Cramer Receives Distinguished Service Award From North Dakota Long Term Care Association

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BISMARCK, N.D. – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined the North Dakota Long Term Care Association (NDLTCA) for its 49th Annual Convention and Expo this evening, where he received the Distinguished Service Award. In a letter notifying Cramer of the honor, the association said it is one of its highest distinctions and “recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and service in support of long term care and the residents, tenants, families, and professionals we serve across North Dakota.” Since 1977, only 38 individuals have received the award.

Today’s event brought together providers, caregivers, and healthcare leaders in Bismarck to highlight the evolving landscape of long-term care in the state. Centered on the theme “The Magic of Caring…Celebrating the Everyday Moments that Matter Most,” this year’s gathering emphasized the compassion, innovation, and day-to-day dedication defining long-term care across North Dakota.

“In North Dakota, we prioritize compassion and I see this compassion in action every time I visit facilities and work with caretakers and leaders,” said Cramer. “Caregiving is a privilege and compassion is the North Dakota way. Such compassionate caregiving should not be subject to bureaucratic bullies. I am grateful for this recognition and will continue to fight the bullies, so our caregivers can do what they do best, provide compassionate care to our fellow North Dakotans.”

NDLTCA President Nikki Wegner said Cramer’s “leadership and partnership have made a lasting impact on long-term care in our state, and we are sincerely grateful for his continued support and advocacy.”

“On behalf of the North Dakota Long Term Care Association and long-term care providers across our state, I want to congratulate Senator Kevin Cramer on this well-deserved recognition and thank him for his steadfast leadership and advocacy on behalf of North Dakota’s seniors, caregivers, and rural health care providers,” said Wegner. “For years, Senator Cramer has been a strong and consistent voice for long-term care at a time when providers are facing extraordinary workforce challenges, growing regulatory complexity, and increasing pressure on access to care in rural communities. He understands that the ability to provide quality care depends not only on dedicated staff and strong facilities, but also on policies that are practical, sustainable, and grounded in the realities providers face every day. Senator Cramer is always willing to engage directly on difficult and often highly complex issues. He asks thoughtful questions, takes the time to understand the full picture, and remains committed to advancing meaningful solutions—not just for providers, but for the residents and families who depend on long-term care services every day.”

“His leadership has helped elevate critical conversations around workforce shortages, rural access to care, and the growing challenges facing long-term care providers nationwide,” continued Wegner. “More importantly, he has consistently recognized that behind these issues are real people—residents who deserve stability and dignity, families who want their loved ones cared for close to home, and caregivers who dedicate their lives to serving others.”

Cramer is a vocal opponent of the Biden-era federal nursing home staffing requirements and led efforts to repeal them. These standards exacerbated workforce shortages and reduced access to care, particularly in rural areas and for veterans. He amplified the concerns of long-term care facilities facing cumbersome Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations and penalties, meeting with CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz to discuss how increasingly burdensome regulations have exacerbated staffing and access challenges for nursing home facilities. Cramer highlighted the rule’s flaws in a speech on the Senate floor. Since then, he has met with multiple senior CMS officials, while cosponsoring legislation to repeal the minimum staffing mandate and leading a measure to assess its impact on veterans’ access to care. Cramer is actively working with the Trump administration to address outstanding issues with excessive fines, strict liability for facilities, outdated reporting requirements, and to enhance flexibility for state surveyors.

He has supported initiatives to address workforce shortages, a persistent challenge in long-term care, through measures such as the Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act and expanded training and recruitment programs. Cramer also advocated for greater regulatory flexibility, arguing overly prescriptive federal mandates can strain already limited staffing capacity. Additionally, he co-signed a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security requesting an exemption from the $100,000 fee for H-1B visas for healthcare workers.

Cramer is a leading voice on long-term care issues, prioritizing practical reforms aimed at ensuring quality, accessible care regardless of zip codes. His work has placed particular attention on protecting seniors’ Medicare benefits while advancing reforms designed to improve outcomes without increasing burdens on providers. As a strong advocate for rural health systems, he has pushed policies aimed at stabilizing and strengthening facilities which often operate with limited resources and workforce constraints.


EPA Awards $16.6 Million to NDDEQ for Clean Water Projects

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded a total of $16,644,000 to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF).

This funding includes three separate CWSRF capitalization grants which will support the planning, design, and construction of water quality improvement projects across the state.


Sen. Cramer: Department of War Awards Nearly $10 Million for Work at Fargo-Based Packet Digital

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Department of War (DOW) has awarded a $9,799,991 order to Packet Digital in Fargo, advancing efforts to onshore battery manufacturing for military drones and autonomous systems.

The award supports the domestic production of lithium-based battery cells and battery packs under the Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding Innovative Technologies program, which is designed to move emerging technologies from development into operational use.

“This investment in Packet Digital—nearly $10 million—ensures we are building the key battery technologies our warfighters rely on right here in the United States,” said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND). “By strengthening domestic production of these essential components, we’re securing our supply chains, accelerating innovation, and making our nation safer. We are also revitalizing our own manufacturing workforce and bringing back jobs that have been lost to overseas competition.”

Work will be performed in Fargo and is expected to be completed in November 2027.


Durbin Discusses Mobile Health Program In Rockford

ROCKFORD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined Mayor Tom McNamara and Rockford Fire Department officials from the Mobile Integrated Health (MIH) Program for a roundtable discussion about the critical assistance the program provides to community members.

“Preventing health emergencies makes our communities safer and healthier,” said Durbin. “With implementing the Mobile Integrated Health Program, Rockford is driving the future of health care by avoiding costly hospitalizations and treating people at home with trusted partners in the community.”

“It’s always an honor to have Senator Durbin in our community. Today, he met with leaders of our Mobile Integrated Health Program - a program I’m incredibly proud of. With four MIH managers working alongside UW Health clinical staff in a team-based model, the program is making a real difference in the field, providing thousands of community-based encounters each year and continuing to grow as more residents access care and support right where they are,” said Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara.

The Mobile Integrated Health Program is operated by the Rockford Fire Department and provides mental health and chronic disease management services to prevent emergencies and reduce costs. Patients are referred by nearby hospitals, health clinics, food pantries, or 911 calls, with more than 3,500 annual patient encounters. From diabetes to overdose or suicide risk, the program relies upon the fire department’s access and community reputation to help prevent urgent health crises.

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In Recognition Of His Advocacy For Rural Health Care, Durbin Presented With UI Health’s Rural Health Hero Award

ROCKFORD – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today was presented with the Rural Health Hero Award from the University of Illinois College of Medicine’s National Center for Rural Health Profession. Durbin accepted the award at the University of Illinois College of Medicine-Rockford campus.

“I am honored to accept this Rural Health Hero award,” said Durbin. “As a downstater, I know that the difference between care being five miles and 50 miles from home is a matter of life and death. Throughout rural Illinois, we face a shortage of doctors, nurses, dentists, mental health professionals, and EMTs. I have started initiatives like the Rural Roadmap and SIREN grants to address this shortage, and I have continued to fight against cuts to Medicaid that jeopardize our rural health providers. Every American deserves quality, affordable health care no matter where they live. I am grateful for this award and the University of Illinois College of Medicine’s partnership in this fight.”

In 2023, Durbin released his “Roadmap to Grow Illinois’ Rural Health Workforce.” This is a partnership with hospitals, medical and nursing schools, including UI Medicine-Rockford, community colleges, dentists, physicians, and nurses to improve access to health care in rural parts of the state. The roadmap focused on reaching into middle and high schools to attract young people into health careers, expanding the capacity of education programs, and creating incentives for rural recruitment.

In 2018 as part of the Farm Bill, Durbin introduced the bipartisan Supporting and Improving Rural EMS Needs (SIREN) Act to support rural EMS agencies in training and recruiting staff, conducting certification courses, and purchasing equipment. Since then, Durbin and U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) have led the appropriations effort to grow the program from $5 million annually to $11.5 million as of 2024, resulting in a total of $40 million in grants nationwide to 42 states. The SIREN Act has resulted in new funds to rural EMS/fire agencies in Carbondale, Nauvoo, Amboy, Jerseyville, Mt. Carmel, Paris, and Gibson City, Illinois.

Durbin has secured more than $10 million in earmarks for nursing schools, dental schools, and rural health clinics working to expand the rural health workforce. Photos of the award ceremony can be found here.

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In Letter to FEMA, Fetterman Calls Out Delayed Healthcare Reimbursements

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Border Management, Federal Workforce, and Regulatory Affairs, sent a letter to the top official at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) calling out delays in reimbursements to healthcare providers dating back to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As you may know, there is more than $600 million in unobligated FEMA Public Assistance funding owed to healthcare providers in Pennsylvania alone,” wrote Senator Fetterman.

Health care providers across Pennsylvania and the nation incurred substantial out-of-pocket costs during the COVID-19 pandemic, operating under the assumption that the federal government would provide them with timely reimbursements. The continued delay of the payments owed threatens operations and staffing levels in a profession already suffering from provider burnout and low staffing rates.

“It is incumbent on FEMA, and the entire Federal government, to fight waste, fraud, and abuse, and we support subjecting the largest reimbursements to serious scrutiny. However, once such reviews are complete, there is no excuse for allowing bureaucratic red tape to slow disbursement of funds. This delay is inexcusable and is antithetical to President Trump’s stated commitment to enhancing government efficiency,”continued the senator.

