Slotkin, Peters Press National Weather Service for Answers on Lack of Tornado Watch Alert for Southwest Michigan Tornadoes

WASHINGTON D.C. — U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) and Gary Peters (D-MI) are pressing the National Weather Service (NWS) for answers after the agency issued no tornado watch alert ahead of the four March 6, 2026 tornadoes that devastated Southwest Michigan communities, claiming the lives of four people and injuring more than 20 others. In a letter to NWS Director Ken Graham, the senators asked for clarity into what prevented NWS from issuing the watch and what changes are necessary to improve NWS’ ability to provide timely and accurate forecasting, predictions, and alerts moving forward.

“We mourn for those who lost their lives to this storm, and we stand fully prepared to work with the impacted families and communities to begin the process of rebuilding and recovering,” Slotkin and Peters wrote. “At the same time, we seek to better understand how this tragic event unfolded and what changes are required to better protect public safety and avoid such tragic loss of life during future extreme weather events.”

The storm included four separate tornadoes across Cass, St. Joseph, Calhoun, and Branch Counties. The Branch County tornado, in particular, was the strongest tornado to hit Michigan in nearly fifty years, reaching max speeds of 160 mph. Despite the storm’s severity, NWS reportedly did not issue a tornado watch alert prior to the first tornado touching down. The senators asked Director Graham to clarify what led to NWS’ failure to adequately warn the public and if the Trump Administration’s self-inflicted staffing shortages, which have impacted Michigan’s five forecasting offices, contributed to this outcome.

The senators asked, “Was a lack of staff and/or resources a contributing factor to NWS’s inability to issue a tornado watch alert ahead of the March 6 tornadoes? What, if anything, would have allowed the responsible NWS offices to identify the supercell that produced these tornadoes more quickly and, in turn, issue a tornado watch alert ahead of the first touchdown?”

The senators also expressed their willingness to work alongside NWS to determine what steps can be taken to better protect Michigan communities from extreme weather events in the future.

You can read the full letter here.

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Tuberville Warns About Rising Foreign Influence in American Universities

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) participated in a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee hearing on reducing foreign influence on American higher education. Sen. Tuberville has introduced several bills looking to stop influence from countries of concern, including China, in American universities, including the Safeguarding American Education from Foreign Control Act and the Student Visa Integrity Act.

Witnesses in the hearing included Dr. Peter Wood, President of the National Association of Scholars, Craig Singleton, Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and Robert Daly, Senior Fellow for the Asia Society.

Excerpts from Sen. Tuberville’s remarks can be found below, or viewed on YouTube or Rumble.

TUBERVILLE: “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Good morning, gentlemen. Thanks for being here. It’s no secret that foreign adversaries are involved in our higher education system. Whether it’s smuggling millions of dollars in endowments or foreign government-linked academic programs—it’s everywhere in our country. In the last few years, we closed down just in my state alone several Confucius Institutes—they don’t deserve to be anywhere in our country. The more I learned about the sheer numbers and influence that foreign adversaries have in our education system, it led me to introduce the Student Visa Integrity Act. I introduced it last summer after watching all these anti-American protests on our college campuses. My bill gives the opportunity to get a degree back to Americans who love this country and not students who are adversarial from some of these other countries.

Dr. Wood, you mentioned Confucius Institutes. Now that we’ve closed—across this country and especially in my state—some of these down, how can we tell that they’re gone for sure? And then how can we tell that the affiliated professors are not still around and they’re also gone?”

DR. WOOD: “It won’t be easy. You will have to rely on the truthfulness of college presidents who are known to prevaricate on these matters. I think auditing the institutions is probably the only sure way of finding out whether Chinese funding continues to flow to these influence operations.”

TUBERVILLE: “Do you think the professors are still hanging around? And how’s the best way to get rid of them?”

DR. WOOD: “The Han Bond or the Chinese Communist Party rotates the professors in and out. So, it’s not that the same people who will be there. In some cases, they are, but in other cases, new ones are coming in and going out all the time.”

TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. Mr. Singleton, I’m glad you recognize the nation’s higher education system is one of our biggest assets if we use it the right away, obviously. Our economy and our workforce is only as good as our education system. You know, I hear from students all across our state all the time about barriers that they face, whether it’s getting into a class because we have too many foreign students in those classes [that are] are already full, or the language barrier, which is absolutely ridiculous when professors can’t even speak our language and we’re trying to teach American kids. It’s absolutely ridiculous. So over time, if students on foreign visas outnumber American students, what does that mean for our workforce pipeline in the future?”

SINGLETON: “Thank you, Senator. It’s certainly a concerning trend that we’ve seen. Not only are there a large number of Chinese students at some of these universities, but, in some cases, the U.S. government itself pays Chinese post-doctoral students to do research at our universities. And some of those students have been determined to be affiliated with not only the People’s Liberation Army, but entities in China that are affiliated with China’s military industrial complex. The long-term development challenges are massive. Of course, both Democrats and Republicans understand that we need to build our defense innovation base. We need to be investing in ourselves and preparing for this to control the drivers of the twenty first century industrial revolution, which are primarily technology related. We have to find an appropriate balance here, but I think we should all agree that Defense Department funding shouldn’t be going to Chinese researchers who are affiliated with entities that make bombs to kill Americans. That seems like a commonsense approach and perhaps one for legislation could be introduced that would address that challenge.”

TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. Mr. Daly, how dangerous is it to our national security to share research and technology with the Chinese Communist Party?”

DALY: “Well, Craig is right that the evidence to date is that the most problematic group of Chinese scholars on American campuses is not the undergraduate or even the graduate students. It’s post-doctoral fellows and researchers. But we also have to be very careful not to tar them all with the same brush. There’s definitely a problem and many of these people are also among the finest minds in their disciplines and most of them seek if they can to stay. The data to date is that 85-90% of Chinese PhD students stay in the United States after graduating, and that’s going down a little bit right now. We can talk about that as well. There’s been a little bit of a reverse brain drain of people going back. But that most seek to stay in the United States. David Zweig, an American scholar in Hong Kong, has also demonstrated repeatedly that the people who stay here, become American citizens, and dedicate their talents to us are among the top scholars in their fields. And I think that we need to be very careful to keep that channel open, as I write in my testimony. Since 1901, 34% of all U.S. Nobel Prizes have been won by people who were foreign born. We do need this talent. We must also foster our own domestic talent to be absolutely sure, but the record of these people here has been superb, and they’ve dedicated themselves to science and to our research enterprise. So, vigilance, staying on top of it, I am very happy to associate myself, you know, with almost all of Craig’s comments, but we’ve got some of the biggest talent pools in the world currently outside their borders, and they would like to come in as Americans. And I think we need to remain open to that despite the real threats and issues that you raised.”

TUBERVILLE: “Do you agree that they should be fluent in English?”

DALY: “They should have English language competence, especially if they’re teaching. There’s a distinction. I’ve been in some of those classrooms that you’re talking about. So, yes, if they’re going to be teaching, clearly, they should be fluent in English.”

TUBERVILLE: “Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

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Warner Statement on Kennedy Center Board Meeting

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), ex officio member of the Board of Trustees of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, released the following statement on today’s board meeting:

“The John F. Kennedy Center is a national monument, and one of the country’s premier arts and cultural institutions. Established by Congress as a National Cultural Center in 1958 and re-named in 1964, the Center has always had an important relationship with Congress, as Congress funds operations and maintenance and capital repair and restoration for the building.

“Unfortunately, recent actions by the president and certain board members have treated the Center like a personal vanity project, including firing career management staff, removing trustees, and sidelining ex officio members who are meant to provide congressional oversight by failing to share information and plans, and, in one specific case, muting a member who chose to speak up at a board meeting.

“This is not how a national cultural institution should be run. I urge the new leadership to restore transparency, fully engage bipartisan trustees, and provide Congress with the true reasons for a planned two-year closure and renovation, rather than turning the Kennedy Center into a platform for personal glorification.”

