Heinrich, Luján Demand Answers on How USDA’s Restructuring Will Affect New Mexico Farmers, Ranchers, & Rural Communities

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden raising concerns and demanding answers on how the restructuring of USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area will affect scientific innovation and data that supports New Mexico farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

“The REE reorganization and restructuring announced this April...could result in decreased agency capacity, further deteriorating the Department’s ability to conduct research, administer funding, and produce timely and reliable data products,” the senators wrote to USDA Deputy Secretary Vaden. “In order to address these concerns, we ask that you provide a detailed description of actions the Department has taken to minimize disruptions to farmers, ranchers, and ag researchers.”

“It is our goal to make sure the REE mission functions as Congress intends – focused on helping farmers, ranchers, and rural communities overcome the challenges they face through scientific innovation and complex data analysis,” the senators concluded.

The letter is led by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). Alongside Heinrich and Luján, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Angus King (I-Maine), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

The full text of the letter is here and below:

Dear Deputy Secretary Vaden:

We write with strong concern regarding the reorganization and restructuring of the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). While we support actions to improve efficiencies and enhance service, this effort will erode the capacity of USDA’s research agencies and threaten their ability to deliver innovation and timely economic data for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

Previous relocations of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) in 2018 and 2019 resulted in dramatic staff losses, as outlined in a December 2022 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). In their publication, GAO noted that this relocation resulted in ERS and NIFA losing over half their staff, with the USDA failing to engage employees, Congress, and stakeholders throughout the relocation process or follow best management practices.

Agencies of the REE mission area were also impacted by dramatic staff losses in 2025, including a loss of over 30 percent of staff within the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). These staff losses have real and immediate impacts on farmers, with many stakeholders now questioning the reliability of USDA’s own data reports. The REE reorganization and restructuring announced this April proposes to relocate REE mission area staff to over 27 different locations within months, but specific details of the relocations remain unclear. This could result in decreased agency capacity, further deteriorating the Department’s ability to conduct research, administer funding, and produce timely and reliable data products.

In order to address these concerns, we ask that you provide a detailed description of actions the Department has taken to minimize disruptions to farmers, ranchers, and ag researchers and adhere to recommendations as outlined by GAO regarding agency reorganizations. Additionally, we ask that you detail your engagement with REE mission area staff, including plans to engage with staff covered by existing collective bargaining agreements as well as non-bargaining unit employees. Proactive and ongoing engagement with these employees will be necessary to prevent major disruptions to research, data collection, and education.

As strong supporters of USDA’s research agencies, it is our goal to make sure the REE mission functions as Congress intends – focused on helping farmers, ranchers, and rural communities overcome the challenges they face through scientific innovation and complex data analysis. Thank you for your attention to this issue, and we look forward to receiving your response within 30 days.

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Heinrich, Luján Join Entire Senate Democratic Caucus in Backing Resolution Affirming Abortion Pill as Safe, Effective

FDA approved mifepristone for use over two decades ago

“Law and policy governing access to lifesaving, time-sensitive medication abortion care in the United States should be equitable, transparent, and based on the best available peer- reviewed evidence-based science.”

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) joined U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.), Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), and the entire Senate Democratic caucus in reintroducing a resolution affirming that the abortion medication mifepristone is safe and effective, and underscoring that law and policy related to the medication must be equitable, transparent, and based on the best available peer-reviewed evidence-based science.

The resolution came hours before the Supreme Court’s administrative stay in Louisiana v. FDA — which, without action, would uphold the Fifth Circuit’s ruling threatening millions of women’s access to mifepristone, even in states where abortion is legal.

Alongside Heinrich and Luján, the resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angus King (I-Maine), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

The resolution is endorsed by the following organizations: All* Above All, American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists, American Civil Liberties Union, Center for Reproductive Rights, EMAA Project, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, National Council of Jewish Women, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice, National Network of Abortion Funds, National Partnership for Women and Families, National Women's Law Center Action Fund, Physicians for Reproductive Health, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Power to Decide, and Reproductive Freedom for All (formerly NARAL Pro-Choice America).

“Mifepristone continues to be crucial to our ability to access abortion care— and that is precisely why abortion opponents have been relentless in their efforts to restrict it nationwide, including in states where abortion is legally protected,” said Jessica Arons, director of the Liberty Division for Policy and Government Affairs at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). “As this resolution affirms, millions of people have used mifepristone to safely end pregnancies and treat miscarriages for more than 25 years, including by telemedicine. We thank Senator Warren for introducing legislation to set the record straight and push back on anti-abortion propaganda, and we call on Congress to protect the right to abortion and end this political interference with our personal healthcare decisions once and for all.”

The lawmakers first introduced this resolution in 2023, following the Supreme Court’s decision overturningRoe v. Wade, which sparked attacks on reproductive rights across the country. Since then, 20 states have banned or restricted access to abortion care.

Full text of the resolution is available here.

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Heinrich Questions Forest Service Chief Schultz on Whether He Will Follow the Law and Disperse Funds Appropriated by Congress, Stresses Importance of Listening to Local Communities Following Pecos Protection Reversal, and Presses Schultz on Using Infrastructure Law Funding for Workforce Reductions

WASHINGTON – During a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing to examine the Trump administration’s Budget Request for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27), U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the Committee’s Ranking Member, questioned USFS Chief Tom Schultz on the administration’s budget proposal that cuts funding for state, private, and Tribal forestry programs. He also called out the administration for ignoring local communities in New Mexico who advocated against the recent decision to reverse protections for the Upper Pecos Watershed, and questioned why the administration used congressionally appropriated funds from the Infrastructure Law for workforce reductions instead of wildfire management.

VIDEO: Ranking Member Heinrich (D-N.M.) questions Forest Service Chief Shultz on cuts to USFS programs before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, May 13, 2026.

On Eliminating Funding for State, Private, and Tribal Forestry Programs

Heinrich began, “Chairman Lee said, ‘partnerships matter.’ You talked about the importance of partnerships, particularly with states, but this budget eliminates the funding for the state, private, and Tribal accounts that really support those partnerships. Talk to me — I don't understand how those two things line up.”

Schultz answered, “So Mr. Chairman, Senator Heinrich, historically, state and private programs were set up by the federal government to encourage the states to develop forestry programs, and I have worked in state government for almost 30 years, so I've got extensive experience in those programs. What we've seen over time is that states have developed more expertise. They've developed greater capacity to do much of the work that state and private does. Now, states do come to rely on that funding over time, but what we're proposing here is to reduce that funding. It doesn't mean we're not going to still cooperate. We still cooperate extensively in wildfire management and even land management discussions and opportunities. It just means that there would be a greater reliance for the funding to come from the states and those other partners, but that we would still consult. We would still work directly with states. We would have cooperative agreements that just would not necessarily be the same funding available that we've had in the past.”

Heinrich followed, “Historically, if Congress rejects that suggestion, will you commit to dispersing the funds as appropriated by Congress?”

Schutlz asked, “Excuse me, sir?”

Heinrich elaborated, “If Congress rejects the funding level suggested in the President’s budget, will you commit to dispersing the funds as appropriated?”

Schultz answered, “Mr. Chairman, Senator Heinrich, yes, we would disperse the funds as required by law. Yes, sir.”

On Trump Administration Reversing Pecos Watershed Protections

Heinrich continued, “One of the things that you said in your opening was that ‘national forests are more than clean water and places to recreate.’ Clean water and recreation are what drive my state's economy, and a great example of that is the Pecos Watershed, which economically supports agriculture, recreation, tourism, hunting, and fishing. Last month, the administration officially canceled the withdrawal application of the Upper Pecos Watershed, and did that over the objection of, to my knowledge, all of the local elected leadership, as well as the agricultural community. This has been an overwhelmingly popular initiative that was driven by the local community. Why didn't the views of the local community carry more weight in the decision-making process, particularly when it's my understanding that there are no current plans for mining operations in this area?”

Schultz answered, “Mr. Chairman, Senator Heinrich, I think you're right. There are no current plans that are identified to us yet. I think what we're trying to make sure is that lands are available and open for multiple use, whether that be grazing, whether that be timber, whether that be mining. So, I think that's the overall perspective, is that we want to make sure lands are available and open for those uses.”