Read the full text of the letter here and below.

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Dear Ms. Evans:

I write to express my deep concern regarding delayed reimbursements of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds to healthcare providers across the Commonwealth for costs they incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic response.

As you may know, there is more than $600 million in unobligated FEMA Public Assistance funding owed to healthcare providers in Pennsylvania alone. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our hospitals, doctors, nurses, and support staff stepped up and delivered for their patients. However, this effort placed tremendous strain on hospitals across the state, requiring them to absorb large expenses to protect their communities.

It is incumbent on FEMA, and the entire Federal government, to fight waste, fraud, and abuse, and we support subjecting the largest reimbursements to serious scrutiny. However, once such reviews are complete, there is no excuse for allowing bureaucratic red tape to slow disbursement of funds. This delay is inexcusable and is antithetical to President Trump’s stated commitment to enhancing government efficiency.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers stepped up and did everything in their power to stop the spread of the virus, care for those infected, and ensure facilities remained safe for patients and staff. These reimbursements are critical to the financial health of crucial medical providers and must be disbursed quickly.

I appreciate your prompt attention to this matter.

Sincerely,


Following Emergency Stay, Gallego Joins Democrats In Supreme Court Fight To Protect Mifepristone Access

WASHINGTON – Senator Gallego joined more than 250 House and Senate Democrats in filing an amicus brief to the Supreme Court urging them to overturn a Fifth Circuit decision that would upend the FDA approval process and restrict access to life-saving mifepristone.

This brief follows emergency appeals from the manufacturers of mifepristone; the Supreme Court issuing a temporary stay of the decision Monday morning until next Monday, May 11; and the announcement that the Court has ordered briefing on the stay by this Thursday, May 7.

The lawmakers argued that mifepristone already undergoes a rigorous FDA approval process, and the medication has repeatedly been found to be safe and effective. For a court to overturn this decision not only limits who is able to receive this vital and life-saving medication, putting lives at risk, but it also undermines the longstanding, congressionally mandated, and evidence-based decision-making process at the FDA.

“For more than a quarter century, FDA has repeatedly and consistently affirmed that mifepristone is safe. Over seven million patients in the U.S. have safely used mifepristone. And as with other drugs, FDA continues to monitor the post-marketing safety data on mifepristone—data confirming that mifepristone is safe without regard to how it is dispensed,” the members wrote.

The lawmakers also argued that the Fifth Circuit ruling was clearly not based on the merits of the distribution method of mifepristone, or the scientific backing of the medication, but rather a desire to limit the ability of individuals to receive abortion medication. The emergency stay is necessary to ensure that Louisiana is not able to deny medically appropriate care to patients far beyond the state’s borders.

“Decades after FDA’s initial approval of mifepristone and years after the in-person dispensing requirement was eliminated, the Fifth Circuit on an ‘emergency’ basis ordered FDA to re-impose this onerous nationwide restriction on all Americans.

Allowing that decision to remain in place undermines the science-based statutory framework Congress commands and threatens patient access to reproductive health care,” the members continued. “As has been well publicized, many U.S. residents in states where abortion is legal live far from any reproductive health care provider.

Reinstating an in-person dispensing requirement for mifepristone exacerbates an already significant reproductive health crisis by limiting access to the most common method of early abortion.” The members argued that this is a clear case of judicial overreach by a lower district court.


Gillibrand, Cantwell, Wyden, Booker Press FTC On Anti-Competitive Business Practices That Exacerbate Food Insecurity And Raise Grocery Prices

Today, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Cory Booker (D-NJ) pressed the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on the need to crack down on anti-competitive restrictive covenants that exacerbate food insecurity and raise grocery prices.

Restrictive covenants are legally binding conditions written into property sale, purchase, and lease agreements that can be used to block a competitor’s access to a local market. They are particularly prevalent in the grocery industry, allowing grocers to prevent their competitors from opening in their storefronts after they have closed down. This can perpetuate food insecurity, increase food prices, and create food deserts.

In a letter to FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson, the senators asked the FTC to focus its attention on the impact of anti-competitive restrictive covenants on food prices, as well as communities’ access to food and medicine.

“When grocers leave a community, anti-competitive restrictive covenants further cement the harm caused by the initial loss of the store, leaving consumers without ready access to food or more exposed to high food prices with fewer choices to seek better deals,” the senators wrote. “Additionally, when a grocery store closes, communities often lose a neighborhood pharmacy, and anti-competitive restrictive covenants can prolong pharmacy deserts.”

The senators added, “Americans are struggling with rising prices, and anti-competitive corporate lawfare should not be a reason costs stay high.”

Gillibrand has been a leader in the fight against food insecurity. Last year, she reintroduced the Healthy Food Financing Initiative Reauthorization Act, legislation to fund a USDA program that offers loans and grants to incentivize grocery stores to establish locations in areas where residents lack easy access to fresh food retailers. She has also introduced legislation to increase SNAP benefits and help those with high medical and housing costs qualify for the program and to combat food insecurity among older Americans.

The full text of the letter can be found here or below:

Dear Chair Ferguson:

For decades, large retailers have used anti-competitive restrictive covenants—written into property sale, purchase, and lease agreements—to block competitors’ access to a local market. These restrictive covenants prohibit competitors from purchasing or leasing commercial real estate. As a result, storefronts are left empty, small businesses are boxed out from opening in certain locations, consumers have fewer options, and companies corner regional markets and drive-up prices.

Large retailers’ use of restrictive covenants has been especially prevalent in the grocery industry. Significant square footage and parking requirements limit the number of suitable properties available in a given area for grocers, especially in developed or urban areas, and the anticompetitive effects of restrictive covenants only exacerbate these constraints. The impact of these anti-competitive covenants on consumers is further heightened in the grocery industry because grocery store competition is local. In the FTC’s recent and successful challenge of the Kroger-Albertsons merger, data “showed that on average, more than seventy percent of defendants’ sales are drawn from within five miles of a store,” which the district court found “support[ed] the drawing of small, local geographic markets.” Fed. Trade Comm’n v. Kroger Co., No. 3:24-cv-00347, 2024 WL 5053016, at *23 (D. Or. Dec. 10, 2024).

Across the country, anti-competitive restrictive covenants have shut out grocers from operating in locations where consumers would have otherwise frequented their stores and benefited from their presence in the community. In Woonsocket, Rhode Island, only one supermarket services roughly 45,000 people due to anti-competitive restrictive covenants set by competitors. Among those stores with restrictive covenants was a Walmart store that closed in 2011. For six years, Walmart prevented competitors from moving into the location, while the property sat vacant. When Walmart finally sold the building in 2017, it included a “25-year restrictive covenant prohibiting the property from being used for a grocery store or supermarket.” The restrictive covenant also prohibits the property from being used for “a wholesale club operation similar to that of Sam’s Club.”

On the West Coast, the 2016 closure of an Albertsons grocery store created a food desert in the Birchwood neighborhood of Bellingham, Washington. Yet when Albertsons later sold the property in 2018, it included a deed restriction that would have prevented a grocery store from operating in the space until 2038. Albertsons ultimately removed the deed restriction after the Washington Attorney General opened an investigation into whether Albertsons had violated Washington’s antitrust laws.

When grocers leave a community, anti-competitive restrictive covenants further cement the harm caused by the initial loss of the store, leaving consumers without ready access to food or more exposed to high food prices with fewer choices to seek better deals. Additionally, when a grocery store closes, communities often lose a neighborhood pharmacy, and anti-competitive restrictive covenants can prolong pharmacy deserts.

Lower income communities are more vulnerable to these closures and the reduction of competition. A recent report from the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta found that “[p]oorer, more concentrated markets experience larger and more persistent food price shocks, amplifying the burden on low-income households.”3 That burden may be growing as the latest round of tariffs and the ongoing conflict in Iran threaten further spikes in grocery prices.

Americans are struggling with rising prices, and anti-competitive corporate lawfare should not be a reason costs stay high. Given the ongoing impacts of anti-competitive restrictive covenants on communities across the country, please provide answers to the following questions:

Does the FTC consider covenants restricting the use of land by competitors an unfair method of competition?

Is the FTC able to regulate anti-competitive restrictive covenants through existing authorities?

Has the FTC collected data on the use of anti-competitive restrictive covenants? a. If so:

a. Has the FTC collected data on the impact of anti-competitive restrictive covenants on consumer prices, including food prices?

b. Has the FTC collected data on the impact of anti-competitive restrictive covenants on consumers’ access to food and medicine?

c. Has the FTC collected data regarding the impact of anti-competitive restrictive covenants by large grocery chains on market share?

d. Has the FTC collected data on the impacts of anti-restrictive covenants on small businesses?

I ask that you respond to these questions by no later than May 15, 2026. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

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Gillibrand, Schumer Call On Education Secretary McMahon To Rescind And Reissue TRIO Grant Announcements

Senators Sound Alarm about “Fundamental Shift” in Program Mission

Last week, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Senator Charles Schumer called on U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon to rescind and reissue the TRIO Talent Search and Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) program grant announcements and extend the current grants for another year. This comes after the Education Department announced that these grants, which have historically focused on strengthening the college pipeline for underprivileged students, would shift focus to push these students into the trades, among other drastic changes to the programs.

