025, OCR reached 174 formal resolution agreements with school districts and colleges, a steep decline from the 518 OCR reached in 2024. OCR reached 57 of these agreements in January 2025, before the current Administration assumed office. From March 11 to June 27, 2025, OCR resolved 290 cases through voluntary agreements, mediation, or technical assistance and resolved through dismissal an additional 96 complaints due to insufficient evidence. OCR roughly kept this pace between June 27 and September 23, 2025, resolving an additional 333 complaints. By contrast, OCR resolved 595 cases through mediation or voluntary resolutions and 119 due to insufficient evidence during the final three months of the previous Administration. And from March 11, 2025, to September 23, 2025, OCR dismissed 90 percent of the over 7,000 complaints it received, a rate far outpacing that of the previous Administration. These patterns show OCR under the current Administration is not adequately processing and evaluating complaints, a total abdication of its Congressionally-mandated duty to investigate and resolve alleged civil rights violations in our nation’s schools.

Beyond its diminished output, the types of cases OCR is choosing to investigate, or not investigate, are concerning, and OCR has failed to provide transparency into its work. The Department has neither updated its public database listing OCR’s open investigations since January 2025 nor released its annual report for the 2025 fiscal year, as required by law. In 2025, OCR reached zero sexual harassment resolution agreements after January 20. By contrast, OCR reached 27 agreements of sexual harassment cases in 2024 and 8 agreements between January 1, 2025 and January 20, 2025. That means hundreds of open, urgent cases— including 483 assigned to investigators subject to the RIFs—involving sexual harassment in our nation’s public schools, colleges, and universities were left languishing for over a year. Since the March 2025 RIFs, OCR has reportedly opened fewer than 10 sexual violence investigations. Resolution agreements in cases involving disability discrimination, historically the bulk of OCR’s caseload, also decreased sharply, from 390 in 2024 to 104 in 2025.

OCR is also reportedly neglecting to investigate and resolve cases involving racial harassment. Internal data allegedly shows that over 1,000 racial harassment investigations initiated by OCR during previous administrations—most of them involving discrimination against Black students —are still open. After January 2025, OCR has reportedly opened only 14 racial harassment investigations and reached two resolution agreements, a sharp decline from the previous year’s total of 26 resolution agreements. Additionally, OCR has not reached a single resolution agreement in a case alleging antisemitism—amid the unprecedented surge of hate targeting Jewish communities nationwide—or any other shared ancestry discrimination since January 2025.

Rather than responding to and initiating investigations into the 24,000 pending cases in its backlog, the Department appears to have elevated investigations pursuing this Administration’s partisan priorities, including by initiating at least 27 directed investigations without the presence of a complaint. These investigations are not in the best interest of students and are not enforcing the civil rights protections they are entitled to under law but are instead focused on penalizing schools, colleges, and districts for failing to comply with the president’s partisan, political agenda. In some cases, OCR is putting schools in the impossible position of either acceding to its harmful demands or violating state and local laws or binding federal court rulings which protect transgender student rights and promote on-campus equity.

OCR is abusing its power to withhold federal funding from schools by ignoring its investigatory procedures and due process protections, as outlined in its case-processing manual. For instance, in August 2025, OCR threatened Denver Public Schools’ federal funding after its directed investigation found the presence of multi-stall, all-gender bathrooms and district policies supporting transgender students in violation of Title IX. Denver Public Schools’ Board of Education claims that OCR did not conduct any field investigations, interview any witnesses, or respond to the district’s requests for clarification and mediation. With its September 2025 decision to revoke Magnet School Assistance Program (MSAP) grant funding from Chicago Public Schools (CPS), OCR attempted to withhold federal funding before it concluded its open investigations into the district’s transgender student policies and its Black Students Success Plan. OCR also sought to withhold MSAP grant funding from New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) after alleging that its transgender student policies violated Title IX. This occurred even though OCR had not opened a formal investigation into NYCPS or given the district any notice, hearing, or opportunity to respond to a complaint.

These politicized investigations fundamentally subvert OCR’s role as an enforcer of civil rights laws in service of protecting students and instead turn it into a weaponized arm of the Administration’s political agenda. The Department is ignoring and abandoning students who are the victims of discrimination—whether due to their race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), age, or disability—while simultaneously opening investigations which make our nation’s schools less safe and accessible. Students whose civil rights have been violated should never serve as political pawns. They deserve justice and an equal opportunity to pursue an education. The federal government is obliged to protect students from all forms of discrimination, and OCR must therefore investigate and resolve complaints without bias or a harmful ideological agenda.