Heinrich replied, “The frustration I think, of the local community, is one, they don't feel like they were adequately consulted, and two, they lost other multiple uses as a result of mining impacts and spills on that river where fisheries were deeply impacted, [and] irrigation was not able to be conducted because the Pecos River was, you know, a wash in mine tailings. So, we have to not do multiple use. [It] doesn't mean every single use on every single acre. We've heard a lot of lip service about listening to local communities, but I think we actually need to do that, especially in these cases where the community is of one mind. There is, to my knowledge, no support for new mining in this area.”

On Wildland Fire Hazardous Fuels Treatment and Using Infrastructure Law Funds to Pay for Agency Resignations

Heinrich continued, “I want to go back to wildfire hazardous fuels treatments. In 2024, we treated 4.29 million acres. Last year, we treated 3.1. Why the drop? I want to understand why funds from the Infrastructure Bill were used to reduce the workforce, because none of us discuss that as an authorized use when we wrote that legislation. It was a great example of bipartisan legislation, but we thought we were authorizing those infrastructure funds to get into those watersheds and reduce fuels, and instead, those infrastructure funds were used to fund their resignation program. How is that an authorized use?”

Schultz answered, “Chairman, Senator Heinrich, just to clarify on the fuels numbers. In 2025, we treated about 3.3 million acres collectively when you look...”

Heinrich interjected, “When you look down from 4.3...”

Schultz continued, “So it was 4.286 in 24, but I'm going to give you some data. If you go back to 2020, we typically look at trends with data so we don't try to pick out any one given year. So between 2020 and 2025, with that six-year period, we treated, on average, about 3.57 million acres per year over that five-year period, that six-year period. This year, our target is 3.6 million acres, so we're right in there with the average that we've done over the last six years. And we'll continue to prioritize those acres... Last year at this time, we had prescribed fire acres. We treated the entire year, about 1.1 million acres. This year to date, we're at about 1.53, so we've averaged 1.6 million acres a year just with prescribed fire, and this year we're just about right there this early in the season. So, we feel we've made a lot of progress. We are prioritizing field trips, just so we're clear on that. I mean, any given year, things can be up, they can be down, and like we talked about conditions, we'll talk about that more this year. I [have given] to most of you maps of your states to kind of show you the tough conditions. When conditions are that difficult, in Oregon, for instance, we know that snow pack the snow tell data is about we're about less than 20% of average. So our ability to go out and conduct a prescribed fire right now is challenged because we put fire on the landscape when conditions are as difficult as they are. It will challenge us.”

Heinrich interjected, “And using infrastructure funds for the...”

Schultz continued, “What we did was, as part of the DRP process, we had obligations to pay folks out. There was about you mentioned the numbers of folks that took the DRP process to leave the agency early, and we had all the funds that we had to look at that we had available to us. And those are funds that we had to accommodate, that, we had about a 700...”

Heinrich interjected, “I just want to be really clear: I don't think any of us voted for funding in the infrastructure bill to be used to reduce the workforce. That was funding that was really focused on watershed treatment.”

Schultz answered, “So, sir, we were, we had a shortfall about $750 million in our budget.”

Heinrich followed, “But you don't get to just pull money from anywhere. It has to be authorized for that use.”

Schultz answered, “We think what we did was legal.”

Heinrich followed, “It may be legal. It wasn’t what any of us had in mind for those funds.”


Hickenlooper Statement on Tina Peters’ Commuted Sentence

“Tina Peters is guilty as sin and a disgrace to Colorado.”

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement after Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced he will commute Tina Peters’ prison sentence following a months-long political retribution campaign by President Trump, during which his administration cancelled hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for Colorado:

“Tina Peters is guilty as sin and a disgrace to Colorado.

“She tried to undermine Colorado’s free and fair election system. When she was caught red-handed, she was prosecuted by a Republican district attorney and rightfully convicted by a jury of her peers.

“Reducing her sentence sends the wrong message to those seeking to undermine trust in our elections and it will do nothing to deter Donald Trump’s illegal attacks on Colorado. I strongly disagree with this decision.”

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Hoeven: FAA Awards $3.4 Million to North Dakota Airport Terminal Projects

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $3.4 million in funding for three airport infrastructure projects across North Dakota through the Fiscal Year 2026 Airport Terminal Program (ATP). As a member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Committee, Hoeven has secured funding to advance airport development projects and strong federal investments in transportation infrastructure to benefit communities across North Dakota.

The funding will support the following projects:

Rolla Municipal Airport – $1.425 million – Reconstruct existing terminal building

Bismarck Municipal Airport – $1 million – Reconstruct and expand existing terminal building

Hector International Airport (Fargo) – $1 million – Install passenger boarding bridges as part of terminal expansion project

“Modern, reliable airport infrastructure is essential for supporting commerce, connecting communities and improving travel across North Dakota,” said Hoeven. “These grants will help enhance terminal facilities in Rolla, Bismarck, and Fargo while ensuring these airports are better equipped to serve residents, businesses and visitors for years to come.”

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Hoeven Secures Commitment from EPA Administrator to Promptly Approve Redevelopment of Minot’s Former Landfill

WASHINGTON – At a hearing of the Senate Interior and Environment Appropriations Committee this week, Senator John Hoeven secured a commitment from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin to promptly issue the final approval needed for the redevelopment of Minot’s former landfill.

The landfill had been previously designated as a Superfund site but was cleaned up and removed from the Superfund National Priorities List in 1997.

In 2016, the EPA determined the property could be redeveloped, and the city has since been working with the agency to make use of the space for recreational opportunities.

Final approval for the plan is pending, and Hoeven is working with Zeldin to bring the process to a close so the construction can move forward.

The project will include a disc golf course, mountain biking trails and cross-country running trails.

“Minot’s former landfill has been cleaned up, and the city is ready to move forward with construction to create a new outdoor recreation site for local residents. I appreciate Administrator Zeldin for his commitment to move this final approval forward in a timely way,” said Hoeven. “This is a real opportunity to create a new outdoor asset for the community and enhance the quality of life for local residents.”

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Hoeven Working to Advance Redevelopment of Mid-America Steel Site In Fargo

WASHINGTON – At a hearing of the Senate Interior and Environment Appropriations Committee this week, Senator John Hoeven made the case to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin for advancing the redevelopment of Mid-America Steel’s previous location in Fargo.

Mid-America Steel was relocated to make way for the region’s nearly complete flood protection project.

The former site is centrally located and highly visible, making it a prime candidate for redevelopment.

However, as a former industrial site, the city must first address environmental conditions before moving forward.

Hoeven is advancing the EPA’s Brownfields Program as an opportunity to assist with the project.

Hoeven outlined how he successfully worked with the city and the EPA to use the program in support of remediating the Lashkowitz Tower, which is adjacent to the Mid-America Steel site, prior to its demolition and redevelopment.

“The Mid-America Steel site is in the heart of Fargo, but there are some environmental concerns that need to be addressed before this property can be put to good use,” said Hoeven. “Just like we did with the Lashkowitz Tower, the EPA can be a partner in this effort through the Brownfields Program. I welcome Administrator Zeldin’s support and look forward to working more with him and the city to secure this funding opportunity.”

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Husted visits patients, families at Dayton Children’s Hospital

“The Mathile Center for Mental Health & Wellness is doing important work to help children in Ohio, and it was great to see this firsthand today.”

DAYTON, Ohio – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) today visited the Mathile Center for Mental Health & Wellness at Dayton Children’s Hospital to tour the facilities and meet with a patient family to learn about the importance of early intervention, ongoing support and the role hospitals play in helping youth and families overcome mental health challenges.

“As mental health conditions continue to increase among young Ohioans, it’s essential that there are appropriate resources to support our kids. The Mathile Center for Mental Health & Wellness is doing important work to help children in Ohio, and it was great to see this firsthand today,” said Husted.

The Mathile Center for Mental Health & Wellness opened its doors in summer 2025 and serves as a comprehensive, under-one-roof hub for children facing mental health crises. The center offers inpatient care, a crisis center and outpatient services in a purpose-built, therapeutic environment.

