Larsen Condemns Trump's Unhinged & Violent Comments

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and House Democratic Leadership in the following statement:

“Donald Trump is completely unhinged. His statement threatening to eradicate an entire civilization shocks the conscience and requires a decisive congressional response. The House must come back into session immediately and vote to end this reckless war of choice in the Middle East before Donald Trump plunges our country into World War III.

“For years, Republicans have enabled and excused Donald Trump’s deeply dangerous and extreme behavior. Enough is enough. Our brave men and women in uniform have been put into harm’s way in the Middle East. Over a dozen have already been killed and hundreds injured. Gas prices are skyrocketing, the cost of living in America is out of control and billions of taxpayer dollars are being wasted on a reckless war of choice.

“It’s time for House Republicans to put patriotic duty over party loyalty and join Democrats in stopping this madness.”

This morning, President Trump threatened that a “whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran does reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8:00 p.m.

In March, Rep. Larsen voted against President Trump’s reckless war in Iran. He continues to honor and respect the women and men of the United States military.

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Griffith Announces $617,181 HHS Grant to Virginia Tech

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Virginia Tech, based in Blacksburg, Virginia, a grant for $617,181. The funding supports research into heart arrhythmia mechanisms. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“The heart is a major organ that supports the cardiovascular system.

“This HHS grant for more than $617,000 helps Virginia Tech delve deeper into cardiovascular research.”

BACKGROUND

The HHS office responsible for this grant is the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.

As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Griffith serves as the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee.

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Griffith Statement on U.S.-Iran Ceasefire

According to U.S. President Donald J. Trump, the United States of America has agreed to a two-week ceasefire with the Islamic Republic of Iran. The two sides will work out a 10-point proposal and allow for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz.

In response to this news, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“President Trump is to be commended for reaching a ceasefire agreement with Iran. Thanks to the great efforts of U.S. armed forces, Iran has been crippled and has been forced to the negotiating table.

“I support negotiations that lead to Iran never having nuclear capabilities.

“Also, I am praying for the Americans who gave their lives for their country and for their families. Their service is to be commended.”

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Congresswoman Nikema Williams’ Statement on Trump’s Threat of War Crimes

ATLANTA – Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) released the following statement on President Trump’s threat of war crimes in his Truth Social post about Iran:

Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) said:

“Saying, ‘A whole civilization will die tonight,’ should be enough to end a presidency. Donald Trump is unfit to serve as the leader of the free world, commander in chief, or even to hold a government position. Every Cabinet member and Republican who is silent on Trump’s blatant threat to humanity is betraying the American people and their duty to check the presidency. I joined H. Res. 939, Articles of Impeachment, in January, and since then, the urgency to remove this man from office has only increased. We cannot stand by as the president of the United States threatens war crimes. Impeach Trump now.”


NEWS: Pressley Condemns Trump’s Genocidal Threat Against Iran, Demands Immediate Accountability

Watch Rep. Pressley’s Scrum With Reporters Earlier Today

BOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) posted the following statement on social media in response to Trump’s genocidal threat against Iran. Congresswoman Pressley voted YES in favor of a War Powers Resolution and has strongly condemned Trump’s waging war and sacrificing the lives of U.S. servicemembers and civilians in Iran.

“This is a horrifying threat of genocidal war crimes. The lives of civilians and service members alike are at stake here,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “Congress must stop this war and remove Trump from the White House.”

In March, Congresswoman Pressley delivered a powerful speech on the House floor condemning Donald Trump waging an endless war in Iran with no regard for human life. Rep. Pressley made an appeal to Trump and her colleagues to stop this war, spare the servicemembers and Iranian children who stand to be harmed, and consider the lives already lost in the U.S. and Israeli governments’ attacks.

Rep. Pressley’s speech followed her YES vote in favor of the War Powers Resolution to stop Trump’s war in Iran and affirm the constitutional power of Congress to authorize a war.

Congresswoman Pressley also joined Senator Elizabeth Warren and the entire Massachusetts delegation in pressing Secretary of State Marco Rubio to explain the Trump administration’s “complete failure” to evacuate U.S. citizens — including Massachusetts residents — from the Middle East following the administration’s starting a reckless war in Iran.

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Video from Press Gaggle (YouTube)

BOSTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) posted the following statement on social media in response to Trump’s genocidal threat against Iran. Congresswoman Pressley voted YES in favor of a War Powers Resolution and has strongly condemned Trump’s waging war and sacrificing the lives of U.S. servicemembers and civilians in Iran.

“This is a horrifying threat of genocidal war crimes. The lives of civilians and service members alike are at stake here,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “Congress must stop this war and remove Trump from the White House.”

In March, Congresswoman Pressley delivered a powerful speech on the House floor condemning Donald Trump waging an endless war in Iran with no regard for human life. Rep. Pressley made an appeal to Trump and her colleagues to stop this war, spare the servicemembers and Iranian children who stand to be harmed, and consider the lives already lost in the U.S. and Israeli governments’ attacks.

Rep. Pressley’s speech followed her YES vote in favor of the War Powers Resolution to stop Trump’s war in Iran and affirm the constitutional power of Congress to authorize a war.

Congresswoman Pressley also joined Senator Elizabeth Warren and the entire Massachusetts delegation in pressing Secretary of State Marco Rubio to explain the Trump administration’s “complete failure” to evacuate U.S. citizens — including Massachusetts residents — from the Middle East following the administration’s starting a reckless war in Iran.

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PHOTOS: With Book Bans on the Rise, Pressley Introduces Bill to Fight Back, Promote Inclusive Literature

Pressley Unveiled Bill at Community Read-In Event in Somerville

There Have Been Nearly 23,000 Book Bans in Public Schools Since 2021, and Over 70 Books Challenged in Massachusetts; Book Bans Disproportionately Impact Titles Dealing with Race, Gender, and LGBTQ+ Issues

Bill Text | Read-In Event Photos

SOMERVILLE – Today, with book bans on the rise across the country, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) announced the introduction of the Books Save Lives Act of 2026, legislation to promote inclusive literature, ensure an inclusive learning environment, and counteract the harm of book bans nationwide. In the 2024-2025 school year, there were an estimated 6,870 recorded instances of book bans affecting nearly 4,000 unique titles, and nearly 23,000 book bans in public schools since 2021. In Massachusetts, 70 different books have been challenged in dozens of school districts across the Commonwealth.

Congresswoman Pressley announced the legislation at a community “read-in” event at All She Wrote Books in Somerville. At the event, Congresswoman Pressley was joined by authors, readers, and community members to read their favorite books aloud and discuss the fight against book bans. Joining Congresswoman Pressley at the event were All She Wrote Books owner Christina Pascucci-Ciampa; Akunna Eneh, Librarian at the Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library; Luis Quizphe, and Juliet Salameh, a queer Palestinian American healer and interdisciplinary artist.

“From bans on our bodies to bans on our books, Trump and Republicans are stopping at nothing to rip away our fundamental freedoms, censor Black, queer and other marginalized authors, and deny us the right to learn and see ourselves reflected in our literature,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “I was proud to be in community today to introduce the Books Save Lives Act, which would confront book bans head-on by ensuring libraries nationwide maintain a diverse collection of books and classifying book bans as violations of federal civil rights law. This fight is about honoring the brilliance of Black and queer authors, educators, students, and librarians—and it’s a fight for education, democracy, and justice.”

“As we all know, there are escalating efforts to ban books and silence the stories of LGBTQIA+ individuals, people of color, and other historically excluded groups across the country. Scratch beneath the surface and you’ll see that this isn’t about protecting children. It’s about erasing identities and denying people the chance to see themselves and others reflected on the shelf. I know how powerful it was to find queer and diverse books in my local library. It shaped how I understood the world and myself. That access helped me build empathy, pride, and a sense of belonging that I’ve carried forward the rest of my life. It’s also the reason why I opened All She Wrote Books,” said Christina Pascucci-Ciampa, Owner, All She Wrote Books. “It goes without saying, but librarians and educators are trained professionals. So are booksellers like myself. We use our expertise to curate books that reflect the evolving needs of our communities, including books with BIPOC, non-binary, trans, and neurodivergent characters. Young readers are actively seeking out titles with these types of characters. The Books Save Lives Act will be supporting those needs, not restricting them. Stories save lives. Representation matters.”

The Books Save Lives Act would counteract the rise in book bans and help ensure an inclusive learning environment for all students. Specifically, the legislation would:

Ensure primary and secondary schools have a library with a trained librarian;

Require public libraries and school libraries to maintain a diverse collection of books;

Classify discriminatory book bans as violations of federal civil rights laws; and

Direct the Government Accountability Office to report on the effect of book bans on underrepresented communities.

A copy of the bill text is available here.

