Sens. Rick Scott, Elizabeth Warren Introduce Bill to Permanently Ban Members of Congress from Lobbying

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senators Rick Scott and Elizabeth Warren introduced the Banning Lobbying and Safeguarding Trust (BLAST) Act, to permanently ban former members of the House of Representatives and Senate from lobbying Congress after leaving office.

Senator Rick Scott said, “When politicians use their time in public office to cash in after they leave government, the American people lose. Trust in our institutions is at an all-time low, and the revolving door between Capitol Hill and K Street is a big part of that. We need to restore the American people’s trust in their government, and that’s why I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to put government clearly back on the side of the people. Our founders never intended public service to become a training ground for a lifetime of lobbying. Senator Warren and I are working to end this practice once and for all.”

Senator Elizabeth Warren said, “It’s simple: Members of Congress should spend their time in Washington serving the American people, not preparing to cash in big time with a cushy lobbying career after they leave office. It’s long past time to close the revolving door that’s corrupted our government and destroyed public trust in elected officials. This bipartisan bill is a no-brainer that Congress should pass now.”

The BLAST Act prohibits two types of activity — lobbyist registration and conduct.

First, it bars former Members and elected officers from working as registered lobbyists, as defined by the Lobbying Disclosure Act.

Second, it prohibits them from making lobbying contacts, regardless of their registration status.

This includes making communications or appearances before Members of Congress, congressional staff, or legislative offices with the intent to influence official action on behalf of private parties.

Finally, the bill would also address “shadow lobbying” by expanding existing lobbying restrictions to cover former lawmakers who are compensated for lobbying activities, even if they do not formally register as lobbyists or make direct lobbying contacts themselves.

Violation of this law could result in up to five years in prison as well as civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation.

This legislation is part of Senator Rick Scott’s longstanding fight to make Washington work for American families, which has also included ending taxpayer-funded Congressional Pensions, imposing term limits on Congress, and No Budget, No Pay legislation to ensure that politicians do not receive government paychecks during government shutdowns.

To read the full bill text, click here.

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VIDEO: During National Police Week, Rosen Thanks Law Enforcement, Urges Colleagues to Invest More Resources in Police

Watch Senator Rosen’s full remarks HERE.

WASHINGTON, DC – During National Police Week, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) took to the Senate floor to thank the law enforcement officers who serve with honor and integrity to protect communities across Nevada and pledged to continue standing with law enforcement. Senator Rosen honored fallen Officer Jason Roscow, who served for seventeen years with the North Las Vegas Police Department and was tragically killed in the line of duty last year. She also called on her colleagues to invest more resources to ensure police officers have what they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.

Below is a transcript of Senator Rosen’s remarks:

This week marks National Police Week, a time for our nation to honor the bravery, sacrifice, and service of the men and women in law enforcement who work every single day to keep our communities safe.

These heroes put their lives on the line to protect our communities, and I want to give a special thanks to the law enforcement officers across Nevada who serve every day with honor and integrity.

Every day they put on the uniform, they kiss their loved ones goodbye, and head into situations that most of us hope we never have to face.

Whether it’s a major emergency, a domestic dispute, or a routine traffic stop, they face danger every single day.

They do it because they believe in service. Because they believe in protecting others.

National Police Week is also about honoring the fallen. Those heroes who left behind families, friends, colleagues, and the communities they served and helped to protect.

Heroes like Officer Jason Roscow, who served for seventeen years proudly with the North Las Vegas Police Department, and was tragically killed in the line of duty last year.

Officer Roscow devoted his life to serving his fellow Americans – first in uniform for the United States Air Force, and then for nearly two decades in law enforcement in Southern Nevada.

Today, I am thinking about his family, the two sons he left behind, his fellow officers, and the entire North Las Vegas community that continues to mourn this tremendous loss.

And unfortunately, Officer Roscow is not alone.

In Nevada and across this country, far too many officers have made the ultimate sacrifice to their communities.

This week, every week, and every day, we honor their memory.

We also honor the work that our officers do, and I want to let Nevada law enforcement know one thing: I have your back.

That means making sure law enforcement agencies have funding, staffing, training, equipment, and mental health resources they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.

I’ve worked across party lines to deliver exactly that for Nevada.

Earlier this year, I helped secure millions of dollars in funding to strengthen public safety and support local law enforcement.

That funding included $1 million for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department to procure equipment supporting search and rescue operations, to support patrols, and to support large-scale event security.

It included three million dollars for Washoe County to acquire a Mobile Command Intelligence Vehicle to improve emergency response capabilities.

And the bill included more than one million dollars for the City of Henderson to implement a domestic violence and sexual assault response program, to better support victims and to improve public safety.

These funds are absolutely critical, and one of the best uses of our taxpayer dollars.

Any time we invest in fighting crime and keeping people safe, we’re investing in ourselves and we’re investing in our communities.

