Timmons Bill to Rollback Regulatory Burdens and Help Small Businesses, Families Passes U.S. House

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Supervisory Modifications for Appropriate Risk-based Testing Act (SMART Act), legislation introduced by Congressman William Timmons (SC-04) to modernize the examination process for well-managed and well-capitalized community banks and credit unions.

“Community banks and credit unions are the backbone of many local economies, especially in places like the Upstate,” said Congressman Timmons. “These institutions should be focused on serving families, supporting small businesses, and expanding opportunity in their communities, not navigating unnecessary red tape from Washington. The SMART Act takes a commonsense, risk-based approach to supervision that reduces regulatory burden while maintaining strong oversight and accountability.”

Community banks and credit unions play a vital role in local economies by supporting small businesses, helping families access credit, and driving economic growth in communities across South Carolina and the country. However, many smaller financial institutions face duplicative and time-consuming examination requirements that place unnecessary strain on their operations despite strong performance and compliance records.

The SMART Act creates a more practical, risk-based approach to supervision for qualifying institutions with $6 billion or less in assets. Under Rep. Timmons’ bill, qualifying institutions would alternate between full-scope and limited-scope examinations, allowing regulators to focus reviews on key risk areas while reducing unnecessary administrative burden.

The legislation also allows institutions, upon request, to combine certain examinations, including safety and soundness, consumer compliance, and cybersecurity reviews, into a single examination cycle. In addition, the bill directs regulators to adopt examination best practices aimed at improving efficiency and transparency while preserving regulators’ full authority to conduct additional reviews when warranted. Institutions subject to formal enforcement actions or recent changes in control would not qualify for the modified examination process.

“By streamlining the examination process for well-managed institutions, this bill allows local lenders from Greenville to Spartanburg to spend more time helping South Carolinians grow businesses, buy homes, and build stronger financial futures,” Timmons continued.

The SMART Act now heads to the Senate for consideration.

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Rep. Titus's Combating Organized Retail Crime Act Passes the House

WASHINGTON - The U.S. House of Representatives today passed Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01)’s Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) to crack down on retail theft rings that are conducting large-scale robberies of merchants and cargo shipments.

“These organized theft rings are costing merchants, shippers, and American consumers billions of dollars per year. They also put customers and staff at risk. A new approach is needed to combat retail and cargo theft,” Congresswoman Titus said. “These sophisticated operations go far beyond one bad actor shoplifting or stealing cargo and require a strong federal response to protect consumers, local businesses, and transportation networks. Often, these stolen goods are sold on the black market internationally to fund other illegal undertakings. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act establishes a coordinated federal response to mitigate this crime and gives law enforcement more tools to find and prosecute bad actors.”

CORCA would establish an Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This coordination center would strengthen collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, along with retail crime associations, to create a cohesive strategy to combat organized retail and cargo theft.

Congresswoman Titus has led this bipartisan effort with Congressman Ken Buck (CO-04) since the introduction of H.R. 9177 in 2022 and has worked most recently with Representative David Joyce (OH-14). As the Ranking Member of the Transportation & Infrastructure’s Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, Representative Titus also hosted a roundtable to examine the issue of cargo theft on supply chains and consumer prices in April 2025.

“Businesses throughout my district are facing the burdens of a rise in organized retail crimes and fraud schemes that are sweeping the nation,” said Congressman Joyce. “These criminal organizations are not only harming small businesses and retailers in our communities but are also putting American consumers at risk of violence and fraud. These crimes also have more widespread consequences for public safety, as these organized groups often resell stolen goods to finance other illicit activities, including drug and human trafficking operations.”

According to the National Retail Federation, retail larceny incidents increased by 93 percent from 2019 to 2023, including a 90 percent increase in actual dollar loss. Stores lost $121.6 billion to retail theft in 2023, compared to $93.9 billion in 2021, $61.7 billion in 2019, and $46.8 billion in 2017. In 2023, 84 percent of retailers reported that violence and aggression were a greater concern than in 2022. At the same time, product manufacturers and the supply chain are experiencing a rise in organized cargo theft across rails, roads, and the various distribution points across the United States. CargoNet reported a 27 percent increase in cargo theft incidents in 2024 over 2023.

These crimes are often orchestrated by organized groups that resell stolen goods through physical and online marketplaces, further fueling illicit profits and financing additional criminal enterprises. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act seeks to address these challenges by enhancing legal frameworks, improving enforcement capabilities, and fostering coordination across federal, state, and local agencies. The legislation responds to the limitations of state-level efforts, which struggle with resource constraints and the interstate and international nature of organized retail and supply chain crime, and it aims to safeguard commerce, consumer confidence, and national security.

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act is supported by the National Retail Federation, the Retail Industry Leaders Association, the Major County Sheriffs of America, Home Depot, UPS, the Intermodal Association of North America, the Association of American Railroads, the International Council of Shopping Centers, the American Trucking Association, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the Reusable Packaging Association, DHL, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, the National Milk Producers Foundation, the Transportation Intermediaries Association, the PASS (Protect America’s Small Sellers) Coalition, the International Downtown Association, Amazon, the World Shipping Council, Pirate Ship, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, Walgreens Co., CVS Health, Kroger, Walmart, and Target.

“Large-scale retail theft operations are an ongoing problem that endanger retail workers, customers and the economic safety of communities nationwide. We commend Congresswoman Titus for her leadership on the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act and are grateful to those House members who voted for this bipartisan legislation. The bill strengthens federal coordination and provides critical resources to fight these criminal networks. We encourage the Senate to act quickly and send it to the president for signature,” National Retail Federation EVP of Government Relations David French said.

“The Association of American Railroads applauds the House of Representatives for advancing the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA) and thanks Rep. Dina Titus for her leadership in championing this important legislation. Organized retail crime threatens supply chains, retailers, railroads, workers, and consumers across the country, and stronger coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement is critical to addressing these increasingly sophisticated criminal networks. We appreciate the House’s commitment to advancing policies that improve public safety and protect the movement of goods throughout the national supply chain, and we look forward to continuing to work with lawmakers as the legislation advances,” said Ian Jeffries, President and CEO of the Association of American Railroads.

“Leading retailers are grateful to Representative Titus and the bipartisan group of cosponsors for recognizing the urgent need to address the growing threat of organized retail crime,” said Sarah Gilmore, RILA Senior Director, Government Affairs. “Fraud-driven criminal networks engaged in cargo theft, gift card fraud, and all too often violent in-store ORC driven incidents threaten the safety and security of American communities. CORCA provides the tools necessary for coordinated action and information-sharing, ensuring that law enforcement and industry partners can prosecute and dismantle the criminal enterprises orchestrating these sophisticated schemes. RILA is thrilled to see this important piece of legislation pass the House.”

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Congresswoman Torres Helps Lead Bipartisan CrackDown on Organized Retail Crime to Lower Local Costs

Washington, D.C – Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), a co-sponsor of H.R. 2853, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025, celebrated the passage of bipartisan legislation to strengthen federal efforts against organized retail theft, cargo theft, and supply chain crime.

The bill expands federal enforcement tools to target criminal organizations involved in large-scale theft operations, strengthens money laundering penalties tied to organized retail crime, and improves coordination between federal law enforcement agencies.

Organized Retail Crime costs California billions, resulting in $13 billion in stolen goods and $3 billion in lost tax revenue in 2021 alone. These losses directly impact local communities by diverting funds away from public services and increasing costs for residents through higher prices, rising insurance premiums, and lost wages, totaling a $19 billion hit to the state’s economy. The scale of this issue is particularly high in the region, with the National Retail Federation recently ranking Los Angeles as the top city in the nation for retail crime.

“Organized retail crime hurts workers, small businesses, and families already struggling with high costs,” said Congresswoman Torres. “These are not isolated thefts, they are coordinated criminal operations that drive up prices and threaten our communities. I proudly voted for and co-sponsored this bipartisan bill to give law enforcement stronger tools to crack down on these criminal networks.”

The Organized Retail Crime Act would:

Allow authorities to total stolen goods over a full year to trigger higher federal penalties, ensuring repeat offenders face significant consequences.

Tie retail theft to money laundering laws, enabling the government to seize cars, cash, and property purchased with stolen profits.

Expand federal oversight to include gift cards and prepaid cards, cutting off the primary method these rings use to “wash” stolen money.

Establish a Department of Homeland Security task force to provide local police with the data needed to track stolen property moving across state lines.

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Congressman Kelly Announces Service Academy Appointment

May 12, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Trent Kelly is proud to announce the appointment of Karter Vahle, of Oxford, Mississippi, to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Each year, members of Congress may nominate candidates to the U.S. service academies. These institutions prepare young men and women to become leaders in the U.S. Armed Forces while receiving a top-tier… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Trent Kelly is proud to announce the appointment of Karter Vahle, of Oxford, Mississippi, to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Each year, members of Congress may nominate candidates to the U.S. service academies. These institutions prepare young men and women to become leaders in the U.S. Armed Forces while receiving a top-tier education.

Karter has distinguished himself as a dedicated student and leader at Oxford High School. He serves as a Captain in MCROTC and has held the role of Company Commanding Officer since last spring. His leadership and commitment have earned him numerous honors, including the Veterans of Foreign Wars Bronze Medal, the Navy League Youth Medal, and the Raider Nationals Achievement Medal. He also serves as President of DECA, Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa, and held leadership roles at Boys State, including positions in the Federalist Party Executive and House of Representatives.