The Books Save Lives Act is co-sponsored by Representatives André Carson, Yvette Clarke , Dwight Evans, Maxwell Frost, Jonathan Jackson, Henry C. (“Hank”) Johnson, Jr., Rick Larsen, Summer Lee, Gwen S. Moore, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Mike Quigley, Delia C. Ramirez, Emily Randall, Lateefah Simon, Bennie G. Thompson, Rashida Tlaib, Lauren Underwood, and Nydia M. Velazquez.

Endorsing organizations include We Need Diverse Books, PFLAG National, American Booksellers for Free Expression, Authors Against Book Bans, Authors Guild, Boston Comic Arts Foundation, EveryLibrary, Florida Freedom to Read Project, Hachette Book Group, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Lee & Low Books, Macmillan Publishers, Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, Sourcebooks, and Students Engaged in Advancing Texas.

“The Books Save Lives Act is an essential affirmation of what we all know: book bans disproportionately target already marginalized groups. Every student should feel welcome in their school or public library, and that can only happen if they are represented in the books on the shelf. American Booksellers for Free Expression proudly stands with libraries just as independent bookstores across the country stand with librarians, educators, and families in their communities,” –American Book Sellers for Free Expression

“Authors Against Book Bans is an organization of over 5,000 book creators across the United States who stand united for the freedom to read. We are proud to endorse the Books Save Lives Act, since books do, as we well know, save lives,” –Authors Against Book Bans

“The Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) stands in strong support of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley’s Books Save Lives Act. We share her commitment to ensuring inclusive learning environments that honor diversity and protect the freedom to read. Books are empathy machines and ensuring students have access to diverse books will help create a more equitable, just, and kind world.” —Andrea Fleck-Nisbet, CEO, Independent Book Publishers Association

“Book bans are an affront to students’ rights. We deserve to make decisions regarding our education, not politicians who seek to undermine our liberty to learn,” said Cameron Samuels, Executive Director of Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT). “Censorship dictates our understanding of history and what is acceptable, reinforcing an unjust status quo and impacting our futures. Our nation’s youngest generation must maintain the freedom to explore our curiosities, follow our passions, and discover ourselves through the lens of literature. Book bans won’t help students succeed, but empowering students and facilitating constructive collaboration between families and educators will cultivate the future our youth deserve.”

“As parents of students in Florida’s public schools, we know how important it is for young people to be able to explore a variety of perspectives and ideas in the library – extending their learning beyond the classroom. That access is under attack, and it shouldn’t be true that young people in one state have the right to see their lives, their families, their beliefs, their cultural history reflected in the books on their library shelves while others in another state have been told they do not have First Amendment rights in the library. Our Founders believed an educated populace was necessary to protect our democracy, and they guaranteed the right to share and access speech in the First Amendment. This bill ensures that right is protected for every person no matter where they live in these United States,” –Florida Freedom to Read

“Publishers acquire books based on demand. Although school and school libraries have been deeply damaged by book bans, the readers haven’t disappeared, they just no longer have access to the books they need. Diverse books for children was thriving until book bans artificially altered the landscape. No one parent should have the power to decide for other parents what their children should be allowed to read. Putting into law federal protections like the Books Save Lives Act and state laws like Freedom to Read Bill will ensure that censorship has no place here,” –Lee & Low Books

Photos from the event are available here.

Rep. Pressley has been a leading voice in defending diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, protecting Black history, and pushing back against Republicans’ efforts to deny intellectual freedom—whether by banning books or threatening museums.

Rep. Pressley has also led on securing critical funding for museums, arts, and humanities.

In 2022, she secured $207 million in federal funding for both the National Endowment for the Humanities and the National Endowment of the Arts, which has supported communities, schools, and small businesses throughout the Massachusetts 7th Congressional district. She also secured $2,505,000 for the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program in the National Parks Service Operations.

Rep. Pressley has advocated for support for museums across the country that are dedicated to archiving, researching, and preserving the African American experience, such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture. In FY26, she secured $6 million for the Museum Grants for African American History and Culture—including $500,000 for Boston’s Museum of African American History—which will provide such museums the resources they need to build on their work and continue to make history more accessible to the public.

In February 2026, Rep. Pressley led 52 of her colleagues in introducing a resolution to honor Black history museums and cultural institutions in their telling of our accurate, shared American history and protect these institutions from erasure, whitewashing, and funding cuts.

In August 2025, Rep. Pressley condemned Trump’s attempt to politicize, editorialize, and whitewash exhibits at Smithsonian museums—particularly museums and exhibits with diverse and factual presentations of American history.

In May 2025, Rep. Pressley, alongside Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-20), Co-Chair of the Congressional Museum Caucus, led 69 of their colleagues on a letter to the Inspector General of the Smithsonian Institution demanding an investigation on the impact of Donald Trump’s harmful Executive Order attacking Smithsonian museums – namely, the American Art Museum, the American Women’s History Museum, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture – attempting to erase histories of marginalized communities. A copy of the letter is available here.

In May 2025, Rep. Pressley convened a roundtable and press conference at the Museum of African American History in Boston to uplift the vital role of museums in preserving our shared history amid Donald Trump’s attack on cultural institutions and his attempts to erase the documented histories of marginalized communities.

In April 2025, Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech slamming Trump’s attack on Smithsonian museums and affirming that Black history is American history.

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Rep. Sykes, Bipartisan Women’s Caucus Leadership, Urge Investments in Menopause Research and Education

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bipartisan Women’s Caucus Co-Chair U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13), along with the other co-chair and vice chairs, have sent a letter to House leadership calling for more funding for menopause research and better provider education in the FY 2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations bill.

Nearly every woman goes through menopause, the natural stage of life when menstrual periods permanently end, usually in a woman’s forties or fifties. While it’s a normal part of life, menopause can bring disruptive symptoms. About three out of four women experience hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal discomfort, or memory changes.

Women experiencing menopause are an important part of the workforce. When their health is disrupted, it can have ripple effects on the economy. Studies show that menopause-related work disruptions cost the U.S. roughly $1.8 billion in lost productivity every year.

Even though effective treatments exist, many women don’t get the care they need. Barriers include a lack of awareness and limited access to providers trained in menopause care. A study of OBGYN residency programs found that only 31 percent of program directors include menopause in their curriculum, despite the fact that nearly all women experience it. Expanding education in medical training would help providers offer better care and encourage innovation in treatment options.

“For patients to receive the care they need for menopausal systems, health care providers must be knowledgeable about menopause and existing treatments to manage symptoms,” wrote the lawmakers. “Increasing menopause education requirements for residencies will lead to more informed health care providers, patients, and potentially an increased interest in developing new treatments as a result of this education.”

Rep. Sykes and the BWC leadership team are asking the committee to invest at least $5 million in the Menopause Research to Action Network and prioritize provider education. This would expand access to evidence-based treatments and improve care for millions of women each year.


Statement on President Trump's Dangerous Escalation and Reckless Rhetoric

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) issued the following statement following President Trump’s deeply disturbing social media post that risks escalating the conflict in Iran:


Tonko Calls to Impeach Trump

AMSTERDAM, NY — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) released a statement following the increasingly unhinged threats of violence from President Trump against the people of Iran:

“The President of the United States is publicly threatening to commit genocide.

“This is not hyperbole or wordsmithing, his exact words were “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.”

“I fear for our nation. This is not who we are. For generations, the United States has striven to be that shining city on a hill — advancing values of freedom, democracy, human rights and shared prosperity around the globe. Our greatest generation fought and died in the fields of Europe and across the vast Pacific to stem the tide of fascism and the genocidal dictators it enabled. When confronted with the abysmal horrors of the Holocaust, we vowed with one clear voice “never again.”

“We cannot fall prey to indifference or apathy, believing that the President’s words are mere idle threats. He is the Commander in Chief of the most powerful military the world has ever seen. He has already launched an illegal war of choice against a country that posed no imminent military threat to the United States.

“We must take his words at face value, and when we do, there is only one clear conclusion: this is genocidal talk from an unhinged madman President.


Vindman, House Democratic Veterans Condemn Trump’s Dangerous Rhetoric, Threat to Wipe Out Iranian Civilization

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today joined 12 fellow House Democratic veterans in condemning Trump’s threat to wipe out Iranian civilization, warning that such rhetoric is dangerous, escalatory, and threatens a war crime.

“Words matter in times of peace, but especially in times of war. We served our country and are no strangers to war. What Trump threatened this morning — that ‘a whole civilization will die tonight’ — cannot be ignored, rationalized, or dismissed. It is not ‘strategic posturing’ to threaten to annihilate an entire people. It threatens a war crime so grave that no person should condone it.