These are so meaningful, and so much more meaningful than, say, a ballroom.

Right now, Donald Trump has proposed spending $1 billion of your taxpayer dollars, taxpayer money on a new White House ballroom.

Imagine that, $1 billion for one room that no one will go to except the president and his friends. One billion dollars.

At a time when police departments across America are struggling with staffing shortages, recruitment challenges, retention issues, and the growing demands every day on officers, let me tell you this, $1 billion could do a whole lot to support our local law enforcement.

One billion dollars could fund nearly two years of full funding for the COPS Hiring Program – to help communities hire, train, and retain more officers. Not only that, it could fund two years of the COPS Hiring Program and fully fund two years of the Public Safety Officer Benefits Program.

Do you know what the benefits program is? It’s to help support the families of fallen officers and officers permanently disabled in the line of duty. It could fund two full years for the Safety Officer Benefits Program. And, like I said, two years of the COPS Hiring Program.

Few other things that the one billion dollars could do that’s a lot better than a ballroom for our public safety. One billion dollars could also fund an entire year of the Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants, which help our local law enforcement agencies combat violent crime, invest in crime prevention, support drug treatment programs, and strengthen public safety initiatives.

And these are actually investments that are keeping all of our communities safe, everywhere, all of you safe, keeping our officers safe.

That’s why I’m gonna be doing a few things. I’m gonna be filing two amendments to the Republican reconciliation package that would redirect the $1 billion boondoggle of a ballroom, take that funding away from the White House ballroom and put it toward the programs that support law enforcement and public safety in our communities.

Remember that, two years here, two years here, another year here for funding for law enforcement and safety for survivors and benefits. It matters.

If my Republican colleagues truly support law enforcement the way they claim to, then they too should support my amendments.

I’m doing this because I believe we must do everything we can to give our police the resources that they need to stay safe. They’re the ones who put their lives on the line to protect us, and their safety should be a priority for all of us.

And so I’m gonna continue to work with my colleagues here in the Senate on both sides of the aisle on solutions that support our police departments, the officers who serve, and their families.

Because our first responders, our law enforcement, they run in when everyone is running out. They take that risk every day. They will never go to the ballroom. They need the help in our communities.

It’s the least we can do.

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Senate Passes Schatz-Hirono Resolution Honoring UH Men’s Volleyball Team For NCAA National Championship Win

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate today unanimously passed a resolution authored by U.S. Senators Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) and Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawai‘i) congratulating the University of Hawai‘i (UH) men’s volleyball team on their NCAA National Championship win. Schatz and Hirono also paid tribute to the team’s victory in speeches on the Senate floor.

“Congratulations to the ‘Bows on their well-deserved victory,” said Senator Schatz. “This win wasn’t just for the incredible athletes on the court. This win was for the coaches, staff, family, friends, and fans who supported them all along the way. And it was a win for our entire state. This victory belongs to Hawai‘i.”

“As a proud UH alumna, I join people across our state and beyond in congratulating our Men’s Volleyball players, coaches, and fans. Part of what makes this team so special, and successful, is that they don't just tolerate difference — they build around it,” said Senator Hirono. “Hawaii has always understood that diversity is something to celebrate, not fear. At a time when diversity is under attack, this team just showed the entire country that diversity is a competitive advantage.”

A companion resolution has been introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives Ed Case (D-Hawai‘i) and Jill Tokuda (D-Hawai‘i).

Video of the senators’ remarks are available here. The full text of the resolution is available here.

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Senator Schmitt Celebrates Justin Smith’s Nomination for Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Moving One Step Closer to Confirmation

Smith Served as Schmitt’s Chief of Staff in the Missouri Attorney General’s Office

U.S. SENATE — Today, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) released the following statement after President Trump’s nominee for the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, Justin Smith, passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Justin Smith formerly served as Schmit’s Chief of Staff and First Assistant in the Missouri Attorney General’s office.

Watch the Senators remarks HERE.

“Justin Smith is an extremely qualified candidate. He was my First Assistant when I was Attorney General. He understands the proper role of the Judiciary. He will be an excellent 8th Circuit Judge; I can’t recommend him more highly to my colleges. He will be great,” said Senator Schmitt.

Schmitt previously chaired a Senate Judiciary Hearing, introducing Mr. Smith. Watch the Senator’s introduction HERE.

Upon Smith’s confirmation, he will be the latest Schmitt-alum to be tapped by President Trump and serving in the federal legal system.