Academically, Karter has excelled through rigorous coursework, including multiple dual credit classes, and has earned strong standardized test scores and several academic awards. In May 2026, he is expected to graduate from both Oxford High School and Northwest Mississippi Community College, where he will earn an Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice.

Beyond the classroom, Karter is actively involved in athletics and extracurricular activities. He competes on the Oxford High School Cross Country and Archery teams and has contributed to MCJROTC through the drill team, color guard, and raider team. He has also demonstrated a strong commitment to service, completing 143 hours of community service.

Karter's achievements reflect his dedication to excellence and leadership. He has been recognized as a Boys State delegate and National Honor Society member and has completed several prestigious programs, including the Air Force Academy Summer Seminar (Session C), the Naval Academy Summer Seminar (Session 2), the MCJROTC Senior Leadership Course, and the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce Junior Leadership Course.

"I would like to commission into the United States Marine Corps and be a fixed wing pilot," Karter said. "I am most excited for the opportunity to learn from others, to better my leadership skills, and to get stronger mentally and physically."

For more information about the Service Academy nomination process through our office, visit trentkelly.house.gov.


Congressman Kelly Announces Service Academy Appointment

May 12, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Trent Kelly is proud to announce the appointment of Noel "Trice" McMichael III, of Shannon, Mississippi, to the United States Naval Academy.

Each year, members of Congress may nominate candidates to the U.S. service academies. These institutions prepare young men and women to become leaders in the U.S. Armed Forces while receiving a top-tier… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Trent Kelly is proud to announce the appointment of Noel "Trice" McMichael III, of Shannon, Mississippi, to the United States Naval Academy.

Each year, members of Congress may nominate candidates to the U.S. service academies. These institutions prepare young men and women to become leaders in the U.S. Armed Forces while receiving a top-tier education.

Trice is a dedicated and high-achieving student at the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS), where he maintains a 4.0 GPA and was a member of the 2024 NEMBDA Honors Band. Prior to attending MSMS, he attended South Pontotoc High School, where he was a member of the National Beta Club and earned several top academic awards.

In addition to his academic success, Trice has excelled in martial arts, earning honors including Innovative Martial Arts Systems Top Ten recognition and the title of First Martial Arts National Champion. His commitment to the sport extends beyond competition, as he has volunteered as a judge for First Martial Arts and served as an event supervisor for Spark Submission Sports.

Trice is also known for his strong work ethic and hands-on experience. He has worked several years as an assistant plumber alongside his father and has pursued research opportunities in science and technology. He served as a lab technician and research student for ARISE at the University of Mississippi and conducted research for Tales from the Crypt at MSMS.

"I am most excited about the classes," said Trice. "At MSMS, our teachers are great and so is the curriculum, but I know the Naval Academy is a completely different level. Right now, I wish to major in Foreign Area Studies, specializing in Russian."

For more information about the Service Academy nomination process through our office, visit trentkelly.house.gov.


House Passes Legislation to Combat Organized Supply Chain Theft and Retail Crime

WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2853, the Combating Organized Retail Crime (CORCA) Act. This bipartisan bill was introduced by Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) and Reps. Dave Joyce (OH-14), Susie Lee (NV-03), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Dina Titus (NV-01), Laurel Lee (FL-15), Lou Correa (CA-46), and Michael Baumgartner (WA-05). The CORCA Act takes important steps to strengthen legal tools for law enforcement and crack down on interstate and transnational crime.

The CORCA Act builds off initiatives included in the Safeguarding our Supply Chains Act, which was introduced by Congressman David Valadao and Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) in the 118th Congress.

“Organized retail crime and cargo theft are hurting small businesses and families across the Central Valley,” said Congressman Valadao. “These are coordinated criminal operations that put public safety at risk, disrupt supply chains, and drive-up costs for consumers. The CORCA Act gives law enforcement stronger tools to investigate and dismantle organized theft rings, and I’m especially proud to see language from my Safeguarding our Supply Chains Act included. This Police Week, I’m honored to help pass this bipartisan bill to hold criminals accountable and support the law enforcement officers working every day to keep our communities safe.”

The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act would:

Strengthen legal tools for law enforcement by allowing criminal forfeitures for interstate shipment, transportation of stolen goods, or sale of stolen goods convictions

Expand money laundering statutes

Enable prosecution of organized retail and supply chain groups using interstate or foreign commerce to facilitate crimes

Mandate the creation of the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within Homeland Security Investigations (HIS) and the Department of Homeland Security

Background:

Sophisticated criminal organizations have been increasingly involved in theft, fraud, and other property crimes against retail stores and various components of the supply chain. These crimes have escalated in scope and impact, threatening the national economy, consumer safety, and public security. According to the National Retail Federation, retail larceny incidents increased by 93% from 2019 to 2023, and stores lost $121.6 billion to retail theft in 2023. This surge in retail crime is often orchestrated by organized groups to resell stolen goods through physical and online marketplaces, further fueling illicit profits and financing additional criminal enterprises.

At the same time, product manufacturers and supply chains are experiencing a rise in organized cargo theft across rails, roads, and the various distribution points across the United States. CargoNet reported a 27% increase in cargo theft incidents in 2024 over 2023. These thefts range from large-scale physical theft of goods from containers and storage to sophisticated cybercriminal methods that divert shipments to illicit receivers. This causes significant financial losses and operational supply chain disruptions.

Read the full bill here.

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Rep. Van Epps Announces Mobile Office Hours for May and June

Clarksville, TN—Rep. Van Epps’ district team will hold mobile office hours in communities across Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District throughout May and June. If you need assistance with a federal agency, our team will be available to help start a casework request and connect you with the appropriate federal resources.

While Congressman Van Epps maintains district offices in Clarksville and Franklin, our team is committed to making constituent services accessible across the entire district. Through mobile office hours, staff members are able to meet Tennesseans closer to where they live and work, ensuring residents across TN-07 have direct access to assistance from their congressional office

If you need help with a federal agency but are unable to attend one of the mobile office hour events listed below, please contact our office at (629) 223-6050 or visit our website here.

Rep. Van Epps said, “From Montgomery County to Wayne County and from Benton County to Davidson County, I’ve had the opportunity to meet incredible Tennesseans across our district. One of my top priorities in Congress has been building a team that is responsive, accessible, and committed to serving the people of TN-07. Whether you need help with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the IRS, passport services, or another federal agency, our office is here to help. It would be our honor to serve you.”

Please come prepared to fill out a privacy release form, also found on the website here!

Listen to Rep. Van Epps' announcement by clicking below!

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May

Benton County

Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Time: 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Location: Benton County Mayor’s Office, 1 Court Square, Room 102, Camden, TN, 38320

Houston County

Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Location: Houston County Mayor’s Office (Courthouse), 4725 E Main St, #101, Erin, TN, 37061

Decatur County

Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: Ayers Center Conference Room, 443 Virginia Ave. South, Parsons, TN, 38363

Dickson County

Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: Dickson County Mayor’s Office, Dickson County Administration Building, 4 Court Square, Charlotte, TN, 37036 (Upstairs Conference Room)

Hickman County

Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Time: 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Location: Hickman County Mayor’s Office, 114 N Central Avenue, Suite 204 Centerville, TN, 37033

Wayne County

Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026

Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Location: Wayne County Courthouse, 3rd Floor Conference Room, 100 Court Circle, Waynesboro, TN, 38485

June

Stewart County

Date: Monday, June 15, 2026

Time: 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Location: Stewart County Visitors Center, 117 Visitors Ctr Ln, Dover, TN, 37058

Perry County

Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Time: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Location: Azbill Community Center, U.T. Extension Room, 113 Factory Street, Linden, TN, 37069

Davidson County

Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026

Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Location: Nashville Downtown Library Conference Room, 615 Church Street, Nashville, TN, 37219

Humphreys County

Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026

Time: 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Location: Rawlings Building Conference Room, 102 Thompson Street, Waverly, TN, 37815

Cheatham County

Date: Monday, June 22, 2026

Time: 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Location: David McCullough Community Room, 334 Frey St, Ashland City, TN, 37015

Robertson County


Wasserman Schultz Statement on the Everglades Internment Camp’s Reported Closure

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) released the following statement on the reported closure of the Everglades Internment Camp, otherwise known as ‘Alligator Alcatraz’:

"The Everglades internment camp’s closure is long overdue. This monument to cruelty, waste and environmental and tribal lands abuse should have never been built. At my surprise oversight inspection last month, I saw atrocious conditions that Florida taxpayers were forced to spend over $1 million a day on, just to cram people with no criminal history into cages and trample our sensitive Everglades.

"This camp isn't closing because ICE leaders found a conscience. It’s closing because the Trump Administration still refuses to pay back Florida taxpayers more than $1 billion in tax dollars they basically lit on fire. I’m proud to have fought it at every turn, in Congress, in court, and alongside environmental advocates, Miccosukee tribal leaders, human rights defenders, and ordinary Floridians who rejected this abomination.

"But this fight isn't done. Democrats will investigate this atrocity and demand accountability. We will keep fighting for reforms to stop ICE brutality and let law-abiding people live their lives."