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Warner Pushes Tech Companies to Take Action Against Deepfakes, Maliciously Manipulated Media

WASHINGTON – Ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, urged leading social media firms, generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) platforms, and media editing software providers to take action against maliciously manipulated media, such as deepfakes, with a series of measures centered around transparency, collaboration, and means of enforcement. As the capabilities of GenAI continue to evolve, maliciously manipulated media poses a significant risk to vulnerable communities, public trust, and democratic institutions, particularly during competitive election cycles. For example, the National Republican Senatorial Committee last week released AI-generated videos of both a U.S. Senator and a candidate for U.S Senate, raising concerns among civil society groups, legal advocates, and election integrity groups that manipulated content will become increasingly present and unsettling.

Sen. Warner wrote, “Leading technology providers spanning media generation, editing, and distribution have publicly pledged to address the increasing prevalence of maliciously manipulated media. While imperfect and no substitute for comprehensive federal legislation, these voluntary efforts, including the Coalition for Content Provenance & Authenticity and the Tech Accord to Combat Deceptive Use of AI in 2024 Elections, complemented by a patchwork of state laws, represent some of the only meaningful interventions to address media manipulation-based threats ahead of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections.”

“Prior to the 2024 U.S. elections, Russian-attributed actors used media manipulation techniques to denigrate a U.S. Vice-Presidential candidate and a domestic actor utilized voice cloning software for robocalls impersonating President Biden in the New Hampshire primary,” Sen. Warner continued. “While these malicious actions largely failed to meaningfully effect the elections, the capabilities of generative artificial intelligence (AI) products have grown tremendously in the intervening years. Particularly against the backdrop of an abrupt pullback in federal resources, an effective multi-stakeholder approach is needed to ensure that industry, state and local governments, and civil society adequately anticipate – and counteract – media manipulation techniques that cause harm to vulnerable communities, public trust, and democratic institutions.”

Bipartisan policymakers have begun rolling out measures to ensure that GenAI serves the public interest, but this effort alone is not enough to stop intentional and targeted media manipulation techniques. The private sector must proactively partner with civil society and the public sector to prevent irreparable damage to our democratic elections.

The letter concluded with a list of concrete measures that GenAI and media editing software vendors as well as social media platforms and other major content distributors should adopt to anticipate, identify, and counter manipulated media.

Sen. Warner sent the letter to OpenAI, Anthropic, xAI, Meta, Adobe, ElevenLabs, Cohere, Microsoft, MidJourney, Canva, Snap, Google, Synthesia, TikTok US, BlueSky, Pinterest, and Reddit.

The letter is a continuation of Sen. Warner’s efforts to push tech companies to take concrete measures to combat malicious missuses of GenAI that could impact elections. In May 2024, he sent a letter to every signatory of the Tech Accord to Combat Deceptive Use of AI in 2024 Elections demanding specific answers about the actions companies are taking to be in compliance with this agreed upon roadmap that improves the information ecosystem surrounding elections.

Read the full letter here or below.

Dear XX:

Leading technology providers spanning media generation, editing, and distribution have publicly pledged to address the increasing prevalence of maliciously manipulated media. While imperfect and no substitute for comprehensive federal legislation, these voluntary efforts, including the Coalition for Content Provenance & Authenticity and the Tech Accord to Combat Deceptive Use of AI in 2024 Elections, complemented by a patchwork of state laws, represent some of the only meaningful interventions to address media manipulation-based threats ahead of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections.

Prior to the 2024 U.S. elections, Russian-attributed actors used media manipulation techniques to denigrate a U.S. Vice-Presidential candidate and a domestic actor utilized voice cloning software for robocalls impersonating President Biden in the New Hampshire primary. While these malicious actions largely failed to meaningfully effect the elections, the capabilities of generative artificial intelligence (AI) products have grown tremendously in the intervening years. Particularly against the backdrop of an abrupt pullback in federal resources, an effective multi-stakeholder approach is needed to ensure that industry, state and local governments, and civil society adequately anticipate – and counteract – media manipulation techniques that cause harm to vulnerable communities, public trust, and democratic institutions.

Policymakers have on a bipartisan basis begun the process of developing measures to ensure that generative AI technologies (and related media modification tools) serve the public interest. But the private sector can – particularly in collaboration with civil society and state and local election officials – dramatically shape the usage and wider impact of these technologies through proactive measures in coming months. As a follow-up to my requests in the wake of the Munich Tech Accord, I strongly encourage you to take the following measures to anticipate, identify, and respond to potential media manipulation efforts targeting the election.

Generative AI Model and Media Editing Software Vendors:

Attach robust and consensus-based content credentials, and other relevant provenance or authenticity signals (including metadata and prominent visible watermarks), to any media created using your products.

To the extent that your product is incorporated in a downstream product offered by a third-party, adopt license terms that stipulate the adoption of such measures by providers that resell or otherwise repackage your generative AI or media editing tools.

Share detection methodologies or internal classifiers associated with your generative AI or media modification products through trusted channels with content distributors, other generative AI and media editing software vendors, and trustworthy news organizations.

Develop and appropriately resource ‘rapid-response’ channels by which verified independent media and civil society organizations can leverage your detection tools to authenticate media that may have been created with your products.

Develop clear policies and mechanisms by which victims of impersonation campaigns may report content, and consider separate reporting tools for public figures or uniquely vulnerable user groups.

Maintain resources to proactively identify impersonation campaigns using your products, with mechanisms to contact victims promptly.

Social Media Platforms and Other Major Content Distributors:

Establish and enforce clear Terms of Service regarding generative and manipulated media and consider policies to require visual markers of generative or manipulated content for users.

Adopt mechanisms to screen uploaded content for content credentials, watermarks, or other media authenticity signals, with the goal of ensuring that such content is consistent with your Terms of Service.

Develop internal classifiers or enlist third-party detection solutions to detect generative and manipulated media that lack content credentials, watermarks, or other media authenticity signals – sharing detection methodologies through trusted channels with other content distributors.

Engage independent media and civil society organizations to assist in their efforts to verify media, generate authenticated media, and educate the public.

Engage candidates and election officials on effective utilization of content credentialing or other media authentication tools for their public communications on your distribution platforms

Consider open-sourcing detection tools and methods to identify, catalogue, and/or continuously track the distribution of machine-generated or machine-manipulated content.

Maintain a publicly-accessible database containing generative or manipulated media that violates your Terms of Service (particularly with respect to election-related content), enabling civil society and media organizations to track media manipulation campaigns (with appropriate privacy and content-safety features to limit re-victimization).

Maintain resources to proactively identify impersonation campaigns conducted on your platforms, with mechanisms to contact victims promptly.

Develop clear policies and mechanisms by which victims of impersonation campaigns may report content violations, and consider a separate reporting tools for public figures or uniquely-vulnerable user groups.

Initiate information-sharing mechanisms between platforms on detecting manipulated content that may be used for malicious ends (such as election disinformation, voter suppression, non-consensual intimate imagery, online harassment, etc.)

Thank you for your attention to these important matters. I welcome your public commitment to these measures, in addition to concrete commitments you have already made to anticipate, identify, and counteract malicious use of your products ahead of the 2026 U.S. midterm elections.

Sincerely,

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* High-quality photographs of Sen. Mark R. Warner are available for download here *


Warren, Hank Johnson Lead New Investigation Into Amazon’s Melania Documentary Payments as Possible Corrupt Pay-To-Play Scheme

“The fact that Amazon is seeking favorable treatment from the Trump Administration while paying a far-above-market sum to produce and promote the Trump family’s film raises questions about Amazon’s exposure under federal anti-bribery law”

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) led a new investigation into whether Amazon’s investment in the new Melania documentary, which centers on First Lady Melania Trump, was part of a corrupt pay-to-play arrangement with the Trump administration. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), along with Representatives Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) and Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), also joined the letter.

“[T]he American people deserve assurance that powerful corporations are not using their financial resources to gain political influence or favorable treatment at public expense — and that these corporations are not violating federal bribery laws,” wrote the lawmakers.

Amazon’s $40 million payment to license the film, in addition to a $35 million marketing budget, made Melania one of the most expensive documentaries ever made. The company reportedly beat the next highest bidder by about $26 million, leading industry experts to question the commercial rationale behind the bid. Amazon reportedly does not even expect to break even from its investment, raising concerns about whether Amazon’s financial commitment was a bribe.