Husted is a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

This visit builds on Husted’s work to support kids’ mental health. Husted recently led a resolution to support the designation of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week.

He is also leading several bills to protect children’s mental health on social media. In March 2026, Husted introducedSammy’s Law, a bill that would empower parents to protect their children on social media platforms by providing them the right to know if their children are engaging in dangerous or risky interactions.

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


Senate Foreign Relations Democrats Statement on Trump-Xi Summit

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) released the following statement after the conclusion of President Trump's summit with Chinese President Xi in Beijing.

“The United States’ relationship with China is among the most consequential in the world and dialogue between the two countries is important to maintain. But President Trump failed to use his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping to advance any objectives important to the American people — to counter China’s unfair trade practices and military aggression, preserve American technological and economic leadership, stand up for human rights or strengthen deterrence to prevent a conflict over Taiwan. Rather than coordinate a unified approach ahead of time with allies and partners, Trump instead demonstrated once again his willingness to go-it-alone and to sacrifice American national security for minimal and reversible 'deals.' The Trump Administration’s reckless policies have deeply undermined the foundations of our competitive edge against China and put the country in a position of weakness heading into this summit.

“We are deeply disturbed by President Trump’s refusal to defend America’s support for Taiwan during this summit, including by consulting with President Xi regarding U.S. obligations to help provide for Taiwan’s defense. We call on the Administration to formally notify the $14 billion in U.S. arms sales that Congress pre-approved in January 2026. As established by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, Congress will continue to ensure that the United States supports Taiwan, including by rejecting any attempt to alter the status quo by force or coercion.

“While U.S. forces are engaged in hostilities against Iran, President Trump refrained from confronting President Xi on China’s extensive support for the Iranian regime and its sharing of intelligence directly contributing to attacks against U.S. forces — a clear dereliction of his duties as commander-in-chief. It is also unconscionable that President Trump apparently refused to pressure President Xi to cease his support for Putin’s murderous war in Ukraine, which continues to kill innocent people and destabilize the global economy.

“We welcome news that the United States and China will discuss how to keep the most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models out of the hands of non-state actors and look forward to an administration briefing on the full scope of these proposed talks. At the same time, AI safety talks cannot serve as a Trojan Horse for technological surrender. The Trump administration has dangerously greenlit, and appears to be actively encouraging, the sale of advanced AI chips to Chinese competitors like Alibaba and Tencent — firms with direct ties to the Chinese military. We reiterate bipartisan calls for strict enforcement of export controls and the closure of loopholes that allow AI chips and manufacturing equipment to reach Beijing. We must continue to ensure America maintains its leading advantages in the AI race.

“The summit’s meager announcements are a transparent attempt to recover ground lost as a result of President Trump’s misguided trade war, which provoked Beijing’s global weaponization of rare earth export controls and spurred U.S. agricultural exports to China to plummet by over 50%, even as costs skyrocketed at home. Minor aircraft and agricultural deals do nothing to address the unfair economic practices that have hurt American workers and businesses for decades. China must stop the industrial-scale theft of American intellectual property and cease weaponizing its control of rare earth minerals to the detriment of American manufacturing. The summit produced no meaningful or lasting progress for American workers or industries. President Trump secured zero concessions from Beijing, failing even to secure the release of political prisoners Jimmy Lai, Ezra Jin and others, while providing President Xi an opportunity to project strength without any corresponding changes in China’s unfair and coercive economic practices.”

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Warner, Kaine Press VA on Elimination of Over 1,700 Positions in Virginia, Tens of Thousands Nationwide

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) are pressing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on their elimination of tens of thousands of positions nationwide, a decision that has hit the Commonwealth particularly hard. Virginia is home to more than 629,000 veterans, one of the largest veteran populations in the country, and the second-highest share of veterans as a percentage of population among all states. In just a matter of months from last fall through January of this year, more than 1,700 vacant positions have been taken off the books across Virginia, including the elimination of more than 700 vacancies at the Hampton VAMC, 300 at the Richmond VAMC, 200 at the Salem VAMC, and several hundred at community clinics and other facilities.

In a letter to VA Secretary Doug Collins, the senators wrote, “These roles span the workforce – positions including social workers, technicians, chaplains, and security officers. Adding to the concern, is that based on a review of the data, more than half of the eliminated vacancies in Virginia appear to have been for roles with a direct clinical nexus to patients – physicians, nurses, specialists, therapists, pharmacists, among others. No matter the role – and as we have argued in response to your Department’s assertion that earlier hiring freezes were not impacting patient care – the workforce at VA facilities is meant to function as a team; dramatic cuts to any position therefore necessitates that the remaining personnel shoulder increasingly more responsibility.”

The senators have long fought to address VA workforce challenges, helping pass the PACT Act, which provided VA with additional authorities and incentives to more aggressively recruit personnel. Instead of investing in VA’s workforce, the Trump administration has conducted hiring freezes, enacted staffing caps, trimmed tens of thousands from the workforce, and now has eliminated thousands of vacant roles thereby ending the recruitment process for these positions.

The letter concluded with a list of questions regarding VA decision making, data collection, communications, and the criteria used to make determinations about personnel and vacancy reductions. This includes requesting the regional and facility staffing models that, by statute, VA is required to have created, but that have yet to be provided to Congress. The senators requested a response to their questions no later than June 1, 2026.

Full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Secretary Collins:

We write with considerable concern over recent steps taken by your Department that further impact the Veterans Affairs (VA) workforce at health facilities across the country. Late last year you announced that the Department would eliminate tens of thousands of vacant positions nationwide, thereby ending the process of filling many of those roles that would have directly interfaced with and provided care to veterans.

Virginia has been hit particularly hard by this decision. According to data that we have seen, through January of this year, more than 1,700 vacancies have been taken off the books across Virginia. This has meant more than 700 vacancies eliminated at the Hampton VAMC, more than 300 vacancies eliminated at the Richmond VAMC, more than 200 vacancies eliminated at the Salem VAMC, and several hundred more eliminated at community clinics and other facilities across the Commonwealth.

These roles span the workforce – positions including social workers, technicians, chaplains, and security officers. Adding to the concern, is that based on a review of the data, more than half of the eliminated vacancies in Virginia appear to have been for roles with a direct clinical nexus to patients – physicians, nurses, specialists, therapists, pharmacists, among others. No matter the role – and as we have argued in response to your Department’s assertion that earlier hiring freezes were not impacting patient care – the workforce at VA facilities is meant to function as a team; dramatic cuts to any position therefore necessitates that the remaining personnel shoulder increasingly more responsibility.

For many years, the VA has sought to address workforce challenges across the country, including challenges recruiting and retaining personnel, and challenges matching compensation to other employment alternatives for certain positions. This is why under the PACT Act, Congress provided VA with additional authorities and incentives to more aggressively recruit personnel. Under your leadership, the VA should be doing everything possible to build out and invest in the Department’s workforce. Instead, we’ve seen hiring freezes, staffing caps, the shedding of tens of thousands of personnel last year, rhetoric by administration officials demonizing federal employees, and now this process to eliminate vacant roles nationwide thereby ending the recruitment process for these positions.

We have heard from VA personnel how all of these factors have made it increasingly hard for them to do their jobs – which is to provide the care and benefits that our nation’s veterans have earned through their service. We’re concerned by the appearance that these decisions are being made without due consideration to their clinical impact, and we have serious questions about the process by which these vacancy eliminations were decided.

To that end, we request answers to the following questions no later than June 1. We note that the data and documentation below should all be information that your Department has readily available:

Data that we have seen and have represented in this letter is data through January 2026. Please provide us with current data related to vacancies eliminated from facilities in Virginia.

A Department spokesperson has said that the VA directed “facility leaders to keep all of the positions they need and eliminate any unfilled positions that they don’t need.”

Please provide a copy of the guidance that was communicated to facility and regional leadership for identifying vacancies.

Were any facilities provided a quota or target of any kind – whether number of positions, a percentage of workforce, or otherwise – for reduction of vacancies that they should achieve?