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McIver, Watson Coleman, Menendez Mark Anniversary of Delaney Hall Visit by Introducing Tougher ICE Oversight Rules

McIver Marks Anniversary of Delaney Hall Visit by Introducing Tougher ICE Oversight Rules

Watson Coleman and Menendez, who were present that day, are co-leading this bill.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Rob Menendez (NJ-08) will introduce the No Delay for Immigration Oversight Act. The introduction coincides with the one-year anniversary of their first visit to Delaney Hall, which led to the Trump administration bringing baseless charges against McIver for conducting oversight. That case, and McIver’s fight to protect the constitutional and statutory authority to oversee Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is ongoing.

The No Delay for Immigration Oversight Act would protect the necessary congressional oversight Trump’s administration has worked to criminalize by tightening regulations on ICE and DHS. Specifically, the bill demands that members of Congress be granted immediate access to detention facilities, without having to give prior notice, in order to carry out their oversight responsibilities and places liability for noncompliance on private contractors.

This bill will permanently codify the existing right of members of Congress to conduct oversight of ICE and DHS. This right exists implicitly in Congress’s oversight prerogative of the executive branch, and explicitly in a 2019 appropriations rider. As the Trump administration continues to try to obstruct this right, dismantle it, and criminalize this legal prerogative, the No Delay for Immigration Oversight Act would protect it permanently.

“A year ago, ICE tried to stop me from exposing the cruel treatment, inhumane abuse, and their reckless lack of accountability—believing they could sweep their actions under the rug. Since then, the atrocities have only gotten worse. This has been ICE’s deadliest year in 30 years and the nation is calling for action,” said McIver. “That’s why I’m introducing this bill to reaffirm the people’s right to have someone speak up for the voiceless, go where others are not allowed, uncover the abuses that we know take place in the dark, and stop the brutality against our immigrant neighbors. I am proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Reps. Watson Coleman and Menendez to stand up for detainees at Delaney Hall and nationwide.”

“ICE is not the private army of any president or administration,” said Watson Coleman. “They are federal law enforcement; they are supposed to work for the American people and be accountable to them. Nothing should be happening inside an ICE facility that would require secrecy or concealment from the American people. The continued effort of DHS and ICE to prevent, delay, and obstruct oversight at facilities is unacceptable, and with this legislation, those contractors who fail to uphold the law will be held liable."

“I am proud to stand with my friends and colleagues, Reps. McIver and Watson Coleman in leading this legislation to protect congressional oversight of immigrant detention centers across the country,” said Menendez. “Since we faced down over 20 armed ICE and HSI officers at Delaney Hall last year, this Administration has repeatedly and illegally blocked Members of Congress from visiting detention centers. We are taking action to protect our communities, to end this Administration’s lawlessness, and to shine a light on the horrific conditions at Delaney Hall and immigrant detention centers across the country.”

In 2025, ICE recorded the deadliest year for people in its detention facilities in the past three decades. Immediate access to detention centers for oversight purposes is critical to ensure those tasked with oversight are seeing the facility conditions as they truly are, not as the facade those in charge may seek to present. A 2020 Homeland Security Committee Report on ICE facilities “failing to meet basic standards of care” found that “as a result of this advance notice, facilities took steps to prepare for the visit by improving conditions.”

The No Delay for Immigration Oversight Act would:


Watson Coleman Votes Against Bill to Expand Power of ICE

Today, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) voted against legislation to expand the power of ICE. H.R. 2853 would have required the creation of the Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center within Homeland Security Investigations. H.R. 2853 gives DHS sweeping new authority to collect, analyze, and share Americans’ personal data without meaningful civil liberties safeguards, adequate oversight, or accountability mechanisms. The Department of Homeland Security has shown itself to be a reckless organization resistent to even the barest of oversight. Given DHS's abusive and illegal actions under the Trump Administration, expanding their power and scope is an irresponsible decision.

H.R. 2853 is opposed by the American Civil Liberties Union, the Vera Institute, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Dream.org, Federal Public and Community Defenders, Fwd.us, the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, the National Immigration Law Center, the Center for Popular Democracy, and Common Cause.


Chairman Womack Questions HUD Secretary Scott Turner at Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. — May 12, 2026…Today, House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack (AR-3) led a public hearing on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Fiscal Year 2027 budget request with Secretary Scott Turner serving as witness.

Chairman Womack delivered the following remarks during the hearing, “We share a common goal: constraining costs, promoting housing affordability, and serving our most vulnerable citizens. HUD's FY27 request is $62 billion in new budget authority, a reduction of about $15 billion below the FY26 enacted level. A significant portion of the proposed savings come from eliminating programs like CDBG, HOME, and self-sufficiency initiatives—programs that have strong bipartisan support among our Members. Our markup may reflect some differences with the budget request as we weigh Member input. […] Our shared goal is to make HUD's programs as effective as possible—creating opportunity for citizens to prosper while ensuring a responsible safety net for those who need it. Mr. Secretary, the work you are doing matters. This subcommittee is a partner in getting it right.”

Chairman Womack’s full remarks as prepared are available HERE.

A video of Chairman Womack’s opening remarks is available HERE.

A video of Chairman Womack’s questions for Secretary Turner can be found HERE.

A full recording of the hearing is available HERE.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov

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Womack Votes to Combat Retail and Supply Chain Theft

WASHINGTON, D.C. — May 12, 2026…Today, Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) voted in support of H.R. 2853, the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025. This bill would expand criminal penalties for organized retail and supply chain crime, in addition to establishing a center within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to coordinate related law enforcement activities.

Congressman Womack said, “Organized retail theft is a serious and intensifying crisis that affects both Main Street shops and national retailers. Higher rates of organized retail and supply chain crime not only hurt these businesses’ bottom lines but also increase prices for consumers—a reality that hardworking Americans cannot afford. This bill builds upon the work I’ve done as Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Subcommittee, and I’m proud to support it.”

In Chairman Womack’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 THUD appropriations bill, he provided the Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy a $3 million increase in funding above FY 2025 levels. This office is tasked with coordinating with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and DHS to combat cargo theft on America’s highways and rail lines.

The bill text for H.R. 2853 is available HERE.

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov

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Alsobrooks Statement on Marty Makary Resignation

May 12, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) issued the following statement after news that Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Marty Makary resigned after pressure from the White House:

“Marty Makary is just one of the many unqualified conspiracy theorists and sycophants working for RFK Jr. The more of his cronies that are fired or resign, the better.

“Makary proved all my fears about him true. His entire tenure at the FDA has been marked by chaos – from reckless staffing cuts that gutted the institutional knowledge at the agency, upending the scientific review process and undermining access to vaccines, and leaving patients with rare diseases behind by slow-walking approvals of life-saving treatments.

“At his confirmation hearing, Marty Makary tried to convince me that the swaths of civil servants RFK Jr. fired at FDA deserved it – that they were lazy, shiftless, and didn’t show up to their jobs. Well, it took a year, but thankfully, now, the most unqualified person at the FDA is finally out of the building.

“Even with this ouster, I am concerned that this Administration has ramped up politicization at the FDA, pushing it to abandon public health considerations and approve tobacco products that can get in the hands of children. While Makary leaving is a step in the right direction, we cannot restore trust in public health and safety until RFK Jr. resigns or is fired.”

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REPORT: Trump’s $1 Billion Ballroom Funding Could Help Wisconsin Families Make Ends Meet

WISCONSIN – Following news that President Donald Trump and Republicans are trying to use $1 billion for the White House ballroom, Senator Baldwin released a fact sheet on how the $1 billion could be invested to actually lower costs for Wisconsinites.

“Everywhere I travel in Wisconsin, I hear from families struggling to make ends meet as the cost of housing, gas, groceries, healthcare, and childcare continues to go up. At a moment when Wisconsinites are demanding some breathing room, President Trump and Republicans are instead trying to force families to foot the bill for a $1 billion glitzy ballroom that no one asked for,” said Senator Baldwin. “A billion dollars is a lot of taxpayer money, and Wisconsinites deserve those resources to be invested back in their communities to make their lives easier and less expensive.”

Below are estimates of how $1 billion could instead be used to help Wisconsinites afford childcare, healthcare, groceries, and more:

Save 275,000 Wisconsinites $3,500 on Health Care Costs: Before Donald Trump and Republicans terminated enhanced premium tax credits, 275,000 Wisconsinites on the Affordable Care Act saved an average of $585 per month. $1 billion could fund just over six months of enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits at this level in Wisconsin – saving 275,000 Wisconsinites on average $3,510 in total.

Save Medicaid for 63,000 Wisconsinites: Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill took nearly $1 trillion out of the Medicaid program. In 2022, Wisconsin’s median Medicaid enrollee spent $7,311, meaning $1 billion could pay for Medicaid coverage for over two years for the 63,000 adults who are at high risk of losing care because of Republicans’ new law.

Childcare for 66,000 Kids: The annual cost of childcare for a 4-year-old in Wisconsin is $15,039 on average, more than in-state tuition at UW-Madison. $1 billion could pay for a full year of childcare for over 66,000 Wisconsin children.

Restore SNAP for Wisconsinites Who Had Benefits Cut: As of April 2026, just over 650,000 Wisconsinites received SNAP benefits, down nearly 50,000 Wisconsinites since Donald Trump and Republicans made the largest cut to SNAP in history last summer. With the average monthly benefits at $303 per household as of April 2026 in Wisconsin, $1 billion could fund 275,000 households’ SNAP benefits for a year.