An estimated 70 percent of the money Amazon paid to acquire the rights — roughly $28 million — will go directly to Melania Trump. In addition to the financial windfall, the deal gave Melania Trump an extremely positive portrayal that has led to the film being called “favorable propaganda,” along with public attention as a “movie star,” in the words of President Trump at his State of the Union address.

At the same time, Amazon and owner Jeff Bezos have huge financial stakes in decisions pending before the administration, including:

Several antitrust suits: Amazon recently settled a lawsuit with the Federal Trade Commission over deceptive subscription practices, agreeing to pay a fine that amounted to a slap on the wrist. Amazon is also facing an FTC suit alleging illegal monopolization of online retail, and Amazon could benefit if the FTC litigates the case less aggressively or declines to pursue substantial monetary penalties or structural relief that could fundamentally reshape Amazon’s business model.

Potential tariff exemptions: In early February, reports indicated that the Trump administration was considering exempting Amazon from upcoming tariffs on semiconductors.

Foreign trade deals: Amazon has lobbied the administration to use trade negotiations to bully other countries into dropping their regulations of tech companies. Amazon currently faces nearly a billion dollars in fines for potentially violating laws meant to protect consumers, regulate artificial intelligence, and break up monopolies.

Federal contracts: Since President Trump took office last January, Amazon has won major cloud services contracts with immigration agencies and other federal agencies. Bezos is actively seeking new federal contracts and has reportedly attempted to curry favor with Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Tax cuts: After Amazon lobbied for tax cuts, President Trump delivered corporate tax cuts that have “shaved billions off Amazon’s tax bill” to date. Last year alone, Amazon’s federal tax bill was slashed by roughly 87 percent, even as its pretax profits rose by nearly 45 percent.

Since President Trump’s 2024 election, Amazon has donated $1 million to his inauguration fund, along with an unknown sum to the President’s gold-encrusted White House ballroom. Federal bribery law makes it illegal to offer “anything of value,” including business opportunities and financial arrangements, to elected officials or people closely associated with them with the goal of influencing official acts.

“When corporate giants refuse to offer [] assurance [that they are not breaking federal anti-bribery laws] and instead transfer tens of millions of dollars to the family of a sitting President, that not only raises questions about corporate governance but also risks eroding public trust in the fairness of our economic and political systems,” concluded the lawmakers.

The members asked Amazon to explain, by March 30, 2026, its $40 million payment for the documentary, and clarify whether the company discussed its bid with Melania Trump directly or with anyone in the administration.

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Warren Probes Meta, Microsoft, Target, Companies on Mass Layoffs Despite Strong Financials and Trump Tax Handouts

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) wrote to the CEOs of Amazon, Home Depot, Meta, Microsoft, Nike, Target, UPS, and Verizon, slamming them for their recent mass layoffs despite having strong earnings and financial positions. In particular, these corporations have benefitted from massive tax cuts and other Trump administration policies but have not passed those benefits on to their workers.

“The sequence of events regarding these layoffs – which come after your company enjoyed huge tax breaks from President Trump’s tax law and earned massive profits last year – raises questions about the rationale for the job cuts, and whether they represent another example of unchecked corporate greed emboldened by the Trump Administration,” wrote Senator Warren to Amazon, one of the eight companies included in the inquiry.

Giant corporations are making record profits under the Trump administration, receiving handouts that include massive tax breaks from Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” broad deregulation, and the advancement of Big Tech’s digital trade agenda. Additionally, in the wake of the Supreme Court’s IEEPA ruling, many large corporations stand to rake in huge windfalls if they collect tariff refunds for costs they passed on to consumers and small businesses. Last year, the Fortune 500 reported that average earnings were 9% higher than the previous year.

Despite all this, some of these large corporations have announced devastating layoffs, cutting their workforce instead of using their surplus to invest in their own workers.

For example, Amazon announced plans to lay off approximately 16,000 workers, in addition to 14,000 workers it laid off in the fall. At the same time, Amazon had a 44.5% increase in profits in 2025 and an 87% tax cut thanks to President Trump and Republicans in Congress.

Similarly, Microsoft announced that it would lay off approximately 15,000 workers, with rumors of more to come. At the same time, Microsoft’s net income in 2025 was over $101 billion, a 16% increase from the previous year, and thanks to President Trump and Republicans in Congress, Microsoft was anticipated to receive a $12.5 billion tax cut in 2025.

Additionally, the senator points out that while layoffs are always bad for the workers affected, now is a particularly painful time to be laid off. After President Trump took office, job growth slowed to a crawl. This means that newly laid-off workers could be forced to take lower paying jobs—if they are able to find employment at all. This situation is only getting worse: new data show a “sharp decline in monthly jobs growth” in February, while downward revisions for December and January offer “another warning sign.”

Given this series of events, Senator Warren is pressing these massive companies on their rationale for layoffs in the context of the large swath of benefits these companies have received under the Trump administration.

Senator Warren is demanding answers from these companies by March 30, 2026.

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Warren Raises Questions About Pentagon Granting Classified Access to Elon Musk’s Grok AI, Sidestepping National Security Concerns

“I am concerned that Grok’s apparent lack of adequate guardrails could pose serious risks to the safety of U.S. military personnel and to the cybersecurity of classified systems.”

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, pressed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on the Department of Defense (DoD) granting Elon Musk’s xAI chatbot Grok access to classified security systems — reportedly ignoring concerns raised by multiple federal agencies, including the National Security Agency (NSA) and the General Services Administration (GSA).

“Were Grok to leak government information, this could reveal sensitive military plans, U.S. intelligence efforts, and potentially put service members in danger,” wrote Senator Warren.

Last month, the Pentagon signed an agreement with xAI granting Grok access to confidential military security systems. Numerous reports have found Grok to pose serious safety concerns, including data bias and manipulation, generating offensive and illegal content, and leaking private chat conversations on the Internet.

Grok reportedly has given users advice on how to commit murders and terrorist attacks, generated antisemitic content, and created child sexual abuse material. According to recent reports, the National Security Agency “conducted a classified review… [and] determined Grok had particular security concerns that other models…didn’t.”

Multiple reports have indicated that xAI may not have imposed adequate safeguards for Grok. DoD’s Chief of Responsible AI reportedly stepped down after circulating internal memos warning about Grok’s safety issues and receiving little to no attention on the matter, and other analysts have raised concerns that “xAI didn’t have the kind of reputation or track record that typically leads to lucrative government contracts.”

But it is still unclear what assurances or documentation xAI has provided to the Department of Defense about Grok’s security safeguards, data-handling practices, or safety controls — and whether DoD evaluated those assurances before reportedly allowing Grok access to classified systems.

“I am concerned that Grok’s apparent lack of adequate guardrails could pose serious risks to the safety of U.S. military personnel and to the cybersecurity of classified systems, especially if Grok is given sensitive military information and access to operational systems,” wrote Senator Warren. “I write to request that you immediately provide information on how DoD plans to mitigate these potential national security risks.”

Senator Warren pushed DoD to provide Congress with a copy of the agreement reached between the Department and xAI; copies of all communications with xAI regarding said agreement; clarification of what safeguards are in place to guard against classified data leaks and cyberattacks; and whether the DoD required Grok to mitigate the security and safety concerns by March 30, 2026.

In September, after a high-profile incident where Grok created antisemitic and other offensive content, Senator Warren raised concerns about DoD’s decision to award Musk’s xAI a contract worth up to $200 million to use Grok. At the time, Senator Warren also raised concerns about xAI’s access to sensitive government data and sounded the alarm on the fact that the contract may be another example of Musk improperly benefitting from his time in government.

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Warren, Senators Investigate Social Security Agency’s Customer Service Chaos Reaching “New Extremes”

Trump’s Social Security head has disrupted Social Security staffing, services

Nearly two-thirds of Social Security employees report customer service has declined in the past year

“Your forced staff reassignments are harming Social Security beneficiaries, endangering the accuracy of claims, and wasting taxpayer dollars.”

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. — Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ranking Member of the Special Committee on Aging Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Ranking Member of the Committee on Finance Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) launched a new investigation into the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) ongoing customer service crisis reaching new extremes, the latest from Senate Democrats’ Social Security War Room. In a new letter to Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano, the senators raised concerns that his staffing cuts and staff reassignments have left the agency unable to “fully serve” the nearly 75 million Americans who rely on the program.