John Sauer, Solicitor General, Department of Justice

Tom Albus, U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of Missouri

Cristian Stevens, District Judge, Eastern District of Missouri

Maria Lanahan, District Judge, Eastern District of Missouri

Zach Bluestone, District Judge, Eastern District of Missouri

Josh Divine, District Judge, Eastern and Western District of Missouri

Jesus Osete, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, Department of Justice

Michael Talent, Assistant Solicitor General, Department of Justice

Rachel Jag, Associate Deputy Attorney General, Department of Justice

Justin Smith, Circuit Judge, Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

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Senator Schmitt Honors the 222nd Anniversary of Lewis and Clark Expedition on Senate Floor

Lewis and Clark’s Historic Journey Began in St. Louis, MO

U.S. SENATE — Today, U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) spoke on the Senate floor and passed a resolution honoring the 222nd Anniversary of Lewis and Clark embarking on their western expedition beginning in St. Louis, Missouri. Starting on May 14th, 1804, the pioneers explored the Missouri River, crossing the Continental Divide of the Americas, eventually ending at the Pacific Ocean in 1805.

Watch the Senator’s full speech HERE.

Excerpt of remarks as prepared for delivery:

“Two hundred twenty-two years ago today, on May 14, 1804, Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and the Corps of Discovery departed from the St. Louis region and began one of the most consequential journeys in the history of this Republic…

“Jefferson understood something too many in this city have forgotten: nations are not forged by committees of caution. They are forged by men with enough faith to act before every risk has been removed.

“Jefferson gave that honor to a small band of men who turned the restless, adventurous, and fearless American spirit into something that would be passed down for centuries.

“They were not soft men. They were not managed men. They were men born close enough to the Revolution to understand that freedom is not a theory. It is something bought, defended, and carried forward across generations…

“Lewis and Clark did not cross a continent so that their descendants would learn to live small. Because America is not just a collection of abstract ideas. It is a nation. It is a people. It is an inheritance — purchased by the sacrifice of generations who refused to accept the limits placed before them and entrusted to us to carry forward.

“From the pioneers who crossed the frontier, to the workers who built our industries, to the innovators who reshaped the modern world, this country has always been defined by people who honored the past by building something worthy of it.

“They did not worship ashes but instead preserved fire. That is the legacy of Lewis and Clark. Not merely that they explored a continent, but that they revealed the character of the people capable of building a civilization upon it.

“A people who move forward. A people who endure. A people who build.

“As America approaches 250 years of independence, that same spirit is being called upon once again. The Spirit of ’76. The Spirit of Manifest Destiny. The Spirit of St. Louis. The American spirit: take the inheritance, carry the flag, and build the future.”

Read Schmitt’s resolution HERE.

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Sen. Tim Scott Leads Historic Markup of Digital Asset Market Structure Legislation

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, today convened a historic markup of H.R. 3633, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act of 2025, legislation to establish clear rules of the road for digital assets. During today’s markup, Sen. Scott emphasized that the Clarity Act will protect Main Street, keep innovation in the United States, and safeguard U.S. national security. In his opening remarks, Sen. Scott underscored that years of regulatory uncertainty and regulation by enforcement have driven innovation overseas, left Americans exposed, and made it harder for law enforcement to do its job. He also highlighted that the bill is the product of months of good-faith bipartisan negotiations and takes the side of everyday Americans by bringing digital assets out of the shadows and into a system that is safer, fairer, and more transparent.

Sen. Scott’s opening remarks as delivered:

Today is an important day – not just for this Committee, but for the country.

For years, the digital frontier was trapped in a regulatory gray zone.

Developers, entrepreneurs, and investors were left with uncertainty.

They faced confusion and enforcement actions when, instead, the government should have been crafting clear rules of the road.

Those hurdles drove innovation overseas, left Americans exposed, and made it harder for law enforcement to do their job.

Today, we change that.

The bill we are marking up achieves three simple goals: protecting consumers, keeping innovation here at home, and safeguarding U.S. national security.

Those are not partisan goals. They are American priorities.

Protecting consumers means making sure everyday people come first.

It means clear disclosures, safeguards against fraud, and rules that keep markets open, fair, and efficient.

It means that if someone in South Carolina invests in digital assets, they are protected by a framework with real, enforceable legal standards.

This bill gives Americans confidence that the system works for them, not against them.

Keeping innovation here at home means giving American builders, entrepreneurs, and businesses the clarity and certainty to do what they do best.

Until today, outdated rules, unpredictable enforcement, and outright hostility have forced far too many American companies overseas. That costs us jobs, investment, and leadership.

This bill says that the future of finance should be built in America, under American laws, and with American values.

Safeguarding our national security means closing the doors that criminals, terrorists, and hostile regimes have tried to exploit.

This bill strengthens anti-money-laundering and sanctions rules and gives law enforcement better tools to go after bad actors.

These tools make it harder to hide and easier to enforce the law.

None of this happened overnight.

It happened because members on both sides of the aisle chose to sit down, listen, and work.

We’ve had months of good-faith negotiations. Republicans did not get everything we wanted.

But we made real progress with our Democrat colleagues, and this bill, and ultimately – and more importantly – the American people, will be better off because of it.

This legislation does not take sides between traditional finance and new technology. Or Republicans and Democrats.