On December 15, 2025, the Department issued a return-to-duty notice to 85 OCR employees subject to the March 2025 RIFs to work through OCR’s overwhelming caseload. The Department officially rescinded the RIF notices for those employees and reinstated them on January 8, 2026. Despite the apparent return of some of the fired employees, we are concerned about OCR’s commitment to and capacity to investigate and resolve the vast majority of the complaints it receives. The Department is now expected to rely upon hundreds of employees it attempted to fire to work through this self-inflicted caseload backlog. The Department has also not revealed any plans to reopen the shuttered field offices, which means that employees in closed offices are reportedly working remotely. Additionally, the Department’s recent rhetoric, including its proclamation that it is “aggressively pursuing” cases involving transgender youth competing in sports based on their gender identity, has shown that the Department is continuing to use OCR as an ideological arm of the Trump Administration rather than an enforcer of civil rights law.

Given the lack of publicly available data on OCR’s investigatory work and its increasingly ideological agenda, we request answers to the following by April 10, 2026:

What assessments on OCR’s current capacity and case backlog did the Department make before deciding to reinstate the employees subject to the March 2025 RIFs?

How many full-time employees (FTE) are currently employed at OCR as of March 20, 2026, and how many FTE serve in investigator positions?

What is the average current caseload per OCR investigator (not including managers) as of March 20, 2026?

What is the average number of cases each OCR investigator is responsible for monitoring as of March 20, 2026?

What was the average caseload per OCR investigator on March 11, 2025? What was the average caseload per OCR investigator on January 8, 2026?

Have all reinstated investigators been assigned active cases and comparable caseloads? If not, please explain why.

Does the Department intend to reopen the regional offices it closed in March 2025?

When and how will OCR restore transparency and provide current updates with publicly available information on pending cases under investigation?

When will OCR submit to Congress the statutorily required Annual Report for FY2025?

How many complaints has OCR received since January 20, 2025?

How many of these complaints have been dismissed since then, and for what reasons

Please provide these figures by month and by type of discrimination alleged.

Since January 20, 2025, how many OCR investigations have been resolved through voluntary resolution agreements? How many cases have been resolved through mediation? Please provide these figures by month.

How many investigations has OCR opened since January 20, 2025? Please provide a list that includes the name of the institutions, institution type, type of discrimination alleged, and date. Please specify if each investigation was initiated by a complaint or through OCR’s own direction.

Has OCR received any guidance from the White House or the Department of Justice on which types of cases it should prioritize? Please provide any such communication.

It is time that the Department shift its priorities to allow OCR to carry out its Congressionally directed mission and ensure recourse to discrimination and harassment for students of all backgrounds in our country. We look forward to your response.

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Luján, Heinrich Applaud Senate Passage of Resolution Celebrating the Leadership and Legacy of Native Women

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statements after the U.S. Senate unanimously passed their bipartisan resolution recognizing the leadership, resilience, and contributions of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women. Passed during Women’s History Month, their resolution honors Native women who have shaped communities across the nation through their contributions in public service, education, culture, business, science, and the arts.

“In New Mexico and across the country, Native women have long been leaders in and helped strengthen our communities,” said Senator Luján. “This resolution celebrates and honors the incredible contributions of all Native women and their vital role in shaping our country. Today and every day, we must recognize the critical role Native women have in strengthening our communities and their continued impact in shaping our nation.”

“Right now, the White House is trying to erase history and decide whose stories get told. We will not let them,” said Senator Heinrich. “I’m proud the Senate passed our resolution honoring the legacy of Native women. From Ohkay Owingeh’s Esther Martinez to Santa Clara’s Floy Agnes Lee, we will continue to tell the stories of all Native women who have left an enduring mark on this nation’s history through their leadership, resilience, and courage.”

The resolution is led by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaiʻi), Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. In addition to Senators Luján, Heinrich, Murkowski, and Schatz, the resolution is co-sponsored by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), John Hoeven (R-ND), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Edward Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Dan Sullivan (R-AK), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Full text of the resolution can be found here.

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Luján Votes Against Confirmation of Senator Markwayne Mullin for Secretary of Homeland Security

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued the following statement after voting against the confirmation of Senator Markwayne Mullin to serve as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS):

“New Mexicans deserve steady, responsible leadership at the Department of Homeland Security, especially at a time when the agency is facing a serious crisis of accountability. Under the Trump administration, DHS has operated with incompetent leadership and zero oversight. Trump’s out-of-control ICE and CBP agents have killed two American citizens, bashed in windows with children in the car, gone into American citizens’ homes without warrants, and continue to terrorize our communities. Replacing Kristi Noem at DHS without accountability won’t fix anything.

“Real change needs to take place at DHS to regain the trust of the American people and better protect our communities. That’s why I voted against Senator Mullin’s confirmation. Regardless of who leads DHS, I will continue fighting to protect the rights of New Mexicans, keep our communities safe, and hold the Trump administration accountable.”

Senator Luján previously announced he would vote NO against the nomination of Senator Markwayne Mullin to serve as Secretary of DHS.