“[Staff] reassignments are band-aid solutions to patch over ongoing service problems that have plagued the agency under your leadership,” wrote the senators, highlighting ongoing staffing shortages and field office closures.

Staff cuts have left the agency with an average of only one field office representative per nearly 4,000 beneficiaries – a ratio that is 12 percent higher than it was before the cuts. With over 100,000 people visiting their local SSA office every day, these staffing reductions translate to declining customer service. According to a recent survey of SSA employees, nearly two-thirds reported that “service quality had declined in the past 12 months” and 70 percent reported “service speed had declined.”

Over the last year, the Trump administration has slashed SSA’s workforce by over 7,000 employees, causing some rural field offices to close. At the same time, SSA is short-staffing field offices in an effort to eliminate 15 million in-person field office visits, forcing seniors and people with disabilities to wait even longer for an appointment or wait hours on the phone to speak with a live agent.

Instead of fixing those problems, Bisignano has attempted to cover up the mess by reassigning employees and seeking technological shortcuts to paper over staff shortages. Some of those reassignments include pulling expert employees away from SSA’s “disability adjudication, financial and management, field office services, risk and quality, digital services and chief information officer units” to help answer SSA’s national phone line.

“This entire process of firing and pushing out call service staff, re-assigning other employees to serve as call center staff, and now rehiring a whole new set of inexperienced call service staff…is a costly, wasteful process that only adds to the customer service chaos,” wrote the senators.

Reassigned employees are reportedly now only receiving three hours of training before starting on the SSA help line, despite the agency claiming they would receive eight hours of training. Employees familiar with handling the phone line say that eight hours of training is “insufficient due to the complexity of issues that can arise on a call.” The impacts of this lack of training are already becoming apparent — with literal life and death consequences. Newly reassigned employees have reported that they are receiving alarming guidance on handling callers expressing suicidal thoughts, including reminding callers “that suicide is only one option.”

Bisignano’s past responses to Congress about staff reassignments and field office wait times failed to provide details on the number of employees reassigned or clarify the length of their reassignments. He has also failed to answer the senators’ metric-specific questions on the initial results of reassignments.

“Your forced staff reassignments are harming Social Security beneficiaries, endangering the accuracy of claims, and wasting taxpayer dollars. When SSA pulls employees away from already understaffed field offices or from processing backlogs in claims, customer service and the timely delivery of benefits suffer,” wrote the senators.

The senators asked Bisignano to provide information about the ongoing staff reassignments and customer service problems at SSA by March 27, 2026.

Senate Democrats’ Social Security War Room coordinates Democrats’ fight to defend Social Security, encourages grassroots engagement by providing opportunities for Americans to share what Social Security means to them, and educates Senate staff, the American public, and stakeholders about Republicans’ agenda and their continued cuts to Americans’ Social Security services and benefits.

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Welch Joins New Bicameral 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. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, joined U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.) and U.S. Representative Don Beyer (D-VA-08) in introducing the Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act, new bicameral 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.

The lawmakers’ bill provides broad, permanent tax cuts to nearly 130 million working Americans and eliminates federal income taxes for Americans who earn less than $46,000, the median cost of living. Additionally, the legislation 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 and avoids raising the national debt by ensuring the wealthiest pay their fair share through a tiered surtax on income above a million dollars.

The Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act stands in stark contrast to tax law that President Trump and Congressional Republicans passed last year—which provided a tax giveaway to billionaires and exploded the deficit, while offering only temporary relief for some working families.

“Income inequality in our country is the highest it’s ever been. That’s in no small part to Republicans’ tax law, which not only exploded the deficit, but delivered huge tax cuts to the wealthiest top 1% of Americans at the expense of working-class people,” said Senator Welch. “Hardworking families already struggling to make ends meet should not be paying higher taxes than millionaires—it’s time to put money back in the pockets of everyday Americans.”

“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 expense – 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.

“For decades, our tax code has been tilted to benefit the wealthiest Americans – especially those making millions of dollars each year from investments and capital gains. Our bill would restore balance and fairness to our tax code by asking the wealthiest Americans to contribute more through a tiered surtax on income above one million dollars. That revenue will deliver meaningful tax relief for working Americans trying to afford basic necessities like groceries, rent, child care, and gas,” said Representative Beyer.

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. According to an analysis by the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy, nearly 130 million people would receive a tax cut through this legislation. This would benefit nearly 25 million children. Additionally, it is fully paid for through a tiered surtax on millionaires.

Joining Senators Welch, Van Hollen, Kelly, Gillibrand, Booker, and Kim on this legislation in the Senate are Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), 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.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.).

This Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act has been endorsed by a broad range of organizations: AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Americans for Tax Fairness, Community Change Action, Demos, Get Out the Vote PAC, Indivisible, Institute for Policy Studies, MoveOn, National Education Association (NEA), NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Oxfam US, Patriotic Millionaires, People’s Action, Public Citizen, Social Security Works, 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 Liz Shuler, President, AFL-CIO. “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, American Federation of Teachers.

“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, Democratic Capitalism Institute.

Learn more about the Working Americans’ Tax Cut Act.

Read and download the full text of the bill.

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Smith Underscores Importance of American Leadership at WTO

In his opening statement at today’s House Ways and Means Trade subcommittee hearing, Chairman Adrian Smith (NE-03) underscored the importance of strong American leadership at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to rebalance global trade, expand market access for American exports, and push back against unfair practices by trading partners.

During his remarks, Chairman Smith signaled that while the WTO remains valuable, it requires significant reform to overcome gridlock and deliver meaningful reform that supports America's workers, businesses, and emerging industries.

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Click the image above to watch a video of Chairman Smith’s opening remarks

Click here to download audio

Click here to download video

Chairman Smith’s remarks as prepared for delivery:


Ansari Supports Articles of Impeachment Against Attorney General Pam Bondi

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) helped introduce articles of impeachment against Attorney General Pam Bondi. The articles of impeachment outline several alleged offenses, including defiance of the Oversight’s Committee’s subpoena to release the full, unredacted Epstein files, defiance of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, abuse of investigatory and prosecutorial authority, defiance of federal court orders, and perjury in congressional testimony.

“Pam Bondi is complicit in the most egregious cover up in American history, hiding documents that reveal a young woman reported being sexually assaulted by Donald Trump when she was just a minor and spying on Members of Congress performing their constitutional oversight duties. Bondi’s actions are not only disgusting and wrong, they are also illegal, in direct violation of the Epstein Files Transparency Act and her oath of office. She must be held accountable and impeached immediately,” said Rep. Ansari.

Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12) is the lead sponsor of the articles.

“The Attorney General of the United States is entrusted with one of the most solemn responsibilities in our democracy: to enforce the law fairly, impartially, and without political influence. Instead, Pam Bondi is breaking the law to protect pedophiles and prosecute Trump’s political opponents,” said Rep. Summer Lee. “This is about accountability, transparency, and justice. We deserve a justice system that serves the people, not one that is weaponized for political gain.”

The articles also detail actions that constitute the politicization of the Department of Justice. These include the firing of career public servants in the Department of Justice and the FBI, ordering and carrying out politically motivated investigations into the president’s alleged political opponents, closing investigations and dismissing lawsuits involving President Trump and his allies, and targeting journalists and protestors.

The articles of impeachment were drafted in collaboration with Free Speech For People, a non-profit legal advocacy organization.

“An Attorney General who defies Congress, disregards federal law, and misleads the courts cannot remain in office,” said Courtney Hostetler, Legal Director of Free Speech For People. “The Constitution provides impeachment precisely for moments like this, when the integrity of our justice system and the rule of law are under attack. We applaud Congresswoman Lee for introducing these articles of impeachment against Attorney General Pamela Bondi.”

The bill is also co-sponsored by Representatives Valerie Foushee, Dave Min, Rashida Tlai, and Maxine Dexter.

A copy of the bill text can be found here.

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Congressman Baird Announces Opening of 2026 Congressional Art Competition

Today, Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) announced the 2026 Congressional Art Competition is now open. The competition is open to all qualifying students in Indiana’s Fourth Congressional District who are looking to display their artistic passions. The deadline for submissions is Friday, April 24, 2026.