It takes the side of everyday Americans.

It brings digital assets out of the shadows and into a system that is safer, fairer, and more transparent.

This is what good governance looks like.

Today, we take a step forward, together, to protect investors, grow our economy, and keep America leading the world.

I’m proud of this Committee for doing the work, and I look forward to moving this bill forward.

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Sens. Scott, Coons Introduce Bill to Support Education Excellence at HBCUs

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.), co-chairs of the HBCU Caucus, today introduced the Institutional Grants for New Infrastructure, Technology, and Education (IGNITE) for HBCU Excellence Act, legislation designed to strengthen Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through investments in infrastructure, research, technology, and workforce development.

The legislation establishes a competitive federal grant program within the Department of Education to support modernization efforts at HBCUs nationwide.

“HBCUs have long been engines of opportunity, but for far too long, too many have been asked to do more with less. The IGNITE for HBCU Excellence Act will help modernize campuses, expand research and workforce training opportunities, and ensure students are prepared to succeed in a 21st-century economy,” said Sen. Scott. “I’m proud to partner with Senator Coons on this legislation to strengthen HBCUs in South Carolina and across the country for generations to come.”

“Historically Black Colleges and Universities like Delaware State University have long been institutions that create opportunity and academic excellence for future generations of community leaders, innovators, educators, and freedom fighters,” said Sen. Coons. “Funding for HBCUs is critical to providing educational resources for low-income students, first generation college students, and those most at risk of not entering college. Congress needs to take up and pass the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act to modernize campuses across the country so that HBCUs have the technology, facilities, and resources they need to educate the next generation.”

The House companion legislation will be led by HBCU Co-Chairs Representatives Alma Adams (D-N.C.-12) and French Hill (R-Ark.-02).

“For generations, HBCUs have educated students who went on to lead in every corner of our country, often while operating with far fewer resources than their peer institutions,”said Rep. Adams. “The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act is about making sure these institutions have the facilities and infrastructure needed to continue serving students and competing in today’s higher education landscape. From academic buildings and research labs to student housing and technology infrastructure, this bill makes long-term investments that will strengthen our campuses, support workforce development, and expand opportunity for future generations. I am proud to continue this bipartisan work through the HBCU Caucus alongside Congressman French Hill and our Senate partners.”

“Central Arkansas is home to four outstanding HBCUs, and I have seen firsthand the difference these institutions make for their students and communities,” said Rep. Hill. “I have also seen how the lack of long-term investment and aging infrastructure limits what these institutions are able to offer their students. The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act is a meaningful step toward addressing that. It would help ensure our HBCUs have the facilities and infrastructure to match the excellence of the students they serve. This is the kind of investment that will pay dividends for generations, and I am proud to partner with Congresswoman Adams and our Senate colleagues to get it done.”

The IGNITE for HBCU Excellence Act is supported by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the United Negro College Fund, the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the Office of Management and Budget.

South Carolina State University President Alexander Conyers said, “The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act represents an important investment in the future of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the students we serve. For South Carolina State University, modern facilities, technology, and research capacity are critical to preparing students for success in today’s workforce and economy. We appreciate Senator Scott’s support of efforts that help strengthen HBCUs and expand opportunities for our students and communities.”

“The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act has the potential to be a transformative investment in HBCUs and the students who depend on them,” said UNCF President and CEO Michael L. Lomax. “For generations, HBCUs have nurtured extraordinary talent, yet they have long struggled with unequal access to funding and modern infrastructure. This legislation could reverse those adverse circumstances by providing targeted resources that strengthen both research excellence and campus infrastructure, ensuring HBCUs have the tools to lead in a rapidly changing world.

“The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act will empower HBCUs by strengthening them financially,” Lomax continued. “We—at UNCF—view strengthening HBCUs both from the financial and infrastructure perspectives as the maximum impact Congress can have on the institutions at this time. When HBCUs thrive, the entire nation benefits. These institutions have long been engines of social mobility and economic growth in our communities. By passing the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act, Congress will ensure that HBCUs have the capacity to continue shaping leaders, advancing innovation, and serving as vital pillars of our national progress. We urge Congress to act without delay, pass the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act, and make these vital investments in America’s future.”

“The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act will help transform our institutions,” said Thurgood Marshall College Fund President & CEO Dr. Harry L. Williams. “In order for our nation to reach its full potential, we must strategically invest in and support every postsecondary student population to ensure that our country has the robust workforce capable of meeting tomorrow’s challenges. By passing the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act, Congress is making an affirmative statement that investing in HBCUs and their students is a smart strategic investment to enhance our nation’s global competitiveness. We thank Sen. Scott, Sen. Coons, Rep. Hill and Rep. Adams of the bipartisan HBCU Caucus for bringing this smart piece of legislation forward and we urge Congress to pass the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act this year.”

