WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (D-N.M.) released the following statements regarding the Trump administration’s new actions to eliminate protections for the Greater Chaco Region that safeguard the area from new oil and gas leasing, undoing a 20-year mineral withdrawal that has kept public lands surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park off-limits to new development.

Yesterday, the Trump administration committed to conducting an environmental assessment within 90 days and finalizing Tribal consultation on historic preservation within 30 days. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is only granting seven days for organizations and individuals to submit scoping comments before proceeding with the environmental review.

“Chaco Canyon is a living cultural landscape that holds deep historical meaning and is a sacred space for many of our New Mexico Tribes,” said Heinrich, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and co-founder of the U.S. Senate Stewardship Caucus. “It is not just one more place to drill. The disrespect shown by the Trump administration toward New Mexicans seems to know no bounds.”

“Allowing just seven days for public comment on the fate of a 1,000-year-old sacred site is inadequate and disgraceful. I’ve spent my career working to secure lasting protections for Chaco Canyon and the Greater Chaco Region through real consultation and meaningful public input,” said Luján, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. “The Trump administration is doing the opposite — jamming a comment period into Holy Week and limiting public participation to online-only access, all while Pueblos are in the midst of preparations for sensitive cultural activities. This is unacceptable, and I will continue pushing back against this administration’s attempts to undermine Tribal sovereignty.”

“Chaco Canyon is not just a place on a map, it is a sacred, living landscape that carries the history, culture, and identity for many Tribal communities,” said Leger Fernández, Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs. “We secured the protections for the Greater Chaco Region, which includes over 4,700 archaeological sites, through a thorough and inclusive process. The Trump administration’s rushed attempt to roll back the protections blatantly disregards the careful consideration that such a sacred and historical site like Chaco Canyon deserves. The administration is willing to destroy irreplaceable artifacts for a molecule of gas that could be found on other federal lands across the San Juan Basin.”

“Chaco Canyon is sacred. As the Trump administration rushes to push through oil and gas leasing in the greater Chaco Landscape, we know that today’s court decision is insufficient to protect this sacred place alone,” said Stansbury, Member of the House Committee on Natural Resources and Democratic Vice-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus. “We need your voices and support to protect Chaco Canyon. This administration’s attempt to push leasing without comprehensive tribal consultation, the dismantling of lawful buffer zones, and a lack of meaningful engagement with communities threatens a landscape that has been home to Pueblo and Diné people for thousands of years, since time immemorial. That’s why we will continue to fight to ensure it is protected for generations to come.”

“This administration continues to show its deep contempt for Indian Country, this time seeking to undo protections for the Chaco Canyon landscape, going against the will of New Mexico’s Pueblos. Chaco is an irreplaceable and sacred landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a place that deserves protection. There are appropriate places to develop oil and gas, and this is not one of them,” said Vasquez.

Located in northwestern New Mexico, the Greater Chaco landscape is a region of great cultural, spiritual, and historical significance to many Pueblos and Tribes that contains living sacred sites. Chaco was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and is one of only 24 such sites in the United States.

The New Mexico Congressional Delegation has worked tirelessly to permanently protect Chaco Canyon.

Last November, Heinrich, Luján, and Stansbury hosted a press conference with Pueblo leaders on the steps needed to be taken to permanently protect the landscape. Earlier that same month, the N.M. Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, urging the Trump administration to reverse course on its decision to initiate the process to fully revoke Public Land Order (PLO) No. 7923, which currently protects the area around Chaco Canyon from oil and gas drilling.

Last September, the N.M. Delegation hosted a press conference in front of the U.S. Capitol with 20 Governors and leaders from the Santa Ana, Picuris, Cochiti, Zia, Tesuque, Acoma, Santo Domingo, and Laguna Pueblos to demand the Trump administration permanently protect Chaco Canyon, and to invite U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to visit the Greater Chaco landscape before deciding its fate. Watch the video of the full press conference here.

Last June, the N.M. Delegation sent a letter initially inviting Secretary Burgum to visit Chaco Canyon before deciding its fate and engage directly with Tribal leaders and local communities to hear directly about the profound cultural and spiritual significance of this sacred landscape. Secretary Burgum issued the directive to begin revoking the protections and decided the fate of Chaco Canyon without experiencing it firsthand. Following Secretary Burgum’s directive, the N.M. Delegation sent a letter urging the Trump administration to reverse course on its decision to initiate the process to fully revoke Chaco Canyon’s protections.

Last April, the N.M. Delegation reintroduced legislation to protect Chaco Canyon and the greater sacred landscape surrounding the Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The legislation was led by Luján in the U.S. Senate and Leger Fernández in the U.S. House of Representatives.


As Energy Prices Spike, Senator Markey Unveils ‘Ratepayer Roadmap’ to Cut Costs for American Families

Roadmap (PDF)

Washington (April 1, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, today released a discussion draft of his “Ratepayer Roadmap,” a three-part plan to deliver lower energy bills for families in Massachusetts and across America.

Since January 2025, home electricity prices have risen by as much as 13 percent, three times higher than general inflation, and home natural gas prices have risen by as much as 98 percent. To date, at least 237 electric and natural gas utilities have either proposed or already raised electric bills by more than$92 billion for 112 million electric utility customers and more than 52 million natural gas utility customers.

As energy prices spike from Trump’s illegal war in Iran, and Big Oil and Big Tech continue to wield their influence in the Trump administration, American families shouldn’t be footing the bill. Senator Markey’s Ratepayer Roadmap lays out concrete steps toward energy affordability: directly lowering families’ monthly bills; building more clean, affordable, ready-to-go power; and preventing price-spiking and profiteering behavior in our energy system.

“Americans’ energy bills are skyrocketing, at the gas pump and in monthly utility bills, but these increasing costs are a choice being made by the Trump administration and by Republicans in Congress,” said Senator Markey. “We don’t have to accept the endless rise in prices—we have the solutions, and we can fight back.”

Senator Markey’s Ratepayer Roadmap provides a path forward to increase the amount of power on the grid, insulate households against rising costs, and address bad practices that allow costs to balloon throughout the energy system:

Directly cut expenses for American families – especially for those who need it most.

Help families directly with their energy bills for relief now

Bring down energy bills with efficiency, electrification, and weatherization

Lower costs for commuters through transit options, fuel efficiency, and vehicle choice

Support state and federal energy regulators in protecting ratepayers from unfair rate hikes

Build more clean, affordable, and ready-to-go energy

Defend clean energy projects from partisan Trumped-up attacks, particularly offshore wind

Keep fighting for programs illegally canceled by the Trump administration that would have lowered rates and built a stronger, cleaner, and more resilient grid

Reinstate clean energy tax credits

Improve transmission planning

Stop price-spiking and profiteering.

End the war in Iran

Make Big Tech pay its fair share

Stop the abuse of fake energy emergencies that put ratepayers on the hook for fossil fuel company bailouts

Stop fossil fuel exports that cause price spikes at home

Prevent private equity from manipulating utility costs

Support public power

Reform grid governance to get better planning for a cheaper, cleaner, stronger grid

Target unfair utility billing practices

Demand on the grid is rising, but Trump and Republicans are blocking new affordable clean energy projects from getting built. According to one analysis, 86,000 megawatts of solar projects, 79,000 megawatts of battery projects, and 54,000 megawatts of wind projects were canceled in 2025 alone. This creates a supply crunch that raises costs, while also killing good-paying union jobs in the clean energy workforce. By February 2026, nearly 173,000 clean energy jobs had been wiped out or delayed since Trump took office.

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McConnell, Coons Statement on NATO

LOUISVILLE, KY – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense and U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, issued the following statement on NATO:

“NATO is the most successful military alliance in history. It has underpinned the security of the United States for more than 70 years.

“The only time NATO has gone to war has been in response to an attack on America. NATO troops fought and died in Afghanistan and Iraq alongside American forces. The United States must not take this sacrifice – nor our allies’ commitment to make it again – lightly.

“Alliance disputes are as old as the alliance itself. Americans are safer when NATO is strong and united. It is in our interest for all allies to tend this unity with care. The United States joined NATO in 1949 when the Senate voted to ratify the NATO treaty, and the United States will remain in it. The Senate will continue to support the alliance for the peace and protection it provides America, Europe, and the World.”


SENATOR MCCORMICK, FBI DIRECTOR PATEL CONVENE ROUNDTABLE ON COMBATTING FENTANYL CRISIS

Roundtable Brings Together Federal and State Law Enforcement, Prosecutors, and Families Who Have Lost Loved Ones to Fentanyl to Discuss Progress Combatting Fentanyl

ALLENTOWN, PA — U.S. Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) hosted FBI Director Kash Patel in Allentown today for a roundtable discussion on the fentanyl crisis. The roundtable brought together federal and state law enforcement leaders, prosecutors, and families directly impacted by the epidemic to discuss enforcement efforts, disruption to trafficking networks, and the path forward on treatment and recovery.

“When I ran for Senate, I promised Pennsylvania families I would secure the border, take on the cartels, and stop the flow of fentanyl precursors from China. While there is more to do, we are making a lot of progress,” said Senator McCormick. “That is what a whole-of-government approach looks like, and I am grateful to Director Patel, the FBI, and state and local partners for their partnership in this fight.”