“I’m pleased to announce that my office is accepting submissions for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition,” said Congressman Baird. “This is a wonderful opportunity for young artists in our district to showcase their talents and have their work displayed in our nation’s capital. Each year, I am impressed by students’ remarkable artistry and skill. I encourage every eligible young artist to participate and wish them the best of luck.”

The winner of the Congressional Art Competition will have their artwork on display in the U.S. Capitol for an entire year and earn a trip to Washington, D.C. to see their work on display. The winning artwork is also featured on the U.S. House of Representatives Congressional Art Competition Page.

How to Participate:

Students, teachers, and parents are encouraged to submit one piece of original art to the district office in Danville, along with their student release form. All entries MUST include the Student Information and Release Form for the competition. The submission deadline is Friday, April 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. Please visit our website for more information and to download the student release form.

Submissions can be mailed or dropped off at the Danville District Office:

Office of Congressman Jim Baird

355 S. Washington St

Danville, IN 46122

The Student Information and Release Form can be found here.

Eligibility Requirements:

Students in grades 7 through 12 in Indiana’s Fourth Congressional District are eligible to submit their work. Artwork must be two-dimensional. Each framed artwork can be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. Even when framed, it must still measure no larger than the above maximum dimensions. No framed piece should weigh more than 15 pounds.

Accepted media:

Paintings: Oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.

Drawings: Colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal (charcoal and pastel drawings must be fixed)

Prints: Lithographs, silkscreen, block prints

Collages: Must be two-dimensional

Mixed Media: Use of more than two media, such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.

Computer-generated art

Photographs

Each entry must be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate U.S. copyright laws. Any entry that has been copied from an existing photo or image (including a painting, graphic, or advertisement) that was created by someone other than the student is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted. Work entered must be in the original medium (not a scanned reproduction).

The 2026 Rules and Regulations can be found here.


Barrett: Congress Is Lowering Energy Costs. Michigan Needs to Follow Suit

In case you missed it, Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) wrote an op-ed published today in the Lansing State Journal discussing his work to unleash affordable, reliable American energy and lower utility bills for Michiganders, including reforms in the Working Families Tax Cuts. He contrasts that work to increase competition and choices with the state-level green energy mandates that Democrats passed in 2023 and that are projected to double electric bills for Michigan ratepayers.

You can read the op-ed here or below.

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Michiganders know the increasing pain of paying the utility bills each month. Electric rates climb year after year, making it more expensive for working families to keep the lights on.

That’s why I’m fighting to bring prices down for the people of Michigan. In Congress, I’ve taken action to boost energy production, because increasing supply to meet residents’ needs will lower costs.

My Republican colleagues and I have unleashed American energy through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act and other common-sense reforms. We cut unnecessary regulations that limited production of reliable energy sources like oil and natural gas, and I’ve helped lead the bipartisan charge to reopen a reliable nuclear power plant in Michigan. We’re refilling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve — the emergency fuel supply that President Joe Biden recklessly drew down.

We also ended the Biden administration’s handouts to favored energy special interests. These corporate welfare subsidies took Americans’ hard-earned tax dollars and gave them to wind and solar companies. The government shouldn’t be picking winners and losers, but Biden’s Green New Deal stifled competition on the taxpayer dime. Congressional Republicans ended these handouts, protecting taxpayer dollars and restoring a level playing field so the market can choose the best, most reliable, and most affordable energy sources.

Meanwhile, Michigan is stuck in the failed, costly policies of the past. Republicans in Congress voted to take the government’s thumb off the scale and increase competition and choices, but Michigan Democrats went the opposite direction. Despite the fact that Michigan already has the highest electricity rates in the Midwest, Democrats used their unified control of state government in 2023 to pass new laws requiring electricity production to use 100% green energy by 2040.

That means providers will have to spend billions of dollars to build more wind turbines and solar farms across the state, so Michigan residents will pay even higher electric rates to cover the green energy expenses. One study projects rates in our state will double because of these mandates. Michigan businesses will have higher rates, too, and customers can expect to see prices on everyday goods and services go up to offset these energy costs.

These mandates won’t just make energy less affordable, they’ll also make it less reliable at a time when Michigan already suffers some of the worst blackouts in the nation. Wind and solar power need the wind to blow and the sun to shine, so these energy sources can’t always generate electricity.

We need an all-of-the-above energy strategy focused on reliability and affordability. Wind and solar can play a role, and when I served in the Michigan Legislature, I introduced legislation to ensure utility companies fairly compensate homeowners with their own solar panels for sending extra power back to the grid.

Michigan Democrats chose to put all their eggs in a few baskets instead of cultivating a reliable, affordable, diverse energy portfolio. These mandates are a recipe for higher prices and more blackouts, and they’re made worse by the fact that Democrats stripped communities of local control over where wind and solar projects can go. We should be looking at what energy works best for working-class ratepayers, not politicians.

Now, the same politicians who voted to require 100% green energy, shut down reliable natural gas power plants, and raise electricity prices are pointing the finger and hoping Michigan families will forget why their utility bills are getting more expensive.

Congress is doing its job to lower costs and energize our economy. It’s time for the Michigan Legislature to do the same.


Budzinski Calls on Postmaster General to Address Flailing Delivery Rates, Demands Better for Rural Areas

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Budzinski (IL-13) at a House Oversight Committee hearing called on Postmaster General David Steiner to address flailing USPS delivery rates that have impacted rural communities in her district. Budzinski questioned why the Postmaster has continued to implement the so-called “Delivering for America” plan when the initiative has been proven to worsen on-time mail delivery rates and slow outgoing mail in rural areas.

“Communities across Central and Southern Illinois have endured unreliable and delayed mail delivery for far too long. It’s time for the Postmaster General to take an honest, hard look at the failures of the Delivering for America Plan and work with Congress to finally deliver real solutions,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “I will continue pushing for meaningful legislative reforms and use my role as Chair of the Congressional Postal Service Caucus to hold the Postmaster General accountable and demand action plans that will actually improve mail delivery, not maintain the status quo.”

Congresswoman Budzinski has been a staunch advocate of improved mail service, while strongly opposing efforts toward privatization and proposals that would reduce service reliability and speed for rural communities. Budzinski leads the bipartisan Congressional Postal Service Caucus, a bipartisan group that focuses on these issues in the House of Representatives.

You can find a video of Budzinski’s opening remarks HERE and her remarks as prepared for delivering below:

Good Afternoon. Thank you Chairman Sessions and Ranking Member Mfume for giving me the chance to speak.

Secondly, I want to thank Mr. Marroni and Postmaster General Steiner for being here today.

In Fiscal Year 2025, the Postal Service lost about $9 billion. In the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2026, USPS lost an additional $1.4 billion.

Postmaster General Steiner, you have stated that you believe the Postal Service is headed towards a financial crisis – I think we can agree on that. But you’ve also said you want to push forward with the Delivering for America Plan – which has only worsened delivery for the past 6 years.

As we enter year 6 of the Delivering for America plan, I remain concerned that the Postal Service seems committed to pushing forward with the plan despite steep declines in on-time delivery and slowed outgoing mail from rural areas like the ones I represent in Central and Southern Illinois.

For example, in Fiscal Year 2019, the on-time delivery for two-day first class mail was 92 percent.

6 years later – it’s down to just 83 percent, with areas like downstate Illinois consistently seeing on-time delivery fall below 80 percent and even 70 percent at various points in 2024 and 2025.

That is why I believe that it is really important that we continue to have a strong Postal Regulatory Commission and Inspector General to ensure that we have oversight of the Postal Service and its implementation of the Delivering for America plan.

It’s unacceptable. And it’s part of why I started the bipartisan Congressional Postal Service Caucus, to improve on-time delivery, while protecting USPS employees.

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U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Calls for Urgent Action to Support Freedom, Human Rights, & Economic Opportunity for the Cuban People

TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (FL) today issued a call for swift humanitarian assistance to the Cuban people and for a broad international effort to advance fundamental freedoms and long‑overdue economic reforms on the island.

As Cuban families face shortages, repression, and blackouts, Rep. Castor urged the Trump Administration and Cuban government to act—speed food and aid, restore power, and pursue real reforms. The need has grown more urgent with the recent energy grid collapse, which plunged the country into darkness.