TRIO Programs are federal outreach and student services grants designed to support low-income, first-generation college students and individuals with disabilities, ranging from middle school to post-baccalaureate studies. Talent Search programs target middle and high school students, and EOC programs focus on adults, displaced workers, and veterans seeking to enter or return to postsecondary education.

The grant announcements that the administration posted in March 2026 fundamentally compromised program mission and capacity, risking critical service interruptions for current students. New York State has a substantial TRIO Talent Search footprint, serving 8,081 students in FY2025 with a grant total of $4,654,218. New York also had three EOC projects in FY2025 with $809,549 in grant funding.

In a letter to Secretary McMahon, the senators underscored the importance of the programs in their current forms, writing, “TRIO has led to higher rates of college enrollment, completion, employment, and compensation for more than 6 million graduates since 1964.”

The senators continued, “Elevating non-college pathways within a program historically designed to increase college enrollment and completion conflicts with TRIO’s established statutory purpose and does a disservice to the students facing barriers to higher education that the programs are intended to serve.”

Gillibrand and Schumer warned that the Education Department’s new framework constitutes a direct assault on college access, effectively dismantling the TRIO mission by slashing national capacity by more than half, prioritizing state-level “mega-grants” over local expertise, and introducing a high-stakes lottery system that threatens to leave students in rural and underserved areas in “service deserts” without support. The new applications shift the programs’ focus away from TRIO’s statutory mission of promoting college access for low-income and first-generation students. Instead, the requirements emphasize apprenticeships and technical education as alternative routes to economic mobility. The senators pointed out that while apprenticeships and technical education have inherent value, those goals should be accomplished via other mechanisms rather than cannibalizing the funds that promote college access for low-income and first-generation students.

The senators closed by highlighting the time-sensitive nature of this request, as the current grants are set to expire on August 31, 2026. They wrote that this raises the imminent risk of service lapses, warning, “If the applications are not adjusted or reissued immediately, the potential expiration of current grants poses an immediate threat to the academic and financial guidance that students and adult learners depend on, particularly as they navigate the critical fall enrollment window.” The announcements undercut the core mission of the programs that have provided life-changing educational opportunities to Americans across the country.

The full letter can be found HERE.

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Hickenlooper, 250+ Lawmakers File Amicus Brief in Supreme Court Fight to Protect Mifepristone Access, Women’s Health Care

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper and more than 250 Senate and House Democrats filed an amicus brief to the Supreme Court on Monday urging them to overturn a Fifth Circuit decision that would upend the FDA approval process and restrict access to mifepristone. This brief follows emergency appeals from the manufacturers of mifepristone, the Supreme Court issuing a temporary stay of the decision Monday morning until next Monday, May 11, and the announcement that the Court has ordered a briefing on the stay by this Thursday, May 7.

“We won’t let this stand,” Hickenlooper wrote on social media after the Fifth Circuit decision. “Mifepristone is safe and FDA approved. This decision would impact women across the country, even in states where we’ve protected abortion access.”

After the Supreme Court issued a temporary stay, Hickenlooper wrote on social media: “Women deserve the right to make their own health care decisions. We’ll fight any attempt to restrict reproductive freedom at every turn.”

In their amicus brief, the lawmakers argued that mifepristone already undergoes a rigorous FDA approval process, and the medication has repeatedly been found to be safe and effective. For a court to overturn this decision not only limits who is able to receive this vital and life-saving medication, putting lives at risk, but it also undermines the longstanding, congressionally mandated, and evidence-based decision-making process at the FDA.

“For more than a quarter century, FDA has repeatedly and consistently affirmed that mifepristone is safe. Over seven million patients in the U.S. have safely used mifepristone. And as with other drugs, FDA continues to monitor the post-marketing safety data on mifepristone—data confirming that mifepristone is safe without regard to how it is dispensed,” the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers concluded: “Preserving evidence-based access to mifepristone, including when dispensed by mail or retail pharmacy, is necessary to mitigate the imminent harm facing members of the public. Women deserve access to mifepristone for reproductive health care, and all Americans deserve integrity in the congressionally mandated, evidence-based process for FDA’s drug regulatory decisions.”

Hickenlooper has been a vocal supporter of reproductive freedom and access to medication, including mifepristone. Hickenlooper, along with 26 Senate colleagues, introduced the Stop Comstock Act to protect access to medication abortions like Mifepristone. Specifically, the legislation would repeal the outdated Comstock Act of 1873, which anti-choice extremists have threatened to invoke to effectively end access to medication abortion without a single act of Congress.

In the Senate, the amicus brief was signed by all 47 Democratic U.S. Senators. In the House, the brief was signed by 212 Democratic U.S. Representatives. The lawmakers’ amicus brief to the Supreme Court can be read in full HERE.

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Hoeven: Grand Forks’ High-Tech UAS Ecosystem Leading to New Investment & Tech Development Like Vorbeck Manufacturing Facility

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today marked the grand opening of the Vorbeck Materials manufacturing facility in Grand Forks. Vorbeck develops advanced materials for extreme environments, focusing on defense, aerospace and industrial applications. Hoeven discussed how the new 47,000 sq. ft. facility:

Serves as the company’s hub to produce advanced fire suppressants using graphene-based materials, initially producing 1 million gallons of firefighting foam.

As a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, Hoeven secured $7 million to support development of Vorbeck’s graphene-based fire suppressant in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026.

Vorbeck is currently in negotiations with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to finalize the contract for this funding, which will help grow the company’s operations in Grand Forks.

These efforts are bolstered by a policy Congress passed in FY2020 requiring the Department of War (DoW) to discontinue the use of fire suppressants that contain PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.”

This year’s funding builds upon a $4.7 million DLA award the company previously received to produce and test their PFAS-free, graphene-based firefighting foam.

Is an outgrowth of the region’s high-tech, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) ecosystem, which Hoeven has worked to establish and grow in the Grand Forks region since his time as governor.

Vorbeck was founded in Maryland in 2006, but opted to relocate to Grand Forks last year after determining that the region was a better fit for its efforts to develop applications for its advanced materials.

Hoeven outlined how initiatives like Project ULTRA and Q Station help grow North Dakota’s defense industrial base by attracting innovative companies like Vorbeck that are working to cost-effectively address DoW priorities.

In addition to its fire suppressant, Vorbeck is working to develop lightweight and flexible graphene-based antennas, which would have applications in special operations, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and space.

The facility will further contribute to the ecosystem by providing internship opportunities for University of North Dakota (UND) College of Engineering students.

“Today’s celebration is about more than a new manufacturing site – it is part of a broader effort to diversify and grow our defense industrial base in North Dakota, building upon the high-tech UAS ecosystem we have established,” said Hoeven. “When Vorbeck was looking to develop additional applications for the graphene-based materials it produces, Grand Forks was an obvious choice because of the high-tech ecosystem we’ve built, which creates real opportunities for innovative companies to partner with the Department of War and meet the needs of our warfighters. The PFAS-free fire suppressant the company produces is just the start. The work Vorbeck is doing on graphene-based antennas is a natural fit with our state’s leadership in UAS and space operations, demonstrating how each new partnership and initiative we bring to North Dakota builds our momentum and expands our role in the future defense of our nation.”

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Hoeven Secures Commitments to Provide $1.8 Million For CVIC, Passed Legislation to Enable Improvements at LaGrave Place

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today held a roundtable with leaders from the Community Violence Intervention Center (CVIC) and the Grand Forks Housing Authority on his efforts as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee to:

Address funding delays at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and secure more than $1.8 million in federal funding to support the services CVIC provides to victims of violence.

Hoeven and his team have been working with DOJ to resolve this issue, specifically working with Associate Attorney General (AAG) Stanley Woodward to move the process forward for the grants.

Two of the grants have been officially approved and another grant has received conditional approval and will be finalized this month following Hoeven’s efforts, including:

$725,000 from the Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention.

$500,000 from the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Consolidated Youth Program.

$555,000 from the End Violence Against Individuals with Disabilities program.

Pass legislation enabling Grand Forks Housing Authority to make needed improvements to the LaGrave Place affordable housing project.

Hoeven secured legislation in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 funding legislation directing the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to restructure or forgive the Grand Forks Housing Authority’s (GFHA) $2 million loan for the LaGrave Place project.

The loan matured in 2017, with the GFHA subsequently applying for deferral of the loan repayment in accordance with the program’s regulations, but HUD has yet to act upon the application.

LaGrave Place is a 66-unit affordable housing facility originally built in 1974, and the outstanding loan affects the GFHA’s ability to access private capital to make updates.

By resolving the loan, Hoeven’s legislation will enable the housing authority to improve the building and enhance the quality of life for residents.

“Both CVIC and the Grand Forks Housing Authority provide vital services to this community and the surrounding region. CVIC needs to know this $1.8 million in funding will be in place so it can continue providing a full range of services to victims of violence. So, we went to work with DOJ to resolve the issue, and we appreciate AAG Woodward for his support in getting two of the grants approved and committing to finalize another grant by the end of May,” said Hoeven. “At the same time, the LaGrave Place is in need of updates, and that effort cannot begin until GFHA knows how much capital it will have available. That’s why we passed this legislation and are working with HUD to bring this loan to a close in a timely manner, so improvements at this affordable housing complex can start to move forward.”

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Husted joins small businesses in Upper Sandusky

“Conversations with small business owners in Upper Sandusky made clear that when small businesses succeed, Ohio succeeds.”