What was the criteria by which facility leaders were directed to identify positions “that they don’t need”? Was this determination based on current conditions, or future projections?

Did Department personnel involved in this process receive any concern, pushback, or other feedback that was counter to the vacancy cuts – particularly related to clinical impact, overall workforce health, or personnel morale – from any facility- or VISN-level personnel? What was the process for addressing that information?

Did facility leaders concur with the final determinations regarding vacancy cuts?

Of the eliminated vacancies in Virginia, how many were occupied for any period during 2025 and/or 2026?

For any of the vacant positions that have been eliminated, had an employment offer been made to any individual(s) at the time of the vacancy’s elimination?

Section 146 of the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act (P.L.118-210) outlines direction to the VA to “develop, validate, and implement a staffing model…that includes appropriate target staffing levels nationally, regionally, and locally to ensure timely access to care and effectively oversee the provision of care by the Department, whether at a facility of the Department or through a non-Department provider”.

Please provide the staffing models that relate to the Hampton VAMC, the Richmond VAMC, the Salem VAMC, as well as other facilities in Virginia for which staffing models exist.

Did VA personnel involved in these vacancy cuts – including any VISN and facility leadership – consult these staffing models in making determinations related to vacancy elimination?

If, either presently or in the future, a determination is made that any of these eliminated vacant positions need to be re-created and hired for, what is that process?

To the extent that any positions were cut because of an inability to attract candidates, what does the Department plan to do differently to fill those positions either now or in the future?

For each VA facility in Virginia, please provide the current number of personnel, the number of openings that the facility is presently hiring for, and the target or ‘full-capacity’ number of personnel for that facility.

What data does the VA collect at the facility-level, examining how workforce changes – including personnel or vacancy reductions – impact the current facility staff?

How do these vacancy eliminations reconcile with the Department’s own analysis from recent years, which showed that projected veteran population growth in the Commonwealth of Virginia could support multiple new facilities, beyond even those that are open presently?

We appreciate your attention to this matter, as well as to our continued engagement with the Department on this topic going forward.

Sincerely,

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Kelly, Lummis, Donalds Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Cut Nuclear Construction Costs and Speed Up New Energy Projects

Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), alongside Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL-19), introduced bipartisan legislation to help build new nuclear power plants faster and cheaper in the United States. The Build Nuclear with Local Materials Actwould direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to issue a rulemaking allowing commercial-grade concrete and steel to be used in non-safety-related structures of nuclear power plants.

“We need more reliable, affordable power to keep up with growing demand in Arizona and across the country, but outdated rules about building materials drive up costs and slow down construction for nuclear plants,” said Sen. Kelly. “With this commonsense solution, we can build clean nuclear power plants faster and cheaper while keeping the same strong safety standards that protect Arizona families.”

“As nuclear technology evolves, our regulations should evolve with it,” said Sen. Lummis. “Requiring nuclear-grade materials in parts of a plant that have nothing to do with safety drives up costs and locks out local construction crews who are more than capable of doing the job. This legislation fixes that by requiring the NRC to allow commercial-grade concrete and steel where it’s safe to do so. I’m pleased to work with Senator Kelly and Congressman Donalds to get this done. The result is simple: lower costs, more local jobs, and zero compromise on safety.”

“Energy security is national and economic security for the United States. As our energy demands continue to grow, it is essential that nuclear energy is a viable source of base load power. We must take a hard look at outdated and burdensome regulations and make practical, common-sense reforms,” said Congressman Donalds.“I am proud to work alongside Senator Lummis to introduce the Build Nuclear with Local Labor Act to reduce construction and compliance costs for nuclear reactors, without sacrificing safety.”

Background:

The Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act builds on a precedent the NRC already established for TerraPower’s Natrium reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming, where the agency determined that commercial-grade materials could be safely used in non-safety areas of the plant. Current NRC requirements apply nuclear-grade standards broadly to both safety and non-safety structures— a one-size-fits-all approach that drives up costs and extends timelines.

Nuclear-grade concrete and steel are significantly more time- and cost-intensive than standard materials. Foundations can require roughly double the pouring time, while superstructures take up to 50% longer, driving up both costs and project timelines. Concrete makes up ~79.5% of overall materials used in nuclear power plant construction.[1] Allowing commercial-grade materials in appropriate areas could reduce construction time and costs by an estimated 28%.

The Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act does not eliminate nuclear-grade standards—it directs the NRC to identify where commercial-grade materials can be safely used while fully preserving the safety and integrity of nuclear power plants.


WATCH: In SASC Hearing, Kelly Demands Answers on Cuts to Civilian Protection Staff, Propaganda Funding Gap

This week, during a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing, Arizona Senator and Navy combat veteran Mark Kelly (D-AZ) demanded answers from the commanders of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) on the gutting of Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response (CHMR) staff and on a funding shortfall leaving AFRICOM unable to effectively counter Chinese and Russian disinformation across Africa.

Kelly pressed Admiral Cooper directly on the reduction of CENTCOM’s civilian harm mitigation team: “My understanding is that you’ve gone from ten down to one as part of a department wide reduction in CHMR, that their role is to try to minimize harm to civilians when we’re conducting combat operations.”

Kelly asked whether Cooper would reinstate staff if an error in the targeting process were found.

Kelly also asked Cooper about the civilian casualty count from the war in Iran, including the strike on a girls’ elementary school in Minab that reportedly killed at least 168 people, mostly children, to which Cooper said an investigation remains ongoing. In March, Kelly joined 45 colleagues to demand answers from the Pentagon on the Minab airstrike and broader civilian casualties in the war on Iran.

Kelly then turned to General Anderson on AFRICOM’s information operations funding gap,limiting America’s ability to fightChinese and Russianpropaganda,misinformationand disinformation on the continent: “You requested $94 million for information operation activities. You were promised $25 million from the department. You ultimately received only $19 million […] What are you able to do if you were fully funded?”

Anderson said more funding would allow AFRICOM to actively combat Chinese and Russianpropagandainstead of just react to it, arguing America’s best weapon is the truth: “What America brings is very unique. We’re still a beacon of hope and light in the world, and I think we should be willing to talk about who we are. […] we should focus on the goodness and the positivity of engaging with America and worry less about the disinformation that our partners put out. But we have to engage in this environment. We have to be active in the information space.”

Kelly agreed, saying the U.S. should get AFRICOM the resources it needs to do the job.

Sen. Kelly questions Admiral Cooper and General Anderson during a SASC hearing.

Click here to download a video of Kelly’s remarks. See the transcript below:

Senator Kelly:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Admiral Cooper. General Anderson, thank you both for being here today. Admiral Cooper, I want to start with you. I’ve got questions for both of you, but I want to talk a little bit about the civilian harm mitigation team at CENTCOM. My understanding is that you’ve gone from ten down to one as part of a department wide reduction in CHMR, that their role is to try to minimize harm to civilians when we’re conducting combat operations. Is that correct, you’ve gone from ten to one?

Admiral Charles B. Cooper:

Yes, sir. There’s a larger component to this. Over a course of years, we’ve gone from a compliance to civilian casualties in risk mitigation being just part of the culture. There are dozens, if not hundreds of people who are involved in this process.

Kelly:

What did those nine individuals do who were removed from there from their jobs?

Cooper:

They’re now integrated in other capacities. They retained in other capacities in the joint, what we would call joint—

Kelly:

But what were they doing when they were part of the civilian harm mitigation team?

Cooper:

They’re playing a key role in helping us move from compliance to culture on safeguards, focusing on it every day, which they continue to do.

Kelly:

So, by your estimates, how many civilians have been killed or injured over the course of this war?

Cooper:

The investigation on the one incident that we’ve had after more than 13,000 strikes is still underway. We will certainly be transparent, get it released that when we can. This is a matter that I’m passionate about. I’d like to use the occasion to invite you, other members of the committee and your staffs to Tampa to take a look at what our targeting process looks like.

Kelly:

If you were to find out that there was an error in the targeting process, would you reinstate some of those people that were removed from that team?

Cooper:

Sir. That’s a hypothetical. I’m always looking to organize to purpose, and we’ll just see what the implications—

Kelly:

Are you taking any additional steps now because of the civilian casualties to date?