A one-pager on these findings can be found here.

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Senator Baldwin Secures $1 Million for 4 Wisconsin Projects to Respond to Emergencies and Keep Communities Safe

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced she secured $1 million in federal funding for four projects across Wisconsin to help communities respond to emergencies, prepare and build resiliency for disasters, and keep families safe. Senator Baldwin secured the funding in the Department of Homeland Security annual funding legislation that was passed into law recently.

“Wisconsin families need to know that when an emergency strikes, their communities have what they need to keep them safe and help them recover,” said Senator Baldwin. “I’m proud to have secured this funding to help communities across our state strengthen infrastructure, improve emergency preparedness, and keep Wisconsin families safe for years to come.”

The funding package included direct support for four projects across Wisconsin. The following projects were funded:

Iron County Forestry Department

$375,000 to implement coastal resiliency strategies to stabilize the Lake Superior shoreline, as well as the public roadway located west of Saxon Harbor.

“The funding for the Saxon Harbor Lake Superior Restoration Project is one that the Town of Saxon and Iron County Forestry have been working towards for more than 8 years. The project will protect over 500 feet of Lake Superior shoreline to the west of the Saxon Harbor marina,” said Eric Peterson, Iron County Forest Administrator. “This project will use a combination of rock and other nature-based methods to mitigate erosion of the steep claybanks and prevent the loss of Harbor Drive, protecting the only alternate access to Saxon Harbor. The Iron County Forestry Department and the Town of Saxon appreciate Senator Baldwin's efforts to help us make this project a reality.”

Village of La Farge

$250,000 to install storm water infrastructure drainage at the 300-Block of West Adams Street.

“This is vital funding for a necessary stormwater project that has been needed for many years on a busy street in the Village of La Farge, which is the main access to our K-12 school and Village Park. This infrastructure funding will be a significant and positive impact on our community and visitors,” said Aaron Nemec, La Farge Village President.

UW-Whitewater Police Department

$225,000 to upgrade the campus and community Emergency Operations Center (EOC) with sustainable redundancies to ensure durational functionality during emergencies and large-scale events.

Resilient Southwest Wisconsin/Southwestern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission

$150,000 to conduct a regional vulnerability assessment and build resilience coalitions.

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WATCH: Baldwin Presses Hegseth for Answers on Delayed Health Care for Wisconsin Troops Injured in Iran War

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on the Trump Administration’s lack of preparedness for the illegal war with Iran, including pushing him on the delayed care that injured Wisconsin servicemembers received after sustaining brain injuries from Iranian attacks in Kuwait. While Secretary Hegseth testified in front of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee today to defend President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget proposal, it was also his first time in front of Baldwin since the war began months ago.

Service members injured in the March 1 Iranian drone attack in Kuwait contacted the Senator’s office and reported they were not getting the care they needed for injuries they sustained in the opening days of President Donald Trump’s war in Iran. Baldwin then demanded action from the Administration to get these servicemembers care, and only after pressure, and nearly a month since the attack, did they get proper care for the injuries, including traumatic brain injury. This week, Baldwin met with some of these servicemembers from Wisconsin to hear their stories and ensure they were now getting proper care.

Senator Baldwin has been an outspoken critic of President Trump’s illegal war with Iran, forcing the Senate to vote on her War Powers Resolution to immediately bring an end to the illegal Iran war.

A recording of Senator Baldwin’s questions is available here.

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Barrasso Calls on Senate to Fix America’s Costly, Complex, and Cumbersome Permitting Process

“America is a nation of builders. We are not a nation of waiters. It’s time for America’s permitting process to get out of the way.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today discussed the challenges facing American builders because of the costly, complex, and cumbersome permitting process.

Senator Barrasso previewed his legislation that would streamline permitting for new energy projects in Wyoming and across America.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.

Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:

“It takes too long to build anything big in America. Americans want to build. Americans are ready to build. The problem is, to build today, it is costly, it is complex, and there is a cumbersome permitting process. In America, you need to get permission from the government to build just about anything.

“I represent Wyoming. Wyoming is America’s energy breadbasket. We have world-class coal. Abundant supplies of oil and natural gas. And the richest uranium deposit in the world. All of these affordable, available, and reliable forms of American energy are ready to power our country. Not just now, but for generations to come.

“We have world-class energy workers in Wyoming and energy workers around the country. They are ready to do the job. The federal permitting process is standing in their way.

“The federal permitting process is fundamentally broken. Permitting has become burdened by bureaucracy and weaponized by litigation. We have a system that won’t let work begin. American energy, mining, roads, bridges, and buildings –

all of them are caught in the crosshairs of a culture of no.

“Energy projects have been especially delayed by the bureaucrats and trial lawyers. These are individuals who have never built anything, yet believe they deserve veto power over those who do. Meanwhile, energy demand in America is rising dramatically. The new energy demand in America is like adding another California to the grid.

“Every permitting delay costs our economy. They mean higher utility bills. They mean paychecks are delayed or lost. They mean fewer investments in our communities. This is all unacceptable.

“We need to produce more American energy. We need to produce more in order to lower costs. The best way to spur the government to issue permits is to impose strict deadlines and stop endless litigation. Builders need a clear yes or no. Once approved, they need certainty that their permits will endure.

“A law called the National Environmental Policy Act, or NEPA, is the biggest obstacle. NEPA essentially halts any and all development in its tracks. NEPA was enacted in 1970. It requires costly and sprawling environmental reviews.

“America was built by men and women of daring. Now, they face delays.

“Our forefathers laid steel across mountains. They poured concrete into canyons. They built towering skyscrapers that still inspire the world. They forged our nation’s future with speed and purpose.

“America built the Empire State Building in just 400 days. We built the Hoover Dam in just five years. We built the 2,000-mile Transcontinental Railroad in just six years.

“Today, a single environmental review under NEPA takes four years on average. That means you can’t start construction without spending at least four years in the penalty box.

“It is embarrassing that it takes as long to approve everyday projects today as it took to build the wonders of the modern world.

“Right now, $1.5 trillion in critical infrastructure is trapped on the desks of unelected, unaccountable, and heavy-handed bureaucrats. Americans pay for every year a project sits on those desks.

“To make matters worse, NEPA is also one of the most litigated of all federal environmental laws. On average, 100 lawsuits related to NEPA are filed every year. Malicious lawsuits filed by radical environmental activists lead to higher costs, more delays, and no progress. Too many prefer legal molasses to affordable oil and gas.

“Just last year, the Supreme Court voted unanimously to limit the scope of NEPA’s environmental review, which have grown dramatically. Justice Kavanaugh wrote in the majority opinion that NEPA has become ‘a blunt and haphazard tool employed by project opponents… to try to stop or at least slow down new infrastructure or construction projects.’ The Supreme Court is right. NEPA was once called the ‘environmental Magna Carta.’ Today, it is a regulatory Berlin Wall.

“Since Day One, President Trump has prioritized rolling back burdensome regulations. The President has accelerated the federal permitting process. Americans are already seeing the results. America is producing a record amount of energy. We can do more, and we can do it fast. Now is the time for Congress to act.

“I will soon introduce legislation to break the bottlenecks in federal permitting. That is the number one way to boost American energy and mineral dominance. It will also lower energy costs. My legislation will encourage access to oil and gas resources on federal lands and offshore. It will also enact common sense judicial reforms to NEPA.

“The Senate has a good start on permitting reform. Senator Manchin and I introduced the Energy Permitting Reform Act of 2024. This was bipartisan legislation to fix the nation’s broken permitting rules. It was carefully negotiated over the course of a year. It earned strong, bipartisan support. It passed the Energy and Natural Resources Committee 15 to 4.

“Today, Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia and Senator Mike Lee of Utah are taking the lead to advance common sense permitting reform. Senator Capito chairs the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Senator Lee chairs the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. They are the key committees for permitting reform. Senator Capito and Senator Lee are doing exemplary work. It is time for all Senators to find common ground.

“Americans still know how to build. Americans build the best in the world. Americans want to build. America is a nation of builders. We are not a nation of waiters. It’s time for America’s permitting process to get out of the way.”

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Senate Unanimously Passes Barrasso, Luján Suicide Lifeline Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) applauded the U.S. Senate for unanimously passing their bipartisan legislation Monday night to increase the efficiency of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by assessing challenges to transmitting geolocation information.

“The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a vital tool that saves lives in Wyoming and across the country,” said Senator Barrasso. “I applaud the Senate for unanimously passing our bipartisan bill to help us better connect callers with local emergency services through geolocation information. The House should take up and pass our bill without delay so we can update this critical lifeline to better help those who need it most.”

“The 988 hotline is a critical resource for those facing mental health crises and has saved countless lives in New Mexico and across the country,” said Senator Luján. “Senate passage of our bipartisan bill is an important step toward making the 988 hotline more reliable, efficient, and responsive for those in need. I applaud my Senate colleagues for unanimously passing this vital legislation to help ensure people are connected with the local resources and emergency services they need. Now, I urge the House to act swiftly to send this bill to the President’s desk.”