“There is no strategic justification for threatening to destroy an entire civilization, and anyone who says otherwise is unfit for office. Any elected official cheering on this rhetoric, rationalizing it as tough talk, and failing to acknowledge the gravity of what the president is threatening is simply unfit.

“We need to immediately return to DC and stop this illegal war. We took oaths to the Constitution and the American people, not a political party nor a leader. The time to do something is now, and we must act.”

He co-sent the statement alongside U.S. Representatives Pat Ryan (N.Y.-18), Ted Lieu (Calif.-36), Chris Deluzio (Pa.-17), Derek Tran (Calif.-45), Jimmy Panetta (Calif.-19), Seth Moulton (Mass.-06), Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.-06), Salud Carbajal (Calif.-24), Bobby Scott (Va.-03), Jason Crow (Colo.-06), Maggie Goodlander (N.H.-02), Mike Thompson (Calif.-04), and Herb Conaway (N.J.-03).

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Federal Workforce Caucus Co-Chairs Call for Fair Pay After Trump Budget Freezes Federal Worker Salaries

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) and Steny Hoyer (MD-05) and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), co-chairs of the Congressional Federal Workforce Caucus, released the following statement.

“As co-chairs of the Congressional Federal Workforce Caucus, we strongly oppose President Trump’s FY2027 budget proposal to implement a federal civilian pay freeze and make deep cuts to agency budgets that would undermine the federal workforce and the services Americans rely on.

We are committed to protecting federal workers and strengthening our merit-based civil service so non-partisan civil servants can continue serving the American people free from political interference. A pay freeze — especially following a 1% pay raise last year that did not keep pace with inflation — would make it harder to recruit and retain the skilled workforce needed to carry out critical missions.

Federal employees deliver essential services every day, from processing benefits to supporting national security. Stability in the workforce is fundamental to an effective federal government that can deliver the services the American people deserve.

We will continue working to advance the FAIR Act, which provides a 4.1% pay increase to better reflect the cost of living and the value of public service. The President has proposed a 7% pay raise for our service members — a recognition of the importance of readiness and retention. We support that and do believe that the same principle should apply to the civilian workforce that serves the American people every day.”

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Walkinshaw Statement Denouncing Trump’s Unhinged Iran Comments

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform and Homeland Security Committees, released the following statement denouncing President Donald Trump’s unhinged comments on Iran.

“Unhinged. Out of control. Criminal.

It’s past time for Congress to end Trump’s dangerous war in Iran before it and he spirals even further out of control.

Republican leaders will explain this away, as they always do. But they won’t be able to escape the moral and political responsibility they hold for enabling this lunatic.”

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Senator Baldwin Demands Answers from USPS on Mail Delays, Staffing Shortages Across Wisconsin

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) demanded answers from Postmaster General David Steiner regarding long-term mail delays and staffing shortages at post offices across Wisconsin that are impacting local businesses, newspapers, and Wisconsin families who rely on USPS for prescriptions, bills, voting, and more.

“I write you today to express my frustrations with ongoing mail delays and staffing shortages throughout Wisconsin,” wrote Senator Baldwin. “This is not the first time I have reached out to the United States Postal Service (USPS) about mail delivery issues on behalf of my constituents.”

“Millions of Wisconsinites rely on the Postal Service to stay in touch with loved ones, pay bills, receive much-needed medications and cast their vote. We have a duty to find solutions to these difficulties for the people we serve,” Baldwin concluded.

In the letter, Senator Baldwin raised that Wisconsinites across the state have faced significant delays in receiving their mail from USPS. Service delays have been especially pronounced in Brown Deer and Madison, where residents reported weeks-long delays in mail delivery.

These delays follow USPS’ implementation of the Local Transportation Optimization (LTO) policy, an overhaul spearheaded by former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy that has caused widespread service issues in the years since it was first introduced. A March 2025 report by the USPS Office of Inspector General found a general decrease in service in Wisconsin after LTO was implemented.

Senator Baldwin has repeatedly called on the USPS to address rate hikes and delays Wisconsinites are experiencing. In 2024, Senator Baldwin led a group of her colleagues in calling out USPS leadership for unsustainable price hikes and poor service. Baldwin also called on former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy to immediately address costly mail delays suffered by Wisconsin newspapers that rely on the USPS.

In her letter, Senator Baldwin requests written answers to the following questions:

What was the retention rate among pre-career and career USPS employees from Fiscal Year 2024 to Fiscal Year 2025 in Wisconsin? What are the nationwide retention rates among pre-career and career USPS employees from Fiscal Year 2024 to Fiscal Year 2025?

How many USPS employees currently work in Wisconsin? How many open positions does USPS currently have?

Is USPS concerned with staffing shortages and retention rates in Wisconsin? If so, besides job fairs, what solutions have been implemented to address staffing challenges in Wisconsin, specifically?

How successful have the USPS-sponsored job fairs been at hiring new employees in Wisconsin and nationwide? Thus far, have job fairs resulted in long-term employment for Wisconsinites?

How has the USPS responded to the issues raised in the March 2025 OIG report regarding LTO implementation?

Has the USPS implemented the process to track Local Transportation Optimization savings as agreed to in the March 2025 USPS OIG Report? If so, can you provide an explanation of the process and any current findings?

How will USPS ensure customers are immediately notified of any impacts to service in their area moving forward?

A full version of this letter is available here and below.

Dear Postmaster General Steiner,

I write you today to express my frustrations with ongoing mail delays and staffing shortages throughout Wisconsin.

This is not the first time I have reached out to the United States Postal Service (USPS) about mail delivery issues on behalf of my constituents. I frequently urged your predecessor to improve service, emphasizing that USPS’s transition to the Local Transportation Optimization policy (LTO) led to a decline in mail delivery reliability across Wisconsin. This was confirmed by the USPS Office of Inspector General’s March 2025 Report for the Wisconsin region, which found a general decrease in service in the state after this disastrous policy was implemented. The report also found that customers were not notified of the impacts to service in their areas until after an issue arose or they directly asked questions. To make matters worse, the supposed cost savings attributed to the LTO were not even effectively tracked by USPS, making it difficult to verify whether the policy delivered any meaningful financial benefit.

Most recently, I have heard from constituents who have endured long stretches without any mail delivery. In Brown Deer, residents experienced significant delays and inconsistent service from the Post Office on Bradley Road. Some reported going weeks at a time without receiving any mail. I have heard similar stories from my constituents in Madison, who have seen lengthy mail service delays across the entire city.

I appreciate that USPS has addressed staffing shortages in these areas, but the agency must continue to prioritize the hiring and retention of workers across the state in order to prevent future staffing issues that contribute to mail delays. Despite my repeated warnings, it is clear that service issues have not been substantially addressed.

I request that you provide written answers to the following questions by April 30, 2026:

What was the retention rate among pre-career and career USPS employees from Fiscal Year 2024 to Fiscal Year 2025 in Wisconsin? What are the nationwide retention rates among pre-career and career USPS employees from Fiscal Year 2024 to Fiscal Year 2025?

How many USPS employees currently work in Wisconsin? How many open positions does USPS currently have?

Is USPS concerned with staffing shortages and retention rates in Wisconsin? If so, besides job fairs, what solutions have been implemented to address staffing challenges in Wisconsin, specifically?

How successful have the USPS-sponsored job fairs been at hiring new employees in Wisconsin and nationwide? Thus far, have job fairs resulted in long-term employment for Wisconsinites?

How has the USPS responded to the issues raised in the March 2025 OIG report regarding LTO implementation?

Has the USPS implemented the process to track Local Transportation Optimization savings as agreed to in the March 2025 USPS OIG Report? If so, can you provide an explanation of the process and any current findings?

How will USPS ensure customers are immediately notified of any impacts to service in their area moving forward?

Millions of Wisconsinites rely on the Postal Service to stay in touch with loved ones, pay bills, receive much-needed medications and cast their vote. We have a duty to find solutions to these difficulties for the people we serve. Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

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Bennet Statement on Trump’s Threats to Iran

Denver— Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, issued a statement following President Trump’s Truth Social post threatening Iran:

“Today, President Trump issued an ultimatum that ‘Iran’s whole civilization will die tonight’ unless the regime complies with his demands to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He is threatening war crimes to fix a crisis he created. This is a reckless, dangerous escalation.

“Let’s be clear: Trump’s war with Iran is a failure that must end immediately. He launched his war without either a clear strategy, or honest justifications.

“Now, Americans are paying the price. Oil prices are soaring – up 35 percent in Colorado. Iran is more radical than ever and has killed our troops. Russia is cashing in from high oil prices. China is gaining ground while our focus shifts away from Asia.

“It’s true that Iran’s regime is dangerous, which is why I’ve supported harsh measures against them for years. But this war cannot go on.