“Senator McCormick and our partners in Pennsylvania have been tremendous supporters for law enforcement, helping this FBI and interagency partners across the country deliver record results on tackling the fentanyl crisis within the last year alone,” said FBI Director Kash Patel. “But we’re doubling down on and just getting started. I want to thank Senator McCormick for hosting this event and look forward to joining him, our law enforcement partners, and these brave families putting words into action so we can cut off the flow of deadly fentanyl and put away the criminal actors who traffic through our communities.”

Senator McCormick pledged to secure the border, dismantle the cartels, and stop the flow of fentanyl precursors from China. Today’s roundtable is a direct reflection of that commitment in action, and the results are beginning to show. From 2020 to 2023, fentanyl killed approximately 4,000 Pennsylvanians per year. Preliminary data indicates that figure fell to approximately 1,500 in 2025, the lowest level in a decade. From 2023 to 2024, Pennsylvania saw an over 30 percent decline in overdose deaths, representing one of the sharpest drops in the nation.

This progress is the direct result of law enforcement at every level working together toward a common mission. Senator McCormick and Director Patel were joined at the roundtable by law enforcement leaders and prosecutors whose work is driving those results.

Specifically, the FBI enforcement efforts include:

Nearly 5,000 pounds of fentanyl seized, up 31% year over year, and enough to kill 178 million Americans

66,600 kilograms of cocaine seized from January through September 2025

6,675 kilograms of methamphetamine seized over the same period

FBI Philadelphia has also significantly expanded its local enforcement efforts in 2205 with:

441 violent crime arrests — up 15% from 2024

82 kilograms of cocaine seized — up 158% from 2024

27+ kilograms of fentanyl seized

In December 2025, the DOJ, FBI, DHS, and federal, state, and local partners established a Homeland Security Task Force in Philadelphia to specifically target cartels and transnational criminal organizations fueling fentanyl overdoses and community violence.

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Pennsylvania Attorney General have further reinforced those efforts. In 2025, the DEA seized more than 47 million fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills and nearly 10,000 pounds of fentanyl powder— the equivalent of more than 369 million lethal doses.

While strides have been made, Senator McCormick will not stop until fentanyl is eradicated.

As the fight against fentanyl shows measurable results, new and more dangerous substances are entering Pennsylvania’s drug supply. Three emerging threats are of particular concern in Pennsylvania:

Medetomidine: Zero reports of medetomidine overdose deaths detected in Pennsylvania in 2023, but that number rose to 75 in 2024. It is now present in 87% of Philadelphia drug samples as of early 2025.

Xylazine: A veterinary tranquilizer, increasingly found mixed with fentanyl, causes severe tissue damage and resists naloxone, making overdose response significantly more difficult.

Nitazenes: These synthetic opioids, up to 40 times more potent than fentanyl, are frequently concealed in counterfeit pills, missed by routine toxicology screens, and likely undercounted statewide due to gaps in standard testing protocols.

Last October, Senator McCormick introduced the Nitazene Control Act to permanently schedule the entire class of nitazenes under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, closing the loopholes traffickers exploit before the death toll demands a response. In March, he introduced the Joint Task Force to Counter Illicit Synthetic Narcotics Act of 2025, which would improve federal coordination to combat the fentanyl crisis, go after trafficking organizations, address China’s central role in producing fentanyl precursors and laundering drug money, and save American lives.

Senator McCormick was a proud cosponsor of the HALT Fentanyl Act, signed into law by President Trump on July 16, 2025, which permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act and gives law enforcement more tools to combat the threats posed by these deadly drugs.

Senator McCormick is also a cosponsor of the Nitazene Sanctions Act and the Detection Equipment and Technology Evaluation to Counter the Threat of Nitazenes Act of 2025 (DETECT Nitazenes Act) to address the growing threat of nitazenes in American communities.

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SENATORS MCCORMICK, FETTERMAN RELEASE JOINT STATEMENT ON ANTISEMITISM INVESTIGATION

ALLENTOWN, PA – Today, following Judge Gerald J. Pappert’s ruling that approves the administration’s effort to obtain information on Penn Jewish faculty as part of an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission subpoena, U.S. Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA) released the following joint statement:

“No student or faculty member should face illegal discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or national origin. We have long spoken out against the despicable treatment Jewish students and faculty have faced since October 7, including on University of Pennsylvania’s campus. We fully support the EEOC investigations into Title VII discrimination.”

“Both our offices will continue to monitor how this case plays out in the courts. Both our priorities are ensuring privacy protections are upheld and perpetrators of illegal discrimination are brought to justice.”

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Merkley, Colleagues Fight to Restore Fairness in Federal Student Aid

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley joined a group of Senators in introducing a bill to re-establish access to federal student aid after Congressional Republicans and President Trump’s “Big, Ugly Betrayal” law imposed burdensome provisions that restricted access to affordable higher education.

The Restoring College Access and Affordability Act reinstates student loan programs and borrower protections, making higher education more affordable and accessible to Americans.

“The ‘Big, Ugly Betrayal’ is the hallmark of the Trump Administration’s ‘families lose, billionaires win’ agenda—savaging programs families rely on and increasing tax giveaways for Trump’s billionaire friends,” said Merkley. “This critical legislation will restore the college access programs that open the doors of opportunity to good-paying jobs.”

The Republican “Big, Ugly Betrayal” law undermines affordability and equity in higher education—eliminating loan programs, weakening borrower protections, and threatening institutional stability. The Restoring College Access and Affordability Act better serves American students by combatting the Trump Administration’s attacks on higher education and restoring fairness, flexibility, and accountability, re-establishing critical loan programs and protecting loan borrowers from predatory practices.

The Restoring College Access and Affordability Act is supported by a number of organizations, including Protect Borrowers, American Federation of Teachers, The Institute for College Access and Success, National Consumer Law Center, National Association for College Admission Counseling, and Student Debt Center.

The bill was led by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

Full text of the bill can be found by clicking here, and a one-pager on the bill can be found by clicking here.

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Murphy, Schatz Introduce Legislation to Reverse Trump's State AI Law Moratorium

WASHINGTON–U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) joined U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai’i) in introducing the Guaranteeing and Upholding Americans’ Right to Decide Responsible AI Laws and Standards (GUARDRAILS) Act to repeal President Trump’s executive order seeking to prevent states from regulating artificial intelligence. The Trump administration renewed its call for a preemption of state-level AI laws as part of its National AI Policy Framework which was released last week. The GUARDRAILS Act would prohibit the executive order issued in December 2025 from taking effect so that states do not have federal funds withheld for enacting commonsense safeguards around AI.

“Donald Trump only cares about protecting the profits of his billionaire buddies in the AI industry,” said Murphy. “States have to be able to protect American families from a technology that could destroy millions of jobs, addict kids to harmful chatbots, drive up utility bills, and deepen the crisis of loneliness and meaning our country faces.”

“Embracing the amazing possibilities of AI can’t come at the cost of leaving Americans vulnerable to its profound risks, which is exactly what President Trump’s Executive Order tries to do,” said Schatz. “Discouraging states from enacting common-sense regulation that protects people from potential AI harms is dangerous. Congress has a responsibility to get this technology right, but states must not be penalized for acting in the public interest in the meantime.”

In addition to Murphy and Schatz, the bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), and Andy Kim (D-N.J.). Companion legislation was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-Va.-8), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.-7), Ted Lieu (D-Calif.-33), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.-53), and April McClain Delaney (D-Md.-6).


Murphy Statement on Trump's Incoherent Primetime Address on Iran

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) released a statement following President Donald Trump’s primetime address on the administration’s disastrous war in Iran:

“That speech was grounded in a reality that only exists in Donald Trump's mind. We are losing this war. We cannot destroy all their missiles or drones, nor their nuclear program. Iran projects more power in the region than they did before the war, especially if they now permanently control the Strait of Hormuz. We are spending billions we don't have and losing American lives in a war that is destabilizing the world and making us look feckless. And no one in America, after listening to that speech, knows whether we are escalating or deescalating. In fairness, though, neither does our President. He seems to be making this up day by day, and that's just catastrophic for American security."


Sen. Ossoff Upgrading Water Infrastructure in Millen

Millen, Ga. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is delivering resources to upgrade water infrastructure in Millen.

Sen. Ossoff brought Republicans and Democrats together to help the City of Millen install and connect an elevated water tank to the City’s water system.

According to local leaders, the elevated water tank will help connect the city’s water system to a new industrial development park, supporting economic development in Jenkins County.

The current well was built in the 1930s and, according to city officials, needs to be replaced.

Sen. Ossoff is delivering $1,500,000 for the project through bipartisan government funding legislation that became law on January 23.

“Bringing Republicans and Democrats together, I’m delivering new resources to upgrade water infrastructure for families in Millen,” Sen. Ossoff said. “I will continue working to secure upgrades for Georgia’s infrastructure to keep communities safe and upgrade quality of life.”