Cooper:

We have taken additional steps. Our additional steps have been very proactive throughout Epic Fury. Our staff specifically warned the Iranian people more than 100 times about the threat of them being used as human shields. I personally warn the Iranian people on March 8th, 11th and the 23rd that they had the potential to be human shields and that communication was very effective. So again, we’re moving not just targeting, but a proactive measures to minimize.

Kelly:

Thank you for doing that. General Anderson. So, China and Russia continue to expand their influence across Africa, we discussed this, with misinformation, disinformation, across many African countries. You requested $94 million for information operation activities. You were promised—and this is in fiscal year 26.—you were promised $25 million from the department. You ultimately received only $19 million. Can you talk about the difference between having $19 million to do that job and $94 million, like, what are you able to do if you were fully funded General Anderson, I get it. I mean, we see this stuff all the time. The amount of misinformation that comes from the Chinese and the Russians, it is a huge problem. But if you could just explain to us a little bit about what you could do if you had the full request.

General Dagvin R.M. Anderson:

Senator, I think the key point there is right now, we are in a reactionary mode to propaganda and to other information operations, to what we can do at the moment. What the fuller funding would do, especially if it’s consistent over time, would allow us to build an information campaign and address these issues across the continent. We’re one of the few organizations that looks across the entirety of the continent, and can understand how these propaganda and misinformation play across borders. We work very closely with the State Department, U.S. embassies on this to make sure our messaging is key, but this would allow us to do is help coordinate that messaging across regions and across the continent to highlight the issues that come with this misinformation, especially as much of it is destabilizing the democracies across the region.

Kelly:

Do you ever feel like we should be countering some of their disinformation with disinformation of our own?

Anderson:

Sir, I think the most powerful tool we have is the truth. What America brings is very unique. We’re still a beacon of hope and light in the world, and I think we should be willing to talk about who we are. This is America’s 250th anniversary. There’s a long history on the continent that is, I mean, it’s good and bad, but there’s a lot of good that we can talk about, of what America brings. The fact that John C. Robinson founded the Tuskegee Airmen two years later, founded the Ethiopian Air Force, and then went on to found Ethiopian Airlines, which is now the pride not only of Ethiopia, but Africa. It’s not a story that’s well known, but that is a tie that we have had between the aviation communities for years. There are multiple stories like that across the continent that we need to propagate and talk about. So, I would say we should focus on the goodness and the positivity of engaging with America and worry less about the disinformation that our partners put out. But we have to engage in this environment. We have to be active in the information space.

Kelly:

So you got about 25% of the requests. So, if you got the full amount, you could put more out there, positive stuff that the United States is doing. And I know these are challenging times with resources even beyond what DoD has, USAID and others. But do you think that that would be sufficient to counter Chinese and Russian misinformation?

Anderson:

Senator, I think information operations is one of the lower cost investments that we can make that have outsized return and help amplify the limited resources we have in the military side and highlight the benefits that those provide, and being able to talk about that broadly, I do think has outside proportion. So, small investments can have large impact. And this is an area of information where I think we can make a lot of gains, even despite our smaller physical presence, that can highlight the totality of what the United States brings.

Kelly:

I 100% agree with you, General, and we should really look into get you the resources you need to do this job. Thank you.


King Questions Africa Commander on How America’s Reduction in Soft Power is Feeding an Expansion of Terrorism

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), questioned a top military general on the reduction of non-military power in Africa and the impact that has had on the expansion of global terrorism. In his exchange with United States Air Force General Dagvin Anderson, Commander of United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) in a hearing centered on the Department’s Defense Authorization Request for Fiscal Year 2027, King argued that the cuts to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have contributed to a resurgence of Al-Qaeda and ISIS affiliates intent on attacking the American homeland.

General Anderson testified that the African continent “has become the center of gravity for global jihadism, with West Africa accounting for over 51 percent of global terror-related deaths in 2024.” He is not alone in raising issues. The Council for Foreign Relations addressed this rise in terrorism and acknowledges that the removal of soft power instruments USAID in the Sahel region created a vacuum in which violent extremism can expand – including groups like Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS), and the Islamic State in the West African Province (ISWAP).

Senator King began, “General Anderson, talk to me about the loss of soft power in Africa, our abandonment of USAID and what has happened with the Chinese and Russians that, my understanding is, are now filling that gap in addition to the other aggressive actions they are taking?”

“Senator, I would say that we look at all facets of national power and how to bring those to bear on the continent to provide a security outcomes,” General Anderson replied.

Senator King then followed up, “I think one facet of our national power off the table, unilaterally, for no apparent reason. The whim of Elon Musk.”

“Senator, we work very closely with the state, commerce, and energy in order to look at the security requirements on the continent,”General Anderson replied. “I have a foreign service commercial officer joining staff this summer along with a liaison from Department of Energy.”

Senator King asked again for a straight answer, “It is a fact is it not that we have essentially left all of the role that USAID played on the continent. That's gone? That’s a yes or no question.”

“Senator, there are still aid programs that are active on the continent,” General Anderson said. “They are much reduced from what they were before.”

“Much reduced. That is a fair way of stating it,” Senator King quipped. “You mentioned earlier that the Al Qaeda and ISIS have resurged in Africa. The term epicenter has been used several times of world terrorism. You said they have the will and intent to attack the homeland. My question is, do they have the capacity? Are they developing weapons, strategies, other ways to take that will and intent and turn it into something of imminent danger to the American people?”

General Anderson concluded in agreement, “Senator, that is the exact issue that's my top concern.”

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, Senator King has spoken on the Senator Floor several times to discuss the critical importance of USAID. He has also joined his colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, expressing their deep concern regarding the growing chaos at the U.S. Department of State and the Trump Administration’s attempt to abolish USAID.

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Klobuchar Recognized by the Plant Based Products Council as Bioeconomy Champion

Senator Klobuchar receiving the Bioeconomy Champion Award from Plant Based Products Council Executive Director James Glueck.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) was recognized by the Plant Based Products Council with the Bioeconomy Champion Award, recognizing her longtime support for the bioeconomy. The Plant Based Products Council (PBPC) represents bioplastic companies using renewable feedstocks, consumer facing brands, and corn and soybean growers.

“It’s an honor to receive this award alongside my colleague Senator Ernst. We’ve worked together to grow biobased products and the bioeconomy,” Klobuchar said. “Investing in homegrown bioproducts can create new markets for farmers, grow manufacturing jobs, and reduce our reliance on foreign oil, which is why the work of the plant-based products industry is so important. That’s why I’m focused on making bioproducts the expectation, not the exception, across the country.”

Klobuchar leads two bills to support plant-based product innovation.

The Biomanufacturing and Jobs Act of 2025 enhances the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) ability to promote the growing range of plant-based bioproducts with the voluntary BioPreferred label and government procurement of biobased products.

The Agricultural Biorefinery Innovation and Opportunity (Ag BIO) Act updates USDA’s Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Products Manufacturing Assistance Program to administer grants and guaranteed loans for the development of advanced biofuel, renewable chemical, and biobased products processing facilities.

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WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden raising concerns and demanding answers on how the restructuring of USDA’s Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area will affect scientific innovation and data that supports New Mexico farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

“The REE reorganization and restructuring announced this April…could result in decreased agency capacity, further deteriorating the Department’s ability to conduct research, administer funding, and produce timely and reliable data products,” the senators wrote to USDA Deputy Secretary Vaden. “In order to address these concerns, we ask that you provide a detailed description of actions the Department has taken to minimize disruptions to farmers, ranchers, and ag researchers.”

“It is our goal to make sure the REE mission functions as Congress intends – focused on helping farmers, ranchers, and rural communities overcome the challenges they face through scientific innovation and complex data analysis,” the senators concluded.