“Trump is trying to fund his war one way or another. I won’t support a single cent going to it. I won’t entertain the idea of Trump’s absurd $1.5 trillion defense budget. My Republican colleagues must stand up to the President and do the same.

“Our country deserves better than this.”

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Statement on President Trump’s Threats to Iran

Wilmington, Del. – Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) released the following statement in response to President Trump’s Truth Social post threatening Iran:

“The president’s reckless words and actions are putting our troops, our national security, and innocent lives at risk. Threatening to ‘kill a whole civilization’ is dangerous and morally unacceptable. President Trump started this war without the support of the American people. Republicans in Washington must put partisan loyalty aside and join us to bring this war to an end.”

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Booker and Colleagues Call on JBS to Negotiate Fair Contract as Colorado Meatpacking Strike Ends

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) are urging JBS USA, the world’s largest meat processor, to immediately negotiate a fair contract with striking members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 in Greeley, Colorado. In a letter to JBS leadership, the senators press the company to provide workers with a safe workplace and with fair and livable wages.

“JBS workers engage in incredibly difficult, dangerous jobs, but ones that are critical for feeding our country and driving your company’s success. Federal health and safety laws mitigate those risks, but we understand workers in Greeley are forced to work in conditions that lead to high turnover, injury, and in some cases, death,” the senators wrote. “It has been widely reported that many workers have been charged $1,100 or more to offset the company’s costs for life-saving personal protective equipment (PPE).”

The senators highlighted that since 2020, JBS’s U.S. operations have been cited for 184 health and safety violations and 40 employment-related offenses, including wage violations, discrimination, and child labor.

“Requiring workers to spend their hard-earned paychecks on equipment that employers are legally obligated to provide is wrong, and it puts both their financial security and their safety at risk,” the senators continued.

The lawmakers also raised concerns about wages that have failed to keep pace with the rising cost of living. JBS has reportedly offered workers a maximum raise of 90 cents per hour over three years, an increase that falls below inflation. Workers’ take-home pay has been further eroded by rising health-care premiums, which have increased as much as 37% since 2021 under the company’s standard plan.

“Without meaningful intervention, these practices will continue to undermine worker safety, financial stability, and basic standards of fairness,” the senators concluded.

To read the full text of the letter, click here.

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Boozman, Cramer, Hassan, Slotkin Push Expanded Outdoor Rehabilitation for Veterans

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) joined Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) in introducing the Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act, legislation aimed at helping former servicemembers access outdoor recreation opportunities to improve their well-being. The effort comes as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released its 2025 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, which highlighted persistent struggles with anxiety, depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among former servicemembers.

“Veterans often find comfort and healing in the great outdoors, so helping increase their opportunities for healthy rehabilitation in those settings is important,” said Boozman. “Our former servicemembers in Arkansas and nationwide struggling with anxiety, depression and the effects of PTSD will benefit from this commonsense, bipartisan solution that taps into their love for outdoor recreation through programs close to where they are. I am pleased to join my colleagues in this effort to support their mental health.”

“Let’s face it, for a lot of veterans, healing doesn’t happen in a doctor’s office,” said Cramer. “One of our nation’s greatest veterans and of course, eventually the Commander in Chief, the President, Theodore Roosevelt, escaped to North Dakota’s badlands after the death of his wife and mother on the same day. After that inexplicable great grief, he credits North Dakota’s outdoors as the place where the romance of his life began. Sometimes healing begins in places like a quiet trail, by the water, or under an open sky. Our bill helps state veterans’ agencies expand outdoor recreation opportunities, so that more of the men and women who served our country can find their healing, hope, and a sense of calm in the outdoors once again, much like Theodore Roosevelt did.”

“This bipartisan bill will expand access to outdoor rehabilitative and wellness programs for the brave men and women who have sacrificed to keep us safe, secure, and free,” said Hassan. “Outdoor recreation is good not only for our physical health, but it has also been shown to improve our mental health. This bill is one more way to get veterans the support that they have earned and deserved.”

The bill would create a federal grant program for state veterans’ agencies to develop or expand outdoor recreation opportunities for former servicemembers. Under the proposal, states could run programs directly or partner with local outfitters and recreation providers to offer nature-based activities. States and contracted partners would be encouraged to coordinate with relevant federal land management agencies to support veterans-focused programs, with each state that applies receiving a minimum of $200,000 to deliver these services.

Veterans have increasingly pointed to outdoor recreation as a tool for recovery and reintegration after leaving military service, noting time in nature and shared activities can help rebuild community, reduce stress and support long-term mental health. Early studies show outdoor programs are an effective tool in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety among veterans.

This effort builds on progress made through the Veterans COMPACT Act of 2020 that established a task force to provide recommendations regarding the benefits of outdoor recreation activities for veterans and the use of federal lands to support these activities.

The Veterans Outdoor Rehabilitation Act is supported by the American Legion, Veterans Outdoor Advocacy Group, Veterans of Foreign Wars, National Association of State Park Directors and the Action Foundation.

“Veterans continue processing the experiences of their service long after their military career ends,”said Navy SEAL Veteran and Veterans’ Outdoor Advocacy Group Executive Director Ben Davis. “With millions of Americans transitioning from more than two decades of conflict, that work is happening across the country right now. Studies increasingly show that time spent in the outdoors can improve well-being, strengthen community, and support veterans as they move forward in civilian life. Expanding access to structured outdoor recreation ensures more veterans have the opportunity to benefit from those experiences.”

“The National Association of State Park Directors supports the Veterans Outdoor Recreation Rehabilitation Act, which would help state park systems give veterans more options to access the outdoors,”said National Association of State Park Directors CEO & President Paul McCormack. “State parks across the country are already improving accessibility through trails, boat ramps, campsites, and adaptive technologies. This grant program would allow state parks and our partners to scale these efforts to serve more veterans and their families.”


PHOTOS: Capito Tours CDS Projects in Eastern Panhandle

EASTERN PANHANDLE, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a leader on the Senate Appropriations Committee, made stops in Harpers Ferry, Charles Town, and Martinsburg to receive updates on community projects and receive updates on plans for projects supported by Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) investments she helped secure.

To begin the day, Senator Capito traveled to Harpers Ferry where she received updates from local leaders on a project funded through a recent Congressionally Directed Spending allocation. The purpose of the project is to improve water quality and service for the towns of Bolivar, Harpers Ferry, and Jefferson County.

“I was glad to join local leaders here in Harpers Ferry in receiving updates on the funding I helped secure through recent Congressionally Directed Spending allocations,” Senator Capito said. “These investments will help ensure residents have access to safe, reliable water infrastructure, while supporting continued growth and development across the region.”

“The historic Town of Harpers Ferry is incredibly grateful to Senator Capito for recognizing and supporting the rehabilitation of our aged and severely compromised water distribution system. Through the Senator's efforts the enhancements to our system will now better service our residents, businesses and the hundreds of thousands of visitors and tourists Harpers Ferry hosts annually,” Gregory Vaughn, Mayor of Harpers Ferry, said.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) meets with local leaders in Harpers Ferry, W.Va. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) discusses recent Congressionally Directed Spending allocations with local leaders in Harpers Ferry, W.Va. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Next, Senator Capito traveled to Charles Town to visit the Charles Town Police Department where she reviewed progress on CDS-supported projects benefitting the police department. During the visit, local officials provided updates and a tour of the facility to highlight new technology that was purchased through CDS funding.

“It’s great to be back in Charles Town to receive updates and view upgrades to the police department—a project I was proud to support through the Congressionally Directed Spending process. By making needed upgrades to the technology that is used by the department, the city will be better equipped to respond to community needs and deliver service to residents effectively,” Senator Capito said.

“I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Senator Shelley Moore Capito for her steadfast commitment to public safety and her continued support of the Charles Town Police Department. Through this grant opportunity, the department was able to procure critical equipment, including ballistic shields, tire deflation devices, first aid and trauma kits, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and other essential emergency response equipment,” Christopher Kutcher, Chief of Police for the Charles Town Police Department, said. “These resources have already proven invaluable, significantly enhancing our officers’ preparedness and their ability to respond effectively to a wide range of calls for service within our community. We are truly grateful for this investment in the safety and well-being of both our officers and the citizens we proudly serve.”

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits the Charles Town Police Department in Charles Town, W.Va. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits the Charles Town Police Department in Charles Town, W.Va. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits the Charles Town Police Department in Charles Town, W.Va. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

Next, Senator Capito visited the Jefferson County Government Complex where she received updates on the expansion of the Jefferson County Health Department—a project that Senator Capito supported through the Congressionally Directed Spending process.