View Husted’s remarks here.

UPPER SANDUSKY, OH – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) hosted a roundtable with Ohio small business owners and entrepreneurs in Upper Sandusky, highlighting National Small Business Week and discussing his efforts in the Senate to support Ohio’s job creators.

“Ohio’s 1.1 million small businesses employ more than 2.2 million people and are the backbone of our economy. Conversations with small business owners in Upper Sandusky made clear that when small businesses succeed, Ohio succeeds. I’ll continue fighting in the Senate to cut taxes and give our small businesses the freedom to grow, hire and compete,” said Husted.

Husted supports key legislation to deliver relief and expand opportunities for small businesses across Ohio.

In July, Husted supported the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which includes major provisions to support small businesses and their workforce:

Makes the 20% small business tax deduction permanent.

This will deliver $4,600 in average tax relief to 8 million entrepreneurs around the country.

Doubles the small business expensing limits for new investments in machinery, equipment and software.

Creates 1.2 million new jobs this year.

Includes a $7,000 tax cut for 12 million small business owners.

Cuts taxes on tips and overtime, saving tipped and overtime workers up to $1,750 per year.

Husted is also working on legislation in the Senate to expand access to capital, reduce regulatory burdens and help small businesses compete in a modern economy:


HYDE-SMITH BACKS BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO EXTEND RURAL HOSPITAL PROGRAM

Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Provides Lifeline to Rural Communities, Including Six in Mississippi

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) today highlighted bipartisan legislation she’s joined to extend a federal health program that provides a financial lifeline to rural hospitals, including six participating facilities in Mississippi.

The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act (S.4460) would reauthorize the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration (RCHD) program for another five years. Rural hospitals in the RCHD program are allowed to test innovative Medicare hospital payment models that improve financial sustainability and support health care access.

“A five-year reauthorization of the RCHD program is just commonsense. The program has proven to be a cost-effective way for small rural hospitals to remain viable through enhanced Medicare reimbursements,” Hyde-Smith said. “I’ve fought to get Mississippi hospitals enrolled in this program and will continue to find ways to maintain access to rural health care.”

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced S.4460, which has been referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

“The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration program gives rural hospitals a better shot at keeping their doors open to provide care for the community. With a proven track record of more than two decades, this program gives eligible hospitals financial stability to keep healthcare close to home for Iowans. While there’s more to be done, our Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act is a key step to provide continued support for rural health care in America,” Grassley said.

Hyde-Smith worked with Grassley previously to pressure the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) under the Biden administration to enroll more rural hospitals, as authorized, in RCHD. In November 2024, CMS agreed, which led to the Greenwood Leflore Hospital, Magee General Hospital, and Wayne General Hospital becoming RCHD participants in April 2025. They joined Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian, Highland Community Hospital in Picayune, and Marion General Hospital in Columbia as RCHD facilities.

The most recent performance data found that new RCHD hospitals significantly improved their Medicare margins and had higher capital investments, resulting in stronger financial conditions and helping with staff retention. These hospitals are mostly paid using a reasonable cost-based methodology instead of the inpatient prospective payment system. Today, CMS has filled all 30 spots for the RCHD program.

In addition to Hyde-Smith, S.4460 is cosponsored by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), as well as U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Angus King (I-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.).

The RCHD legislation is the latest bipartisan measure Hyde-Smith has thrown her support behind to improve rural health care delivery.

The Rural Health Innovation Act (S.4204) addresses workforce shortages and long travel times for emergency care by strengthening support for Federally Qualified Health Centers and Rural Health Clinics, of which there are approximately 240 in Mississippi.

The Save Struggling Hospitals Act (S.4233) would ensure hospitals in rural and low-wage areas receive fair Medicare reimbursement for the essential services by codifying the Medicare low-wage index hospital policy that increased Medicare wage index values for hospitals in the bottom 25th percentile.

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Senator Andy Kim Statement Condemning Trump Administration Firing 200+ Foreign Service Officers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) released the following statement after the State Department officially terminated over 200 foreign service officers (FSO), even as the Department continues to recruit and onboard new officers:

“I cannot make sense of just how wasteful and shameful this is. In the middle of a war only he chose, Trump continues to weaken us. I saw FSO’s service up close. They are non-partisan experts who play an integral role to our nation’s defense. Firing over 200 of these dedicated and trained public servants is not the way to update our State Department to better meet the needs of the 21st century.”

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Klobuchar on Two-Day Rural Economy Tour in Western Minnesota

Her focus will be on rural child care access, small business, public safety, and improving local infrastructure

MINNESOTA – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar will be in Western Minnesota over the next two days on a rural economy tour, where she will meet with local leaders, small business owners, and first responders in Litchfield, Willmar, Canby, Montevideo, Lake Benton, and Marshall. Her visits will include a meeting with business owners on child care shortages, and stops to meet with mayors and local leaders at local groceries, businesses, fire stations, and infrastructure projects including the Willmar Wye at Highway 23. She will take part in an event marking upgrades to a key emergency services facility paid for in part by federal funding she advocated for. She will also take part by Zoom in the signing ceremony for the major Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion Project partnership agreement that she, Moorhead, Fargo, and North Dakota U.S. Senate leaders have worked toward for years.

“This week I will meet with Minnesotans across the state. I want to hear directly from them about the issues they are facing, especially when it comes to childcare access, household costs, and how we can improve our infrastructure and public safety. Creating thriving rural communities is vital to Minnesota’s strength as a state,” said Klobuchar.

Every year, Klobuchar visits all 87 Minnesota counties.

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Klobuchar Introduces Resolution to Designate May as National Beef Month

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) co-led with Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) a resolution to designate May 2026 as National Beef Month in America, recognizing the importance of beef and cattle producers in Minnesota, around the country, and for consumers. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), James Lankford (R-OK), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) also cosponsored the resolution.

“Minnesota cattle producers are vital for our agricultural economy, putting food on tables across our state and nationwide,” said Senator Klobuchar. “Officially designating May as National Beef Month is a well-earned recognition of their hard work and dedication.”

“Nebraska is the beef state. Last year, we led the nation with over $1.75 billion in beef exports. We lead the nation in commercial cattle slaughter, with over 6 million head. We have the top three beef-producing counties in the nation,” said Senator Ricketts. “Nebraska’s ranchers are the best in the world. They’ve shown it this year in response to this spring’s devastating fires across the state. I’m confident they will rebuild and I’m grateful to honor them in the month of May.”

“The Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association is thrilled to have the month of May designated as National Beef Month, recognizing the hard working cattle producers and the importance of beef production across the nation. We thank Senators Amy Klobuchar and Pete Ricketts for leading this resolution,” the Minnesota State Cattlemen’s Association said in a statement.

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One Year After Columbia Murder, Graham, Fry Introduce Logan's Law to Get Justice for Logan Federico, Prevent Future Tragedies

Bill Creates Federal, State Registry of Violent Criminals, Bringing Transparency to Judges, Prosecutors Who Give Career Criminals Leniency

WASHINGTON – One year after the murder of Logan Federico at the hands of a repeat violent offender in Columbia, South Carolina, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and U.S. Representative Russell Fry (R-South Carolina) have introduced Logan’s Law. They announced the legislation in Myrtle Beach today alongside Logan’s parents, Stephen and Melissa Federico.

Logan, a 22-year old from North Carolina, was visiting friends in Columbia. On May 3, 2025, she was shot and killed by Alexander Dickey after he broke into the home where she was staying. Dickey is a career criminal who prior to murdering Logan had been arrested on at least 25 felony charges but was never sentenced to any serious prison time. One of the reasons Dickey received lighter sentences is that his criminal record was incomplete because his fingerprints had not been properly sent to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).

In September 2025, Logan’s father, Stephen, testified at a House Judiciary Committee field hearing in Charlotte, North Carolina, on victims of violent crime. He testified that, but for record-keeping failures and plea deals that resulted in reduced sentences, the man convicted of murdering his daughter likely would have still been in prison.

There is no reason a repeat offender like Dickey should have been out on the streets. In order to address these failures and prevent similar tragedies in the future, Logan’s Law:

Creates A Publicly Accessible Violent Criminal Offender Database: This database includes both state and federal convictions and is designed to put the public on notice of violent criminals in their community, while also promoting accountability by making sentencing records publicly visible.

With this database, the public will also be made aware of judges and prosecutors who give career criminals a pass with soft-on-crime plea deals.

To be reportable under the database, an offense must be punishable by a sentence greater than 180 days and must involve the use, attempted use, or threatened use of physical force against a person or property. The 180-day threshold is intended to exclude low-level offenses, as the goal is to capture more serious violent offenses.

If states refuse to participate in the database, they risk the withholding of DOJ grant funding.

Creates a Fingerprint and Criminal History Data Report: Directs the U.S. Attorney General to submit a report to Congress identifying deficiencies in the sharing of fingerprint, warrant, and criminal history data between states and the federal government.

If the U.S. Attorney General lacks authority to remedy these deficiencies through Justice Department recommendations, the report must include recommendations to Congress.