“We are grateful to Senator Ossoff for securing this congressional direct spending funding. The new industrial water tank is a critical infrastructure upgrade that will enhance our ability to serve industrial customers, support job creation, and position our community for long-term growth,” said Mayor King Rocker.

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WATCH: Padilla, ACLU, Advocates, Rally in Support of Birthright Citizenship

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, joined advocates, legal experts, and community leaders at a rally outside the Supreme Court as justices hear oral arguments in Trump v. Barbara, a case challenging President Trump’s unconstitutional executive order restricting birthright citizenship.

Hundreds of people attended the rally, where Padilla condemned the Trump Administration’s un-American efforts to erode birthright citizenship, explained what this moment means for families nationwide, and underscored the constitutional right to citizenship for anyone born in the United States. Last month, Padilla joined Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and 26 other Senate Democrats in filing a bicameral amicus brief standing up for birthright citizenship in Trump v. Barbara.

Padilla has been a leader in fighting back against Republicans’ unconstitutional efforts to erode birthright citizenship. Earlier this month, Padilla slammed the Trump Administration’s efforts to strip birthright citizenship from service members like Alejandro Barranco, an active duty Marine. Last June, Padilla sharply criticized the Supreme Court’s ruling to curtail federal courts’ power to issue injunctions, arguing that the Court emboldened President Trump’s unconstitutional attack on birthright citizenship and incentivized presidential overreach. Earlier last year, Padilla cosponsored the Born in the USA Act to effectively block the implementation of Trump’s unconstitutional executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship for certain children born in the United States, or a similar subsequent executive order. Padilla also opposed advancing the nomination of Attorney General Pam Bondi after she repeatedly refused to affirm that birthright citizenship is the law.

Video of Padilla’s full remarks is available here.

A transcript of Padilla’s remarks, as delivered, is available below:

How’s everybody doing out there? Thank you all so very much for coming out on this important day to make your voices heard. Can they hear us inside? Can they hear us inside? Absolutely!

It’s almost unbelievable that we even have to be here today, because as the sign says, the 14th Amendment speaks for itself. The 14th Amendment speaks for itself.

We’re here to defend something that shouldn’t even be up for debate. But if they want to debate, we will, and we will win.

Every once in a while, I go back to the Constitution. In case there’s any questions, all you got to do is read what it says. The 14th Amendment: All persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of the United States. If you’re born here, you are a citizen. It couldn’t be more clear.

Well obviously, there’s some politician who would rather have it a different way. Donald Trump and his allies want to be able to select who’s a citizen and who’s not. He wants to be able to pick who gets to be an American and who doesn’t. He wants to decide who counts in our democracy, in our society, and who doesn’t. It’s wrong, it’s un-American, and it’s dangerous.

And yes, this is personal for me. I’m a proud citizen of the United States. And I’m a proud son of immigrants. And the moment I was born on U.S. soil, I was born a citizen.

And I’ll be damned if Donald Trump tries to take that away from me. I’ll be damned if he tries to take it away from anybody here.

Because what’s on the line isn’t just a question about citizenship. It is about upholding the Constitution. It’s respecting the rule of law and keeping the promise that the 14th Amendment has held for more than 150 years. Don’t just take my word for it – the courts have upheld it over and over again, and we’re going to do it again once and for all.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

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Federal Court Rulings Reverse Trump Admin’s Attempt to Politicize Affordable Housing & Homelessness Assistance Grants

WASHINGTON, DC – For the second time in less than 48 hours, the Trump Administration lost in a court of law as a U.S. federal court judge from Rhode Island and the First Circuit Court of Appeals both ruled that the Trump Administration has unlawfully restricted federal funding for housing grants and homelessness assistance, respectively.

Last night, a U.S. federal court judge from Rhode Island ruled in National Alliance to End Homelessness v. Turner, et al. that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) unlawfully restricted $75 million in federal housing grants through the “Continuum of Care (CoC) Builds” grant program by dramatically changing funding criteria based on the partisan whims of President Trump and his Administration.

The decision in National Alliance to End Homelessness v. Turner, et al. determined that the Trump Administration wrongly altered eligibility requirements to try to demand that groups seeking affordable housing grants comply with its extremist agenda on other unrelated issues.

The lawsuit brought by a number of local organizations and national homelessness assistance and affordable housing groups pointed out that HUD had issued the same grant opportunity notice three times, even after Congressional notification of grant awards had been issued. The dramatically updated criteria within the “Continuum of Care (CoC) Builds” grant program would have essentially barred awards in states, like Rhode Island, and localities that have policies in place that don’t align with President Trump’s views.

This morning, the First Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the Trump Administration’s request in National Alliance to End Homelessness v. HUD to overturn a previous court order from December that blocked the administration’s attempts to upend Continuum of Care (CoC) funding that is the primary source for homelessness assistance authorized by Congress.

The First Circuit’s decision determined that the Trump Administration’s efforts to shift funding away from proven solutions to address homelessness are unlawful. The administration’s repeated updates to CoC grant eligibility would have had disastrous consequences for communities and service providers who rely on the funding to combat homelessness. The coalition behind this lawsuit against the Trump Administration included the State of Rhode Island and Crossroads Rhode Island.

“We must reduce homelessness and responsibly allocate U.S. tax dollars to ensure they are effective and well spent. The Trump Administration tried to condition federal homelessness prevention funds in a partisan way that prioritized partisan political objectives over effectively helping people. They sought to needlessly transform the CoC and CoC Builds programs from initiatives that reduce homelessness to programs that seek to force states and localities to criminalize homelessness. And they lost in court because they failed to follow the law,” said Senator Reed, a longtime champion of affordable housing and homelessness assistance programs and a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee who recently announced $27.75 million in federal investments for Rhode Island’s affordable housing safety net.

Federal CoC grants, which are administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), help local nonprofits and community partners deliver safe, affordable housing and supportive services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. These federal grants are coordinated at the state level by RIHousing and administered by non-profits throughout the state. CoC funds are eligible for a variety of homeless assistance activities, including permanent supportive housing, rapid rehousing, coordinated entry systems, and other services to help ensure homelessness is a brief and rare experience.

The CoC Builds program was created to provide funding to help address and reduce the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness by adding new units of permanent supportive housing through new construction, acquisition, or rehabilitation under the CoC Program.

In Rhode Island, the Women’s Development Corporation (WDC) was a plaintiff in the National Alliance to End Homelessness v. Turner, et al. lawsuit after a $7 million grant award through the CoC Builds program was pulled back, after Congressional notifications had been issued, in the chaos stemming from HUD’s last-minute criteria changes. WDC planned to use the funding to build 14 new homes for Rhode Islanders escaping domestic violence.

“I will continue doing all I can to help prevent and end homelessness and assist Rhode Islanders in need. I am grateful to the Women’s Development Corporation and other frontline organizations and service providers who do this critical work each and every day. They deserve federal support, not unnecessary red tape, unpredictability and uncertainty – which does nothing to help us solve our housing crisis.”

People in need of shelter may call the Rhode Island Coalition to End Homelessness CES help line: (401) 277-4316.


Sen. Rick Scott Announces Legislation to Expand GI Bill Education Benefits and Improve VA Healthcare System

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Rick Scott announced the introduction of two pieces of legislation to support America’s servicemen and women by expanding access to education benefits and improving accountability within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for these heroes. The GI Bill Transferability Act would increase flexibility for servicemen and women and veterans to transfer their post-9/11 GI Bill benefits, ensuring families can better plan for their educational futures. Additionally, the SCHEDULES Act would establish clear, transparent standards for how quickly veterans receive care after a referral and require public reporting on the performance of the VA. Together, these two bills will further build on ongoing efforts to support those who served by improving both long-term opportunity and timely access to critical services they’ve earned through their service.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Our veterans and servicemembers deserve the freedom to use their education benefits in ways that work for their families and the assurance that they won’t face unnecessary delays in their healthcare. My GI Bill Transferability Act gives military families more flexibility, while the SCHEDULES Act ensures the VA provides timely, accountable care. These two bills will help veterans plan for the future and hold the VA accountable, because our heroes deserve a government and a VA that are ready to support them at every stage of their life – our nation’s heroes deserve nothing less.”

The GI Bill Transferability Act:

Allows servicemembers to transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits after they have completed six years of service;

Ends the current four-year added service requirement for those who choose to transfer benefits; and

Updates existing law to allow for transfer of those benefits at any time after the six-year service obligation is met — even after the servicemember is no longer on active duty.

The SCHEDULES Act:

Requires the Secretary of the VA to establish a comprehensive standard for timing between the date on which a referral for care is entered into the Care Coordination System and the date on which the appointment for that referral occurs;

Requires a quarterly report to Congress on the number of referrals that meet the standard the VA sets; and

Requires a ranking of VA medical centers from best to worst on meeting the standard set by the VA.

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As Birthright Citizenship Case Hearing Begins, Rosen Urges Supreme Court to Declare Trump Executive Order Unconstitutional

Senator Rosen Has Introduced Legislation To Block The Implementation Of The Trump Executive Order

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, as the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in the Trump vs. Barbara case, Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) issued a statement urging the Supreme Court to protect birthright citizenship and strike down Donald Trump’s unconstitutional attempts to take it away.