Background

The IGNITE for HBCU Excellence Act would:

Establish a competitive federal grant program to fund long-term infrastructure improvements at HBCUs.

Prioritize funding for institutions with the greatest financial need, aging or unsafe facilities, limited fundraising capacity, and high enrollment of low-income students.

Allow grant funding to be used for:

Construction, modernization, repair, and deferred maintenance of campus facilities

Campus safety improvements

Creation of AI Workforce Development Hubs to prepare students for high-demand careers.

Provide technical assistance to help HBCUs apply for and manage federal grants.

Ensure accountability through federal reporting, evaluation, and oversight requirements.

Provide capital financing relief to institutions left out of prior federal assistance programs.

Full text of the bill can be found here.

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Slotkin, Bennet and Curtis Urge Secretary Rubio to Reaffirm U.S. Commitments to Taiwan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of President Donald Trump’s summit with China’s President Xi Jinping in Beijing, U.S. Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and John Curtis (R-UT), joined their colleagues on a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirming congressional support for the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and underscoring their belief that there should be no unilateral changes to this policy nor any new U.S. declaratory policy on Taiwan.

“For nearly five decades, the TRA has been the cornerstone of U.S.-Taiwan ties, enabling a strong and mutually beneficial relationship. This bipartisan law requires the United States to provide Taiwan – a critical economic and technological partner, and a thriving democracy – defense articles and services necessary to maintain the island’s self-defense capability. The TRA further states that the United States would consider any attempt to determineTaiwan’s future by non-peaceful means to be ‘a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific,’ and of ‘grave concern,’” wrote the senators.

“Our commitment to this legislation has long helped ensure peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait — which is essential to U.S. interests there and across the Indo-Pacific. Maintaining this commitment is necessary to ensure the credibility of U.S. security commitments to allies and partners in the region and beyond,” continued the senators.

“In the spirit of longstanding bipartisan support for the U.S.-Taiwan relationship, we stand ready to work with your administration to further strengthen this partnership,” concluded the senators.

Senators Slotkin, Bennet and Curtis were joined on this letter by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mitch McConnell (KY), Brian Schatz (D-HI, Thom Tillis (R-NJ), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

The text of the letter is available HERE and below.

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Slotkin, Klobuchar, Colleagues Raise Concerns about the USDA Research, Education, and Economics Mission Area Reorganization

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Slotkin Statement on Vote to Block Offensive Weapons Transfers to Israel

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Thune Honors the Service and Sacrifice of Our Nation’s Law Enforcement Officers

Clickhereto watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, last month, a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, police officer responded to a report of a weapons violation.

“While pursuing one of the suspects, the officer in question was ambushed by the other suspect and shot.

“Here in D.C. last month, law enforcement officers on duty at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner responded when an individual darted through a security checkpoint with the intent of assassinating the president and members of his administration.

“One officer was shot, fortunately in the vest.

“The job of a law enforcement officer, Mr. President, is an unpredictable one.

“Of course all of life has uncertainty, but when most of us depart our houses every day, we can be pretty certain that we will return that evening the same way we left that morning – in safety.

“Police officers, law enforcement officers, don’t have that same assurance.

“The job of a police officer is unpredictable.

“Some days might be very quiet – helping a stranded motorist, writing a speeding ticket, chatting with kids about police work at a school function.

“But other days, Mr. President?

“Other days a police officer might respond to a call and be confronted with a gunman.

“And law enforcement officers never know what kind of day it will be.

“The Secret Service agent leaving her house in the morning doesn’t know whether she will have to throw herself between her principal and danger before nightfall.

“The sheriff’s deputy serving a warrant doesn’t know whether it will be a peaceful event, or whether he’ll confront a volley of bullets.

“And yet every day, men and women across this country embrace their jobs in law enforcement.

“They’re born protectors, who willingly shoulder the risks and dangers to keep them away from the rest of us.

“And this week, Mr. President, we honor them.

“This week we observe National Police Week, to honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s law enforcement officers.

“And tomorrow we observe National Peace Officers Memorial Day – a day to remember the men and women of law enforcement who have given their lives in the line of duty.

“This year’s Police Week resolution notes that in 2025, more than 200 officers were killed in the line of duty.

“Two hundred men and women who left their homes in the morning, and failed to return to it at the end of the day.

“‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’

“For these men and women, we were all their friends.

“Mr. President, as we honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s law enforcement officers, we also need to honor their families.

“Because their families also serve.

“They say goodbye in the morning to a husband or wife, a mom or a dad, a son or a daughter, with the knowledge always at the back of their minds that their loved one may not come home at the end of the day.

“And every year, for some law enforcement [families], that fear comes true.

“And this week and every week, we should remember them.

“Mr. President, this Police Week, I want to say a special thank you to the South Dakota law enforcement officers – police officers, sheriff’s deputies, state troopers, tribal police, federal officers who serve our state.

“I am grateful for all you do to keep South Dakotans safe.