In 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took action to require service providers to route phone calls to 988 to the nearest call center based on geographic location. Last July, the FCC took steps to require geo-routing for texts. Previously, calls and texts were routed based on the phone’s area code, often resulting in a geographic mismatch.

The 988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), James Risch (R-Idaho), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.).

This legislation is supported by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International (APCO).

Background:

The 988 Lifeline Location Improvement Act would:

Instruct the FCC to open a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) to address the challenges to transmitting geolocation information with calls to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

Direct the FCC to consider legal authorities, protection of consumer privacy, feasibility, technical implementation standards, assessment of funds, technical challenges for callers with disabilities, and current technology available.

Require the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study and submit to Congress a report on the opportunities and challenges related to implementing geolocation in consultation with representatives from telecommunications, emergency centers, 911 service providers, small and rural local governments, community mental health centers, and individuals who have experience providing services for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have hearing loss.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

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PHOTO: Blackburn Joins Parents Urging Congress to Pass Kids Online Safety Act at Mother’s Day Rally

“The landmark social media verdicts in California and New Mexico have reminded our nation of one thing: Courts can punish past harms, but it is up to Congress to prevent future ones,” said Senator Blackburn. “Americans are not interested in toothless reforms, which is why we need to get the Senate version of KOSA to the President’s desk. It’s time for Congress to choose the American people over Big Tech’s bottom line.”

Click here to download photos of Senator Blackburn at the rally.

Click here to watch her remarks.


Blumenthal Calls Out Trump's FDA for Pattern of Political Interference in Lifesaving Scientific Research

[WASHINGTON, DC] — U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), today wrote to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Commissioner Dr. Martin Makary, raising concerns about the Trump Administration’s disturbing pattern of political interference in the publication of scientific research about vaccines. Blumenthal’s letter comes after scientists at the FDA reportedly were ordered to withdraw from publication or refrain from submitting studies regarding the safety of vaccines against COVID-19 and shingles.

“Recent reporting indicates that, beginning last October, FDA officials ordered scientists to withdraw two studies about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines that had already been accepted by prestigious medical journals. One of these, which had been accepted by the journal Drug Safety, looked at health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries receiving COVID-19 vaccines in 2023 and 2024, and found that for people 65 and older there were ‘no new safety signals,’” Blumenthal wrote.

Blumenthal continued, “The other COVID-19 vaccine study, which had been accepted by the journal Vaccine, examined people with private insurance between the ages of six months and 64 years of age who received COVID-19 vaccines during the same time period, found no safety concerns that had not already been acknowledged by health officials, and concluded that for people in this age group ‘the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks.’”

Blumenthal pointed to the Trump Administration’s broader pattern of political interference at the FDA, “I am deeply concerned that under the Trump Administration the FDA is no longer concerned with ensuring that vaccines are safe and effective and is instead focused on presenting a distorted vision of vaccine science to the public. Just weeks into his tenure, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. cancelled the public meeting of the FDA advisory body responsible for selecting the strain for the flu vaccine.”

Blumenthal continued, “This manipulation of science has only been possible because you and top political appointees have consolidated control while marginalizing FDA staff. Reports indicate that at least seven senior leaders in the agency’s vaccine center were forced out of their positions, and that conditions became so dire, many people sought to leave for other parts of the agency.”

“Anti-vaccine activists, including the current HHS Secretary, stake their authority on claims that the country’s scientific agencies are hopelessly corrupt. But the current Trump Administration has overseen an unprecedented campaign of suppression and censorship of vaccine science, and wasted tens of millions of taxpayer dollars in the process by hiding the results of studies that had already been paid for,” Blumenthal concluded.

In April, Blumenthal pressed Acting Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya about his reported interference in the publication of a study demonstrating that COVID-19 vaccination significantly reduced the likelihood of hospitalization and emergency room visits during the most recent respiratory virus season.

The full text of today’s letter to Commissioner Makary is available here and below.

Dear Commissioner Makary:

I write regarding the latest incident in a disturbing pattern for Trump Administration health agencies: political interference in the publication of scientific research about vaccines. Over the last several months, scientists at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have reportedly been ordered to withdraw from publication or refrain from submitting studies regarding the safety of vaccines against COVID-19 and shingles (“the studies”). The studies, which apparently bolstered widely accepted scientific conclusions about the safety of approved vaccines, should be read and assessed by the research community, and the censorship that has blocked them from broader access should trouble anyone concerned about the fate of American science. Accordingly, I write to request that you immediately allow the FDA-employee authors to resubmit the studies and desist from further censorship of agency scientists.

Recent reporting indicates that, beginning last October, FDA officials ordered scientists to withdraw two studies about the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines that had already been accepted by prestigious medical journals. One of these, which had been accepted by the journal Drug Safety, looked at health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries receiving COVID-19 vaccines in 2023 and 2024, and found that for people 65 and older there were “no new safety signals.”[1] The other COVID-19 vaccine study, which had been accepted by the journal Vaccine, examined people with private insurance between the ages of six months and 64 years of age who received COVID-19 vaccines during the same time period, found no safety concerns that had not already been acknowledged by health officials, and concluded that for people in this age group “the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks.”[2] Then, in February, FDA officials declined to sign off on the submission of abstracts of two studies about a shingles vaccine for a scientific conference, one describing the safety of the shingles and the other its efficacy; the agency is apparently not permitting the studies to go forward.[3]

Confronted with these blatant acts of meddling in scientific research, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has said the COVID-19 studies’ “broad conclusions” were not supported by the gathered data.[4] This vague critique is strikingly similar to the concerns about “appropriate methodology” invoked when Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, acting director of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, recently blocked from publication in the CDC’s in-house journal a study demonstrating significant protection against hospitalization that COVID-19 vaccines provided last winter.[5] Former FDA officials have reacted to this latest example of politicization at HHS by noting “a pattern here for not letting information out that might support the general safety of vaccines, with methodological rationales given by non-scientist spokespersons."[6]

I am deeply concerned that under the Trump Administration the FDA is no longer concerned with ensuring that vaccines are safe and effective and is instead focused on presenting a distorted vision of vaccine science to the public. Just weeks into his tenure, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. cancelled the public meeting of the FDA advisory body responsible for selecting the strain for flu the vaccine.[7] Kennedy subsequently fired Dr. Peter Marks, the head of the FDA division responsible for regulating vaccines, because Marks refused to allow Kennedy to “edit” entries in a database for reporting vaccine side effects.[8] Several months later, you and Dr. Vinay Prasad, who at the time was FDA’s top vaccine official, announced a new “approach” to evaluating COVID-19 vaccines but, as a former FDA advisory committee member pointed out, you failed to follow agency practice for such a change, and gave the scientific community no opportunity for public comment before announcing it.[9]

In perhaps the most overt example of politicization at FDA, late last year Dr. Prasad issued a memo to agency staff—which was quickly leaked and widely reported on—calling for an overhaul of regulatory requirements for approval of vaccines based on an agency finding that at least 10 children had died “because of” COVID-19 vaccines, a finding scientists received with skepticism because it was accompanied by no supporting data.[10] In that memo Prasad wrote, of you, “There is no doubt that without this FDA commissioner, we would not have performed this investigation and identified this safety concern.”[11] But despite the significant public attention it generated, to date you have provided no data to substantiate the claim of child deaths.

This manipulation of science has only been possible because you and top political appointees have consolidated control while marginalizing FDA staff. Reports indicate that at least seven senior leaders in the agency’s vaccine center were forced out of their positions, and that conditions became so dire many people sought to leave for other parts of the agency.[12] Among those demoted was Dr. Richard Forshee, a former top vaccine safety official who is also a listed author for both of the suppressed COVID-19 studies.[13] Earlier this year, after he resigned as FDA’s top drug regulator, Dr. Richard Pazdur described a climate of fear and politicized retribution under your leadership, and said that key decisions about approval of pharmaceuticals were being made “in a conference room that is adjacent to the Commissioner’s personal office; there’s not even enough room in that office for the entire review staff that has worked on the application to attend this meeting.”[14]

Anti-vaccine activists, including the current HHS Secretary, stake their authority on claims that the country’s scientific agencies are hopelessly corrupt.[15] But the current Trump Administration has overseen an unprecedented campaign of suppression and censorship of vaccine science, and wasted tens of millions of taxpayer dollars in the process by hiding the results of studies that had already been paid for. In order for the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations to understand the Trump Administration’s efforts to interfere in the publication of scientific reports, please provide the following information and records by May 26, 2026:[16]

All communications between your office and the FDA staff listed as authors of the studies between September 2025 and the present;

All projections, budgets, or other documents related to money the agency had already expended on the studies at the time they were pulled from publication or submission;

All records reflecting policies currently in force related to publication in medical journals by agency staff, including requirements for review or clearance of studies by political appointees;

All records reflecting policies currently in force related to communication of scientific findings with the public, including the authority of political appointees to edit or modify work product of agency scientists;

A list of all studies or abstracts since January 20, 2025, on which agency employees are included as co-authors that, have been accepted for publication by a scientific journal or presentation at a scientific conference but have been otherwise blocked from public view, including:

The names of the study’s authors;

A description of the study’s subject matter;

The names of the official or officials who ordered the study held back;

A detailed description of the reason the study was held back from publication or submission.

Please contact the Subcommittee if you have questions about the procedures for transmitting documents. Thank you for your attention to this request.