“The Cuban people have endured decades of hardship under communist rule, and their courage in the face of repression continues to inspire,” Rep. Castor said. “They deserve the basic freedoms, human rights protections, and economic opportunities that people across our hemisphere enjoy. The international community must stand with them at this pivotal moment.”

Rep. Castor stressed that coordinated action with allies, the Cuban diaspora, and the Catholic Church is key to peaceful change. She emphasized pairing humanitarian relief with a clear commitment to democratic principles, warning that inaction risks instability and a refugee crisis.

“Humanitarian aid is needed now, but a broad economic and political transition is essential,” Castor said. “Progress will come when the Cuban people are free to speak, organize, innovate, and build a modern economy that reflects their talents and aspirations.”

Rep. Castor reaffirmed her longstanding support for policies that promote human rights, expand economic opportunity, and strengthen connections between Cuban families and Florida communities.


CLARKE, BISHOP, SALAZAR, & LAWLER INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN BILL TO PROTECT HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE AND MAINTAIN PATIENT ACCESS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 17, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT:

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) introduced the H–1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act, bipartisan legislation with Reps. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), and Mike Lawler (NY-17). This legislation will exempt physicians and other health care workers from the new $100,000 fee for H-1B petitions. It also prohibits new H-1B fees imposed on health care workers that exceed the existing fees under the U.S. Code.

This effort comes after Reps. Clarke and Lawler organized 100 Members of Congress in urging the Department of Homeland Security to exempt the health care sector from the fee. With workforce shortages continuing to strain hospitals and health systems nationwide, lawmakers are now moving forward with legislation to ensure physicians and other medical professionals can continue serving patients in communities that rely on them.

“As they are in so many areas across our society and economy, immigrant Americans remain indispensable assets to keeping our hospitals and health systems running steadily, efficiently, and effectively. The bipartisan willingness to ensure migrant health care workers are exempt from the $100,000 fee for H-1B petitions stands as a testament to the widely accepted value and necessity of these workers in one of this country’s most vital, yet vulnerable sectors. I am proud to co-lead this effort to prevent dangerous workforce shortages from impacting the health and well-being of Americans, as well as to ensure that those who are willing to contribute their expertise and talents to our nation can continue to do so at the times when we most need them,” said Congresswoman Clarke.

“As detailed in President Trump’s proclamation putting this fee in place, it is certainly in the national interest to exempt healthcare workers. Hospitals, community health centers, and other critical facilities are facing serious workforce shortages that threaten access to care. And they can’t pay a $100,000 price tag on new immigrant workers. Without the clarification provided in this bill, the physicians and the wider healthcare workforce would effectively be shut out of the H-1B program, furthering workforce shortages and limiting care options. Communities in the Hudson Valley and across the country depend on healthcare workers, and this legislation makes sure they can continue delivering critical care,” said Congressman Lawler.

“The $100,000 H1-B filing fee adds insult to injury to hospitals, especially in rural areas. The fee will have a detrimental impact on their ability to recruit qualified health care professionals to some of the nation’s most underserved areas. The bipartisan legislation we are introducing today, however, will ensure that all physicians and health professionals are exempted from this fee so that they can continue to serve without fear or financial hardship,” said Congressman Bishop.

“Healthcare access starts with having enough doctors and medical professionals to serve our communities. As our nation faces a growing physician shortage, we must ensure that steep fees do not stand in the way of hospitals bringing in the medical talent American patients depend on. That’s why I’m proud to co-lead the H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act, removing a financial barrier so providers can recruit the physicians they need and ensure families in Florida and across America receive the timely, high-quality healthcare they deserve,” said Congresswoman Salazar.

The U.S. healthcare industry relies on the H-1B visa program to recruit physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, particularly in rural and underserved communities facing workforce shortages. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, nearly 87 million Americans live in areas federally designated as lacking enough medical professionals to meet community health care needs.

The H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act exempts health care workers, defined under the Affordable Care Act, from the $100,000 fee required for certain H-1B visa petitions under the September 2025 Presidential Proclamation and prohibits additional fees beyond those already established under existing immigration law for these workers.

Endorsing organizations include the American Association of Medical Colleges, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment, Greater New York Hospital Association, Healthcare Association of New York State, and Physicians for American Healthcare Access.

“Patients across the country are feeling the effects of the growing physician shortage. Medicare patients and people in rural and underserved areas already struggle to get the care they need. In many such communities, international medical graduates play an important role in providing care and ensuring patients can see a doctor when they need one. The AMA supports this legislation to ensure the new $100,000 fee does not make it harder to recruit highly skilled physicians. We thank Reps. Lawler (R-NY), Bishop (D-GA), Salazar (R-FL), and Clarke (D-NY), for introducing this bipartisan bill. The AMA urges Congress to act quickly to protect patients’ access to care,” said Bobby Mukkamala, MD, President, American Medical Association.

“International medical graduates are essential to health care delivery in communities that would otherwise struggle to access a doctor. The $100,000 H-1B fee could undermine the physician pipeline to the places that need it most, including rural communities, underserved areas, and safety-net hospitals. Physicians for American Healthcare Access (PAHA) applauds Reps. Lawler (R-NY), Bishop (D-GA), Salazar (R-FL), and Clarke (D-NY) for this bipartisan legislation, and we urge Congress to pass the H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act to safeguard patients’ access to care,” said Dr. Ram Alur, President, Physicians for Americans Healthcare Access.

“The $100,000 H-1B filing fee on health care entities poses a serious challenge to provider recruitment at a time when demand for physicians and other health care professionals continues to grow. Hospitals, health systems, and practices across the country rely on international physicians and health care professionals to meet patient needs. This fee could slow recruitment efforts and make it harder for employers to bring on the providers their communities depend on,” said Carey Goryl, Chief Executive Officer of the Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment (AAPPR). AAPPR supports the H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act and applauds Reps. Lawler (R-NY), Bishop (D-GA), Salazar (R-FL), and Clarke (D-NY) for their bipartisan leadership on this issue,” said Carey Goryl, CEO, Association for Advancing Physician and Provider Recruitment.

“The AHA commends Representatives Lawler, Bishop, Salazar, and Clarke for introducing bipartisan legislation that would help maintain patient access to care in communities nationwide. Specifically, this important bill will maintain critical staffing for areas of the country where there are well-documented shortages of health care workers,” said Stacey Hughes, Executive Vice President of the American Hospital Association.

“New York’s hospitals have long relied on the H-1B visa program to help address healthcare workforce shortages in underserved communities new $100,000 fee for each H-1B visa applicant is jeopardizing hospitals’ ability to fill open roles and maintain their patients’ access to care, while increasing the cost of providing care. By exempting healthcare workers from this burdensome fee, the H-1Bs for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act will help our providers do what they do best – serve their patients. I commend Reps. Mike Lawler and Yvette Clarke for continuing to lead on this critical issue,” said Bea Grause, RN, JD, President, Healthcare Association of New York State.

“The H-1B visa program helps ensure that New York hospitals can deliver world-class health care, train the next generation of physicians, and conduct cutting-edge research. The $100,000 filing fee for H-1B visa petitions poses a grave threat to this critical mission. It will further strain hospitals financially, exacerbate ongoing workforce shortages, and diminish access to care. The H-1B Visas for Physicians and the Healthcare Workforce Act will eliminate this onerous fee and ensure that hospitals can continue to care for their communities. I thank Representatives Lawler, Clarke, Salazar, and Bishop for their commitment to strengthening the health care workforce,” said Kenneth E. Raske, President, Greater New York Hospital Association.

Full text of the bill can be found HERE

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Congressman Cohen Works to Fund Critical DHS Agencies While Insisting on ICE and CBP Reforms

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a cosponsor of legislation that would fund critical agencies like the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Coast Guard and other DHS components, vowed to sign a discharge petition to force a vote on the measure. At the same time, Congressman Cohen continued to insist that any funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CPB) be contingent on significant policy reforms guaranteeing civil rights and transparency.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“Republicans shut down large parts of the DHS because they insisted on pouring billions more into ICE and Trump’s mass deportation machine without reforming procedures that have already led to American citizens’ deaths and economic disruptions across the country.