“I also want to thank the officers of the Capitol Police, who stand on guard in this building every hour of every day.

“We’re able to work in safety because of your efforts.

“Mr. President, we live in a fallen world.

“And there will always be men and women out there with evil intent.

“And we are blessed to have so many heroic men and women willing to put their lives on the line to protect us.

“To all of our nation’s law enforcement officers, today and every day, thank you.

“And may God bless and protect you as you go about your work.”


Tuberville Introduces ASSIMILATION Act

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) introduced the ASSIMILATION Act, legislation to replace chain migration and lottery-based admissions with a national-interest, merit-based system that prioritizes immigrants who intend to assimilate and contribute to the American way of life. Sen. Tuberville appeared on the Will Cain Show earlier this week to discuss the need to fix our broken immigration system.

The bill would establish a statutory national-interest standard to weed out people who have no intention of assimilating. It would also narrow the availability ofpermanent family-based immigration, eliminate the diversity visa lottery, and reform employment-based immigration to prioritize American workers, not foreigners. It would also tighten H-1B and F-1 student work authorizations, require E-Verify for new hires nationwide, raise naturalization standards, add penalties for visa overstays, and tighten asylum screenings.

Sen. Tuberville has repeatedly said that coming to the United States is a privilege, not a right, and that U.S. immigration policy should prioritize those who respect our laws, support themselves, contribute to our economy, and assimilate to American culture and values.

“I’m glad to see the Trump administration is working overtime to deport the millions of criminals who came here illegally during the Biden administration,” Sen. Tuberville said. “But we also need to remove the incentives that are encouraging people who hate this country to come here in the first place. Under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, thousands of terrorists, drug dealers, and criminals were welcomed into the United States with open arms. Unsurprisingly, too many of these illegals are now seeking to harm American citizens and destroy our way of life. Enough is enough. Coming to this country is a privilege, not a right. If you hate this country and refuse to assimilate, we do not want you here.”

Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Read the bill text here.

MORE:

Tuberville: “Assimilate or Go Home”

Tuberville, Grassley Push to Strengthen the Abused Immigration Parole Program

Tuberville, Cornyn Introduce Stop Fraud by SOMALIA Act to Address Child Care Fraud

Tuberville Calls for Mass Deportation of Radical Islamists

Tuberville Introduces Bill to Ban Chinese and Iranian Nationals from Studying in the United States

Tuberville, Cornyn Introduce Bill to Crack Down on Illegal Immigrants Who Murder Innocent Americans

Tuberville, Grassley Introduce Legislation to Protect Jobs for American Citizens, Not Illegal Aliens

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

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Tuberville, Rick Scott Introduce Legislation to Prevent Doxxing Federal Law Enforcement Officers

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) in introducing the Blocking Leaks Undermining Law Enforcement (BLUE) Act of 2026 to prohibit the sharing of federal law enforcement officers’ personal location information when intended to obstruct, interfere with, or retaliate against their lawful duties.

The legislation comes as violent rioters, cartels, and domestic terrorists have increased doxxing attempts against federal law enforcement — particularly against ICE and CBP personnel — since President Trump returned to office last year.

“It’s increasingly clear that the Radical Left doesn’t believe in law and order and will do anything to stop the law from being enforced,” said Sen. Tuberville. “We’ve seen repeated attacks on our brave law enforcement officers, including the ICE agents who are carrying out President Trump’s agenda to remove illegal criminals. Revealing officers’ personal locations—whether they’re on duty or not—is extremely dangerous to their safety. If you do anything to put a law enforcement officer in harm’s way, your butt needs to be thrown in jail. As we recognize National Police Week this week, I’m proud to join the BLUE Act with Sen. Rick Scott to further protect those who put their lives on the line to keep us safe.”

Sen. Tuberville has long championed local, state, and federal law enforcement since coming to the Senate, securing nearly $11 million dollars to bolster Alabama’s law enforcement through the appropriations process.

The BLUE Act would:

Create a new criminal prohibition by making it illegal to share certain protected information about a federal law enforcement officer when done with intent to obstruct, interfere with, or retaliate against their official duties or proceedings.

Expand what information is protected by clarifying that for federal law enforcement officers, protected information includes not just personal details but also their current or expected physical locations, whether on or off duty.

Joining Sens. Scott and Tuberville in introducing the legislation are U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mike Lee (R-UT), James Lankford (R-OK), Ted Budd (R-NC), and Mike Rounds (R-SD).

Federal Law Enforcement Officers Agency (FLEOA) endorsed the legislation.