The letter is led by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). Alongside Heinrich and Luján, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Angus King (I-Maine), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

The full text of the letter is here and below:

Dear Deputy Secretary Vaden:

We write with strong concern regarding the reorganization and restructuring of the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). While we support actions to improve efficiencies and enhance service, this effort will erode the capacity of USDA’s research agencies and threaten their ability to deliver innovation and timely economic data for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

Previous relocations of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) in 2018 and 2019 resulted in dramatic staff losses, as outlined in a December 2022 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). In their publication, GAO noted that this relocation resulted in ERS and NIFA losing over half their staff, with the USDA failing to engage employees, Congress, and stakeholders throughout the relocation process or follow best management practices.

Agencies of the REE mission area were also impacted by dramatic staff losses in 2025, including a loss of over 30 percent of staff within the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). These staff losses have real and immediate impacts on farmers, with many stakeholders now questioning the reliability of USDA’s own data reports. The REE reorganization and restructuring announced this April proposes to relocate REE mission area staff to over 27 different locations within months, but specific details of the relocations remain unclear. This could result in decreased agency capacity, further deteriorating the Department’s ability to conduct research, administer funding, and produce timely and reliable data products.

In order to address these concerns, we ask that you provide a detailed description of actions the Department has taken to minimize disruptions to farmers, ranchers, and ag researchers and adhere to recommendations as outlined by GAO regarding agency reorganizations. Additionally, we ask that you detail your engagement with REE mission area staff, including plans to engage with staff covered by existing collective bargaining agreements as well as non-bargaining unit employees. Proactive and ongoing engagement with these employees will be necessary to prevent major disruptions to research, data collection, and education.

As strong supporters of USDA’s research agencies, it is our goal to make sure the REE mission functions as Congress intends – focused on helping farmers, ranchers, and rural communities overcome the challenges they face through scientific innovation and complex data analysis. Thank you for your attention to this issue, and we look forward to receiving your response within 30 days.

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Lummis, Kelly, Donalds Introduce Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act to Cut Costs, Boost Local Hiring

Washington, D.C. – Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Representative Byron Donalds (R-FL) this week introduced the Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act, legislation that will direct the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to issue a rulemaking allowing commercial-grade concrete and steel to be used in non-safety-related structures of nuclear power plants.

“As nuclear technology evolves, our regulations should evolve with it,” said Senator Cynthia Lummis. “Requiring nuclear-grade materials in parts of a plant that have nothing to do with safety drives up costs and locks out local construction crews who are more than capable of doing the job. This legislation fixes that by requiring the NRC to allow commercial-grade concrete and steel where it’s safe to do so. I’m pleased to work with Senator Kelly and Congressman Donalds to get this done. The result is simple: lower costs, more local jobs, and zero compromise on safety.”

“We need more reliable, affordable power to keep up with growing demand in Arizona and across the country, but outdated rules about building materials drive up costs and slow down construction for nuclear plants,” said Senator Mark Kelly. “With this commonsense solution, we can build clean nuclear power plants faster and cheaper while keeping the same strong safety standards that protect Arizona families.”

“Energy security is national and economic security for the United States. As our energy demands continue to grow, it is essential that nuclear energy is a viable source of base load power. We must take a hard look at outdated and burdensome regulations and make practical, common-sense reforms,” said Congressman Byron Donalds. “I am proud to work alongside Senator Lummis to introduce the Build Nuclear with Local Labor Act to reduce construction and compliance costs for nuclear reactors, without sacrificing safety.”

“We are proud to support Senator Cynthia Lummis’ efforts to encourage the further buildout of nuclear energy in the United States by lessening the burdens placed on the construction and manufacture of these facilities via oversight by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC),” said Faith Burns, Energy Policy Fellow- Americans for Prosperity. “The current text in Senator Lummis’ bill requires the agency to finalize a rulemaking to authorize the use of commercial-grade steel and concrete in non-safety-related structures at nuclear facilities. This bill provides a reasonable and responsible manner to address building and construction activities at nuclear facilities. Senator Lummis has been a stalwart in the energy and natural resources space, and we are thankful for her leadership.”

“The Breakthrough Institute commends Senator Lummis for introducing the Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act,” said Dr. Adam Stein, Director, Nuclear Energy Innovation, The Breakthrough Institute.” After decades of stagnant demand, growing industries such as AI, advanced manufacturing, and broader electrification will bring large loads to the grid – and advanced nuclear technologies offer promising generation to meet that demand. A key barrier to new nuclear deployment in the United States is the relatively high cost of construction. Regulatory requirements governing the use of safety-related materials in non-safety-related structures can be a meaningful contributor to this cost. The use of commercial-grade concrete and steel in non-safety-related applications maintains rigorous safety requirements for safety-significant systems and structures while advancing a more performance-aligned regulatory approach. This offers a clear pathway to reduce project timelines and costs without compromising public health and safety. We applaud Senator Lummis’s leadership on advancing nuclear energy deployment and her efforts to foster a supportive environment for nuclear technology in Wyoming.”

“Nuclear-grade materials carry an enormous cost premium for little to no additional safety benefit,“ said Nick Loris, President of Policy, C3 Solutions Action. “Three-quarters of a nuclear reactor is concrete, and thanks to federal regulations, that concrete costs 50 percent more than what we use to build bridges and skyscrapers, not because it’s meaningfully safer, but because the regulations say so. The same story holds for steel. For nuclear energy to succeed in the United States, it needs to be cost-competitive, and reducing government regulations that unnecessarily inflate costs is key to achieving that. Senator Lummis’s bill is a long-overdue course correction that will help deploy more clean, dependable power without compromising on safety.”

”Senator Lummis’ bill as a practical step toward making it easier to build more nuclear power in America,” said Chris Koopman, Abundance Institute, CEO. “This kind of targeted reform helps create a more build friendly environment for new nuclear projects and moves the country closer to abundant, reliable American energy. This is exactly the kind of policy Congress should advance if it is serious about energy abundance.”

“For too long, the federal government has stifled nuclear energy with misguided and unnecessary red tape,” said Josh Smith, Senior Fellow, Pacific Legal Foundation. “Pacific Legal Foundation applauds Senator Lummis for introducing the Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act which directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to permit the use of commercial-grade steel and concrete at nuclear facilities. Passing this bill is one of many important steps needed to remove key barriers for American nuclear energy to expand, innovate, and power the future.”

Background:

The Build Nuclear with Local Materials Act builds on a precedent the NRC already established for TerraPower’s Natrium reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming, where the agency determined that commercial-grade materials could be safely used in non-safety areas of the plant.

Current NRC requirements apply nuclear-grade standards broadly to both safety and non-safety structures — a one-size-fits-all approach that drives up costs, extends timelines, and locks out local construction crews who lack specialized nuclear certifications. Allowing commercial-grade concrete and steel in non-safety structures could reduce construction costs and timelines by an estimated 28% while opening nuclear projects to local contractors and skilled trades workers.

Nuclear-grade concrete and steel are significantly more time- and labor-intensive than standard materials. Foundations can require roughly double the pouring time, while superstructures take up to 50% longer, driving up both costs and project timelines. Concrete makes up ~79.5% of overall materials used in nuclear power plant construction. Allowing commercial-grade materials in appropriate areas could reduce construction time and costs by an estimated 28%.

The bill does not eliminate nuclear-grade standards — it directs the NRC to identify where commercial-grade materials can be safely used while fully preserving the safety and integrity of nuclear power plants.


SENATOR MCCORMICK AND GALLEGO INTRODUCE BILL TO ADVANCE JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN TECH FOR VETERANS

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Dave McCormick (R-PA) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) recently introduced the Improving Emerging Tech Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2026, bipartisan legislation aimed at helping veterans transition to civilian life by expanding career opportunities in emerging technologies through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses (VET TEC) program.

“While the transition back to civilian life isn’t always easy, I know firsthand as a veteran that our service men and women return as leaders, highly skilled and ready to contribute. It is our job to make sure the doors are open when they get home,” said Senator McCormick. “With over 200,000 service members leaving the military each year, the Improving Emerging Tech Opportunities for Veterans Act does exactly that by helping to connect veterans in Pennsylvania and across the country to job opportunities in high-growth tech industries where they can find stable employment, financial security and a renewed sense of purpose.”

“Emerging technologies like semiconductor manufacturing are creating thousands of good-paying jobs and shaping the future of Arizona’s economy. This bill would make sure veterans can use the education benefits they earned to train for careers in these rapidly growing industries and help America stay the global leader in technological innovation,” said Senator Gallego.