“Now TSA lines are out the door, travel is slowing to a crawl, critical agencies like FEMA, the Coast Guard, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) are all stuck in limbo, and thousands of federal employees are working without pay. This is all because the GOP refuses to reopen the rest of DHS unless Congress keeps shoveling taxpayer dollars to ICE — an agency that isn’t just killing American citizens while lying about targeting the ‘worst of the worst,’ but is actively making it more difficult to apprehend the ‘worst of the worst’ by recruiting local police officers away from real law enforcement agencies.

“I’ve co-sponsored legislation to reopen TSA, FEMA, the Coast Guard, and CISA without funding ICE, and this week I’ll sign the discharge petition to force a vote. We can reopen the parts of DHS that protect the public without writing another blank check to ICE.”

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ICYMI: Rep. Sharice Davids Pushes to Restore Birth Control, Cancer Screening Access

In case you missed it, new reporting from NPR underscores growing concerns about access to birth control, cancer screenings, and STI testing after the Trump Administration moved to withhold critical Title X funding from clinics across the country, including in Kansas.

Title X is the nation’s only federal program dedicated solely to family planning, supporting clinics that provide preventive care to millions of low-income and uninsured patients each year. But this year, the application opened months late, giving grantees just seven days to apply instead of the typical four months. Additionally, the office responsible for reviewing applications is severely understaffed after the Trump Administration fired the entire team last year — and senior officials are already warning they may not be able to process applications in time.

In response, Representative Sharice Davids (KS-03) joined House Democrats in pressing the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., to issue a one-year extension for current grantees and prevent further disruptions to care. The lawmakers warn that delays and confusion are already forcing providers to cut services and putting care out of reach for vulnerable communities.

Davids has been a leading advocate for protecting access to affordable health care, including Title X. After President Trump withheld congressionally approved funding from clinics last year, she pushed HHS to restore it immediately. She also introduced the Expanding Access to Family Planning Act to strengthen and protect the program long term.

Read more from NPR: “Reproductive health clinics scramble as Title X funding cliff approaches”

By Selena Simmons-Duffin

“A group of 128 Democratic members of Congress is calling on the federal government to prevent a funding shortfall for reproductive health clinics in two weeks.

[…]

“The role Title X plays in keeping communities healthy is practically invisible, explains Rep. Sharice Davids, D-Kan., one of the House members who helped gather co-signers to the letter. ‘When someone's going in because they need birth control or cancer screenings or STI testing, everyday people aren't like, ‘Thank goodness for Title X,’’ she notes.

“Despite the low profile, she says, Title X (as in the number 10) is incredibly important. The program… helps health centers provide birth control and sexually transmitted infection treatment and testing to people without health insurance. For low-income patients, the services are free. Title X does not pay for abortion care.

[…]

“When HHS missed its deadline of Dec. 31, ‘trepidation, concern, real fear’ grew among recipients, Coleman says.

[…]

“The applications were ultimately opened on Friday evening, with a deadline of this coming Friday, giving grantees one week to respond with all the requested information instead of the usual three or four months. It's a timeline that Coleman calls ‘laughable.’

“According to a senior HHS official… the Title X team includes 10 staffers, who will have seven business days to review dozens of grant applications from around the country. If the staff or grantees can't manage that, the funding might not go out on April 1 as scheduled. Even a short gap can "lead to consequences, things we can't undo," including health centers cutting hours, staff, or services, explains Coleman.

[…]

“President Trump proposed defunding Title X in his 2026 budget proposal. His administration also withheld 22 Title X grants for most of 2025 before reversing course in the face of a lawsuit brought by Coleman's organization. And during the October federal shutdown, the Trump administration fired the entire staff that administers Title X at HHS; those staff members were un-fired as part of the deal to end the shutdown.

[…]

“Title X funding is mentioned in Project 2025, a document OMB Director Russell Vought helped shape when he was at Heritage Action for America, the advocacy and lobbying arm of the Heritage Foundation.

[…]

“Rep. Davids says easy and affordable access to birth control and STI testing are basic services that patients have come to expect. When it comes to the Title X funding issues, she says, ‘I think the more people hear about this, the more, frankly, outraged we're going to see people being about this.’”


DelBene, Miller, Schrier Introduce Bill to Remove Financial Barriers for Living Organ Donors

Today, Congresswomen Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Carol Miller (WV-01), and Kim Schrier, MD (WA-08) introduced legislation to provide more support to living organ donors and address the increasingly high costs of donation. The Expanding Support for Living Donors Act would remove financial barriers that prevent many people from donating life-saving organs.

Every day, 13 Americans die waiting for an organ transplant. There are more than 100,000 people on the transplant waitlist, and every eight minutes, another person is added. A transplant provides a new lease on life, but our current system is insufficient to meet the needs of patients.

While the rate of deceased donations has improved in recent years following Congressional action, the rate of living donations has flatlined over the past two decades. This is largely due to the high out-of-pocket costs of donating, which can exceed $10,000. Travel expenses, child care, and lost wages from missing work are all major costs that donors can incur in the process. The existing federal donor reimbursement program only provides up to $6,000 for donation-related expenses, which is often not enough, and income restrictions disqualify many people from accessing these benefits.

“Donors give the gift of life to their fellow Americans, but too often they’re held back by high personal out-of-pocket costs. No one should have to choose between saving a life and paying their bills. This legislation would remove unnecessary financial barriers that contribute to the transplant list growing every year. By making donations more accessible, we can help more patients receive the life‑saving transplants they need,” said DelBene.

“Becoming a living organ donor is an extraordinary act of generosity, but for many Americans the financial costs tied to donation remain a serious barrier. No one who steps forward to save a life should be left worrying about lost wages or out-of-pocket expenses. This is why I was so happy to partner with Congresswoman Suzan DelBene to reintroduce the Expanding Support for Living Donors Act, which strengthens and modernizes the Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program by extending it through 2037. This way we can expand eligibility and increase reimbursement amounts beginning in fiscal year 2027. By updating this program to reflect today’s economic realities, we can better support donors and help ensure more patients receive the life-saving transplants they need,” said Miller.

“As a doctor, I have seen firsthand the life-changing impact that organ donations have and know that these donations add years to recipients' lives, giving them a new lease on life and precious, additional time spent with their family and loved ones,” said Schrier. “Unfortunately, living donors often face burdensome financial barriers when trying to donate, such as travel costs and lost wages. These barriers can be the only obstacle standing between patients and the lifesaving care that they need. That's why I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation to help address this issue and increase access by expanding financial assistance to living donors.”

The bill would:

Reauthorize the Living Organ Donation Reimbursement Program through 2037.

Increase the maximum reimbursement amount to $10,000 and peg it to inflation.

Double the income eligibility to about $100,000 a year.

Require an annual report on the program.

The legislation has been updated to reflect that the Honor Our Living Donors (HOLD) Act, introduced by DelBene and Jay Obernolte (CA-23), was signed into law earlier this year. The law allows more donors to qualify for wage, travel, and caregiver reimbursement when donating. \

The bill is supported by the following patient advocacy and medical groups: National Kidney Foundation, American Society of Nephrology, Nonprofit Kidney Care Alliance, American Kidney Fund, Waitlist Zero, Centers for Dialysis Care, Central Florida Kidney Centers, Independent Dialysis Foundation, Northwest Kidney Centers, Puget Sound Kidney Centers, Renal Physicians Association, American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Liver Foundation, American Nephrology Nurses Association, Dialysis Patient Citizens, Ardelyx, Washington State Hospital Association, American Diabetes Association, DaVita, Fresenius, American Medical Association, and The Rogosin Institute.

“Giving a life-saving organ as a living donor is one of the greatest possible gifts. The American Society of Nephrology believes that living donation should be a cost-neutral act and commends the introduction of the Expanding Support for Living Donors Act,” said Samir M. Parikh, MD, FASN, President, American Society of Nephrology. “This bipartisan bill breaks down barriers to living organ donation by covering more out-of-pocket costs incurred during the living donation process for most Americans, enshrining our nation’s commitment to those who give the gift of life.”

“In the United States, twelve people die every day waiting for a kidney transplant,” said Kevin Longino, CEO of the National Kidney Foundation and a kidney transplant recipient. “Living donors make an extraordinary and selfless choice to save lives, and they should never face financial barriers because of that generosity. Strengthening the National Living Donor Assistance Center will help remove those barriers and ensure more patients have a chance to receive the life-saving transplant they need.”