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

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Van Hollen, Klobuchar, Colleagues Raise Concerns about the USDA Research, Education, and Economics Mission Area Reorganization

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and 22 of their colleagues in raising strong concerns about the reorganization of the Research, Education, and Economics (REE) mission area at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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

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

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

The full letter is available here and below:

Dear Deputy Secretary Vaden:

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

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

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

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

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


Van Hollen Proposes Amendments to CLARITY Act to Ensure Transparency, Stop Trump Corruption

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, has put forward eight amendments to the CLARITY Act ahead of the Senate Banking Committee markup of the legislation. The amendments filed by Senator Van Hollen seek to address an array of issues surrounding digital assets and cryptocurrency, including President Trump and his family’s corrupt use of digital assets for their own financial gain. Specifically, one of Senator Van Hollen’s amendments would prohibit any elected officials and their families from issuing digital assets or owning digital asset platforms – a critical addition to this legislation as President Trump and his family rake in billions of dollars through illicit crypto deals with foreign governments and powerful corporate entities. Additional amendments introduced by the Senator include provisions to prevent insider trading, curb illicit finance, ensure transparency, and protect consumers.

“As we’ve seen time and again, cryptocurrency and digital assets are rife with opportunity for abuse. That’s why we need to protect consumers, safeguard our financial system, prevent politicians from abusing these assets for their own personal gain, and meaningfully address their role in the illicit finance of criminal activities that jeopardize our security. While the CLARITY Act may seek to provide a regulatory framework, as it currently stands, it not only falls far short of those goals but also risks deregulating existing markets and opening the door to further corruption and abuse. This bill needs significant changes to adequately build safeguards around a growing sector and stamp out its use in corrupt and criminal activities. The amendments I’ve put forward are aimed at doing just that – including by reining in President Trump’s rampant crypto corruption and ensuring that no senior elected official can use cryptocurrency to sell access to the highest levels of our government, as we have seen President Trump do,” said Senator Van Hollen.

Senator Van Hollen's Amendments to the CLARITY Act :

Prohibits the President, Vice President, members of Congress, senior officials, and their families from owning, promoting, or affiliating with digital asset issuers or platforms, and requires disclosures about officials’ digital asset activities.

Full text of the amendment is available here.

Prohibits self-dealing by digital asset issuers and insiders, requiring them to act in the best interests of holders of a digital asset.

Full text of the amendment is available here.

Requires that all investors in digital assets receive information that a digital asset issuer discloses to any one investor or to insiders, creating a level playing field about market-moving information.

Full text of the amendment is available here.

Prevents insider trading by requiring digital asset issuers and insiders to give up profits made by trading a digital asset over short windows of time.

Full text of the amendment is available here.

Provides the Federal Reserve with tools to regulate credit and leverage in digital asset markets, helping to limit systemic risk.

Full text of the amendment is available here.

Prohibits creating a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform either to enable illicit finance or with reckless disregard for illicit finance risks, while authorizing the Department of the Treasury to establish rules to prevent illicit finance in DeFi.

Full text of the amendment is available here.

Prohibits creating a DeFi platform for the purpose of facilitating sanctions evasion, money laundering, or the financing of terrorism.

Full text of the amendment is available here.


Van Hollen Statement on Opposition to Digital Assets Legislation

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a senior member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, released the following statement regarding his vote against the CLARITY Act, cryptocurrency legislation that was considered by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs:

“As we’ve seen time and again, cryptocurrency and digital assets are rife with opportunity for abuse if left unchecked. That’s why any regulation surrounding digital assets must protect consumers, safeguard our financial system, and stamp out their use in corrupt and criminal activities. While the CLARITY Act may seek to do that, it not only fails to achieve those goals but also risks deregulating existing markets and opening the door to further corruption and abuse.

“In an effort to address some of these issues, I introduced several amendments, including one to ensure that no government official – not the President, not members of Congress – or their families can own, promote, or affiliate with digital asset issuers or platforms. As President Trump and his family rake in billions of dollars through illicit crypto deals with foreign governments, this provision is necessary to prevent self-dealing by those who are in positions to profit from their own decisions. But instead of choosing to stand up to this rampant corruption, Republicans blocked this amendment, siding once again with political cronyism and against the American people. I also offered an amendment to rein in the use of these assets for money laundering, sanctions evasion, and the financing of terrorism – a necessity as the use of digital assets, like DeFi, in illicit activities reached an all-time high last year. The Republican majority voted down this amendment. The other amendments I put forward would have increased consumer protections and transparency and taken additional steps to crack down on illicit finance and corruption; however, the Chair did not allow consideration of those amendments.

“Without adopting these and additional critical changes, the CLARITY Act will put our consumers, financial systems, and national security at risk. It’s for these reasons that I voted against the CLARITY Act.”

Senator Van Hollen's Amendments to the CLARITY Act :

Prohibits the President, Vice President, members of Congress, senior officials, and their families from owning, promoting, or affiliating with digital asset issuers or platforms, and requires disclosures about officials’ digital asset activities.

Full text of the amendment is available here.

Prohibits creating a DeFi platform for the purpose of facilitating sanctions evasion, money laundering, or the financing of terrorism.