Sincerely,

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[1] Christina Jewett, F.D.A. Blocked Publication of Research Finding Covid and Shingles Vaccines Were Safe, N.Y. Times (May 5, 2026), https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/05/us/politics/fda-covid-vaccine-studies.html.

[2] Lizzy Lawrence, How two top FDA officials are quietly upending vaccine regulations, Stat (Nov. 12, 2025), https://www.statnews.com/2025/11/12/fda-vaccine-policy-controlled-by-vinay-prasad-tracy-beth-hoeg/.

[3] Christina Jewett, F.D.A. Blocked Publication of Research Finding Covid and Shingles Vaccines Were Safe, N.Y. Times (May 5, 2026), https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/05/us/politics/fda-covid-vaccine-studies.html.

[4] Padmanabhan Ananthan, US FDA blocked publication of COVID, shingles vaccine safety studies, Reuters (May 5, 2026), https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-fda-blocked-research-publication-that-covid-shingles-vaccines-are-safe-nyt-2026-05-05/.

[5] Lena Sun, CDC delays publishing report showing covid vaccine benefits, Wash. Post (Apr. 9, 2026), https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/04/09/covid-vaccine-report-delayed/.

[6] Maya Yang, FDA blocked studies finding Covid and shingles vaccines safe, HHS official says, The Guardian (May 5, 2026), https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/05/covid-shingles-vaccines-studies-fda

[7] Dan Levine and Michael Erman, Meeting of US FDA vaccine advisers canceled, committee member says, Reuters (Feb. 26, 2025), https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/meeting-us-fda-vaccine-advisors-canceled-committee-member-says-2025-02-26/.

[8] Matthew Perrone, Ex-official says he was forced out of FDA after trying to protect vaccine safety data from RFK Jr., Associated Press (Apr. 7, 2025), https://www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2025/ex-official-says-he-was-forced-out-of-fda-after-trying-to-protect-vaccine-safety-data-from-rfk-jr/

[9] Kathryn Edwards, The FDA is circumventing key roles and procedures for licensure and use of Covid vaccines, Stat (May 22, 2025)

[10] Matthew Herper and Helen Branswell, Experts say top FDA official’s claim that Covid vaccines caused kids’ deaths requires more evidence, Stat (Nov. 29, 2025), https://www.statnews.com/2025/11/29/covid-vaccine-deaths-fda-memo-vinay-prasad/.

[11] Email from Dr. Vinay Prasad, Director, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER), Food and Drug Administration, to CBER staff, Nov. 28, 2025, https://www.fda.gov/media/191442/download?attachment.

[12] Lizzy Lawrence, Under Vinay Prasad, employees at a key FDA center fear speaking out, look for the exits, Stat (Oct. 31, 2025), https://www.statnews.com/2025/10/31/vinay-prasad-fda-cber-management-issues-insiders-say/.

[13] Joann F. Gruber et al, Safety Monitoring of Multiple Health Outcomes Following 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccination among Medicare Beneficiaries Aged 65 Years and Older in the Untied States, medRxiv (Jan. 5, 2025), https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.01.03.25319975v1.full-text; Abstract for Carla E. Zelaya et al, Safety Monitoring of Multiple Health Outcomesfollowing 2023-2024 COVID-19 Vaccination among Commercial Health Plan Enrollees Aged 6 Month-64 Years in the United States, Annual Meeting of the Internatinal Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (Aug. 24, 2025), https://2025ispe.eventscribe.net/fsPopup.asp?PosterID=744059&mode=posterInfo.

[14] Stat, Former FDA official has grave concerns about the agency, YouTube (Jan. 13, 2026), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkE1YgH9uyM&t=1587s.

[15] Robert King, RFK Jr. said CDC employees were ‘killing children,’ former director says, Politico (Sept. 17, 2025), https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/09/17/congress/rfk-jr-said-cdc-employees-were-killing-children-former-director-says-00568626.

[16] “Records” include written, recorded, or graphic material of any kind, including letters, memoranda, reports, notes, electronic data (emails, email attachments, Signal, WhatsApp, or other encrypted messages, and any other electronically-created or stored information), calendar entries, inter-office communications, meeting minutes, phone/voice mail or recordings/records of verbal communications, and drafts (whether or not they resulted in final documents).


Blumenthal Statement on $2.3 Billion Contract Modification for Electric Boat

[Hartford, CT] — U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, today released a statement following the announcement that Electric Boat has been awarded a $2.3 billion contract modification from the U.S. Navy for materials and manufacturing associated with Virginia Class submarines.

“This $2.3 billion is fantastic news for Electric Boat and their supply chain. Submarines are at the core of our commitment to national defense and Electric Boat has shown time and again that they are capable of handling this incredibly important work. This funding is a boon for our state’s talented workforce and our economy, and I will keep fighting for more investments for our defense manufacturing industry,” Blumenthal said.

Work will be performed in Windsor Locks at a subcontractor, as well as in Sunnyvale California, Chesapeake, Virginia and other locations.

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ICYMI: Senator Blunt Rochester Pens Opinion Piece in Newsweek Calling for President Trump to Fire Secretary Kennedy

Washington, D.C. – Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, today published an op-ed in Newsweek calling on President Trump to fire Secretary Kennedy as the Measles continues to spread across the country.

Senator Blunt Rochester’s full op-ed can be found here. A key excerpt is below.

“History shows us that the Trump administration once supported vaccinations. They put time and money behind the creation of scientific research into life-saving vaccines. Flu seasons were normal and vaccination rates remained high. Now, measles, a vaccine-preventable disease, is spreading across America at a rate we haven’t seen since 1991, and we have experienced one of the worst flu seasons in 15 years.

“What changed? An administration that once supported science-based vaccination has elevated an anti-vaccination conspiracy theorist to the highest public health office in the nation—Robert F. Kennedy Jr… A dangerous disease of misinformation has corrupted the White House, and the president is the only person who has the cure: Fire Kennedy.”


Booker, Boozman, Van Drew, Bera Launch Congressional International Exchanges Caucus

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Boozman (R-AR), and U.S. Representatives Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ-2) and Ami Bera (D-CA-6) announced the launch of the Congressional International Exchanges Caucus. The members are launching this caucus to bolster engagement and support for international exchange programs, particularly those administered by the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

“I am thrilled to join my colleagues in launching the first bipartisan, bicameral Congressional International Exchanges Caucus. Exchange programs strengthen all parts of American society and give back to local communities around the country. They help the United States remain internationally competitive, bolster our nation’s economy, and dramatically increase the United States’ global reach while enhancing national security. Through creation of this caucus, I am proud to continue the long tradition of bipartisan support for international exchanges and look forward to working with my colleagues to secure strong, sustained backing for these proven, cost-effective programs, ” said Senator Cory Booker.

“Cultural exchange is foundational to effective diplomacy, and strengthening our nation’s investment in these initiatives will encourage greater collaboration and mutually beneficial relationships for generations to come. Arkansas has played an outsized role in those efforts over many years, and we have seen firsthand how it can change the world. I’m proud to help launch the Congressional International Exchange Caucus and look forward to the opportunity to bolster this mission in a bipartisan, bicameral way,” said Senator John Boozman.

“International exchange programs are a smart investment in America’s future. They strengthen our relationships around the world and give people a firsthand look at our American values and our way of life. In South Jersey, the impact is clear. Programs like BridgeUSA help support our shore economy each summer, giving small businesses the workforce they need during our busiest time of year. I am proud to help launch this bipartisan caucus to support these programs, ” said Representative Jeff Van Drew.

“Educational and cultural exchange programs are among our most effective tools for building goodwill, strengthening our alliances, and advancing American values and strategic interests. These programs create lasting people-to-people ties that build mutual understanding and open doors for cooperation on shared challenges. I am pleased to help launch this bipartisan caucus to ensure Congress continues to support and strengthen these critical programs so they remain effective, sustainable, and central to America’s global leadership,” said Representative Ami Bera.

International exchange programs provide unique opportunities for Americans to experience the world and develop critical skills. The Congressional International Exchanges Caucus is the platform for Members of Congress to hear directly from these Americans, their constituents, about the impact of international exchange programs on their states and districts. Finally, the Caucus enables its members to ensure ECA’s long-term programmatic sustainability and success by offering exclusive opportunities to engage with Administration officials on the latest topics impacting international exchange programs.

“International exchange programs are major contributors to the U.S.’ success at home and on the world stage and have long enjoyed bipartisan support. The creation of the Congressional International Exchanges Caucus reflects that enduring commitment and showcases Congress’ continued investment in the success of these programs. The Alliance for International Exchange proudly supports the caucus and looks forward to working with its members to promote and protect international exchange programs,” said Mark Overmann, Executive Director, Alliance for International Exchange.


Booker, Kennedy Reintroduce Bipartisan Bill to Give Law Enforcement More Tools to Solve Crimes

WASHINGTON, D.C — U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and John Kennedy (R-LA), members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced theViolent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act to establish a grant program at the Department of Justice (DOJ) to help state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to solve more crimes and improve clearance rates for homicides and firearm-related violent crimes.