“The work underway in Jefferson County reflects a strong commitment to protecting public health—an effort I’ve been proud to support through the Appropriations process,” Senator Capito said. “I appreciated the opportunity to receive updates on the expansion of the Jefferson County Health Department. Through the CDS process, I’ve worked to support priorities that ensure families have access to quality care. Jefferson County is making meaningful progress, and I’m proud to partner with local leaders to help advance these important initiatives.”

“The relocation and expansion of the Jefferson County Health Department is a critical need for our county, and Senator Capito delivered. The new facility will be located in the heart of the population it serves with access to public transportation,” the Jefferson County Commission said. “This investment, made possible through the Senator’s support, is a significant step forward in improving access to care, strengthening public health, and better serving our community.”

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) visits the Jefferson County Government Complex to receive updates on a project funded through Congressionally Directed Spending in Charles Town, W.Va. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) receives updates on a project funded through Congressionally Directed Spending at the Jefferson County Government Complex in Charles Town, W.Va. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

To end the day, Senator Capito traveled to Martinsburg where she visited the Martinsburg Fire Department. During the stop, she reviewed progress on CDS-supported projects benefitting the fire department, received updates from local officials, and went on a tour of the facility that showcased some of the equipment purchased through CDS funding.

“I was glad to visit the Martinsburg Fire Department and see firsthand the progress made possible through Congressionally Directed Spending funding I helped secure,” Senator Capito said. “These investments are providing our local first responders with the equipment and resources they need to better protect and serve their communities.”

“We are extremely grateful to Shelley Moore Capito for her continued support of the Martinsburg Fire Department and the city we serve. The funding she helped secure for our new ladder truck is critical to improving our operational capabilities and ensuring the safety of both our firefighters and the public. This investment will have a lasting impact on our ability to respond effectively to emergencies across the City of Martinsburg and Berkeley County,” Martinsburg Fire Department Chief Bradley Knieriem said.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) tours the Martinsburg Fire Department in Martinsburg, W.Va. on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

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Ranking Members Coons, Schumer, Shaheen, Reed, and Schatz condemn President Trump’s threat against Iranian civilization

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Defense, Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senate Democratic Leader, Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s threat that “a whole civilization will die tonight” in Iran:

“We speak today with one voice and one purpose: to condemn President Trump’s threat to extinguish an entire civilization.

“This is not strength. Intentionally destroying the power, water, or basic infrastructure upon which tens of millions of civilians depend to punish the very civilians who suffer at the hands of the Iranian regime would constitute a war crime, a betrayal of the values this nation was founded on, and a moral failure. It’s unconscionable to threaten the lives of so many people – grandparents, children, families – simply because they were born in Iran. President Trump’s reckless threat makes Americans less safe, further destabilizes our nation and economy, and puts at greater risk U.S. service members. It only serves to push us further away from the only viable solution to this war: a diplomatic one. The president must not follow through on this threat.”


Cornyn, Moran Op-Ed: The Working Families Tax Cut Act Prescribes Real Remedies for Health Care

AUSTIN – Ahead of their visit to the UT Tyler Health Science Center tomorrow, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Congressman Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) authored the following op-ed in the Tyler Morning Telegraph highlighting the reforms secured by Congressional Republicans and President Trump in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act to make health care more affordable and accessible for Texans, including the Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion initiative to advance health care in East Texas and rural communities across the country.

The Working Families Tax Cut Act prescribes real remedies for health care

Senator John Cornyn and Representative Nathaniel Moran

Tyler Morning Telegraph

April 7, 2026

https://tylerpaper.com/2026/04/07/op-ed-by-cornyn-and-moran-the-working-families-tax-cut-act-prescribes-real-remedies-for-health-care/

We hear from Texans every day who have rightfully grown weary of our health care system. Wait times are too long, bills are too high, and Congress often seems too little too late on plans to fix it. But last year, President Trump and Congressional Republicans secured meaningful health care reforms through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act that will improve health care access and affordability for Texans and all Americans.

First and foremost, the Working Families Tax Cuts Act delivered historic wins for rural communities. This landmark legislation established the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a $50 billion initiative that represents the single largest investment in rural health care in more than two decades. Texas received $281 million this fiscal year through the RHTP – the most of any state in the nation. The Lone Star State is expected to receive similar amounts annually over the next four years.

These resources will provide a vital safety net for rural communities, particularly in places like East Texas, home to multiple health systems that deliver exceptional care. We will visit with health care professionals at the UT Tyler Health Science Center later this week to discuss how RHTP funding would improve operations throughout East Texas. Bold strides are already being made with the establishment of the UT Tyler School of Medicine, and RHTP funding will only accelerate these efforts, whether through modernizing infrastructure or bolstering recruitment and retention. For smaller providers, RHTP funding could mean the difference between closing and staying afloat. The good news is that local providers who know their communities best will have flexibility in determining how funds are spent.

The benefits to the Piney Woods don’t stop there. Families who live outside the hustle and bustle of city life can rest assured knowing that the Working Families Tax Cuts Act prioritized telehealth as another cost-saving, convenient option. Working parents with busy schedules, seniors with mobility challenges, and folks with compromised immune systems all benefit from receiving care from home. And rural patients can connect with doctors without driving hours to the nearest hospital. By permanently allowing patients with high-deductible health plans access to telehealth services without first having to meet their deductibles, Republicans ensured remote care remains a lasting option for Texans.

The Working Families Tax Cuts Act also bolstered support for elderly and homebound Texans. By expanding access to Home and Community-Based Services, this law gives individuals with disabilities or substance use disorders the opportunity to receive care at home or another setting of their choosing. For many, these services offer a level of specialized care that is beyond the scope of what a family alone can provide. This law also prioritized older Texans by halting Biden-era regulations that threatened the viability of nursing homes and long-term care providers. Ensuring that both home-based services and nursing facilities remain available is crucial to families caring for aging parents and loved ones with complex medical needs.

Finally, the Working Families Tax Cuts Act expanded access to Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, which allow individuals to set aside pre-tax dollars to cover medical expenses ranging from prescriptions to deductibles. Until now, millions of Americans were locked out of this powerful financial tool. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act helped close this gap by extending HSA eligibility to people enrolled in Bronze-level and Catastrophic plans. These plans typically offer lower premiums but higher deductibles – an attractive option for younger workers, gig workers, and self-employed Texans. Extending HSAs to these lower-tier plans gives individuals the opportunity to plan for health expenses using tax-advantaged savings, giving patients greater control over how they shop for care and prepare for unexpected medical bills.

In full, these reforms represent a shift toward a more patient-centered approach to health care policy. Republicans delivered tangible, practical improvements through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act that lower costs, empower patients, and expand access to care.

Two decades ago, Democrats passed the “Un-Affordable” Care Act on partisan lines prioritizing political expediency over long-term stability. In Obamacare’s wake, premiums climbed, insurance companies’ profits soared, and patients were left with skyrocketing costs and shrinking choices. But now, the health care reforms championed by President Trump and Congressional Republicans tell a different story – one that demonstrates reform is possible. Republicans have more work ahead of us, but the Working Families Tax Cuts Act marked an important step toward healing our broken health care system.


Cortez Masto Highlights Work to Address Housing Crisis, Celebrates Progress at Carville Park Apartments in Reno

Reno, Nev. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) highlighted her work to address the housing crisis alongside Building and Construction Trades Council of Northern Nevada (BCTNN) Secretary Treasurer Rob Benner and Nevada Rural Housing Executive Director Bill Brewer. They also celebrated the renovation and preservation of hundreds of new affordable accessible homes at Carville Park Apartments in Reno.

“Making sure Nevadans have access to quality affordable housing – like Carville Park – has always been one of my priorities. Having a roof over your head isn’t just shelter – it’s security, it’s health care, and it’s stability,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I’m proud to have supported legislation throughout my time in the Senate to increase our supply of homes, but there’s always more work to do. Congress must finish what we started and get the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to the President’s desk.”

“Behind every affordable home is the right financing, the right partnerships, and the right federal policy. Union workers built this country, and the Building Trades are proud to keep building Northern Nevada with projects like Carville Park Apartments and Clear Acre Commons. Senator Cortez Masto’s 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act gives us the tools to keep delivering union-built affordable housing for Northern Nevada families,” Rob Benner, Secretary Treasurer of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Northern Nevada.

“Expanding access to affordable housing in Nevada, especially in our rural communities, requires the right tools and strong federal partnership. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto understands what it takes to get housing built, and the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act brings together the resources we rely on to deliver. These tools make projects like our Pioche Apartments possible, even in some of the most rural parts of our state, and help ensure more Nevadans can find a place to call home,” Bill Brewer, Executive Director of Nevada Rural Housing.

BCTNN’s Carville Park Apartments, when fully renovated and preserved, will provide inclusive, accessible housing options to seniors who use federal Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. This redevelopment was made possible through funding from the state infrastructure bank and investment from Northern Nevada labor unions.