“A year after this senseless act of violence in South Carolina, my heart continues to break for the loss of Logan Federico. She was a talented and beautiful young woman, both inside and out. We owe it to Logan and her family to ensure justice is fully applied in this case and to prevent similar situations from reoccurring in the future. Too often, rogue prosecutors and activist judges enable these kinds of tragedies by turning a blind eye to brutality or giving a slap on the wrist to career criminals. I’ve had enough of that. We cannot allow for the release of violent offenders who have proven to be nothing but a danger to society. The introduction of Logan’s Law is the first step in fixing this problem,” said Senator Graham.

“Logan Federico was a bright, talented young woman with a whole life ahead of her. Sadly, her life was stolen far too soon by a repeat violent criminal who was never held accountable. Logan’s Law is one small step Congress can take to ensure justice is served for Logan and her family, and to prevent such a senseless tragedy from happening again in the future. I’m proud to introduce this legislation and even prouder to stand alongside Logan’s family as they try to bring some purpose out of such a tragic loss,”said Rep. Fry.

“Logan was just visiting friends in May 2025 at the University of South Carolina. But she left on a Thursday and never came home. A career criminal, Alexander Dickey, was out on the street time and time again because of weak policy. With 39 charges and 25 felonies – aggravated assaults, robberies and parole violations – he should have been in jail. We have worked hard over the last year to recover. What I can tell you is there is no recovering from this. But there is hope for a better future and a safer society for innocent people. I hope when people read through Logan’s Law, they say, ‘why don’t we have this already?’ The drive down to Myrtle Beach today was long, but the Federico family appreciates everything Senator Graham and Congressman Fry are doing for Logan and the innocent people that are here after her,” said Stephen Federico.

Full text of Logan’s Law is available HERE.

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Luján Leads Tour Across Northern New Mexico, Visits Local Ranchers and Landowners to Discuss Action Against Chama Uranium Drilling Proposal, Tours Local Wool Business

Canjilon, N.M. – U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) led a community conversation in Canjilon with community members, ranchers, farmers, acequia members, Tribal leaders, and Land Grant Members regarding the proposal of uranium drilling and mineral development in the region by the Canadian-based uranium company, Gamma Resources Ltd. Senator Luján led the N.M. delegation in writing to Carson National Forest Supervisor James Duran expressing strong opposition to a proposal to conduct uranium drilling and plans to introduce legislation to withdraw the Chama watershed from all forms of mineral entry.

In Canjilon, Senator Luján convened local, state, and Tribal officials, community members, ranchers, farmers, acequia members and Land Grant Members to hear their concerns regarding the uranium drilling and mineral development proposal in the region. During the meeting, Senator Luján listened to the concerns of local community members and discussed legislation he plans to introduce that would withdraw the Chama Watershed from mineral extraction. Additionally, Senator Luján took a tour of the area that is being proposed for uranium drilling and mineral development in the region.

“The communities of the Chama Valley have tended this watershed for generations and we must ensure it remains protected for generations to come,” said Senator Luján. “Here in Canjilon, I’m grateful to the local community members who came together for an informative discussion about the harms this uranium drilling proposal would bring and the impacts it would have on the region. These conversations will help guide the legislation I plan to introduce to permanently withdraw the watershed from mineral development. Together, we will continue fighting to protect our lands and waters.”

Afterwards, in Chama, Senator Luján met with the Mayor of the Village of Chama, Ernest E. Vigil, and discussed local water issues and priorities to help the Village of Chama. Following the meeting, Senator Luján visited the owners of Tierra Wools to discuss their business and challenges they are facing because of President Trump’s policies, including sweeping tariffs. During the visit, Senator Luján engaged in conversations with the owners of Tierra Wools regarding concerns of uranium drilling and mineral development in the region.

“For decades, Tierra Wools have raised sheep here in the Chama Valley, caring for the land and supporting local economies,” said Senator Luján. “It was an honor to visit the Tierra Wools store and meet with Molly and Antonio to discuss their business and the importance of protecting the Chama watershed from mineral development. Businesses like Tierra Wools play a critical role in supporting local economies, and I’ll continue to fight in Washington to deliver for our small businesses.”

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Senator Marshall Op-Ed: Small Business Relief Has Come, but More is Needed

Great Bend – On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), published an op-ed in The Wichita Eagle in recognition of National Small Business Week. He highlighted the vital role small businesses play in Kansas communities. He detailed how recent Republican-led tax relief is supporting local job creators and outlined next steps, including his legislative efforts, to ensure Main Street employers can continue to grow and succeed.

Read the full op-ed HERE or below:

Small Business Relief Has Come, but More is Needed

Senator Roger Marshall

The Wichita Eagle

May 6th, 2026

Walk down Main Street in almost any Kansas town, and you’ll find the same thing — a family name above the door, an owner who knows your order, or a business that’s been there through good years and hard ones alike.

It’s these Kansans that are the backbone of our economy, and National Small Business Week is our chance to recognize them.

If we want a stronger economy, stronger families, and stronger communities, we need strong small businesses.

The question we should be asking during Small Business Week is simple: Who are we fighting for?

I believe we are fighting for the Main Street employers who keep our small towns alive and our economy growing.

Because when small businesses succeed, families have jobs. When they expand, communities grow. And when they are overburdened or pushed out, entire towns feel it.

Too often, the government gets this backwards. Instead of empowering small businesses, it treats them like they are giant corporations with compliance departments and teams of lawyers.

We have seen the results: excessive regulations, inflationary spending, higher energy costs, and burdensome mandates that make it harder to hire, expand, and compete.

The best thing the government can do is simple – get out of the way. Lower taxes. Reduce unnecessary regulations. Unleash American energy. And let entrepreneurs do what they do best.

We’ve already made progress on that front. This Tax Day brought good news for many small businesses across Kansas. Because Republicans delivered the Working Families Tax Cuts, job creators are seeing meaningful relief and greater certainty.

We took measures like bonus depreciation, full expensing for new capital investments, and interest deductibility to give Kansas job creators the certainty they need to plan, invest, and grow. That’s real money staying in the hands of business owners.

But there is always more work to be done.

We’ve also introduced several bills aimed at reducing costs and removing unnecessary burdens that continue to hold small businesses back.

Kansas small businesses are still paying billions in hidden credit card swipe fees every year. For many, these fees are second only to labor costs and often higher than utilities or employee health care.

We introduced the Credit Card Competition Act to bring real competition into the payments system and lower those costs, so Main Street businesses can keep more of what they earn.

Access to capital is another major challenge. Rural and low-income communities across Kansas are often left behind when investment decisions are made.

Our Investing in All of America Act helps change that by unlocking private investment for rural communities, manufacturers, and growing industries. It does this without new taxpayer spending by encouraging investment where it is needed most.

And I’ve heard loud and clear from Kansas small business owners about the Corporate Transparency Act. The reporting requirements are too costly, too complex, and too intrusive.

Requiring small business owners to submit sensitive personal information to a federal database was a mistake. I’m glad to join efforts to fix this and push legislation that protects small businesses from unnecessary federal overreach.

Small Business Week is a time to recognize and celebrate, but also acknowledge the continued work to be done. Please know that I will always put Main Street before Wall Street and will keep fighting to ensure small businesses have the tools that they need to thrive.

If you’re a small business owner in Kansas and you’ve got a story or a concern, my door is always open.

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Merkley, Bonamici, Oregon Delegation: FEMA Must Approve Waivers for Two Critical Disaster Mitigation Projects in Oregon

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) led a letter with their Democratic colleagues in the Oregon congressional delegation—Senator Ron Wyden, Representatives Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), and Janelle Bynum (OR-05)—urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to approve waivers for and to fully fund two projects in Oregon that were funded under the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program.

“Amidst the suspension of the BRIC program, these projects were forced to proceed to construction because recipients could not afford further delays without severely increasing project costs or jeopardizing the overall success of the project. The delay in funding has created substantial stress on these rural communities,” wrote the Oregon delegation to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

The BRIC program—which the Trump Administration attempted to end last year—provides grants for hazard mitigation planning and projects that reduce risks posed by natural hazards to communities.

The two projects in Oregon were forced to break ground pre-award and now require a waiver to access their funding. More details about these projects can be found below:

Clatsop County Columbia Memorial Hospital: FEMA selected Clatsop County and Columbia Memorial Hospital to receive $14 million in BRIC funding to build a tsunami-resilient hospital expansion in Astoria, featuring a vertical evacuation structure for 1,900 people. The recipients had begun spending down the funds when the BRIC program was suspended. The construction portion of the project was forced to begin in early 2026 due to the short construction window available.

Grants Pass Water Treatment Plant Relocation: The City of Grants Pass was selected to receive $50 million in BRIC funding to relocate their Water Treatment Plant outside their Special Flood Hazard Area to prevent system failure during a flooding event in Grants Pass. The project broke ground in July 2025 and is about 20 percent complete.

The lawmakers directed, “Communities across Oregon have relied on BRIC funding to ensure their resiliency in the face of future natural disasters. These, mostly rural, communities that FEMA selected for BRIC funding in prior years all have significant need for the assistance. We urge you to ensure the swift completion of applicable waivers, reviews, and release of funds, in accordance with previous commitments.”

The lawmakers also urged FEMA to promptly award funding for 19 additional projects in Oregon that were selected for funding in Fiscal Year 2022 and Fiscal Year 2023.

Previously, Merkley, Wyden, and Bonamici led the charge to save the BRIC Program. They joined over 80 of their Senate and House colleagues in a bipartisan effort to demand that former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem reinstate BRIC program funding. Merkley also led his Democratic colleagues in the Oregon delegation to denounce the cancellation of awards under the BRIC program to communities across the state.