“Solving violent crime is the most powerful deterrent we have, and it starts with giving law enforcement what they actually need: detectives, forensic technology, and investigative training. When murders go unsolved, it denies victims and their communities justice, signals that authorities don't care about public safety, and leaves perpetrators without consequences. With nearly half of homicide cases remaining unsolved, we cannot afford to keep shortchanging law enforcement. I am proud to reintroduce this bipartisan legislation, which dedicates critical resources to improve clearance rates so that law enforcement can solve these cases and every family gets the accountability they deserve,” said Senator Booker.

“When our heroes in blue do not have the resources to solve violent crimes, families and communities pay the price. In Louisiana and across America, too many police departments are being asked to fight today’s violent criminals with yesterday’s tools. The VICTIM Act would give law enforcement the key financial and technical support they need to put violent criminals behind bars and deliver justice for victims,” said Senator Kennedy.

U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (R-NE-2) and Dwight Evans (D-PA-3) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“The VICTIM Act will provide law enforcement with the funding, training, and technology needed to solve more homicide and non-fatal shooting cases. By helping agencies investigate these serious crimes more effectively, this legislation will deliver justice for victims’ families, support the officers working these cases, and strengthen public safety across Nebraska,” said Representative Bacon.

“I appreciate the partnership of Congressman Bacon and Senators Kennedy and Booker in continuing to work together on this important bill. Prosecutors can't bring cases that don't reach them, so this would help make our neighborhoods and communities safer. And as someone who has pushed for help for victims of gun violence, I'm very pleased that this bill would help to provide victims and family members with emergency food, housing, clothing, travel, and transportation,” said Representative Evans.

The Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police (LACP), Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association (LSA), Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA), Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA), Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA), National District Attorneys Association (NDAA), the Niskanen Center, and the R Street Institute all support the bill.

“The Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police (LACP) proudly supports the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act of 2026 introduced by Senators John Kennedy and Cory Booker. Violent crime leaves lasting impacts not only on victims and their families, but on entire communities. Far too many homicide and firearm-related violent crime cases remain unresolved, leaving families without answers and hindering the pursuit of justice. This bipartisan legislation recognizes the critical need to ensure law enforcement agencies have the resources, personnel, training, and technology necessary to improve investigative outcomes, strengthen public safety, and better support victims and their families throughout the investigative process. The Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police appreciates efforts to provide state and local law enforcement agencies with meaningful tools and resources that will assist in reducing violent crime, improving clearance rates, and helping make communities safer throughout Louisiana and across the nation,” said Fabian Blache, LACP Executive Director.

“On behalf of Louisiana’s 64 sheriffs and the over 14,000 deputies they serve, the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association is proud to support the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods Act of 2026 (VICTIM Act). This bipartisan bill will provide our sheriffs with additional resources to investigate and close violent crime cases. Our detectives across the state see the toll homicides and firearm-related crimes take on victims, their families, and the communities they serve. They want nothing more than to solve these violent crimes as swiftly as possible. The VICTIM Act will go a long way in helping our detectives do just that by arming them with the financial and technical support they need to take violent criminals off our streets while bringing closure to the victims. We thank Senators Kennedy and Booker for their leadership on the VICTIM Act and look forward to seeing this legislation enacted,” said Sheriff Kevin Cobb (Ret.), LSA Executive Director.

“Homicide cases can be very difficult to clear—and violent firearms-related cases can be even more so. Closing these types of crimes requires diligence, manpower, and a sustained investigative effort. Given the limited resources of law enforcement agencies, it’s important to provide the significant, dedicated resources that clearing these crimes requires, especially given their oftentimes heinous nature. The resources the VICTIM Act would provide would improve the ability of law enforcement agencies to punish the perpetrators of these crimes, provide justice for the victims and their families, and grant peace of mind for communities and the dedicated law enforcement officers that serve them. When we can clear more crimes like these, our communities are safer places to live and work,” said Patrick Yoes, FOP President.

“The Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) is proud to support the VICTIM Act and thanks Senators Kennedy and Booker for their continued leadership on this important bipartisan legislation. The VICTIM Act would provide law enforcement agencies with critical resources to strengthen violent crime investigations, support victims and their families, and improve public safety outcomes in communities across the country. Specifically, the legislation would help agencies hire and train investigative personnel, expand access to forensic and investigative technologies, and enhance the tools needed to identify offenders, solve cases, and prevent future violence. MCSA stands ready to support efforts to advance this important legislation and ensure law enforcement agencies have the resources necessary to protect the communities they serve,” said Megan Noland, MCSA Executive Director.

“Building capacity across state and local law enforcement agencies to investigate violent crime is an important priority. The Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies (ASCIA) appreciates Senators Kennedy and Booker for their leadership on the VICTIM Act, which would provide new resources to help agencies strengthen their abilities to efficiently, fairly, and accurately analyze forensic evidence, investigate, and solve violent crimes,” said Drew Evans, ASCIA President.

“The National District Attorneys Association supports the VICTIM Act as a critical step to help solve more violent crimes, improve clearance rates for homicides and firearm offenses, and ensure victims and their families receive the justice and support they deserve,” said Nelson Bunn, NDAA Executive Director.

“The VICTIM Act sends a clear message that violence will not be tolerated, and criminals will not be allowed to terrorize American neighborhoods without consequence. By giving law enforcement, the tools needed to solve more violent crimes, this legislation will help restore order, protect families, and bring offenders to justice. We thank Senator Kennedy for his continued leadership on this issue,” said Greg Newburn, Director of Criminal Justice at the Niskanen Center.

“The R Street Institute strongly supports the VICTIM Act of 2026. Decades of research confirm that the certainty of apprehension is the most powerful deterrent to crime, yet clearance rates for serious offenses remain alarmingly low. This critical legislation would provide targeted grants to improve clearance rates by supporting detective recruitment and retention, forensic and digital evidence capacity, and sophisticated analytic methods like Gun Violence Problem Analysis. Furthermore, it funds trauma-informed investigator training and direct services for victims and surviving family members. We applaud Senators John Kennedy (R-LA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) for their bipartisan leadership and urge their colleagues to join this essential effort,” said Jillian Snider, Resident Senior Fellow at the R Street Institute, and a retired NYPD officer.

Background:

The VICTIM Act would help law enforcement:

Train detectives and police personnel to investigate, solve, and respond to homicides and non-fatal shootings.

Hire additional detectives and investigative personnel.

Invest in the technology needed to solve crimes.

Train police personnel to address the needs of victims and family members of homicides and firearm-related violent crimes.

Provide victims and family members with mental health resources and temporary assistance.

The bill would also require recipients of VICTIM Act grants to report how they use the funds to the DOJ. The DOJ would collect and provide that information to Congress.


U.S. Senator Katie Britt Joins President Donald Trump, CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., in Maternal Healthcare Event

‘Moms are the heartbeats of our families, our communities, and our country. President Trump knows that, and he’s made sure we’ve created a comprehensive culture of life.’

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) joined President Trump, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Dr. Mehmet Oz, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and other Administration officials and maternal health advocates in the Oval Office to highlight a new proposed rule to help employers offer in vitro fertilization (IVF) services and reduce the cost of fertility treatments for American families and the launch of Moms.gov.

This website, launched on Mother’s Day this year, is a one-stop resource hub for mothers, including financial and medical assistance, nutrition information, adoption, breast feeding, and mental health resources, how to sign up for a childcare flexible spending account, how to enroll in Trump Accounts, and more. Senator Britt’s legislation, the More Opportunities for Moms to Succeed (MOMS) Actoriginally introduced in 2024, mirrors this initiative to provide critical support to women during typically challenging phases of motherhood – prenatal, postpartum, and early childhood development – to help mothers and their children thrive.

You can view excerpts of Senator Britt’s remarks below or watch her full remarks here.

On President Trump’s work to create a comprehensive culture of life across the country:

“This is another example of promises made, promises kept. I mean, we look at what President Trump did when we dealt with this issue in Alabama. He stepped up to the plate immediately to make sure that we had nationwide access to IVF, to making sure that we had comprehensive fertility treatment so that … couples who were longing for their child could continue to have that hope and also have that reality. Today doubles down on that yet again. … So now more people are going to have access through their employer, just like they would dental or vision insurance.”

On celebrating and supporting America’s moms:

“When you look at the comprehensive nature of what we’re doing today and coming on the heels of Mother’s Day, I mean, we are thrilled to support mothers everywhere. Whether it’s that mom that is getting to experience growing life for the very first time, or the one chasing toddlers or wrangling teenagers, or being there when their adult child calls for advice. Moms are the heartbeats of our families, our communities, and our country. President Trump knows that, and he’s made sure we’ve created a comprehensive culture of life. That’s what you see right now with Moms.gov. It supports moms through the prenatal, postpartum and early childhood development stages of motherhood.”

On tackling maternal mortality rates and investing in rural healthcare:

“Also, as we tackle rural health, look, I stand up here in front of you, not only as a mom of two, but also as someone who lives in the great state of Alabama, where about 28% of women live in a current maternal care desert. The work that we did in the Working Families Tax Cuts, guys, that hits it head on. We have an opportunity now to reach those who haven’t been reached. When we look at maternal mortality rates, we continue to invest both in the research that will help us resolve that issue, but also in the women that deal with so many issues during their pregnancy, we want them to be supported.”