In discussing her work to address the housing crisis, the Senator highlighted the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act,which overwhelmingly passed the Senate last month. This legislation includes provisions from Cortez Masto’s HOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act (HOME Act) and the Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative for Community Enhancement (PRICE) Act, which she introduced last year to address the affordable housing crisis in Nevada and across the country. This legislation would also:

Remove regulatory red tape that slows down housing development;

Help more homeless veterans access VA housing;

Reform the existing Rural Housing Service to help preserve affordable housing in rural areas; and

Create a pilot program at HUD to offer grants and forgivable loans to homeowners and small landlords to address home repair needs and health hazards.

Senator Cortez Masto has been a leader working to lower housing costs and build more homes. Last year she secured $40 million in investments from the FHLBank of San Francisco to support the single-family bond program in Nevada. She introduced the Affordable Housing Bond Enhancement Act, which would make homeownership more accessible and sustainable for working families. Last Congress, her AACE Act to cut red tape to speed up federal land transactions and lower housing costs was signed into law. She has also been a champion for making it easier to build affordable housing on federal land.

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Cramer Statement on Temporary Ceasefire with Iran, Reopening of the Strait of Hormuz

***Click here for audio.***

BISMARCK, N.D. — After weeks of U.S. pressure and diplomatic efforts led by President Trump, the Iranian regime has agreed to a two-week ceasefire and will reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cracrmer (R-ND), chair of the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee, issued the following statement applauding President Trump for securing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz:

“Under his Peace Through Strength leadership, President Trump is showing the world that the United States is the strongest nation, and we have the strongest military on Earth. He has made it clear– Iran will not get a nuclear weapon. And so, it’s really through his efforts that the U.S. not only secured a temporary ceasefire but more importantly, they obtained a commitment from Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. That has been his short-term goal in recent days, and it’s an important goal that affects a lot of people, not just the United States but our Middle East friends and certainly Europe. It’d be nice if they start helping out a little more and I suspect they probably will after seeing here another successful negotiation by the President. Now we have to keep our eyes wide open obviously, it’s not like the Iranian regime is good for keeping its word, but in my mind, this is a pretty good breakthrough. I’m grateful for President Trump’s unwavering dedication to defending our country and holding our adversaries accountable, and frankly, holding some allies accountable as well. I certainly hope they learned from this lesson.”


DOT Awards Over $2.3 Million to North Dakota Tribal Nations

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded $2,333,044 to two North Dakota tribal nations through the Build America Bureau Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program.

The funding will be distributed as follows:


Gillibrand Demands Bipartisan Investigation Into Deadly Bombing Of Iranian Elementary School

Gillibrand is requesting a public hearing and bipartisan investigation into the deadly Tomahawk missile strike on an Iranian elementary school in February

An ongoing military investigation has determined that the United States is responsible for the strike, which killed at least 168 people, most of them children

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), is calling for a bipartisan investigation into a February deadly Tomahawk missile strike on an Iranian elementary school. The errant attack killed at least 168 people, most of them children. According to the New York Times, an ongoing military investigation has determined that the United States is responsible for the strike.

“America has the most sophisticated military technology in the world. It is absolutely unacceptable that one of our missiles hit a school, killing dozens of children,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I will continue to demand answers about this attack until the American people get the transparency they deserve and until processes are implemented to avoid similar tragedies in the future.”

In a letter to SASC Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS), Gillibrand and 24 of her Senate Democratic colleagues asked for a report and public hearing on the strike. The senators also requested information on who was responsible, how the target was selected, and what processes are being developed to ensure similar tragedies are not repeated in the future.

“Massive civilian casualty incidents like the attack in Minab are devastating to the Iranian civilian population and risk both undermining U.S. national security interests and rallying domestic support for the Iranian regime,” the senators wrote in the letter.

“The United States’ global reputation is tied to our adherence to rules of engagement and laws of war. Failure to follow these rules and laws risks hardening our adversaries’ resolve, especially considering Secretary Hegseth’s call to show ‘no quarter, no mercy for our enemies’…it is crucial that Congress reassert its Article I power and ensure the Department of Defense’s civilian leadership is complying with the law as it conducts operations against Iran.”

Gillibrand has led the fight for answers on the attack since it occurred in February. At a SASC hearing last month, she pressed military leadership about the attacks, demanded a hearing on the topic, and called on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to resign over the strike.

A copy of the letter can be found here and the text is below:

Dear Chairman Wicker,

We write to request the United States Senate Committee on Armed Services (“the Committee”) launch a bipartisan investigation, culminating in a report and public hearing, into the strike on Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School for girls in Minab, Iran that reportedly killed at least 168 people – mostly children – on the first day of U.S. operations against Iran on February 28, 2026. Congress and the Committee have a constitutional responsibility to conduct robust oversight of the U.S. Department of Defense’s operations in Iran to provide an appropriate check and balance on the Trump administration’s use of the world’s most powerful military, and this catastrophic airstrike urgently warrants congressional oversight and accountability.

The majority of those killed in the strike were girls between the ages of seven and 12 years old. Neither the United States nor the Israeli Government has yet taken formal responsibility for this attack. On March 4, Secretary of Defense Hegseth acknowledged that the United States was “investigating” the strikes at the school, saying “All I know, all I can say, is that we’re investigating that,” but he shared no information about a timeline for review or a commitment to accountability. The New York Times reports that preliminary findings from the ongoing military investigation have “determined that the United States is responsible for [the] deadly Tomahawk missile strike” on the school, according to officials and analysis of available evidence. The Washington Post reports that the school was “on a U.S. target list and may have been mistaken for a military site.” Reporting further suggests that U.S. forces struck the school using outdated data provided by the Defense Intelligence Agency, despite historical satellite imagery showing that the building had been walled off from the military base and used as a school since at least 2016.

Massive civilian casualty incidents like the attack in Minab are devastating to the Iranian civilian population and risk both undermining U.S. national security interests and rallying domestic support for the Iranian regime. Congress has not declared war nor authorized the use of military force against Iran, and the Trump administration has continually failed to provide a clear rationale for the war, the objectives it seeks to accomplish, or a strategy for achieving those objectives. Notwithstanding our assessment of this war’s legality and constitutionality, the United States has a responsibility to engage in this operation in adherence to our laws and values.

Secretary Hegseth’s own comments have not inspired confidence that the Department of Defense is taking the concern of civilian casualties seriously. On March 3, 2026, Secretary Hegseth stated that Operation Epic Fury would have “no stupid rules of engagement.” The United States’ global reputation is tied to our adherence to rules of engagement and laws of war. Failure to follow these rules and laws risks hardening our adversaries’ resolve, especially considering Secretary Hegseth’s call to show “no quarter, no mercy for our enemies.” Additionally, our adversaries may submit our Servicemembers to reciprocal treatment, exposing them to the precise physical and psychological abuses the Geneva Conventions were signed to prevent. Therefore, it is crucial that Congress reassert its Article I power and ensure the Department of Defense’s civilian leadership is complying with the law as it conducts operations against Iran.

The February 28 Minab strike on a school full of young girls may be remembered as one of the most devastating and tragic errors in modern American military history. It demands congressional scrutiny. We respectfully request your inquiry to determine:

Whether, as initial reporting suggests, U.S. forces were responsible for the strike on the school in Minab as part of preselected, day on strikes;

If so, how this target was selected, including any role artificial intelligence played;

How outdated intelligence was used;

Who approved the targets;

What systems or mechanisms the department used in Operation Epic Fury to prevent civilian harm incidents;

Why the systems failed so completely on day one of this operation;

What process the U.S. Department of Defense is using to investigate the incident;

What the findings of any military investigation are;

Any recommendations of the military investigation for accountability actions, and

What processes are being deployed to ensure similar tragedies are not repeated in the future.

We respectfully request the Committee conduct a thorough investigation of this incident in a transparent manner for the preservation of our military’s integrity and reputation.

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Heinrich, Luján Statement on President Trump’s 2027 Budget

Heinrich, Luján: “Trump’s budget is a slap in the face to working families in New Mexico”

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Financeand Senate Budget Committee, released the following statement on President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget request, which will hurt New Mexico families by slashing funding for programs that help them afford the basics, all to fund the largest military spending request in history.

“This budget is a slap in the face to New Mexico families. Right now, New Mexicans are paying over $4 a gallon on gas and up to 13 percent more on their electricity bills. Instead of doing something about that, President Trump wants to slash the programs that help working people, all to fund the largest military spending in history. That’s not putting ‘America first’.