Full text of the letter can be found by clicking here.

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Merkley, Wicker, Joyce, Bonamici, Underwood, Kiggans Lead Bipartisan, Bicameral Resolution Marking National Nurses Week 2026

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) teamed up with U.S. Representatives Dave Joyce (R-OH-14), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) to introduce a bipartisan, bicameral resolution honoring National Nurses Week. National Nurses Week 2026 is celebrated from May 6 through 12.

The National Nurses Week resolution honors and celebrates the important contributions of America’s nurses to safe, high-quality care and the invaluable role that nurses play in patient care every day. The resolution also highlights the extra care nurses provide in treating injured and sick patients during wartime, natural disasters, and public health emergencies.

“As the husband of a nurse, I’ve seen how difficult nurses’ jobs are and how important they are to patients,” said Senator Merkley, Co-Chair of the Senate Nursing Caucus. “In every corner of Oregon, nurses offer vital care, support, and advocacy to patients and their families during challenging times. Let’s pause this week to express gratitude for and honor the nurses in our communities for their unwavering skill, commitment, and compassion. We must remain dedicated to providing them with the support necessary to continue their life-saving work.”

“Nurses are essential to our nation’s health care system,” said Senator Wicker, Co-Chair of the Senate Nursing Caucus. “They ensure patients receive timely and quality care, and their dedication is unmatched. Our country needs more of these heroes, and I hope more young people will consider joining the nursing profession. This resolution is a small token of our gratitude for their service.”

“The nursing community’s tireless work and advocacy for patients keep our healthcare system running. As the husband of a nurse, I’ve seen firsthand how much pride they take in providing top-notch care for patients,” said Congressman Joyce, Co-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus. “I’m proud to introduce this resolution and will continue working with my colleagues in Congress to implement common-sense policies that strengthen support for nurses and improve access and affordability across our healthcare system.”

“This National Nurses Week, we celebrate the valuable contributions of our nursing workforce and call attention to the obstacles and challenges nurses face every day. Nurses provide essential, dedicated care across the country, and we must support their work while helping more people enter the field. As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Nursing Caucus, I will continue to advocate for policies nurses and aspiring nurses need, including affordable higher education,” said Congresswoman Bonamici, Co-Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus.

“I am thrilled to introduce this resolution and recognize nurses for their incredible commitment, care, and contributions to our communities,” said Congresswoman Underwood, Vice Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus. “Just one week ago, the Trump Administration undermined our profession by making it more difficult and more expensive for nurses to advance our education. But every day, across the country, nurses are providing high-quality clinical care, engaging in policy advocacy, and leading in our communities. National Nurses Week is an opportunity to show our thanks and recognition, and I look forward to continuing my work to support nurses at every stage of our education, training, and careers.”

Congresswoman Kiggans, Vice Chair of the Congressional Nursing Caucus said, “Our nation’s nurses are on the frontlines of healthcare every day. My experience as a geriatric nurse practitioner shaped my commitment to this profession and deepened my respect for those who dedicate their lives to caring for others. During National Nurses Week, we recognize not only their service, but their critical role in strengthening our healthcare system. I am proud to share their voices in Congress, and I look forward to continuing to work to ensure our nurses have the support they deserve.”

As of 2025, there are more than 5 million registered nurses in the United States. However, despite this substantial number, the nursing sector faces pressing challenges, including a continuing shortage of nurses, burnout, and other mental health struggles, and the need for safer working conditions. According to the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Study released by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, more than 138,000 nurses left the workforce since 2022 due to stress, burnout, and retirement. This same study also outlined that by 2029, almost 40 percent of nurses intend to leave the workforce.

This week’s resolution is a timely acknowledgment of the indispensable role nurses play in delivering quality care, advancing medical research, providing services to all communities and individuals, increasing access to nursing care, promoting healthy behaviors, and much more. The lawmakers’ bipartisan resolution encourages Americans to recognize and celebrate National Nurses Week this year and to support our nursing workforce today and every day.

In addition to Merkley and Wicker, this resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-WY), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jim Justice (R-WV), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Edward Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), James Risch (R-ID), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

Full text of the resolution can be found by clicking HERE.

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Merkley, Wyden, Colleagues Demand Federal Agencies Uphold the Law Over Trump’s Unlawful Order Limiting Voting Access

Senators push Social Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security to put the law ahead of bending to Trump’s illegal Executive Order

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined over 24 of their Senate Democratic colleagues in demanding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) follow existing federal law over the March 31 Executive Order signed by President Trump, which violates the Constitution and risks disenfranchising eligible voters.

President Trump’s directive, which has been challenged in the courts, would require DHS to create eligible voter lists – which the federal government does not have the authority to do. Under the order, DHS is required to use data from the Systemic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program that incorporates incorrect and out-of-date citizenship information from SSA, which DHS has acknowledged may produce inaccurate citizenship verification results. If the President’s Executive Order is implemented in place of current federal law, it will prevent eligible voters from exercising their fundamental right to vote.

In their letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the Senators wrote, “The foreseeable result is that tens of thousands of eligible U.S. citizen voters will discover on Election Day that they are barred from voting because they have been incorrectly removed from voter rolls. Indeed, reports have already confirmed that eligible Americans are being targeted for removal from voter rolls after being erroneously flagged as non-citizens by the SAVE program. As state and local election officials have stated, the SAVE program’s expanded use for voter roll maintenance would likely lead to even greater wrongful disenfranchisement.”

“The Department should immediately discontinue the SAVE program’s use for these illegal and non-statutory purposes and take no steps pursuant to the Executive Order that violate the law and risk disenfranchising eligible voters,” the Senators continued.

In their letter to SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano, the Senators wrote, “SSA data is already at the core of the overhauled SAVE program at DHS, which continues to have serious accuracy and reliability concerns. State and local elections officials, nonpartisan voter advocacy organizations, federal agencies, and courts have made clear that the SAVE program is not appropriate for voter roll maintenance because incorrect and out-of-date citizenship information in the databases it queries, including SSA databases, leads to eligible voters often being incorrectly flagged as non-citizens.”

“Given that SSA is an unreliable source for information on U.S. citizenship, that recent DOGE activities at SSA put the American public’s data at risk, and that federal interference in state-run elections is a clear violation of the Constitution’s Elections Clause, SSA should immediately discontinue its data sharing activities and take no steps pursuant to the Executive Order that violate the law and risk disenfranchising eligible voters,” the Senators concluded.

The letters were led by Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee; Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; and Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Democratic Leader.

Merkley and Wyden previously joined their Democratic colleagues in demanding the United States Postal Service (USPS) uphold existing federal law over President Trump’s Executive Order restricting vote by mail. The Executive Order, which has been challenged in the courts, attempts to turn the Postal Service into an election administrator and regulator, when it is supposed to be a nonpartisan agency whose only priority is to deliver the mail. This directive would have a chilling effect on the eligibility of American voters to exercise their constitutional right to vote by imposing unnecessary barriers and would corrupt the independent mission of the Postal Service to determine who can vote by mail.

Full text of the letter to DHS Secretary Mullin is available by clicking HERE.

Full text of the letter to SSA Commissioner Bisignano is available by clicking HERE.

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VIDEO RELEASE: Senator Moody Thanks Service Members and Veterans for Their Service During National Military Appreciation Month

TAMPA, Fla.—Senator Ashley Moody thanks service members and veterans for protecting the U.S. in a special video message for National Military Appreciation Month.

“It’s National Military Appreciation Month, and I want to take a moment to recognize the brave men and women who serve our nation. From those currently in uniform, to our veterans, their sacrifices make our freedoms possible. I will always fight in Washington to ensure they have the support, resources, and respect they’ve earned,” said Senator Ashley Moody.

BACKGROUND:

Florida is home to more than 20 military installations, tens of thousands of active-duty personnel, and three combatant commands of SOUTHCOM, CENTCOM, and SOCOM.

The Sunshine State is also home to more than 1.5 million veterans, the third largest military veteran population in the nation.

Senator Moody is committed to fighting for U.S. military members and veterans. Since becoming a United States Senator, Moody has:

Cosponsored the Military Spouse Hiring Act to address difficulties servicemembers’ families face when looking for work;

Cosponsored the Major Richard Star Act, which seeks to fix unjust disability policies for retired combat veterans;

Introduced Drone Espionage Act to crack down on spying through video surveillance of military installations;

Supported the Veterans Education and Technical Skills (VETS) Opportunity Act, which would expand educational benefits for veterans;

Supported the Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025, which would help ensure that only the most dedicated individuals can serve veterans;

Held a town hall with VA Secretary Collins in Tampa to discuss issues facing veterans;

Requested President Trump to send F-35As to Homestead Air Reserve Base;

Recognized 200 years of U.S. Navy presence in Pensacola and discussed the critical importance of the Navy and Coast Guard’s presence in the Florida Panhandle; and more.

Last year, Senator Moody secured major funding for Florida’s military bases through her work on the National Defense Authorization Act, totaling over $851 million aimed to support shipbuilding, delivery of next-generation aircraft, and construction of Golden Dome missile defense.

Senator Moody recently joined the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Senator Moody has long fought for Florida’s military members. As Florida Attorney General, Moody oversaw the Military and Veterans Assistance Program to assist servicemembers, veterans and their families who encounter scams or fraud.