“The American Kidney Fund is proud to support the Expanding Support for Living Donors Act, which would increase the number of living donors eligible for important federal programs,” said LaVarne Burton, President and CEO, American Kidney Fund. “There are many Americans moved to donate a kidney that may hesitate because they can’t afford time off, dependent care, transportation or lodging. By improving access to federal support, this legislation would ultimately help ensure more people on the kidney transplant waiting list receive the life-saving transplant they need.”

The text of the legislation can be found here


PASSED BY HOUSE: Ezell Bill to Strengthen Coastal Monitoring and Resilience

Today, Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) announced that his legislation, H.R. 2294, to reauthorize the Integrated Ocean Observation System (IOOS), passed the U.S. House of Representatives last night.

The bill ensures the continued operation and modernization of a critical national system that provides real-time data on ocean conditions, weather patterns, and coastal hazards—supporting communities, industries, and emergency response efforts across the Gulf Coast and the nation.

“As a representative of a coastal district, I understand firsthand how important accurate, real-time data is for protecting lives, supporting our fishermen, and strengthening our coastal economy,” Ezell said. “Reauthorizing IOOS ensures that our communities have the tools they need to prepare for severe weather, safeguard our marine resources, and keep our ports and waterways operating efficiently. I will continue working with my colleagues in both chambers to get this important legislation across the finish line. Mississippi’s Gulf Coast and coastal communities across the country are counting on it.”

The Integrated Ocean Observation System plays a vital role in forecasting hurricanes, monitoring harmful algal blooms, supporting maritime navigation, and informing disaster response. Along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, these capabilities are essential to protecting livelihoods, infrastructure, and natural resources.

House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) praised the legislation, stating, “Rep. Ezell has been a consistent leader in advancing science-based coastal management. Reauthorizing the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System ensures communities, fishermen, and emergency managers have reliable data to protect lives, infrastructure, and marine resources. This bill reinforces the importance of accurate information for coastal resilience and economic stability.”


Fedorchak, Carter introduce bipartisan legislation to strengthen rural health offices nationwide

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (R-ND) and Congressman Troy Carter Sr. (D-LA) today introduced the State Offices of Rural Health Program Reauthorization Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation to strengthen rural health care.

“Rural communities face unique challenges in providing quality health care over large distances with limited resources. State Offices of Rural Health, like the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota, are the glue for these rural systems. They connect providers with training and information, share best practices, provide information on unique resources, and fill in countless gaps,” said Congresswoman Julie Fedorchak (ND-AL) “This program helps improve the quality and viability of the health care facilities families throughout rural North Dakota depend on.”

"I’m committed to ensuring that families in rural communities can access the health care they deserve. State Offices of Rural Health play a vital role in connecting rural hospitals, clinics, and providers with the resources they need to serve their communities. By reauthorizing and strengthening this program, we’re making a bipartisan investment in the health, stability, and future of rural America. No matter where you live, whether in a small town or a big city, you should be able to count on quality, affordable health care close to home," said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02).

Rural health care providers—including Critical Access Hospitals and Community Health Centers—deliver life-saving care to more than 60 million Americans living in rural communities. Many of these providers operate independently and face significant challenges maintaining sustainable operations while competing with larger urban health systems.

State Offices of Rural Health help small rural providers meet those challenges by providing best practices, offering technical assistance, and creating forums so providers can continue strengthening rural health.

The program’s authorization currently provides funding through FY26, after which the statutory authorization expires. The State Offices of Rural Health Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 amends the Public Health Service Act to:

Reauthorize the State Offices of Rural Health program, continuing federal support for state offices that coordinate rural health initiatives and assist providers.

Authorize $13.5 million annually from FY27 through FY32 to support state rural health offices nationwide, in line with FY26 appropriated levels.

"The National Rural Health Association (NRHA) is elated to see Congressman Fedorchak and Congressman Carter introduce the State Offices of Rural Health Program Reauthorization Act. The 50 State Offices of Rural Health (SORHs) across the country play a vital role as the backbone of rural health coordination within their respective states. SORHs work with rural health care providers and stakeholders to administer rural health programs, connect partners to resources, build capacity, and otherwise provide critical direct technical assistance. NRHA is proud to support legislation that will continue to support SORHs and the important work that they do on behalf of their rural communities." - Alan Morgan, CEO, National Rural Health Association (NRHA)

“As North Dakota's State Office of Rural Health, the Center for Rural Health stands in full support of Representative Fedorchak's introduction of the State Offices of Rural Health Program Reauthorization Act of 2026. As one of the nation's oldest State Offices of Rural Health, the Center for Rural Health has seen the undeniable impact that the SORH program has across our state and the nation. As a unit of the University of North Dakota's School of Medicine and Health Sciences, SORH funding has also allowed us to bridge the full spectrum of rural health from workforce development through quality improvement, helping to support comprehensive approaches to improve rural health. SORHs form the backbone of both strategic planning and on-the-ground support for rural health, and Representative Fedorchak's State Offices of Rural Health Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 will sustain the impact of decades of investment in the SORH initiative, helping ensure that the health of rural America continues to be an explicit priority of all states.” - Jacob Warren, Director, Center for Rural Health, University of North Dakota

“As the primary care association for North and South Dakota, CHAD is pleased to join Representative Fedorchak in strong support of continued funding for the state offices of rural health. The partnership in North Dakota between the Department of Health and Human Services and the Center for Rural Health at the University of North Dakota has been particularly effective. Together they work to address the top challenge faced by rural providers -- building a strong workforce. They work across the pipeline to support high impact programs that make it possible for providers to sustain access to care in rural places. They also support community needs assessments and building networks to make rural providers more effective and efficient. The Center for Rural Health is a treasured resource in North Dakota because it is a trusted source of well-researched recommendations to policymakers and others across the state and the country.” - Community Healthcare Association of the Dakotas


Congresswoman Fischbach with County Representatives from her District

Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach met with the Association of Minnesota Counties and representatives from Big Stone, Chippewa, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Meeker, Reville, and Swift Counties in her district office in Willmar. The group discussed the error rate in the SNAP Program and how the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on accurate numbers. They also talked about the need for updated technology to help them process and administer SNAP dollars. Rural counties have been facing increased challenges to their budgets after suffering from Biden-era inflation, which increased the costs of goods and services. Congresswoman Fischbach wants to ensure that we can maintain our rural communities and remove unnecessary government regulations that are threatening our communities. She will continue to look for ways to assist those in her district, without creating more regulations for them.


Franklin, Amo Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Strengthen Ocean Monitoring And Improve Severe Weather Forecasting

Today, Congressman Scott Franklin (FL-18), Chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Environment Subcommittee, and Ranking Member Gabe Amo (RI-01) introduced the NOAA Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing (GOMO) Research Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen America’s ocean monitoring capabilities and improve forecasting for extreme weather events.

The bill establishes a research program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to enhance ocean data collection, improve coordination, and leverage advanced technologies to better predict severe weather and protect lives and property.

“Reliable ocean monitoring is vital for Florida, where our safety and quality of life depend on accurate forecasting,” said Chairman Scott Franklin. “Through NOAA’s Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing program, we can harness cutting-edge technology to collect and analyze global ocean data. Advanced ocean monitoring and analysis are essential to improve preparation for extreme weather and ensure our nation is equipped with the best information to protect lives and property.”

“From growing the Blue Economy to protecting communities from climate change, understanding the ocean is key to Rhode Island’s future,” said Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI). “The NOAA GOMO Research Act helps us deepen our understanding of the ocean and ensure we have the data to protect Rhode Island families from extreme weather and climate change. Science saves lives, and I will keep fighting so NOAA can continue its vital mission to protect our communities.”

The NOAA GOMO Research Act will:

Strengthen U.S. ocean observing and monitoring capabilities

Improve forecasting for hurricanes and other extreme weather events

Support research and development of advanced ocean technologies

Enhance coordination and accessibility of ocean data

Address critical gaps in ocean observation systems

This legislation builds on NOAA’s ongoing work to provide timely, accurate data that supports emergency preparedness, maritime safety, and coastal resilience.