“After already gutting Americans’ health care to finance tax breaks for billionaires and expand an out-of-control ICE, the President is now pushing a budget that would drive up the cost of energy, groceries, housing, and child care even more; strip away programs that help families afford the basics like heating their homes and putting food on the table; eliminate housing assistance and force more Americans out of their homes; slash funding for public schools and make it harder for students to afford college; gut lifesaving medical research and mental health care; and abandon rural communities, farmers, and small businesses. It would also restrict access to America’s public lands and make communities more vulnerable to threats from extreme weather events.

“The President's budget is the opposite of what New Mexico families want or need right now. With costs rising, we should be lowering families’ bills and investing here at home — not pulling the rug out from under folks. And that’s exactly what we plan to do: as New Mexico’s senators, we will do everything we can in the Senate to pass a bipartisan budget that actually puts working families first.”

President Trump’s FY27 Budget Request Proposes:

Ripping Funding Away from Feeding Children and New Mexico Families

Cuts $550 million from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Programs for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which would mean a significant reduction in monthly fruit and vegetable benefits, from $54 to $13 for breastfeeding mothers and from $27 to $10 for young children.

Eliminates funding for the farm to school grant program and school equipment grants, which make it easier for schools to serve fresh, healthy American produced food in schools nationwide.

Making Communities Less Safe

Guts funding for grants to help keep communities safe by $1.42 billion and continues the Trump administration’s assault on nearly 30 U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) grant programs. This includes cutting Office on Violence Against Women funding by $181 million and diverting resources away from victims and survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Wastes $152 million to turn the Alcatraz Island tourist site in San Francisco into an operational maximum-security federal prison. Ultimately, billions would be required to create a modern prison on a small island with no existing water, power, sewer, or transportation infrastructure. This vanity project by the Trump administration also ignores the critical repair-backlog needs for existing, crumbling Bureau of Prisons facilities.

Squanders over $30 million on President Trump’s partisan agenda of targeting political opponents, through a hoax “anti-fraud task force” that will report directly to the White House. This comes amid the elimination of agency teams tasked with investigating cryptocurrency scams and staff reductions in the DOJ’s public integrity office.

Diverts over $3 billion to continue President Trump’s unconstitutional federal law enforcement surges in U.S. cities. These politically motivated occupations prioritize the administration’s partisan agenda over public safety, while spreading fear and anxiety throughout local communities.

Slashes Internal Revenue Service (IRS) funding by $1.4 billion — allowing the wealthy and large corporations to continue to cheat on their taxes and costing average Americans billions more in lost tax revenue. This follows the elimination of nearly all of the $46 billion earmarked for tax enforcement in the Inflation Reduction Act.

Increasing Energy Costs and Weakening America’s Energy Infrastructure

Eliminates the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which served 5.9 million households in 2024, including over 66,000 in New Mexico, and saved families $400-$600 on their energy bills. New Mexico received over $18 million in LIHEAP funding last fiscal year.

Cancels $15.2 billion in funding from the Infrastructure Law, slashing investments in American energy infrastructure. This comes at a time when we need every electron on the grid to increase reliability and reduce soaring electricity prices.

Eliminates the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI) renewable energy programs, cutting $45 million in funding that is critical for energy projects to be built and produce American-made energy.

Guts the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy by almost 65%, at a time where we need more renewable energy to combat Trump’s energy crisis. The budget also claims that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) “abolished” this office, which is illegal and violates Congressional intent.

Eliminates funding for workforce partnerships and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), which train the next generation of energy workers — hurting our ability to build the systems needed to power our future.

Slashes by over 40% the bipartisan program that works to ensure U.S. leadership on developing and deploying energy technologies, known as ARPA-E. ARPA-E also promotes revolutionary advances in energy research and cultivates early technological innovations.

Slashing Funding for New Mexico Veterans

Continues the administration’s pattern of disrespecting our veterans by slashing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) workforce, including at the Veterans’ Health Administration, which provides medical care to our nation’s veterans.

Eliminates over 25,000 unfilled positions at the VA, even though the Department has already lost 30,000 employees since January 2025. Eliminating vacant positions will only make it even harder for the VA to meet increased demand for services. More than one million veterans enrolled for VA health care and benefits as a result of expanded eligibility under the PACT Act.

Risking New Mexicans’ Health

Slashes funding for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) by $15.4 billion.

Consolidates or completely eliminates programs across the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. This includes eliminating the Sexual Risk Avoidance Program and the Teen Pregnancy Prevention program and the Minority Fellowship Program, which aims to train emerging behavioral health professionals to respond to the health workforce shortage.

Cuts biomedical research funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by $5 billion and completely eliminates the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities; Fogarty International Center; National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health; and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Guts funding for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) by $129 million, which is responsible for supporting the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in its goal of using science-driven data to recommend health insurance coverage of preventive screenings, counseling services, and preventive medications.

Gutting Programs that Keep New Mexico Families Housed

Eliminates some and significantly reduces other federal programs that build more affordable housing and address New Mexico’s housing supply shortage, including in Indian Country. In 2024, these programs provided at least $69 million for housing programs in New Mexico.

Eliminates the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) that cities and towns across the country use to improve the quality of life for their citizens every day. In 2024, New Mexico received $17 million in CDBG grants.

Eliminates the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), which New Mexico typically uses to expand homeownership and rehabilitate homes. In 2024, New Mexico received $9 million in HOME grants.

Eliminates the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program. New Mexico typically receives around $1.5 million a year in HOPWA funding. HOPWA is the only federal program dedicated to the housing needs of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Reduces funding to address and prevent homelessness. In 2024, New Mexico service providers received $18.5 million to serve individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Ripping Funding Away from New Mexico Students

Eliminates dozens of elementary and secondary education programs while slashing funding for K-12 education. The budget proposes eliminating programs that aim to improve student achievement in key subjects like math and reading, provide targeted support for bilingual and English language learner students, and connect teachers with evidence-based professional development opportunities.

Proposes a $1.5 billion cut to Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE), which provides training and support for students pursuing in-demand careers in the trades.

Cuts the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) budget by $437 million. This slashes funding for building maintenance, operations, and construction at Tribal Colleges and Universities. New Mexico is home to four Tribal Colleges and Universities and 45 Bureau of Indian Education-funded schools. BIE schools, often in extremely rural and remote areas, already have to do more with less and less funding.

Eliminates funding for programs that provide targeted support for schools that serve Tribal students and families.

Eliminates funding for Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) and the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, which support student success programs and efforts to improve outcomes for veterans, first-generation students, and low-income students.

Slashing Public Lands Funding and Threatening New Mexicans’ Drinking Water

Slashes the U.S. Department of the Interior’s (DOI) by $2.3 billion.

Cuts the National Park Service (NPS) budget by over $730 million. This drastic reduction would weaken the NPS by limiting its ability to maintain park staff, ensure visitor safety, and protect natural and cultural resources.

Eliminates the Bureau of Reclamation’s (BOR) WaterSMART grants, gutting key investments in water security and conservation projects at a time when drought is ravaging the west and threatening drinking water supplies for millions of people in New Mexico.

Slashes the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) budget by over $740 million. This reduction in BIA funding would prohibit meaningful improvements in quality of life, hinder economic opportunity, and fail to protect or enhance the trust assets of American Indians, Indian Tribes, and Alaska Natives.

Slashes two-thirds of the U.S. Forest Service’s mission areas, including the Research and Development program and the State, Private, and Tribal Forestry program. These programs strengthen partnerships across state, private, and Tribal lands, while ensuring Americans can recreate in forests.

Slashes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers funding by $1.9 billion, which will hinder the Corps’ ability to mitigate extreme flood risks — making Americans less safe.

Slashes U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) funding by $4.6 billion. This includes cutting the EPA State Revolving Fund (SRF) programs by over $2.5 billion. SRFs are crucial for states and local municipalities to access funding to provide safe drinking water and protect the health of their communities.

Eliminates additional funding for the Superfund Program, which is responsible for cleaning up some of the nation’s most contaminated land and responding to environmental emergencies, oil spills, and natural disasters.

Slashes the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) funding by $442.3 million, including through zeroing out important programs that support cultural resource protection, wilderness management, and renewable energy development. Privatizing public lands for extractive only purposes will further restrict New Mexican’s access to their favorite and most sacred places.

Taking Funding Away from New Mexico Farmers and Rural Communities

Slashes funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) by a fifth. USDA supports rural farmers all over the country with on-the-ground, in-the-community expertise and financial support.

Wastes $50 million to chaotically reorganize the USDA without any clear plans in place to ensure that the reorganization does not negatively impact customer service. The reorganization will likely result in rural communities and farmers waiting longer and longer to receive technical assistance and access to critical financing programs.

Eliminates $732 million for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Technical Assistance program, which helps farmers put together conservation plans and access USDA programs — including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program dedicated to helping farmers do more with less, install water saving drip irrigation systems, and plant cover crops that help farmers save money on fertilizers.