Senator Moody is proud to be part of a military family.

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In Kennewick, Murray Sounds Alarms on Republican Cuts to Health Care, Pushing Rural Health Care to Brink

***PHOTOS AND B-ROLL HERE***

Kennewick, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a roundtable discussion with health care professionals at Columbia Valley Center for Recovery to discuss the new challenges health care providers are facing nearly a year after Republicans passed the largest health care cut in history in their Big Ugly Bill. Senator Murray heard from participants about how these cuts along with the expired ACA tax credits have affected access to care across the region.

Murray was joined by Jodi Daly, President/CEO of Comprehensive Healthcare; Dr. Veronica Hooper, CMO of Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic; Ana Rodriguez, Caregiver, SEIU 775 Member; Nachya George, Behavioral Health Services Program Director, Yakama Nation; and Rick Evans, Director of Public Affairs, Tri-Cities Community Health.

The Republican reconciliation bill, which was signed into law in July 2025, cuts more than $1 trillion from Medicaid and the ACA over the next 10 years and will make health care more expensive and harder to access. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that Republicans’ health care cuts will terminate health insurance for roughly 15 million Americans nationwide

“With their Big Ugly Bill, Republicans passed the single largest health care cut in our nation’s history— leaving providers in the Tri-Cities to wonder how they will keep their staff on and their doors open,” said Senator Murray. “If that weren’t damaging enough, Republicans refused to extend the health care tax credits—which millions of people relied on to afford health coverage. The fallout from that has been devastating. Families saw their premiums double, triple, or even worse. I hear from so many families in Washington state struggling with this. In our state over 36,000 people canceled their insurance, and we know many more shifted down to a worse plan—often still at a higher cost. Congress needs to repeal Trump’s cuts to health care—getting there won’t be easy, but we have to make sure people understand the harm these cuts are doing, especially to rural health care. ”

“During Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re reminded that mental health care is essential to strong communities. The expiration of Affordable Care Act tax credits and proposals like HR 1 risk increasing the number of uninsured and placing added strain on community-based providers. If we are serious about achieving mental health parity, we must ensure stable coverage and sustainable support for these providers—because when provider organizations are strong, the people and communities served are healthier and more vibrant,” said Jodi Daly, PhD, President/CEO of ComprehensiveHealthcare.

“By serving patients early and close to home, federally qualified health centers, like YVFWC, help programs like Medicaid stretch limited dollars while improving health outcomes and access to health services—but patients need continued coverage and we need continued support from our policymakers to make this happen,” said Dr. Veronica Hooper, Chief Medical Officer of Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic.

“Care is essential to survive and live with dignity. When I look at the cuts to care in HR 1, I know that for every person who loses care, at least two people are affected – the person needing the care, and their caregiver. But usually, it’s more than two. It’s the client’s family, their friends, the caregiver’s family. And in all my years of caregiving, I’ve not once been able to look at a client and say they could lose care in hours and be ok,” said Ana Rodriguez, a caregiver and member of SEIU 775. “HR 1’s cuts to care will strip people of their independence and many people will die without care. Because when you can’t do essential things to care for yourself, and you don’t have someone to care for you, what are you supposed to do? I’ve heard from other caregivers and their clients – they’re worried about what happens to them as the cruel Medicaid cuts made in HR 1 become a reality. So many of us love doing this work, and we’ve made many sacrifices to be able to do this job. But there is still so much uncertainty and fear for our clients and our own livelihood.”

“It was invaluable to have the Senator come to the Tri-Cities to visit with us today. Those who need access to a doctor, or to have affordable medicine, should have that opportunity. Tri-Cities Community Health, and Community Health Centers throughout Washington, are designed to support this idea, which is one the Senator has worked to champion in the Senate. Today’s discussion was important and Tri-Cities Community Health is grateful for the opportunity and all of the Senator’s work,” said Rick Evans, Director of Public Affairs, Tri-Cities Community Health.

ABOUT TRUMP’S MEDICAID CUTS:

Nationwide, the Republican health care cuts represent a more than $400 billion hit to America’s hospitals—with one estimate finding that over 170 rural hospitals will likely be forced to close or scale back their services, which will force more Americans to travel further for maternity care and emergency rooms, and face longer wait times. Washington state is one of the states most at-risk, with 22 hospitals at-risk of closing or reducing services. An estimated 477,000 health workers will lose their jobs as a result of the Republican cuts to Medicaid. Senator Murray has consistently advocated for rural health care across the state, hosting numerous events to emphasize the importance of investment into rural communities.

Hospitals in Washington state could lose at least $662 million in Medicaid revenue every year under OBBBA—forcing hospitals to lay off staff, cut services, or close their doors entirely. Overall, Washington state is expected to lose between $31 billion and $51 billion in federal Medicaid dollars over the next decade. In 2024, Washington had an uninsured rate of 4.8 percent—the lowest in the country—but the Republican bill is expected to balloon that number into the double digits.

ABOUT GOP REFUSAL TO EXTEND ACA TAX CREDITS:

In Washington state, nearly 2 million people—roughly 1 in 5—are enrolled in Apple Health, the state’s Medicaid program. Washington’s 4th Congressional District has the highest Medicaid enrollment in Washington state, with nearly 300,000 people—38 percent of all residents—reliant on Apple Health, including 70 percent of all children in the state. Over 36,000 fewer Washingtonians enrolled in health insurance through the state’s health care exchange, Washington Healthplanfinder. Over 51,000 fewer Washingtonians are using federal tax credits to get their health care coverage.

Senator Murray forced the issue of the ACA tax credits at every opportunity before Republicans ultimately refused to take any action, speaking out nonstop about the urgent need to save health care and calling on Republicans to come to the negotiating table to work out a bipartisan deal to extend the ACA tax credits. She took to the Senate floor in November with her Democratic colleagues to call for a clean one-year extension of the ACA tax credits, and held numerous virtual press conferences with Washingtonians, as well as residents of neighboring states Idaho and Montana, about the exploding health care premiums that Americans are seeing due to the expiration of the tax credits. As the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Murray led legislation supported by the Democratic caucus that would have addressed the health care crisis during the government shutdown last fall. Senator Murray has also cosponsored multiple pieces of legislation over the past year—the Health Care Affordability Act and the Protecting Health Care and Lowering Costs Act—that would make the ACA tax credits permanent.

Senator Murray played a critical role in passing the ACA enhanced premium tax credits into law in the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 and extending them in the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022.

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In the Tri-Cities, Murray Rejects Trump’s Budget Cuts, Affirms Commitment to Hanford Cleanup and Workers

ICYMI: Senator Murray on President Trump’s Budget Request for Hanford

***PHOTOS AND B-ROLL HERE***

Pasco, WA – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a roundtable discussion on the Hanford cleanup with labor leaders and regional stakeholders on the historic progress being made to move cleanup efforts forward. Senator Murray highlighted her fight to reject President Trump’s FY27 budget proposal that includes a $400 million cut to Hanford. Earlier in the day, Senator Murray also toured the Hanford site.

Joining Senator Murray for the discussion today were: Nick Bumpaous, Business Manager for UA 598, Plumbers and Steamfitters in Pasco, Washington, and Former President of the Central Washington Building and Construction Trades Council; Seth Worley, Government Affairs Director and PAC Chairman for UA 598; David Reeploeg, Vice President for Federal Programs, Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC) and Executive Director of Hanford Communities; TJ Carter, Business Representative for IBEW Local 112; Jeff McDaniel, Hanford Atomic Metal Trades Council (HAMTC) President; and Barry Shoemake, Business Agent for UA Local 598.

“It’s been a battle to fund the Hanford cleanup every year since I came to the Senate, inevitably having to fight with nearly every President to write a budget that lives up to the federal government’s moral and legal obligation to this community and our state. Finally, last year we saw an incredible milestone—as we began turning nuclear waste into glass thanks to the tireless efforts of the workers who power the Hanford cleanup,” said Senator Murray. “This is no time to set this critical work back by accepting President Trump’s egregious budget cuts—cutting corners now would only impair the cleanup, creating pointless delays and driving up costs. It’s clear that President Trump just does not get it, but he doesn’t get the final say on funding for Hanford—Congress does. And just like every year before, I am going to make sure we tear up President Trump’s budget and write a new one. I’ll always stand up for Hanford workers, fight to make sure we keep the cleanup on track, and make sure Central Washington’s priorities are the federal government’s priorities.”

“Hanford cleanup only succeeds with steady, sufficient funding. Anything less drives up long-term costs and delays progress. Senator Murray understands this, and she has fought relentlessly – and delivered – year after year to ensure Hanford gets the resources it needs. With low-activity waste vitrification now underway and many more accomplishments on the horizon, we’re grateful for Senator Murray’s continued leadership and unwavering commitment to Hanford cleanup and the Tri-Cities community,” said David Reeploeg, Vice President for Federal Programs, Tri-City Development Council (TRIDEC).

For FY26, Senator Murray secured a record $3.22 billion for the Hanford cleanup—$277 million or a 9.39% increase over last year’s funding level. This amount includes $1.051 billion for Richland operations, and $2.173 billion for the Office of River Protection—a $235.7 million increase over fiscal year 2025. Notably, the legislation Senator Murray negotiated rejects major cuts to Richland that were proposed in the Trump administration’s FY26 budget request, which would have been devastating for the Hanford workforce. Within the Office of River Protection, the bill includes $611.5 million for the High Level Waste (HLW) facility ($11.58 million above FY25 spend plan levels), and $480 million for Direct-Feed Low Activity Waste (DFLAW) facility operations ($89.5 million above the FY26 budget request level). This funding will enable the site to accelerate waste retrievals and throughput at DFLAW.