“The U.S. Constitution is clear: children born in the United States are citizens,” said Senator Rosen. “It is critical that the Supreme Court upholds the Constitution and puts an end to Donald Trump’s unconstitutional attempt to revoke citizenship from children born in the United States.”

Senator Rosen has led Congressional efforts to protect citizenship for children born in the U.S. In February, Senator Rosen led an amicus brief in Trump vs. Barbara, demanding the protection of birthright citizenship. Last year, she introduced a bill to block implementation of Trump’s Executive Order attempting to revoke automatic citizenship for children born in the United States. Senator Rosen has consistently spoken out against harmful court decisions allowing unconstitutional actions, such as this Executive Order, to go into effect.


Sens. Scott, Reed introduce bill offering hope for life-saving research and life-enhancing treatments and care

Scott, Reed, Smith, and Lankford offer bill to reauthorize and strengthen the National Marrow Donor Program and the National Cord Blood Inventory.

WASHINGTON — In an effort to help thousands of patients suffering from diseases requiring bone marrow and cord blood transplants, U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Jack Reed (D-RI) introduced the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2026. This bill will advance medical research, improve patient outcomes, and ensure that America’s bone marrow transplantation program and the National Cord Blood Inventory (NCBI) can continue saving lives and providing treatments and therapies derived from adult stem cell lines. Sens. Tina Smith (D-MN) and James Lankford (R-OK) also joined the bill as original cosponsors.

Specifically, the legislation would reauthorize the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program. The bill would renew, through 2031, federal programs for using bone marrow and umbilical cord blood to treat diseases and conduct research. It would make up to $280 million available, over a five-year period, pending appropriations, to help individuals diagnosed with diseases such as leukemia and lymphomas, sickle cell anemia, and rare genetic blood disorders find suitable bone marrow or umbilical cord blood donors. Without congressional action, these programs would expire at the end of the current fiscal year.

Approximately $115 million would be authorized for the NCBI program, which has cumulatively banked more than 122,500 cord blood units for life-saving treatments.

The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) operates the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program and has impacted more than 140,000 lives through cell therapy. Donating stem cells through the NMDP can save the life of someone battling blood cancer or another serious disorders.

“For patients and families facing life-threatening diseases like sickle cell anemia, bone marrow and cord blood transplants can offer a cure and a second chance at life. The Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act of 2026 ensures that these life-saving programs continue to connect patients with donors across the country. I’m proud to support this legislation to deliver hope to families while building on programs that have already saved tens of thousands of lives,” said Sen. Scott.

“Ultimately, this is all about helping patients and families in their time of need as they face unimaginable circumstances. It provides direct support to these critical institutions that do incredible research, match donors and patients, help save lives, and improve health outcomes,” said Sen. Reed. “Our bipartisan bill builds upon the highly successful National Marrow Donor Program that has been a lifeline for thousands of transplant patients over the last two decades. Bone marrow and cord blood transplants continue to offer effective treatments for a number of diseases and disorders. This bipartisan bill would help expand access to lifesaving therapies to patients with conditions that can be treated and even cured with bone marrow or cord blood.”

Companion legislation (H.R.5160) has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Christopher Smith (R-NJ-04).

There are three ways to donate blood stem cells: through transplants of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC), bone marrow, and umbilical cord blood that is donated after a baby’s birth.

More information about the transplant process and need for stem cell and marrow donors is available at: www.bloodstemcell.hrsa.gov

Full text of the bill can be found here.

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Shaheen Statement on USDA Plans to Close Facilities at New Hampshire’s Nearly 100-Year-Old Bartlett Experimental Forest, Leaving Hubbard Brook’s Future at Risk

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a Senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee and Ranking Member of the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies (Ag-FDA) Subcommittee, released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service, including plans to close facilities at New Hampshire’s Bartlett Experimental Forest and “further evaluate” Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest:

“New Hampshire’s experimental forests conduct long-running research that not only serves our state, but also rural communities throughout New England, bolstering the health of our forests and the well-being of local economies that depend on the timber, recreation and clean air and water they provide. It’s unacceptable that the Trump Administration’s USDA is taking steps that will undermine our nation’s experimental forests—particularly after Congress passed, and the President signed into law, funding to provide more resources to experimental forests like Bartlett and Hubbard Brook.

“For nearly a hundred years, research at Bartlett has informed management of northern hardwood forests in New England, helping to improve silvicultural practices and better manage wildlife habitat; we first discovered acid rain only thanks to ecosystem research at Hubbard Brook. The long-running research going on at our experimental forests is too important to give up on, and I don’t intend to let these treasured places close without a fight.”

Senator Shaheen has championed support for New England’s experiment forests. In the Fiscal Year 2026 government funding bills that were signed into law, Shaheen helped boost funding for state and private forestry, as well as forest research. Shaheen helped secure $308.5 million for the Forest Service’s Forest and Rangeland Research account, including language directing the U.S. Forest Service to use a portion of that funding to prioritize staffing at longstanding experimental forests like Bartlett and Hubbard Brook in New Hampshire.

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Leader Thune, Speaker Johnson Statement on DHS Funding

WASHINGTON — This afternoon, Leader John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson released a joint statement announcing a path forward to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security – including CBP and ICE – and end the record-long Democrat shutdown.

“We appreciate and share the President’s determination to once and for all bring an end to the Democrat DHS shutdown.

“In the coming days, Republicans in the Senate and House will be following through on the President’s directive by fully funding the entire Department of Homeland Security on two parallel tracks: through the appropriations process and through the reconciliation process.

“We appreciate that Senator Graham and the Senate Budget Committee have already initiated the process of developing a budget resolution that will ensure border security and immigration enforcement will be funded for the balance of the Trump Administration and insulated from future attempts by the Democrats to defund those agencies.

“We operated under a belief that while our country is in the midst of an international armed conflict, Democrats might finally come to their senses and understand that defunding our homeland security agencies is beyond reckless and very dangerous. While we hoped they would accept the 60-day CR to fund the Department entirely so that bipartisan negotiations could continue, it is now abundantly clear that Democrats place allegiance to their radical left-wing base above all else — including their own power of the purse — which means open borders and protecting criminal illegal aliens. That is not acceptable to Republicans in Congress, nor is it to the American people. We cannot allow Democrats to any longer put the safety of the American public at risk through their open border policies, so we are taking that off the table.

“In following this two-track approach, the Republican Congress will fully reopen the Department, make sure all federal workers are paid, and specifically fund immigration enforcement and border security for the next three years so that those law-enforcement activities can continue uninhibited. In return, Democrats will once again demonstrate to the American people their support for open borders and keeping criminal illegal immigrants in America.”


Warner Blasts Trump NATO Threat

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement:

“For more than seventy years, NATO has been the cornerstone of American national security – deterring war in Europe, projecting strength around the world, and ensuring that the United States never stands alone in moments of crisis. It is not a ‘paper tiger’ – it is the most successful military alliance in modern history, and Donald Trump’s threat to pull the United States out of NATO is reckless, dangerous, and plays directly into the hands of our adversaries.

“Alliances are not transactional. They are built on trust, shared values, and a recognition that we are stronger together than we are alone. Let’s remember that NATO was invoked for the first and only time after the attacks of September 11th, when our allies came to our defense. Thousands of allied troops served alongside American forces in Afghanistan, and many paid the ultimate price. To now suggest that this alliance is a one-way street is not only wrong – it’s an insult to those sacrifices. What the president is proposing would shatter decades of bipartisan American leadership, undermine our credibility with allies, and embolden adversaries like Russia and China who would welcome nothing more than a fractured transatlantic alliance.

“Congress will not sit by while this president tries to unravel an alliance that has kept Americans safe for decades. Our commitment to NATO is ironclad, and we will use every tool available to defend it."

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Sen. Warner Responds to Trump Remarks on Iran

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, tonight issued the following statement:

“President Trump’s address tonight did little to answer the most basic questions the American people deserve when our nation is engaged in a costly and dangerous conflict with Iran. From the outset, this administration has offered a moving target of justifications for this war of choice – none matched by the serious planning required to manage its predictable consequences. Americans are already feeling the impact at the pump, alongside rising prices for diesel, fertilizer, aluminum, and other essentials, with consequences that will continue to ripple through the economy for a long time to come.

“We are told there is a new regime in Iran, but there is no evidence it is any better – and in many ways it may be worse. There is still no clear plan to secure Iran’s nuclear material, its ballistic missile capabilities remain a threat, and the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. At the same time, the administration is easing oil sanctions in a way that is sending billions of dollars back to the very regime we are confronting.

“Thirteen American service members have already paid the ultimate price. We owe them, their families, and every man and woman in uniform clarity, accountability, and a strategy worthy of their sacrifice. Until this administration can clearly articulate a path forward, Congress must demand answers and be prepared to act.”


Warren Presses Trade Ambassador Greer on Trump Admin Special Favors to Advance Big Tech’s Dangerous Deregulatory Agenda

“American families have paid an average of $1,700 each in higher prices thanks to Trump tariffs, all while the U.S. has lost manufacturing jobs, but Big Tech companies continue to cash in.”