Guts funding for agricultural research and extension activities, which are critical to ensuring American agriculture is competitive with the rest of the world and provides key resources to help farmers and ranchers prepare and adapt in an uncertain environment.

Reduces funding for the Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) by $61 million. AMS facilitates efficient and fair markets for American farmers, from cattle to specialty crops, providing stability for producers and keeping farmers farming. This cut would hurt the ability of the USDA to provide transparent prices for New Mexico cattle producers and further harm the ability of the USDA to purchase meat, specialty crops, and dairy products to be distributed to food banks and school meal programs.

Zeroes out foreign food aid that supports American farmers and is a lifeline for people living in extreme poverty across the world.

Decimates funding for USDA Community Facilities Grant projects by $659 million. This is funding that Congress uses to support communities purchasing new fires trucks and road maintenance equipment to rehabilitate essential public safety infrastructure in New Mexico and nationwide.

Hurting New Mexico Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs

Eliminates all funding for the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), the only federal agency tasked with promoting the growth and competitiveness of minority-owned businesses.

Eliminates all funding for the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), which aims to helpentrepreneurs overcome various challenges associated with running a small business. In 2024, SCORE helped start 190 new businesses in New Mexico.

Eliminates the Indian Loan Guarantee and Insurance Program, stripping access for American Indian and Alaska Native communities and individuals to vital capital investments.

Significantly reduces funding for the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI) Program, which is instrumental in helping New Mexicans access loans to become first-time homeowners and small business owners. This program also administers the New Market Tax Credits, which helps finance the construction of affordable housing.

Eliminates funding for Women Business Centers (WBC). WBCs were created to assist small businesses that are primarily owned by women. The Women’s Business Center in New Mexico (WESST) serves small businesses throughout the state in four locations.

Cutting Funding for Rural Airports and the Southwest Border Regional Commission

Drastically cuts funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Essential Air Service, which is crucial to ensuring New Mexicans living in rural communities can quickly, safely, and conveniently connect with the rest of the country.

Eliminates funding for the Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC), one of eight authorized federal regional commissions and authorities, which is a congressionally chartered, federal-state partnership created to promote economic development in the southern border regions of New Mexico, Arizona, California, and Texas. Congress first authorized the establishment of the SBRC in 2008.

In 2024, Heinrich secured an expansion of the SBRC’s jurisdiction to include the following counties in New Mexico: Bernalillo, Cibola, Curry, De Baca, Guadalupe, Roosevelt, Torrance, Lea, and Valencia. These are in addition to Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, Luna, Sierra, Socorro, Lincoln, Otero, Eddy, Doña Ana, and Chaves Counties in New Mexico, which are already included within the SBRC’s jurisdiction.

In 2023, Heinrich led the introduction of the Southwest Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act, legislation to reauthorize and fully fund the Southwest Border Regional Commission (SBRC). The bill was cosponsored by Luján and U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), and former-U.S. Senators Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), and Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.).

Eliminating Job Training and Worker Protections

Decreases the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) budget by $3.5 billion.

Eliminates Job Corps, cutting $1.6 billion from a program that provides free education and job training for low-income young people, including at two Job Corps centers in New Mexico, in Albuquerque and Roswell.

Eliminates the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), cutting $395 million from a federal job-training program for low-income older adults. In New Mexico, SCSEP is run through the Aging and Long-Term Services Department, which places eligible seniors age 55 and older in paid, part-time training roles at nonprofits and public agencies, including schools, hospitals, day-care centers, and senior centers.

Cuts $234 million from DOL’s worker protection agencies, which weakens federal workplace safety enforcement and eliminates Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Susan Harwood Training Grants aimed at supporting workplace safety training. Trump’s budget also forces OSHA to further engage in immigration enforcement by creating a newly elevated office under the DOL Secretary.

Cutting Disaster Recovery Funding and Eliminating Program that Combats Foreign Interference in American Elections

Cuts $1.3 billion from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant programs and eliminates the Next Generation Warning System Grant Program, which supports and improves local public media stations’ ability to provide emergency alerts and warnings to the public — including in rural areas. It also cuts the National Domestic Preparedness Consortium (NDPC), which provides critical training to first responders across the country and supports the Energetic Materials Research and Testing Center (EMRTC) at the New Mexico Tech.

Decreases the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) budget by $707 million and completely eliminates CISA’s Election Security Program.

Eliminates the Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, and the Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman. The Office of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties is responsible for investigating civil rights complaints made by the public against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman conducts independent oversight of immigration detention and promotes safe and humane conditions for detainees. And the Office of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman is responsible for assisting individuals and employers in resolving problems with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Gutting Funding for Space Exploration

Guts funding for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) by cutting the budget by $5.6 billion. Trump’s budget raids Science and Space technology programs that drive discoveries about Earth and the universe, improve weather forecasting and disaster response, and provide communities with the tools they need to stay safe and prepared.

Just last month, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation passed a bipartisan NASA Authorization Act that increase authorization levels by 2.5%, soundly rejecting the Trump administration's efforts to decrease NASA’s budget.

Increasing Starvation Around the World and Risking Americans’ Health

Cuts funding for humanitarian assistance by at least $2 billion and rescinds an additional $1 billion in disaster aid. These programs deliver emergency food, shelter, and medical care in order to prevent global instability and displacement that can threaten American national security.

Completely eliminates $240 million for the McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program and cuts $1.2 billion from Food for Peace, programs that save children from starvation globally. Hunger can lead to radicalization, violence, and war. By cutting these programs, the Trump administration is actively making the world more dangerous and less stable.

Guts funding for global health programs by $4.3 billion. These programs combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases and help prevent outbreaks from spreading across borders and reaching the United States.

Slashes funding for international organizations by $2.7 billion, including the United Nations and peacekeeping missions. These institutions help prevent conflict and support regional stability.

Cuts funding for the U.S. Department of Treasury’s international programs by $642 million and rescinds funding from multilateral development banks. These programs support U.S. economic and strategic interests abroad by advancing global economic development and financial stability, particularly in developing countries.

Eliminates $315 million in funding for the National Endowment for Democracy, which supports democratic institutions and independent media in countries vulnerable to authoritarian influence.


Heinrich Statement on Trump’s Threat to Destroy ‘A Whole Civilization’

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement reacting to President Trump’s threat to destroy ‘a whole civilization.’

“Donald Trump’s threat to destroy 'a whole civilization' because a war that he started is not ending by a date he randomly set is unhinged AND threatens a war crime.

“This is not some real estate deal that’s dragging on. We are talking about the very existence of a nation and the millions of innocent civilians within it, folks whose oppression President Trump claimed to care about only weeks ago.

“Let me be clear: No one gets to indiscriminately harm civilians. It’s against international and U.S. law, and it is wrong.

“To every remaining rational adult in the Pentagon, the Administration, and Congress: Speak up. Right now. Follow your oath to the Constitution and follow the law.”

Heinrich Remains Committed to Holding President Trump Accountable for His Illegal, Costly, and Reckless War on Iran.

Heinrich has repeatedly condemned Trump’s illegal war on Iran. This includes voting for a War Powers Resolution directing President Trump to end military operations in Iran if not explicitly authorized by Congress, which Senate Republicans blocked.

In March, Heinrich and U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) also sent a letter demanding that U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Secretary Pete Hegseth provide answers to the American people on the airstrikes on a school in Minab, Iran and civilian casualties in the war. These airstrikes occurred during the opening salvo of U.S. and Israeli operations on Iran, hitting a girls’ elementary school and reportedly killed at least 175 people – mostly children. A preliminary investigation from the DoD found the U.S. was likely responsible for the strike.

Heinrich has also raised concerns about the impacts of Trump’s war on Iran to Americans. Heinrich released a statement responding to rising energy prices caused by President Trump’s war in Iran. In his statement, Heinrich noted that Trump’s, “Reckless war in Iran is already forcing New Mexicans to pay more at the pump. With gas prices jumping 35% to $3.67 per gallon since Trump took office, New Mexicans’ hardearned money is covering less and less.” As the war and cancellation of domestic energy projects skyrocketed energy costs for Americans, Heinrich also hosted a roundtable and offered solutions to lower energy costs for consumers and strengthen our strained energy grid.

Heinrich also sent a letter demanding that U.S. Department of State Secretary Marco Rubio immediately ramp up communication and efforts to safely evacuate American citizens who have been left stranded in a crisis by President Trump’s war of choice against Iran.

Since President Trump launched his war, Heinrich has helped New Mexicans stranded abroad to return home. If you or a New Mexican you know are stranded abroad and need help evacuating safely, please call Heinrich’s office: +1 202-224-5521.

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