Senator Murray has worked tirelessly to support Hanford workers and ensure the federal government lives up to its cleanup obligations at Hanford throughout her time in Congress—beating back efforts by multiple administrations to underfund the Hanford cleanup. Last year she called out the administration when they mass fired federal workers, including at the Hanford site, and joined Tri-City leaders in denouncing Trump’s FY26 budget proposal which would have gutted key federal investments for the Tri-Cities. Murray also slammed the administration for threatening to drastically derail cleanup efforts and ax the Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant Project. Following the public pressure from Murray, the administration relented and allowed cleanup efforts to proceed as planned which ultimately resulted in nuclear waste officially being turned into glass at Hanford.

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Sen. Ossoff Delivering Resources to Strengthen Public Safety in Conyers

Conyers, Ga. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is strengthening public safety in Conyers.

Sen. Ossoff brought Republicans and Democrats together to deliver new portable radios and a Mobile Command Vehicle to the Conyers Police Department to better protect its residents and strengthen emergency response efforts.

Sen. Ossoff is delivering $1,031,000 for the project through bipartisan government funding legislation that became law on January 23.

“It is absolutely imperative that Georgia communities have the resources to keep families safe,” Sen. Ossoff said. “That’s why I’m working with Republicans and Democrats to deliver funding to the City of Conyers for key safety upgrades.”

“We are deeply grateful for this federal investment in the City of Conyers and our police department. This funding will significantly strengthen our technological capabilities and enhance our strategic preparedness, ensuring our officers have the tools they need to protect and serve our community at the highest level. We appreciate the continued support and partnership that made this possible, and we look forward to putting these resources to work for the people of Conyers,” said City of Conyers Police Department Chief R. Scott Freeman.

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Padilla, Schiff Join Bennet and Colleagues Demanding Trump Administration Resume Russian Oil Sanctions

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif) joined Senator Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and 12 of their Senate colleagues in urging Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent to fully resume sanctions on Russian oil and use every available tool to cut into Russia’s war windfall profits.

In their letter, the Senators note that these steps are crucial to depriving Russian President Vladimir Putin of the revenue he needs to continue waging his war of aggression against Ukraine. Additionally, they point out that pausing these sanctions has not and will not noticeably bring down domestic energy prices – which are spiking because of President Donald Trump’s reckless war with Iran.

Padilla, Schiff, and Bennet were joined on this letter by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Andy Kim (D.-N.J.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Gary C. Peters (D-Mich.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.).

“We urge the Trump Administration to resume the Russia oil sanctions your Department recently paused by issuing and then extending a General License on deliveries of Russian oil. We also urge the Administration and your Department to take immediate, additional steps to limit the windfall profits Russia and its intermediaries continue to earn due to elevated energy prices stemming from President Trump’s unauthorized war with Iran. These steps are crucial to depriving Russian President Vladimir Putin of the revenue he needs to continue waging his war of aggression against Ukraine,” began the Senators.

“Despite warnings from U.S. government and outside experts, the Trump Administration failed to anticipate or plan for the likelihood that an open-ended war with Iran would spike global energy prices – especially if Iran were to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas transits,” the Senators wrote. “The President’s self-made global energy crisis has predictably increased average national gasoline prices by over 85 cents a gallon and also raised the price of Russian oil, risking the replenishment of funding for Putin’s war machine. Putin has openly spoken of using the crisis to reestablish export markets for Russian oil. Estimates suggest that Russia’s oil revenue has doubled in April.”

“You described the Administration’s sanctions pause as necessary while noting it was ‘unfortunate’ that Russia stood to benefit financially from the decision. Pausing these sanctions has had and will continue to have, at best, a limited effect on domestic gasoline costs or global oil prices, which remain elevated. Doing so instead removed the stigma that had been driving discounted prices for Russian oil and allowed Russia to sell or resell cargoes to buyers now willing to pay higher prices – giving Putin a financial boon to ease the budgetary challenges resulting from his war on Ukraine. This provides additional funding to the Kremlin and its oil traders even as reports indicate that Russia has helped Iran target Americans,” the Senators continued.

“Continuing to pause these sanctions is a mistake that President Trump must reverse immediately. In addition, he must use every tool at his disposal to cut into Russia’s war windfall profits, instead of enabling their additional revenue. He has options that he can and must use to reimpose the stigma on and dissuade purchases of Russian oil,” the Senators urged.

“Failure to put more pressure on the Kremlin – particularly as the Trump Administration pulls resources necessary to deter Russia and China away from those theaters into the Middle East – would embolden Putin to continue waging his war against Ukraine, aiding Iran’s attacks on U.S. troops, and threatening our NATO allies,” concluded the Senators.

The text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Secretary Bessent:

We urge the Trump Administration to resume the Russia oil sanctions your Department recently paused by issuing and then extending a General License on deliveries of Russian oil. We also urge the Administration and your Department to take immediate, additional steps to limit the windfall profits Russia and its intermediaries continue to earn due to elevated energy prices stemming from President Trump’s unauthorized war with Iran. These steps are crucial to depriving Russian President Vladimir Putin of the revenue he needs to continue waging his war of aggression against Ukraine.

Before President Trump launched his war with Iran, Russia was suffering battlefield losses and facing financial pressures due to declining global oil prices and fewer buyers willing to purchase Russian oil. Reports from before the Iran war indicated that Russia lost oil and gas revenue in 2024 and 2025. Russia was reportedly struggling to sustain its ever-growing military spending with these declining revenues.

Russia continues evading existing sanctions and other measures through numerous front companies, traders, and “shadow fleet” vessels. Yet the Trump Administration has halted regular counter-evasion sanctions for 14 months now, an unprecedented pause. U.S. allies and partners, however, continue to act against hundreds of vessels and entities in Russia’s oil sales ecosystem. The European Union also banned imports of refined oil products derived from Russian crude oil, an action that India’s largest oil refiner cited when the firm began reducing its crude imports from Russia.

Despite warnings from U.S. government and outside experts, the Trump Administration failed to anticipate or plan for the likelihood that an open-ended war with Iran would spike global energy prices – especially if Iran were to effectively close the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas transits. The President’s self-made global energy crisis has predictably increased average national gasoline prices by over 85 cents a gallon and also raised the price of Russian oil, risking the replenishment of funding for Putin’s war machine. Putin has openly spoken of using the crisis to reestablish export markets for Russian oil. Estimates suggest that Russia’s oil revenue has doubled in April.

President Trump has failed to develop approaches to limit Russia’s windfall. Instead, he has responded to recent oil price increases with the reckless decision, in March 2026, to temporarily lift some sanctions on Russian oil, allowing the purchase of Russian oil and petroleum products already at sea. This move, a licensing action affecting large quantities of Russia’s most important export, flies in the face of a requirement under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) to notify Congress 30 days before taking such an action. The Senate overwhelmingly passed CAATSA, which President Trump signed into law in 2017.

You described the Administration’s sanctions pause as necessary while noting it was “unfortunate” that Russia stood to benefit financially from the decision. Pausing these sanctions has had and will continue to have, at best, a limited effect on domestic gasoline costs or global oil prices, which remain elevated. Doing so instead removed the stigma that had been driving discounted prices for Russian oil and allowed Russia to sell or resell cargoes to buyers now willing to pay higher prices – giving Putin a financial boon to ease the budgetary challenges resulting from his war on Ukraine. This provides additional funding to the Kremlin and its oil traders even as reports indicate that Russia has helped Iran target Americans.

Your Department described the sanctions pause as a temporary tool. When the initial sanctions pause expired after 30 days, you stated publicly that the Administration would not seek further extension. Despite this, just days later in late April, the Administration extended the pause for another 30-day period without explanation on the reversal of policy.

Yet the Trump Administration did not just extend its March sanctions pause, which allowed for the sale of oil already at sea as of mid-March. The renewal now also allows the sale of oil on ships that had been loaded as of mid-April. This rewarded Putin’s enablers who loaded oil after the Trump Administration issued the initial pause – betting correctly that this Administration would give them another payday in a misguided attempt to address the consequences of President Trump’s reckless war. Now, the private sector likely believes that the Trump Administration will continue extending this broad license.

Continuing to pause these sanctions is a mistake that President Trump must reverse immediately. In addition, he must use every tool at his disposal to cut into Russia’s war windfall profits, instead of enabling their additional revenue. He has options that he can and must use to reimpose the stigma on and dissuade purchases of Russian oil.

Now is the time to strengthen, not weaken, enforcement of restrictions on Russia’s oil and gas revenues. Yet as Congress has repeatedly raised, the Trump Administration has paused all Russia counter-evasion sanctions, including on those entities circumventing sanctions that the Administration itself imposed on Rosneft and Lukoil, for more than a year now.

Failure to put more pressure on the Kremlin – particularly as the Trump Administration pulls resources necessary to deter Russia and China away from those theaters into the Middle East – would embolden Putin to continue waging his war against Ukraine, aiding Iran’s attacks on U.S. troops, and threatening our NATO allies.

Thank you for your attention.

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