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pressed U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer on the Trump administration’s using tariffs to help Big Tech evade regulations that keep users safe — all while these tariffs jack up prices for American families and further decimate the manufacturing industry. The letter follows a recent episode involving Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok, which resulted in the proliferation of millions of dangerous deepfakes, underscoring the danger of Trump’s campaign to advance Big Tech’s deregulatory agenda.

“I have repeatedly sounded the alarm that, while waging his costly global trade wars, President Trump is handing out special favors to advance Big Tech’s deregulatory agenda across the globe,” wrote Senator Warren.

On December 29, 2025, Elon Musk’s X unveiled a new feature allowing users to use Grok, X’s AI chatbot, to create and edit images with just one click. This tool sparked a wave of users requesting explicit deepfake images, enabling widespread sexual harassment — much of which targeted women and children. Authorities around the world reacted swiftly to these disturbing images using their online safety laws — laws that the Trump administration and USTR have since pushed other countries to repeal.

“The countries that took action against Grok—either by immediately cracking down on the app or taking steps to hold the company accountable after the fact—were able to do so because of their robust domestic online safety laws—the very laws that the Trump Administration and USTR have taken aim at in their ‘bilateral’ trade negotiations," wrote Senator Warren.

Big Tech companies have long lobbied to repeal commonsense tech regulations that protect users from harmful material and ensure that users’ data cannot be taken advantage of. They have found an enthusiastic partner in President Trump.

“The White House’s trade negotiations appear to be focused on securing advantages for the President and his tech billionaire friends, rather than delivering the new manufacturing jobs and balanced trade he promised American families,” wrote Senator Warren.

Trump claims that he launched his tariff war to help America’s blue-collar workers. But in reality, 88,000 manufacturing jobs have disappeared in the last year, and the manufacturing trade deficit is up $62 billion. Simultaneously, Big Tech has received exemptions from many key tariffs affecting the industry and has benefited from Trump’s strategy of bullying other countries into repealing their pro-consumer and pro-competition policies. The tech policies the Trump administration has targeted not only protect citizens of other countries but also Americans at home.

Further, Trump’s disastrous trade policy has forced American families to pay an average of $1,700 each in higher prices, all while Big Tech companies continue to cash in. “At best, this is a colossal waste of American families’ money,” wrote the Senator.

The Senator requested that Ambassador Greer provide answers to her specific questions no later than April 14, 2026.

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MEDIA ADVISORY: Senator Welch to Host Common Grounds Listening Sessions in Windsor, Grand Isle, and Lamoille Counties

JOHNSON, SOUTH HERO & BETHEL, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) will travel to Windsor, Grand Isle, and Lamoille Counties next week as part of his ‘Common Grounds with Senator Welch’ listening session series.

Senator Welch invites Vermonters to get a cup of coffee and discuss how Washington can work better for the Green Mountain State. The Common Grounds events will be held on Tuesday, April 7th in Johnson; Wednesday, April 8th in South Hero; and on Thursday, April 9th in Bethel.

While in Johnson, South Hero, and Bethel, Senator Welch will celebrate federal funding secured through the Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) process to support flood resilience, rural infrastructure improvements, and rural development.

The Senator will host ‘Common Grounds’ listening sessions in every county of Vermont in 2026.

LOGISTICS FOR JOHNSON:

WHO: U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.)

WHEN: Tuesday, April 7th at 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

WHERE: Jenna’s House, 117 St. Johns Road, Johnson, VT 05656

RSVP: Vermonters canRSVP HERE for Senator Welch’s ‘Common Grounds’

Listening Session in Johnson.

LOGISTICS FOR SOUTH HERO:

WHO: U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.)

WHEN: Wednesday, April 8th at 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

WHERE: Worthen Library, 28 Community Lane, South Hero, VT 05486

RSVP: Vermonters canRSVP HERE for Senator Welch’s ‘Common Grounds’

Listening Session in South Hero.

LOGISTICS FOR BETHEL:

WHO: U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.)

WHEN: Thursday, April 9th at 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

WHERE: Bethel Village Sandwich Shop, 269 Main St, Bethel, VT 05032

RSVP: Vermonters canRSVP HERE for Senator Welch’s ‘Common Grounds’

Listening Session in Bethel.

*** Locations and timing are subject to change. Space is limited. Media interested in attending these events are kindly asked to RSVP to Aaron White: Aaron_White@welch.senate.govor 202-960-0677 ***

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Welch Joins Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Protect the Rights of Living Organ Donors

April is National Donate Life Month, which raises awareness for organ, eye, and tissue donation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the first day of National Donate Life Month, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on Health Care, cosponsored the Living Donor Protection Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation led by U.S. Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) to protect the rights of living organ donors.

The legislation would ensure living donors do not face discrimination from insurance companies; codify Department of Labor guidance that covers living donors under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in the private and civil service; remove barriers to organ donation; and provide certainty to donors and recipients. U.S. Representatives Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12) and Don Bacon (R-NE-02) introduced companion legislation in the House.

“Organ donors offer one of the greatest gifts you can give someone—another chance at life. It’s an incredibly selfless act, and we should be doing all that we can to encourage more people to become donors. Eliminating stresses facing living organ donors is a big part of making that happen,” said Senator Welch. “We’re working to ensure that folks who make this incredible sacrifice to save lives get the protection and peace of mind they deserve.”

“Organ donors make an extraordinary sacrifice so someone else can have a new chance at life,” said Senator Cotton. “The Living Donor Protection Act would encourage more donors to step forward by protecting them from adverse consequences like denial of coverage and job loss.”

“It’s a tragedy that so many people die while waiting for life-saving organ donations. We must do more to remove the barriers that keep Americans from donating,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The Living Donor Protection Act would help ensure that the individuals who are willing to save someone’s life through an organ donation can do so without worrying that they’ll face insurance discrimination or that they could lose their job as they recover. I am proud to be introducing this bipartisan legislation and will keep fighting to finally get it passed.”

“When an organ donor decides to donate one of their organs to someone else, they aren’t just saving someone’s life—they’re making one of the most selfless, difficult decisions anyone could ever make. The last thing they need in the midst of that challenging process is to be confronted by needless roadblocks or insurance discrimination,” said Rep. Nadler. “These roadblocks can make it economically impossible for potential donors to make that choice and, simply put, they are costing lives. April is National Donate Life Month, and I’m proud to introduce the Living Donor Protection Act to bring awareness to this issue and knock down these needless barriers to lifesaving organ donation.”

“Our state is fortunate to have Nebraska Medicine, which has a robust living donor kidney exchange program, performing more kidney chains which involves anonymous donors donating to someone without a compatible living donor, than almost any hospital nationwide. However, some living donors are discriminated against when it comes to rates and provision of life insurance and disability insurance,” said Rep. Bacon. “They also don’t always receive adequate time to recover from the surgeries related to their selfless gift. This legislation will help open the doors to more living donors so we can save more lives.”

The bipartisan, bicameral Living Donor Protection Act would:

Prohibit life, disability, and long-term care insurance companies from denying or limiting coverage and from charging higher premiums for organ donors.

Amend the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to specifically include organ donation as a serious health condition for private and civil service employees.

Direct the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to update their material on live organ donation to reflect these new protections and encourage more individuals to consider donating an organ.

Senators Welch, Cotton and Gillibrand on this legislation are Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

Read and download the full text of the bill.

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Wyden Statement on Trump’s Unconstitutional Executive Order on Mail-In Voting

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., today issued the following statement in response to Donald Trump’s unconstitutional executive order on vote-by-mail and elections:

“This is a desperate last-ditch effort by a failing president to suppress American votes because his agenda of pardoning pedophiles, embarking on his Iran war and ripping away health care is about to lose him the midterms,” Wyden said. “Oregonians have successfully voted by mail for over thirty years, and we’ll be damned if we let Donald Trump change the way our state runs its elections. My message to the White House is this: if you come for Oregon’s vote-by-mail, you’ll have hell to pay.”

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Rep. Balint Statement on Trump Firing Pam Bondi as Attorney General

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representative Becca Balint (VT-AL), Vice Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, today released the following statement after reporting that President Trump has removed Pam Bondi from her position as Attorney General:

“Pam Bondi drove the Justice Department into the ground and should have been removed long ago. Under her leadership, corruption and incompetence reigned. Bondi did not pursue justice on behalf of all Americans, she worked to cover up the misdeeds of the President and his ultra wealthy friends. She led political purges of career prosecutors, let white collar criminals off the hook, forced out those who would not agree to go along with pay-to-play schemes, and failed the Epstein survivors. Being fired, however, is not a ‘fix all.’ Congress still has a responsibility to hold her accountable for her wrongdoing, and I will continue pushing for that oversight.

“I also have serious concerns about the path forward for the Department and have doubts about whether Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche or rumored successor Lee Zeldin will change the course of the Department. I will be watching closely.

“The public made their voices heard on both Kristi Noem and Pam Bondi and it made a real difference. We need to keep showing up, keep demanding better, and keep holding those in power accountable, including other cabinet officials.”