A successful transition from military to civilian life is more than finding a job. It helps provide long-term stability for veterans and their families while strengthening our workforce. The VET TEC program connects veterans with leading training providers to help them develop or advance in skills needed for high-tech industries. This bill would broaden the current program, adding training and employment pathways in emerging industries, like artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing, so veterans are equipped with the skills needed to compete for high-demand jobs in our modern economy.

Specifically, the Improving Emerging Tech Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2026 will:

Direct the VA to identify and designate technologies of critical national importance as “emerging technologies” eligible under the VET TEC program, with artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing as named examples.

Require the VA to promote emerging technology fields, courses, and career pathways on its website and incorporate them into transition assistance services, so veterans and transitioning service members are aware of these opportunities.

Require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to work with private-sector partners, educational institutions, veteran-serving nonprofits to identify industries and occupations expected to experience significant job growth driven by emerging technologies with a focus on fields that align with veterans’ existing education, training, and skills.

The following organizations and stakeholders have expressed support for the Improving Emerging Tech Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2026:

“The VFW supports the Improving Emerging Tech Opportunities for Veterans Act, which will help veterans access education and training programs for high-demand careers in emerging technology fields such as artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing. By requiring the Department of Veterans Affairs to collaborate with industry partners, expand visibility through the Transition Assistance Program, and implement an expedited course approval process, this legislation will better position veterans to succeed in the workforce of tomorrow,” said Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) National Legislative Service Associate Director Joe Grassi.

“IAVA survey data has consistently shown that veterans are chronically underemployed compared to their level of expertise, abilities, and skillset,” said Dr. Kyleanne Hunter, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) CEO. “We welcome the Senate introduction of the Improving Emerging Tech Options for Veterans Act of 2026, which will help bridge the gap between our veterans’ true capabilities and the high-skilled careers where we know they can excel.”

Senator McCormick has introduced or cosponsored several additional bills in support of our veterans including:

The Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury Adaptive Care Opportunities Nationwide Act, which would create a new grant program to fund innovative treatments for chronic mild TBI—an injury that affects thousands of our veterans and is linked to mental health struggles and suicide risk.

TheVA Zero Suicide Demonstration Project of 2025, which would establish a pilot program to significantly reduce veteran suicides by providing extensive training for VA staff about suicide screening, risk assessment, treatment, and care transition procedures.

The Housing Unhoused Disabled Veterans Act, which wouldpermanently exclude disability payments from income calculations used to determine housing assistance eligibility ensuring veterans can access HUD-VA housing support without being penalized for benefits they already earned through their service.

The Innovative Therapies Centers of Excellence Act of 2025, which would increase federally funded research on innovative therapies to treat veterans experiencing conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorder, and depression.

The full text of the Improving Emerging Tech Opportunities for Veterans Act of 2026 may be found here.

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“The United States’ relationship with China is among the most consequential in the world and dialogue between the two countries is important to maintain. But President Trump failed to use his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping to advance any objectives important to the American people — to counter China’s unfair trade practices and military aggression, preserve American technological and economic leadership, stand up for human rights or strengthen deterrence to prevent a conflict over Taiwan. Rather than coordinate a unified approach ahead of time with allies and partners, Trump instead demonstrated once again his willingness to go-it-alone and to sacrifice American national security for minimal and reversible ‘deals.’ The Trump Administration’s reckless policies have deeply undermined the foundations of our competitive edge against China and put the country in a position of weakness heading into this summit.

“We are deeply disturbed by President Trump’s refusal to defend America’s support for Taiwan during this summit, including by consulting with President Xi regarding U.S. obligations to help provide for Taiwan’s defense. We call on the Administration to formally notify the $14 billion in U.S. arms sales that Congress pre-approved in January 2026. As established by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, Congress will continue to ensure that the United States supports Taiwan, including by rejecting any attempt to alter the status quo by force or coercion.

“While U.S. forces are engaged in hostilities against Iran, President Trump refrained from confronting President Xi on China’s extensive support for the Iranian regime and its sharing of intelligence directly contributing to attacks against U.S. forces — a clear dereliction of his duties as commander-in-chief. It is also unconscionable that President Trump apparently refused to pressure President Xi to cease his support for Putin’s murderous war in Ukraine, which continues to kill innocent people and destabilize the global economy.

“We welcome news that the United States and China will discuss how to keep the most advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models out of the hands of non-state actors and look forward to an administration briefing on the full scope of these proposed talks. At the same time, AI safety talks cannot serve as a Trojan Horse for technological surrender. The Trump administration has dangerously greenlit, and appears to be actively encouraging, the sale of advanced AI chips to Chinese competitors like Alibaba and Tencent — firms with direct ties to the Chinese military. We reiterate bipartisan calls for strict enforcement of export controls and the closure of loopholes that allow AI chips and manufacturing equipment to reach Beijing. We must continue to ensure America maintains its leading advantages in the AI race.

“The summit’s meager announcements are a transparent attempt to recover ground lost as a result of President Trump’s misguided trade war, which provoked Beijing’s global weaponization of rare earth export controls and spurred U.S. agricultural exports to China to plummet by over 50%, even as costs skyrocketed at home. Minor aircraft and agricultural deals do nothing to address the unfair economic practices that have hurt American workers and businesses for decades. China must stop the industrial-scale theft of American intellectual property and cease weaponizing its control of rare earth minerals to the detriment of American manufacturing. The summit produced no meaningful or lasting progress for American workers or industries. President Trump secured zero concessions from Beijing, failing even to secure the release of political prisoners Jimmy Lai, Ezra Jin and others, while providing President Xi an opportunity to project strength without any corresponding changes in China’s unfair and coercive economic practices.”


Wyden, Merkley, Colleagues Raise Concerns about Trump Administration’s USDA Reorganization

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today joined Senate colleagues in questioning how Trump’s reorganization of the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area at the U.S. Department of Agriculture will affect farmers and ranchers in Oregon and nationwide.

“We write with strong concern regarding the reorganization and restructuring of the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA),” the senators wrote to Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden. “While we support actions to improve efficiencies and enhance service, this effort will erode the capacity of USDA’s research agencies and threaten their ability to deliver innovation and timely economic data for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.”

“In order to address these concerns, we ask that you provide a detailed description of actions the Department has taken to minimize disruptions to farmers, ranchers, and ag researchers and adhere to recommendations as outlined by GAO regarding agency reorganizations,” the senators continued. “As strong supporters of USDA’s research agencies, it is our goal to make sure the REE mission functions as Congress intends – focused on helping farmers, ranchers, and rural communities overcome the challenges they face through scientific innovation and complex data analysis.”

The Research, Education, and Economics mission area conducts critical research relating to agriculture production, pest and disease resistance, market transparency, and rural economies. In their letter, Wyden and Merkley highlighted that previous attempts at reorganizing the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture in 2018 and 2019 resulted in dramatic staff losses and interrupted services for farmers and rural communities.

The letter was led by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. In addition to Wyden and Merkley, the letter was cosigned by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., Cory Booker, D-N.J., Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., Dick Durbin, D-Ill., John Fetterman, D-Pa., Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, Angus King, I-Maine, Ben Ray Luján, D-N.M., Patty Murray, D-Wash., Alex Padilla, D-Calif., Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., Adam Schiff, D-Calif., Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., Tina Smith, D-Minn., Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., Rev. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., and Peter Welch, D-Vt.

The full letter is here.

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NEWS RELEASE: Senator Moody Advances Six Bills to Support Law Enforcement, Strengthen Public Safety and Deliver Critical Tools to Officers During National Police Week

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Ashley Moody advanced a package of six pro-law enforcement bills out of the Senate Judiciary Committee on National Police Week to expand mental health support for officers, strengthen leadership training, expedite benefits for injured officers, and advance cold case investigations among other improvements.

“Our law enforcement officers step up every day to protect our communities, and we must have their backs. I’m proud to vote to advance these measures out of the Senate Judiciary Committee during National Police Week to strengthen officer safety, expand mental health resources, support families of fallen officers, and provide law enforcement with additional tools to keep Americans safe. Florida will always stand with the brave men and women who wear the badge,” said Senator Ashley Moody.