On Republicans’ historic efforts to address childcare affordability in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act:

“So we know last year alone, you had about 455,000 women leave the workforce due to affordability and accessibility of childcare. …[I]f you have or want the opportunity to stay home, we want that for you. But if you want or need the opportunity to reenter the workforce … we don’t want affordability or accessibility to be an impediment to that. … I was proud to lead the effort in the Working Families Tax Cuts (Act) to modernize the tax code to make sure that childcare was front and center for the first time since Ronald Reagan … But today, that comprehensive nature of whether you’re staying home or you’re in a faith-based provider or you have a childcare center that you love … as you work to provide for your family, today that is easier as a result. And we are proud of what that means for the economy. … So, Mr. President, thank you for all that you’ve done, creating a comprehensive culture of life. This is this is really groundbreaking.”

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U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Colleagues Seek End Taxpayer-Funded Abortions, Urge SCOTUS to Protect Women and Babies From Dangerous Abortion Drug

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) joined Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Bill Cassidy (R-La.), and 16 of their Senate colleagues in introducing the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act to ban federal Title X family-planning grants from going to any entity, like Planned Parenthood, that performs abortions or funds abortion providers.

“Taxpayers shouldn’t have their hard-earned dollars used to fund elective abortions,” said Senator Britt. “I’m proud to support the Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act to ensure federal taxpayer dollars are not funding abortions—I will continue to fight to defend life, support parents and families, and protect the unborn.”

The Title X Family Planning Program is intended to assist low-income women with family planning services. Unfortunately, this program has a history of subsidizing massive organizations that engage in abortion activities such as Planned Parenthood. Since 1976, federal law has prohibited use of federal funds for abortions.

“Taxpayers should not have to spend a penny on abortions,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act would protect life and stop federal funds from going to entities that perform abortions by closing loopholes in federal law.”

Section 1008 of the Public Health Service Act explicitly states that Title X funds “shall not be used in programs where abortion is a method of family planning,” but Clinton-era rules require all grantees to refer patients for abortions and allow abortion facilities to be co-located within Title X clinics. As a result, Planned Parenthood clinics that receive federal family planning funds can share the same facility, staff, and waiting room as abortion clinics, and often refer women for on-site abortions.

“Louisiana families want their tax dollars to support families, not abortion businesses that kill unborn babies and hurt mothers,”said Senator Cassidy. “I’m proud to co-lead this bill to end a policy that subsidizes Planned Parenthood on the taxpayers’ dime.”

The Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act would amend the Public Health Service Act to prohibit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from providing federal family-planning grants to entities that perform abortions, or provide funds to entities that perform abortions, strip the abortion giant Planned Parenthood and other Title X clinics of taxpayer funding that ought to go to comprehensive healthcare alternatives instead, and require that HHS provide an annual report to Congress that includes: information on grantees who perform abortions under the exceptions; and a list of entities to which grant funds are made available. You can read the full text of the bill here.

Susan B Anthony Pro-Life America, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, March for Life Action, National Right to Life Committee, Americans United for Life, and the Students for Life Action support the legislation.

Additionally, Senator Britt was one of 113 Republican bicameral lawmakers who filed an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court arguing that mifepristone’s in-person dispensing requirement must be reinstated to protect women and the unborn. The brief supports the State of Louisiana’s lawsuit to protect women and their unborn children from dangerous mail-order chemical abortion drugs and argues mifepristone’s in-person dispensing requirement must be reinstated.

In October 2025, Louisiana and Rosalie Markezich, a victim of Democrats’ harmful decision to remove the in-person dispensing requirement for dangerous chemical abortion drugs, filed a lawsuit to overturn the illegal policy. Because of Biden’s policy, Rosalie’s boyfriend was able to order chemical abortion pills online from an abortionist in California and coerced her to take the drug to kill her unborn child. The Republican lawmakers argue that Biden violated federal law by removing the in-person dispensing requirement, and that these protections should be reinstated.

Recently, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals sided with Louisiana, issuing an order that put the in-person dispensing requirement back into place while the litigation continued. The amicus brief asks the Supreme Court to uphold the Fifth Circuit’s decision. You can read the full brief here.

“The abortion pill has killed over seven million preborn American children since it was approved by the FDA. Mifepristone is designed to end the life of a living child in the womb, and the consequences have been devastating for women as well,” said Lila Rose, Founder & President, Live Action. “There are horrifying cases of women being deceived, coerced, and drugged with abortion pills against their will. Catherine Pressly Herring’s husband secretly put abortion drugs into her drink in an attempt to kill their preborn baby and was sentenced to prison. America should never allow dangerous abortion drugs to be mailed into homes and abusive relationships. The Supreme Court must act quickly to affirm the fifth circuit ruling and end mail-order abortions.”

“National Right to Life stands with the State of Louisiana in defending women and girls from the dangers of mail-order abortion drugs and the Biden FDA’s unlawful removal of critical safety protections,” said Carol Tobias, President, National Right to Life. “Under the Biden administration, the FDA abandoned its responsibility to safeguard women’s health by eliminating the in-person dispensing requirement despite insufficient evidence that mail-order chemical abortions are safe. Women are now placed at greater risk of undiagnosed ectopic pregnancies, coercion, dangerous and potentially deadly complications, as well as delayed emergency care. National Right to Life joins Chairman Cassidy and members of Congress in support of Louisiana’s effort to restore accountability, uphold the rule of law, and protect women from the serious harms associated with chemical abortion drugs.”

“I’m grateful for the Senators and Representatives who have signed this brief in support of Louisiana’s right to protect unborn children and their mothers,” said Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council. “The rise of mail-order abortion has not only endangered women and unborn children, but also created new avenues for coercion and abuse. The FDA’s policy, which overrides state pro-life protections, undermines both the rule of law and the safety of those it claims to serve. It must be reversed.”

Senator Britt is a strong champion for pro-life policies. In the 119th Congress, she joined Senator James Lankford (R-Okla.) in introducing the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act to protect newborns that survive abortion attempts by requiring they receive care from health care practitioners and urged the FDA to reevaluate the approval of generic abortion pill mifepristone. The Senator has received an A+ grade from the Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America scorecard for her work in protecting the lives of the most vulnerable.

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Cantwell Meets Artemis II Crew & Presents Senate Resolution Honoring Their Historic Journey Around the Moon

41 WA state companies played a key role in sending the first manned mission to the moon in over 50 years; Cantwell to Artemis II crew: I invite you all to come to WA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, met the Artemis II crew -- Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen – and presented the crew with a Senate resolution celebrating their historic journey around the moon.

“Human spaceflight turns space exploration into a shared national and civilization event, and the world watched as Artemis II and the people who were on board inspired a new generation of Americans. The crew’s impressive accomplishment was made possible through the efforts of more than 2,700 hundred companies across the United States, including 41 in the State of Washington – yes, there is a reason we are known for the Space Needle,” Sen. Cantwell said.

“In the Senate, our colleagues and the people on this committee have worked hard to ensure that NASA has the direction and the resources on this bold and ambitious program and will open access to the moon as a platform for exploration, science and economic development,” she continued. “Our NASA Reauthorization Act of 2026 calls for the establishment of a sustained lunar base. The Artemis mission laid down the foundation for that endeavor by proving that our deep space transportation system actually works with a crew on board.”

Video of Sen. Cantwell’s remarks are HERE and a transcript is HERE; video of Commander Wiseman’s remarks are HERE; video of Pilot Glover’s remarks are HERE; video of Mission Specialist Koch’s remarks are HERE; and video of Mission Specialist Hansen’s remarks are HERE.

Photos are HERE.

On April 9, while they were still on their mission, Sen. Cantwell spoke live to the Artemis II crew about the future of human space exploration. NASA’s livestream of that exchange is available HERE; Video showing Sen. Cantwell as she spoke to the astronauts from her Seattle office is available HERE.

On March 30, Sen. Cantwell visited two of the dozens of Washington state companies that are supplying NASA’s Artemis Mission – Karman Space & Defense in Mukilteo, and L3Harris in Redmond. Karman Space & Defense is a manufacturer of mission-critical subsystems for launch vehicles, spacecraft, and hypersonic systems. The company’s Mukilteo campus produces components for the Orion capsule that flew on the Artemis II mission. L3Harris specializes in rocket propulsion, holding contracts to provide many of the thrusters used on Artemis. The company’s Redmond facility has manufactured spacecraft thrusters for NASA since 1968 and has supported famous missions such as Viking and Voyager.

READ MORE:

The Seattle Times: Washington’s space economy powers the Artemis II moonshot

KIRO 7: Artemis II: Washington’s hand in the upcoming historic flight around the moon

GeekWire: Watch NASA count down to the launch of humanity’s first moon voyage in nearly 54 years

Sen. Cantwell has been a champion for our nation’s space industry and its aerospace workforce, and currently oversees NASA and the space industry as Ranking Member of the Commerce Committee. In March, Sen. Cantwell led bipartisan, unanimous passage through the Commerce Committee of the NASA Authorization Act of 2026, which confirms support for the Artemis missions.

Fact Sheet: Washington’s Space Economy and Sen. Cantwell’s Support for the Artemis Program

Artemis II was the first crewed flight of the Artemis missions, designed to confirm that the SLS rocket and Orion space vehicle operate as designed with crew onboard in a deep space environment. The crew spent a total of 10 days in space and completed a lunar flyby, reaching the farthest point humans have ever traveled, before returning to Earth and splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.