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Beyer Statement on Anniversary of Liberation Day

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) today released the following statement on the anniversary of President Donald Trump’s so-called “Liberation Day”:

“A year ago, President Donald Trump stood before the American people to declare “Liberation Day,” an expansive tariff regime he promised would revive American manufacturing and usher in a new economic “golden age” for America. Instead, Trump’s reckless and chaotic trade war has delivered exactly what many warned it would: a self-inflicted economic disaster that is crushing American families and businesses.

“We were told that this massive tax hike would somehow lower prices for Americans and foreigners would pay the costs. Like with most Trump promises, this did not happen. The tariffs forced Americans to pay more for everyday essentials as companies passed along the costs, from groceries to household goods. According to estimates from a Joint Economic Committee analysis, families could wind up paying more than $2,500 each in tariff costs in 2026.

“Trump also assured us that the tariffs would lead to an economic boom. Unsurprisingly, this did not happen either. Over the last 12 months, U.S. tariff policy changed more than 50 times, with rates going up and down depending on the President’s mood and his endlessly shifting set of grievances, making long-term planning and investment next to impossible. Companies across the country are scaling back hiring in the face of this mounting uncertainty or going out of business entirely, with small business bankruptcies rising 10% since last year and corporate bankruptcies increasing to their highest levels since 2020. The U.S. economy has, on balance, lost a total of 19,000 jobs in the last year. And instead of ushering in a manufacturing revival, Trump’s tariffs have worsened a months-long slide in blue-collar employment. Manufacturing employment has declined nearly every month since ‘Liberation Day,’ with factory activity contracting for months as businesses pull back in response to these tariffs.

“The President’s trade agenda has failed on its own terms. It failed to boost manufacturing, failed to reduce the trade deficit, and failed to deliver relief to working Americans. And yet, as Americans pay more for groceries, electricity, housing, and health care, my Republican colleagues in Congress continue to stand by and refuse to rein in these catastrophic tariffs.”


CONGRESSWOMAN CLARKE MOURNS THE PASSING OF RADIO PIONEER BOB LAW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

April 2, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT:

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) released the following statement on the passing of Black radio pioneer and activist, Bob Law. For over fifty years, Law used his platform to discuss and speak out on issues of the Black community, and he was a key figure in launching the late Reverend Jesse Jackson, Jr.’s presidential campaign:

“I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Law, a pioneering voice in Black radio and a tireless advocate for his community. Over a remarkable career spanning more than five decades, Bob used his platform not only to inform and engage but to empower. In 1981, he took “Night Talk” national through the National Black Network, creating the first live, nationally broadcast Black radio talk show in the country.

“Through ‘Night Talk,’ Bob cultivated a powerful sense of national community, raising awareness, mobilizing collective action, and even helping spark the ‘Run Jesse Run’ movement that contributed to Jesse Jackson’s 1984 presidential campaign. He remained outspoken about the state of Black media and steadfast in uplifting the voices and needs of the Black community.

“His influence and indelible mark in radio will be felt for generations to come. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues, and all who found guidance and connection in his voice. May he rest in peace.”

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Rep. Clyde Announces 2026 Congressional Art Competition Winners

GAINESVILLE, GA – This week, Congressman Andrew Clyde (GA-09) announced and celebrated the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition for Georgia’s Ninth District during a reception at his Gainesville District Office.

The winners include:

First Place: Renee Song’s “Hand in Hand, Into Tomorrow” | North Gwinnett High School

Second Place: Calli Carlisle’s “Chattahoochee River: Horseshoe” | Gainesville High School

Third Place: Ellis Jeon’s “Golden Hour” | Seckinger High School

“Congratulations to Renee for winning this year’s Congressional Art Competition! I look forward to her beautiful painting being placed in the U.S. Capitol for all of our visitors, staff, and Members of Congress to enjoy,” said Clyde. “I’d also like to congratulate Calli, Ellis, Mikaela, Lea, and Linh for receiving well-deserved recognition for their creative submissions. Northeast Georgia has some incredibly talented young artists!”

As the winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition, Renee’s artwork will soon be displayed in the Cannon Tunnel of the U.S. Capitol building, where it will remain for one year alongside winning submissions from every congressional district across the country.

Background

Each spring, Members of the U.S. House of Representatives sponsor a nationwide high school arts competition – The Artistic Discovery Contest, also known as the Congressional Art Competition. Since 1982, this annual, bipartisan event has served as an opportunity for Members to encourage and acknowledge the artistic talents of their young constituents.


DelBene Statement on Attorney General Bondi Firing

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement after President Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi:

“Pam Bondi turned a blind eye to Trump’s broad daylight corruption, covered up the Epstein Files, used the law to go after the president’s political enemies, and fired career prosecutors who opposed her.

“We need an attorney general who will restore independence to the Justice Department, not act like the president’s personal attorney.”


DelBene Discusses Tariffs, AI with WA Small Businesses

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) joined small business leaders at Shopify's new West Coast port in Bellevue to disuss tariffs and how AI is changing small business commerce.

Tariffs drive up operating costs, especially for smaller businesses that operate with thinner margins. Small business importers paid over $300,000 more on average in tariffs last year. These fees are often passed along to consumers, who paid $1,700 more for everyday products in the last 12 months due to tariffs. Washington state is particularly impacted by changes in trade policy, with four-in-ten jobs tied to international commerce.

AI is the biggest change in how people buy and sell since the internet began. The growing adoption of this tool presents both challenges and opportunities for small businesses. While larger corporations have implemented AI at a faster rate, small business adoption is accelerating: 58% use generative AI tools, more than doubling from 23% in 2023. Shopify has been at the forefront of AI-powered commerce, recently enabling its merchants to sell directly through AI platforms like ChatGPT and integrating new AI shopping features with Google.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. As the global policy and technological landscape continues to rapidly shift, we need to ensure that entrepreneurs can keep up with their larger competitors. That’s why I’ve championed smart trade and technology policy in Congress to ensure that businesses of all sizes can drive global commerce and continue to innovate,” said DelBene. “I thank Shopify for hosting this insightful discussion and their work to support small businesses in our community and across the country.”

“AI is the biggest unlock for small businesses in a generation. For the first time, a merchant selling handmade goods out of their home in Washington has the same tools as a Fortune 500 retailer, and that levels the playing field in a way that wasn't possible before. We appreciate Congresswoman DelBene’s commitment to the entrepreneurs building here, and look forward to continuing to work with her advocating on their behalf,” said Jeff Sadosky, Head of U.S. Government and Public Affairs, Shopify.

Small businesses participating in the discussion included glassybaby (Bellevue), Olson's Tack Shop (Bellevue), sskein (Bellevue), Further Records (Kirkland), Loma Hair Care (Monroe), CrownBees (Woodinville), and indi chocolate (Seattle).


Emmer Meets with MSP Airport Air Traffic Control

ST. PAUL, MN – Today, Congressman Emmer toured the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) Control Tower and Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility.

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has made a commitment to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system, which Congress has made possible by providing $12.5 billion in the Working Families Tax Cut Act. Congressman Emmer was able to see firsthand where these investments will be going.

“MSP is the region’s most important airport, and it was great to meet with the men and women of MSP Air Traffic Control,” said Congressman Emmer. “Thanks to our historic Working Families Tax Cut Act, MSP can modernize, address gaps, and keep flyers safe. We look forward to continuing our work with the Trump administration to support our air traffic controllers.”

Background

The U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has made it a priority to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system in order to enhance the safety and efficiency of our skies. In 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration found that more than a third of the nation's air traffic control systems are unsustainable.

These critical updates include replacing outdated radar systems, telecommunication devices, and traffic tower controls, which can date as far back as the 1960s. Through the Working Families Tax Cut Act, Congressman Emmer has supported Secretary Duffy’s initiative by including $12.5 billion in funding to support airport modernization efforts.

MSP is the 17th busiest airport for passengers and 21st busiest for aircraft operations in the United States, with the airport being Delta Air Lines’ second largest hub and the home of Sun Country Airlines. Additionally, MSP is a major employer in Minnesota, supporting or facilitating the employment of 93,350 individuals and contributing $21.3 billion to Minnesota’s economy.

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Congresswoman Escobar Hosts Event Honoring Ten Extraordinary El Pasoans

Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) hosted her third Congressional Commendation Event, recognizing a group of outstanding El Pasoans whose work has strengthened the community across fields including education, public service, the arts, science, and advocacy.

“Together, these honorees reflect the strength, resilience, and talent that define El Paso,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “Our community is grateful for their service and deeply proud to celebrate the profound impact each of these individuals has made on our beloved community. El Paso thanks you.”

The honorees included:

Carlos Spector – posthumous - In Memory of Carlos Spector (March 13, 1954 – March 1, 2026) was a respected immigration attorney, U.S. Air Force veteran, and human rights advocate whose work reshaped asylum law for Mexican nationals fleeing violence. A native of El Paso, Spector dedicated his life to defending the rights of migrants and strengthening the Borderland community he deeply loved. (Emily is presenting a CR at his memorial service at UTEP on Monday, March 9 but this would be another opportunity to celebrate his life and you to do so personally).