BACKGROUND:

Earlier this week, Senator Moody cosponsored a resolution recognizing the service and sacrifice of America’s courageous law enforcement officers and their families.

The six bills passed out of the Judiciary Committee this week are:

S. 736, the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act would enhance safety and accountability in federal prisons by stemming the flow of contraband.

S. 825, the Fighting Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Act of 2025 would direct the Department of Justice (DOJ) to develop treatment programs for first responders suffering from PTSD or acute stress disorders.

S. 4394, the Promoting Police Leadership Act would improve commander-level training curriculum across law enforcement agencies.

S. 3897, the Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefit Program Expansion Act of 2026 would speed up Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program determinations and extend benefits to additional public safety officers.

S. 1890, the Carla Walker Act would dedicate federal grant funds to support forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) DNA analysis to help solve cold cases.

S. 3041, the Tribal Warrant Fairness Act would allow the U.S. Marshals Service to assist Tribal law enforcement in tracking down violent criminals and searching for missing children.

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VIDEO: Chairman Moran Leads Hearing to Review the President’s FY27 Budget Request for Federal Law Enforcement Agencies

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science – this week led a subcommittee hearing to review the President’s FY27 budget request for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Marshals Service, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

“This hearing takes place during National Police Week, and this is a time for our country to recognize the men and women in law enforcement who work every day to keep our communities and country safe,” said Sen. Moran.

“I’ve seen firsthand the important work these agencies are doing in my home state,” continued Sen. Moran. “Whether it’s ATF expanding crime gun intelligence through its partnership at Wichita State University; DEA’s effort to combat fentanyl trafficking and support law enforcement in rural communities across Kansas; the FBI’s coordination with state and local partners as Kansas City prepares to host soccer matches during the FIFA 2026 World Cup or the Marshals working alongside local law enforcement through fugitive task forces across the district of Kansas.”

“Today’s hearing is an opportunity for this committee to better understand the challenges facing each of your agencies, the resources you believe are necessary to carry out your missions and how Congress can best support the men and women serving in the federal law enforcement,” concluded Sen. Moran.

Sen. Moran’s full lines of questioning can be found here and here.

Click HERE to Watch Sen. Moran’s Opening Statement

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Murphy Leads Democratic Senate Colleagues In Reintroducing Bill to Provide Resources to Underfunded Schools, Strengthen Diversity in the Classroom

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) led Democratic colleagues in reintroducing the Strength in Diversity Act, legislation to give schools the resources they need to tackle segregation in the classroom. Though Brown v. Board of Education declared school segregation unconstitutional more than 70 years ago, America’s public schools remain highly segregated along racial and socioeconomic lines. The most segregated public schools are often the most underfunded, making it much harder for Black and Latino kids and students from low-income families to get a fair shot at a good education.

The Strength in Diversity Act addresses this problem by providing new grant funding to help public schools build voluntary, community-driven programs to cultivate diversity in the classrooms. School districts and regional educational agencies will be able to access funding for a range of proposals, including:

Studying segregation, evaluating current policies and developing evidence-based plans to address socioeconomic and racial isolation;

Revising school boundaries, expanding equitable access to transportation for students, or improving open enrollment processes;

Creating or expanding school programs that can attract students from outside the local area;

Recruiting, hiring and training new teachers and improving teacher diversity;

Supporting the development and maintenance of best practices.

“Decades of bad policy decisions have segregated our schools and created a system where students of color and low-income kids are forced to settle for less,” said Senator Murphy. “Desegregating our schools is not just about fairness, it’s about giving all kids the opportunity to learn together in diverse classrooms and grow up to be more engaged and empathetic citizens.”

“Our measure makes critical investments to ensure every child in America has access to a quality education and the best possible resources to succeed,” said Senator Blumenthal. “Seventy years since the Supreme Court struck down school segregation, the promise of equitable education for all children regardless of race remains unfulfilled. Our legislation works to break down the racial and socioeconomic lines that keep many schools across America segregated to this day and empowers kids to achieve their dreams.”

"Children are 100% of our future," said Senator Markey. "We can't afford to underfund our schools and deny equal opportunity to kids because of their zip code. I'm proud to stand with my colleagues in introducing the Strength in Diversity Act to ensure that we're prepared not only for the 21st century - but also for every century after that."

“Diversity is our strength and we thrive as a country when we address inequities in our schools. The Strength in Diversity Act would dedicate additional resources to support academic excellence for students, regardless of their backgrounds. When we break these barriers, our kids and school staff have the opportunity to grow, feel supported, and succeed,” said Senator Padilla.

The bill is cosponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Ed Markey (D-Mass), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

The Strength in Diversity Act has been endorsed by the following organizations:

AACTE (American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education), Advocates for Trans Equality, AFT, American Association of University Women (AAUW), Brown's Promise, Campus Without Walls, Center for Racial Equity in Education (CREED), Children's Defense Fund, Civil Rights Project/Proyecto Derechos Civiles at UCLA, Dudley Flood Center for Educational Equity & Opportunity, EdTrust, Education Law Center, ERASE Racism, Glisten (Formerly GLSEN), IDRA, Institute for Social Progress, Wayne County Community College District, Institute on Metropolitan Opportunity at the University of Minnesota Law School, Integrated Schools, Jewish Council for Public Affairs, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Legal Defense Fund, Magnet Schools of America, METCO, Inc., National Action Network, National Association of Secondary School Principals, National Center for Youth Law, National Coalition on School Diversity, National Education Association, New York Appleseed, PFLAG National, Poverty & Race Research Action Council, Public Advocacy for Kids (PAK), School Diversity Notebook, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and Sheff Movement Coalition.


WATCH: Sen. Ossoff Continues Working to Improve Privatized Housing for Military Families

Ft. Gordon, Ga. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff secured a commitment from the U.S. Army to improve privatized housing and hold contractors accountable.

Sen. Ossoff, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, yesterday held a hearing about funding priorities for military construction projects and highlighted the ongoing need to improve privatized housing conditions for servicemembers and their families.

Sen. Ossoff serves as the top Democrat on the Military Construction Appropriations Subcommittee, positioning him to fight for and deliver Federal funding for key Georgia projects impacting national security, military readiness, quality-of-life for servicemembers and military families, and more.

During the hearing, Sen. Ossoff spoke with Lieutenant General Michelle Donahue and raised the importance of improving housing conditions for servicemembers and their families.

“General Donahue, it’s been six years since legislation was enacted to provide more protection for military families living in privatized housing. You may be aware in 2022, I led an eight-month bipartisan investigation into the mistreatment of military families and privatized housing on post at Fort Gordon, shocking testimony from servicemembers whose families had their health impacted in serious ways. We wound up having the Balfour Beatty executives come up and testify under oath. I was able, last Fiscal Year, working with the Chairman, to secure additional funding in our bill for expanded oversight, tenant support, and maintenance for privatized housing,” said Ranking Member Ossoff.

“But we continue to hear troubling stories and reports from servicemembers at installations across Georgia, across the south, across the country, about poor conditions and privatized housing, inadequate support from housing providers on installations in Georgia and nationwide, some of these abusive non-disclosure provisions that families are forced into. So, given that these issues persist, what is the Army doing to stay after this and make sure that we’re not allowing any of these families to face mistreatment at the house at the hands of these housing providers?” Ranking Member Ossoff asked.

Sen. Ossoff secured Lieutenant General Donahue’s commitment to continue working with him and the Subcommittee to ensure servicemembers’ concerns are addressed.

In 2022, Sen. Ossoff led an 8-month bipartisan investigation that uncovered mistreatment and neglect of families living in privatized military housing on post at Ft. Gordon. As a direct result of Sen. Ossoff’s investigation, the U.S. Army then conducted unit-by-unit inspections of housing on military installations, starting at Ft. Gordon.

In 2023, Sen. Ossoff then convened a military housing oversight session to continue his work to improve housing conditions for military families in Georgia and across the nation.

Click here to watch Sen. Ossoff’s line of questioning.

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