Senator Luján voted against Kristi Noem’s confirmation as DHS Secretary and successfully pushed for her ouster. As negotiations continue to rein in ICE and CBP, Senator Luján and Senate Democrats have fought to fund TSA, FEMA, CISA, the Coast Guard, and other critical DHS functions, but Senate Republicans have blocked those efforts.

Following major DHS scandals, Senator Luján introduced legislation to hold ICE and CBP accountable, increase transparency, and make communities safer.

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ICYMI: SWC Members Champion Western Nuclear Projects to Strengthen U.S. Energy Security

Washington, D.C.—Senate Western Caucus members John Barrasso (R-WY), Steve Daines (R-MT), and Jim Risch (R-ID) joined Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Mike Lee (R-UT) in supporting the Department of Energy’s implementation of President Trump’s 2025 nuclear executive orders.

Last week, the Energy and Natural Resources Committee heard from Theodore Garrish, Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy at DOE, and Dr. John Wagner, Director of Idaho National Laboratory. The hearing underscored how nuclear energy projects in the west can expand America’s energy capacity, drive innovation, and strengthen national security.

What they’re saying:

“The goal [is] to ensure the effectiveness of our military and enhance the export of American nuclear technologies around the world, which currently Russia and China are rapidly deploying these technologies internationally,” said Barrasso. “We partially addressed this in my 2024 bill,Prohibiting Russia Uranium Import Act. It was signed into law. It banned imports of Russian uranium and was essential in providing market certainty needed to expand American uranium production.”

“To put it bluntly, energy will determine the global balance of power for the next generation,” said Lee. “If we hesitate now, we will not just fall behind. We will be operating inside a system defined by others, dependent on supply chains and standards that we didn’t write. That is not a position of strength, and it’s not a position that the United States can accept.”

“Montana opened the door for the deployment of nuclear energy,” said Daines. “Expanding nuclear capacity, both in Montana and across our great nation, is critical to maintaining a resilient electric grid through the distribution of firm, dispatchable electricity. We need more baseload power”

“Now with the new technology, we have another risk, and that is cost overruns,” said Risch.“Because, you’re dealing with something you haven’t tried before. When you try it, and it doesn’t work, it is very, very expensive. So, we developed the ARC Act.”

Click here to watch the full committee hearing.

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Senator Markey Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Fund Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Assistance Through U.S. Senate

Washington (March 23, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today celebrated the Senate passage of his bipartisan and bicameral Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act, legislation to establish funding at the Department of Commerce for the rescue, recovery and research of sea turtles in Massachusetts and across the United States. Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) co-leads the legislation.

“Right now, every known species of sea turtles found in U.S. waters is either threatened or endangered, but our current rescue efforts are largely volunteer and underfunded, forcing stranding networks from Cape Cod to the Gulf to shell out to keep our shelled friends safe,” said Senator Markey. “Turtles require rescue, but without this bill, their rescuers don’t have the resources required to save them. This bill addresses a gap in our nation’s marine stranding system and solves it. I'm proud to have brought it one step closer to being passed into law.”

The legislation is co-sponsored by Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tom Tillis (R-N.C.), Dave McCormick (R-Penn.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). Representative Bill Keating (MA-09) leads companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

In 2000, fewer than 50 sea turtles were found stranded on the beaches of Cape Cod; in 2025, the New England Aquarium alone treated more than 450 live sea turtles after strandings. During the 2021 cold snap in Texas, more than 12,100 turtles were cold-stunned, and rescue organizations were able to save and return only 4,000 of the stranded turtles to the wild. Rescue efforts are predominantly volunteer led and underfunded despite sea turtles facing increasing environmental and human-caused threats that make strandings more likely, including rapid temperature changes, red tide events, and entanglement in marine debris. This bill would provide stability and support to efforts that rehabilitate and aid in the recovery of sea turtles along the coastal U.S. Specifically, the Sea Turtle Rescue Assistance and Rehabilitation Act would create a new grant program to fund rescue, recovery, and research of sea turtles in the U.S., and authorize $5 million annually for awarding of grants to further that purpose from 2025 through 2030.

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Senator Markey Statement Opposing Markwayne Mullin as Secretary of Homeland Security

Washington (March 23, 2026) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today released the following statement after the U.S. Senate confirmed Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) to head the Department of Homeland Security.

“The Trump administration has sent ICE thugs into our communities to terrorize innocent immigrants, raid homes without judicial warrants, separate families, and target protestors,” said Senator Markey. “At his confirmation hearing to become DHS Secretary, Senator Mullin refused to retract earlier comments he made justifying Renee Good’s murder at the hands of ICE officers. He refused to say that Joe Biden won the 2020 election. He deflected when asked if he would send ICE officers to the polls during the midterm elections. And with Trump unleashing ICE agents at our airports, we cannot risk another leader at DHS who will simply rubberstamp the illegal, brutal Trump agenda. I voted against Senator Mullin’s nomination because he has not shown that he will lead DHS with independence, put an end to ICE’s lawlessness, or seek real accountability at the Department and its agencies.”