Sadok El Ghoul, Ph.D. - Dr. Sadok El Ghoul is a distinguished finance scholar and internationally recognized expert in corporate governance, whose work bridges rigorous academic inquiry with real-world organizational impact. In recognition of his sustained contributions to the field, El Ghoul was awarded the Yvan Allaire Medal from the Royal Society of Canada which is one of the nation’s highest scholarly honors. As a Regent’s Distinguished Research Professor at the University of Texas at El Paso’s Woody L. Hunt College of Business, El Ghoul’s research deepens our understanding of how firms are governed, how they behave, and how governance mechanisms function across diverse institutional and cultural environments.

Leah Juarez - Leah Juarez is a senior at Horizon High School and dedicated three-sport athlete competing in wrestling, softball, and basketball. In February 2024, she suffered a career-threatening neck injury, breaking her C5 and C6 vertebrae while preparing for a regional wrestling meet. After undergoing a six-hour surgery at University Medical Center and committing herself to extensive physical therapy, Juarez worked to regain her strength. Demonstrating resilience and determination, she returned to softball and to wrestling finishing 3-1 and placed fifth.

Amanda Ekery - Amanda Ekery’s latest album, Arabe, explores shared Syrian and Mexican history and culture along the El Paso border through 12 original songs accompanied by essays detailing the stories behind each track. The project addresses themes ranging from food traditions and folklore to immigration law, biracial identity, and workers’ rights. Arabe was nominated for “Best Album Notes” at the 2026 Grammy Awards.

Ramadevi Subramani Reddy, Ph.D. - Getting inspiration from traditional remedies Dr. Subramani Reddy observed growing up, is investigating whether compounds derived from the neem tree, specifically gedunin, may provide a less toxic and more effective treatment option for pancreatic cancer. Supported by a $45,000 grant from the Lizanell and Colbert Coldwell Foundation, her research focuses on diseases that disproportionately affect the El Paso and Borderplex communities.

Guillermo “Willie” Cordero - Willie Cordero will be featured in the Texas Highway Magazine for leading the efforts in preserving the historical cemetery of Smeltertown. Since 2019 Mr. Cordero and his volunteers have cleared tons of trash, replaced hundreds of broken crosses, and built a monument honoring local veterans buried at Smeltertown Cemetery.

Julián Kalel Almanzan - Julian Kalel auditioned for American Idol in 2025 and impressed judges Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood with a performance of his original song, “Surrender” but took a step down from auditioning to bring awareness and focus on his mental health. He came back to audition again for American Idol in 2026 and is currently in the Top 30. Contacted him and he might be able to attend.

Dr. Dennis Bixler-Marquez, Ph.D. - Dr. Bixler-Marquez retired last year from UTEP after over 40 years of service and has earned the highest rank in academics of Professor Emeritus in honor of his distinguished career and lifelong contribution to education and service as Director of the Chicano Studies Department.

Rosa Guerrero - Guerrero’s dedication to education and cultural advocacy has been recognized through numerous honors. She received a lifetime membership from the Texas Parent Teacher Association and became the first Hispanic woman and living educator in El Paso to have a school named in her honor, Rosa Guerrero Elementary School. In In 1993 and in 1994 was inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame and into the El Paso Women's Hall of Fame and was recognized as a 1997 Distinguished Alumna of UTEP.

Today, Guerrero continues her mission as an educational consultant, delivering presentations and lectures that promote cultural understanding, respect, and unity through the arts and education. Maestra Rosa Guerrero is an artist, educator, dancer, historian, and humanitarian who has dedicated her life to her community and whose work celebrates art, diversity, and human connection throughout our community and across the United States.

Martine Ceberio - Dr. Martine Ceberio is a professor in Computer Science at UTEP who has played a key role in developing and re-designing UTEP’s computer science program. She also advanced efforts to expand access to computing education, particularly for women and under-served communities. She has been named a Piper Professor for 2025, one of the highest honors for educators in Texas.

Photos from the event can be found here.


Rep. Estes Introduces Resolution Celebrating American Cowboy Cattle Trails

Today, Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) and Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) introduced a House resolution to recognize and celebrate the monumental contributions of the American cowboy and historic cattle trails to the United States. As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary on July 4, this resolution honors the spirit of independence and the economic foundation laid by the cattle industry in the post-Civil War era.

The resolution highlights the critical role of historic routes such as the Chisholm, Shawnee, Western, and Goodnight-Loving trails. These pathways were the lifelines of the post-Civil War economy, moving millions of Texas longhorns to markets in the north and providing the breeding stock that established the modern American beef industry.

This resolution is supported by Texas Chisholm Trail Association, International Chisholm Trail Association. Historic Cattle Trails Coalition, National Cattleman’s Beef Association, Kansas Livestock Association, Western Wordsmiths, Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, Nebraska Cattlemen, North Dakota Stockman’s Association, New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association, and South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association.

"The American cowboy is more than just a figure of our past; it is a global symbol of the courage, determination, and independence that define the American spirit," said Rep. Estes. "From the Chisholm Trail to the Great Western Trail, these routes through Kansas and the heartland didn't just move cattle, they rebuilt the American economy and fed a growing nation. As we celebrate our 250th year, it is only fitting that we honor the group of individuals who shaped our frontier and our national identity."

“The great cattle drives didn't just move longhorns across the plains—they helped stitch a divided nation back together and built the foundation of a modern American economy. Those herds crossed the Colorado River on the Chisholm Trail through Travis County, driven by cowboys of every background,” said Rep. Lloyd Doggett. “As we mark 250 years of American history, the House should honor that legacy and the full, diverse story behind it.”

“Kansas heritage has long been connected to cattle and cowboys—from the days when historic trails like the Chisholm carried herds to market, to the ranchers who continue that legacy today,” said Kansas Livestock Association Chief Executive Officer Matt Teagarden. “This resolution recognizes not only the enduring impact of those early cattle drives, but also the generations of cattlemen and cattlewomen who have built upon that foundation to sustain a vital industry and way of life. We appreciate Rep. Estes’ leadership on this important recognition.”

“We applaud Congressman Estes and Congressman Doggett for introducing this resolution to honor cowboy history as part of America 250,” said Carrie Murdoch, CEO of the Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum in Cleburne, Texas and President of the Texas Chisholm Trail Association. “Our museum sits proudly along the Chisholm Trail where the cowboys and historic cattle drives helped shape the history of our nation.”

“Thanks to these Congressmen for taking the lead on recognizing cowboy history as part of America 250,” said Dennis Katzenmeier of Ellsworth, Kansas, president of the International Chisholm Trail Association. “As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, it is an ideal time to honor the American cowboy who has become an international symbol of strength, courage, and independence.”

“Generations of American farmers and ranchers have been feeding our country and managing millions of acres of range and pastureland for the last 250 years. From the early settlers raising cattle at the Jamestown colony in the 1600s to the iconic cattle drives across the West in the 19th century, cattle production is a major part of American history. NCBA is proud to celebrate America 250, reflecting on how far our industry has come while continuing to innovate and preserve our heritage for future generations,” NCBA President and Virginia Cattleman Gene Copenhaver said.

You may click HERE to read the full resolution.


Ezell, Hyde-Smith Sign Amicus Brief to SCOTUS Opposing New York Attempt to Undermine Federal Firearms Law

Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04) and U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) are among 77 lawmakers who have signed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a Second Circuit ruling and uphold the Second Amendment by preventing New York from bypassing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA).

Signed by 22 U.S. Senators and 55 U.S. Representatives, the brief argues that a New York state public nuisance law improperly undermines protections established by Congress in the PLCAA, which generally shields gun manufacturers and sellers from lawsuits when criminals misuse firearms that were legally sold. The New York law allows lawsuits against gun industry members based on broad claims that they contributed to conditions endangering public safety.

“Law-abiding Americans have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms, and that right should not be undermined by backdoor attempts to target lawful manufacturers,” said Congressman Ezell. “The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act ensures firearm manufacturers are not held liable for the criminal actions of others. Efforts to bypass that law threaten both the Second Amendment and the stability of an industry that supports American jobs and constitutional freedoms. I stand with my colleagues in urging the Supreme Court to uphold federal law and protect the rights of responsible gun owners.”

“Our brief is part of the ongoing work to protect the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens from leftist states run by anti-gun activists. These states shouldn’t be allowed to erode the constitutional protections established by Congress by law,” said Senator Hyde-Smith, author of the Gun-owner Registration Information Protection (GRIP) Act.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and U.S. Representative Russell Fry (R-S.C.) led the amicus brief, which supports the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s petition seeking certiorari before the Supreme Court.

Read excerpts from the amicus brief below and the full brief here.

“The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution ensures law-abiding and peaceable American citizens the right to keep and bear arms. But no one besides accomplished gunsmiths could exercise that right if a citizen could not lawfully purchase a firearm because the firearm industry had become insolvent. Congress passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) to prevent that outcome by placing firearm manufacturers on equal footing with other American manufacturers. Under the Act, so long as a firearm is properly made and properly transferred into commercial channels, a manufacturer is generally not liable if a criminal later misuses that firearm in the commission of a crime. In particular, the PLCAA forecloses the imposition of liability under flexible and indistinct common-law standards that provide firearm manufacturers with no notice of the precise conduct that is required or to be avoided. Indeed, that was the statute’s core purpose.

“The State of New York is unhappy with any impediments to its ability to bankrupt lawful arms manufacturers based on the actions of New York criminals whom the State is unable or unwilling to control. In the State’s view—adopted by the Second Circuit—the PLCAA is a paper tiger that any state legislature may tame by simply codifying vague and unpredictable common-law standards and explicitly applying the new code provisions only to the firearms industry.

“The State and the court below are too clever by half. This case presents an issue of exceptional importance with regard to the states’ ability to circumvent the preemptive force of federal legislation. The PLCAA is not a mere Kabuki feint designed to encourage its own circumvention. Rather, the Act was designed to, and does, preempt efforts to impose hazy common-law liability standards whether or not codified by a state legislature to target the firearms industry. This Court should intervene now before the Second Circuit’s decision, directly or through its influence, further undermines the Second Amendment and congressional will.”


Congresswoman Leger Fernández and N.M. Delegation Respond to Trump Administration’s New Actions to Undo Protections for the Greater Chaco Region

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.), U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), and U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez alongside (D-N.M.)U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) released the following statements regarding the Trump administration’s new actions to eliminate protections for the Greater Chaco Region that safeguard the area from new oil and gas leasing, undoing a 20-year mineral withdrawal that has kept public lands surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park off-limits to new development.

Yesterday, the Trump administration committed to conducting an environmental assessment within 90 days and finalizing Tribal consultation on historic preservation within 30 days. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is only granting seven days for organizations and individuals to submit scoping comments before proceeding with the environmental review.

“Chaco Canyon is not just a place on a map, it is a sacred, living landscape that carries the history, culture, and identity for many Tribal communities,” said Leger Fernández, Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Indian and Insular Affairs. “We secured the protections for the Greater Chaco Region, which includes over 4,700 archaeological sites, through a thorough and inclusive process. The Trump administration’s rushed attempt to roll back the protections blatantly disregards the careful consideration that such a sacred and historical site like Chaco Canyon deserves. The administration is willing to destroy irreplaceable artifacts for a molecule of gas that could be found on other federal lands across the San Juan Basin.”

“Chaco Canyon is sacred. As the Trump Administration rushes to push through oil and gas leasing in the greater Chaco Landscape—they announced yesterday that they will give just ONE WEEK for public comment on removing protections for this sacred place. This is unconscionable,” said Stansbury, Member of the House Committee on Natural Resources and Democratic Vice-Chair of the Congressional Native American Caucus. “This Administration’s attempt to push leasing without comprehensive tribal consultation and meaningful community engagement threatens a landscape that has been home to Pueblo and Diné people for thousands of years, since time immemorial. That’s why we are fighting to ensure it is protected for generations to come. We need your voices to continue speaking up, speaking out, and supporting Chaco Canyon!”

“This administration continues to show its deep contempt for Indian Country, this time seeking to undo protections for the Chaco Canyon landscape, going against the will of New Mexico’s Pueblos. Chaco is an irreplaceable and sacred landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a place that deserves protection. There are appropriate places to develop oil and gas, and this is not one of them,” said Vasquez.

“Chaco Canyon is a living cultural landscape that holds deep historical meaning and is a sacred space for many of our New Mexico Tribes,” said Heinrich, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and co-founder of the U.S. Senate Stewardship Caucus. “It is not just one more place to drill. The disrespect shown by the Trump administration toward New Mexicans seems to know no bounds.”

“Allowing just seven days for public comment on the fate of a 1,000-year-old sacred site is inadequate and disgraceful. I’ve spent my career working to secure lasting protections for Chaco Canyon and the Greater Chaco Region through real consultation and meaningful public input,” said Luján, a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.“The Trump administration is doing the opposite — jamming a comment period into Holy Week and limiting public participation to online-only access, all while Pueblos are in the midst of preparations for sensitive cultural activities. This is unacceptable, and I will continue pushing back against this administration’s attempts to undermine Tribal sovereignty.”

Located in northwestern New Mexico, the Greater Chaco landscape is a region of great cultural, spiritual, and historical significance to many Pueblos and Tribes that contains living sacred sites. Chaco was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 and is one of only 26 such sites in the United States.

The New Mexico Congressional Delegation has worked tirelessly to permanently protect Chaco Canyon.

Last November, Heinrich, Luján, and Stansbury hosted a press conference with Pueblo leaders on the steps needed to be taken to permanently protect the landscape. Earlier that same month, the N.M. Congressional Delegation sent a letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, urging the Trump administration to reverse course on its decision to initiate the process to fully revoke Public Land Order (PLO) No. 7923, which currently protects the area around Chaco Canyon from oil and gas drilling.

Last September, the N.M. Delegation hosted a press conference in front of the U.S. Capitol with 20 Governors and leaders from the Santa Ana, Picuris, Cochiti, Zia, Tesuque, Acoma, Santo Domingo, and Laguna Pueblos to demand the Trump administration permanently protect Chaco Canyon, and to invite U.S. Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to visit the Greater Chaco landscape before deciding its fate. Watch the video of the full press conference here.

Last June, the N.M. Delegation sent a letter initially inviting Secretary Burgum to visit Chaco Canyon before deciding its fate and engage directly with Tribal leaders and local communities to hear directly about the profound cultural and spiritual significance of this sacred landscape. Secretary Burgum issued the directive to begin revoking the protections and decided the fate of Chaco Canyon without experiencing it firsthand. Following Secretary Burgum’s directive, the N.M. Delegation sent a letter urging the Trump administration to reverse course on its decision to initiate the process to fully revoke Chaco Canyon’s protections.

Last April, the N.M. Delegation reintroduced legislation to protect Chaco Canyon and the greater sacred landscape surrounding the Chaco Culture National Historical Park. The legislation was led by Leger Fernández in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senator Luján in the U.S. Senate.


Fitzpatrick, Suozzi Unveil Bipartisan Bill to Fund DHS, Reform ICE, and Protect America

Legislation fully funds DHS while aligning ICE with the standards of every other law enforcement agency in the United States.

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY) unveiled the Reforming ICE and Protecting America Act, bipartisan legislation to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for Fiscal Year 2026 while enacting targeted, enforceable reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The legislation comes after weeks of deadlock in Washington over immigration enforcement, during which no serious proposal emerged that both kept DHS fully funded and delivered real ICE reform.

The Reforming ICE and Protecting America Act meets both imperatives: fully funding DHS while bringing ICE in line with the standards of every other law enforcement agency in the United States.

“Government should never be brought to a standstill—certainly not when homeland security is on the line and the consequences are borne by TSA agents, Coast Guard servicemembers, FEMA personnel, frontline DHS employees, and the American people. This debate began with a legitimate call for real ICE reform, yet after weeks of political deadlock, no serious solution emerged. The right course was clear from the start: keep the Department of Homeland Security fully funded and confront the problem before us with real reform. That is precisely what this bill does. It is time to do what should have been done from the beginning: govern, reform, and protect,” said Fitzpatrick.

“The American people are fed up. The chaos at our airports was awful, the Department of Homeland Security has not been fully funded during these very dangerous times, and the people are demanding that ICE live up to the standards of all other federal law enforcement. They are sick and tired of the endless blame game and they are demanding that we work together to solve the very real problems we face,” said Suozzi. “This legislation cuts through the dysfunction. It’s rooted in common sense; let’s fund DHS, keep our country safe, and hammer out real reforms of ICE.”

Drawing on Fitzpatrick’s more than 15 years as an FBI Special Agent and Suozzi’s experience overseeing the nation’s 11th largest police department as Nassau County Executive, the legislation was developed with direct input from federal law enforcement officials and in consultation with Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus and Senate partners, including the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The Reforming ICE and Protecting America Act would:

Fully fund DHS for FY26 and keep the Department operational across its core security, disaster response, and public safety missions.

Bring ICE in line with standardized law enforcement policies through body cameras, a limitation on masks, visible identification, standardized uniforms and training, and independent investigations of officer-involved shootings.

Focus enforcement where it belongs—on violent offenders and the most serious threats to public safety.

Protect due process and prevent abuse through probable-cause and warrant requirements in key enforcement contexts, including protections against the knowing detention of U.S. citizens without probable cause.

Establish clear guardrails for sensitive locations by limiting civil immigration enforcement at schools, health care facilities, places of worship, polling places on election day, childcare facilities, and private home residences absent a warrant, except in exigent circumstances.

Protect law enforcement personnel and their families by strengthening penalties for doxxing and expanding protections for sensitive personal information.

Ensures CBP remains focused on its intended mission: securing the border

Last week, Fitzpatrick and Suozzi announced they were developing a bipartisan path to fully fund DHS while advancing real ICE reform. The bill introduced today is the product of that effort.

Read the full bill text here.

Watch the Congressmen talk about their efforts here and here.

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