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McConnell Proud to Confirm Mullin as Secretary of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) issued the following statement today regarding the confirmation of Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) as U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security:

“Markwayne Mullin has been a fierce advocate for the people of Oklahoma in Congress, and I’ve been proud to serve with him in the U.S. Senate for the last three years. His next job will entail even bigger responsibilities, from protecting America’s critical infrastructure to keeping the southern border secure. As Secretary Mullin gets to work, I look forward to working with him to defend our country from domestic and foreign threats. And I urge Senate Democrats to join Republicans in restoring the funding he’ll need to carry out DHS’s important mission.”


POSTPONED: Merkley Announces More Oregon Town Halls

Due to unforeseen circumstances, all town halls scheduled for March 30, 2026 to April 1, 2026 have been postponed.

An updated event schedule and invitations will be shared in the coming weeks, so please stay tuned!

Baker City, OR – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley announced he will continue his town halls with in-person community conversations across eastern Oregon counties from Monday, March 30th through Wednesday, April 1st.

The nine events continue Merkley’s 2026 town hall tour of Oregon, where he will hold a community conversation in each of the state’s 36 counties.

“I’m looking forward to again visiting wonderful communities all over our state. By talking directly to folks in each county my team and I can go to work for the interests and needs most important in each corner of our state,” Merkley said.

Since taking office in 2009, Senator Merkley has kept his promise to hold an open town hall for each of Oregon’s 36 counties every year – more than 630 to date.

Upcoming town hall conversations are as follows, with additional details to be sent to local media ahead of each event:

Monday, March 30

Malheur County Town Hall

Time: 11:00 am MDT

Location: Nyssa Senior Center

316 Good Avenue, Nyssa, OR

Harney County Town Hall

Time: 2:30 PDT

Location: Harney County Community Center

478 N Broadway Avenue, Burns, OR

Grant County Town Hall

Time: 6:00 pm PDT

Location: Grant County Senior Center

142 NE Dayton Street, John Day, OR

Tuesday, March 31

Baker County Town Hall

Time: 9:30 am PDT

Location: Community Connection of Baker County

2810 Cedar Street, Baker City, OR

Union County Town Hall

Time: 12:30 PDT

Location: Eastern Oregon University, Badgley Hall

One University Boulevard, La Grande, OR

(Located near the corner of K Avenue and 6th Street)

Wallowa County Town Hall

Time: 3:30 PDT

Location: Wallowa Senior Center

204 E 2nd Street, Wallowa, OR

Wednesday, April 1

Umatilla County Town Hall

Time: 10:00 am PDT

Location: Columbia Vista Intermediate School, Gymnasium

251 Grant Street, Umatilla, OR

Please note this is a new school and many mapping apps do not take you directly to the site.

Morrow County Town Hall

Time: 1:00 pm PDT

Location: Willow Street Innovation Hub

188 West Willow Street, Heppner, OR

Wheeler County Town Hall

Time: 4:30 pm PDT

Location: Wheeler High School

600 E B Street, Fossil, OR

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Sen. Moran Welcomes FCC Commissioner to Kansas to Meet with Telecommunications Providers & Local Broadcasters

WASHINGTON – Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Olivia Trusty visited Kansas on Saturday at the invitation of U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – a member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media – to meet with telecommunications providers and radio and television broadcasters from across Kansas. During the visit, Commissioner Trusty participated in a roundtable discussion held at WTC Fiber in Wamego to hear from telecommunications providers about their efforts to serve Kansans with reliable, high-speed internet and issues facing providers across Kansas, toured WTC Fiber’s broadband deployment site in Maple Hill and visited the WIBW studio in Topeka to speak with broadcasters about challenges facing the industry and their work to serve local communities. “I appreciate Commissioner Trusty coming to our state and spending time with Kansas leaders in technology, telecommunications and broadcasting,” said Sen. Moran. “While I was unable to join her in Kansas due to votes in the Senate over the weekend, I am grateful she accepted my invitation to hear directly from local leaders and industry members about their work to connect Kansans and provide news and information to our communities. Federal, state and private investments in broadband infrastructure are essential to delivering reliable, high-speed internet for all Kansans and Americans. Thank you to the Communications Coalition of Kansas, WTC Fiber, the Kansas Association of Broadcasters and WIBW, as well as all the providers and broadcasters that participated in these events, for welcoming Commissioner Trusty to Kansas.”

Commissioner Trusty with Kansas telecommunications providers after a roundtable discussion at WTC Fiber in Wamego on Saturday.

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