Full text of the amendment is available here.

Prohibits self-dealing by digital asset issuers and insiders, requiring them to act in the best interests of holders of a digital asset.

Full text of the amendment is available here.

Requires that all investors in digital assets receive information that a digital asset issuer discloses to any one investor or to insiders, creating a level playing field about market-moving information.

Full text of the amendment is available here.

Prevents insider trading by requiring digital asset issuers and insiders to give up profits made by trading a digital asset over short windows of time.

Full text of the amendment is available here.

Provides the Federal Reserve with tools to regulate credit and leverage in digital asset markets, helping to limit systemic risk.

Full text of the amendment is available here.

Prohibits creating a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform either to enable illicit finance or with reckless disregard for illicit finance risks, while authorizing the Department of the Treasury to establish rules to prevent illicit finance in DeFi.

Full text of the amendment is available here.


Fertilizer Experts Acknowledge Trump Administration Has No Plan to Bring Down Prices Spiked by Iran War

Tuesday, during a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, Senator Reverend Warnock questioned fertilizer experts on the Trump administration’s plans to lower input costs for American farmers

Farmers in Georgia and across the nation continue to struggle with higher costs as inputs like fertilizer, fuel, equipment, and seeds have increased

Since the start of President Trump’s war in Iran, the price per gallon of diesel has jumped from $3.90 to $5.64

8 in 10 southern farmers can’t afford all their needed fertilizer this year

Senator Reverend Warnock: “This is not a good time to be dealing with this. And I’m not hearing from anyone here that the White House has a plan that will solve this crisis for farmers. Dialog is one thing; a plan is another”

WATCH Senator Warnock at Tuesday’s Agriculture Committee

Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, during a Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee hearing, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) questioned fertilizer experts on the Trump administration’s strategy to lower input costs for American farmers. Since the start of President Trump’s war in Iran, farmers across the country have been forced to pay higher costs for vital inputs like fertilizer, fuel, equipment, and seeds.

“This uncertainty hits farmers at the worst possible time—planting season,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “This is not a good time to be dealing with this. And I’m not hearing from anyone here that the White House has a plan that will solve this crisis for farmers. Dialog is one thing; a plan is another.”

“Between the war in Iran, spiking fuel and fertilizer prices, and illegal trade wars increasing the cost of equipment and limiting market access, it is no wonder that farmers in Georgia I talk to say that they can’t take much more,” continued the Senator.

Low crop prices and high production costs have contributed to a 145% increase in Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies in Georgia from 2024 to 2025, the second highest increase of any state. Farmers in the Southeast typically purchase fertilizer as needed and weigh market conditions when deciding when to purchase inputs, which leaves them vulnerable to price fluctuations in the market. Due to higher and fluctuating costs, 8 in 10 southern farmers can’t afford all their needed fertilizer this year.

As a veteran member of the Senate committee overseeing federal agriculture policies, and as a senator representing a state with a proud and prosperous history of agriculture excellence, Senator Warnock is strong supporter of programs that help Georgia farmers keep more profits in their pockets and keep the industry at the frontlines of Georgia’s success. Since President Trump launched his illegal war with Iran in February 2026, Senator Warnock has spoken out against the Trump administration for entangling Americans in another endless war without a clear exit strategy. The President’s war has caused prices to soar in nearly every major category.

Watch the Senator’s remarks HERE and read the transcript below.

Senator Reverend Warnock (SRW): “Brother, Chair—brother, Chair. I’m sure you know that the top state of farm bankruptcies last year was your home state of Arkansas. The number two state was Georgia. So, we’re dealing with this same issue. And I’m sure the Chair and I agree that while we like to see our states leading, we don’t want to be leading in this way. In fact, farm bankruptcies increased by 46% last year due largely to the President’s trade war. And I wonder how many more farmers may go bankrupt by the end of this year because of President Trump’s war in Iran—a war that is raising fertilizer and fuel costs, as we all know, due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Which anyone paying attention could have predicted.

“Mr. Rosenbush— the President’s war in Iran has further increased fertilizer prices for farmers in the United States. You’re the CEO of the Fertilizer Institute—the trade association representing the companies that provide farmers with fertilizer. Has the White House presented you with a viable plan for bringing down fertilizer prices this year?”

Corey Rosenbush (CR): “Senator, thank you for that question. We have been very engaged with discussions on Capitol Hill and with the Administration on really an all-government approach to solutions to help mitigate the impacts of the closure of the Strait. What we can do to prioritize domestic supply, what we can do to incentivize projects—like Josh’s—to bolster more domestic supply. So, these supply shocks will not hurt the farmer—will not hurt the farmer in the future, when we’re so reliant on some of these foreign supply sources around the world.”

SRW: “Do you expect fertilizer prices to go down this year?”

CR: “Senator, I that’s a really interesting question.

“I don’t know that I can comment or legally predict what’s going to happen with the price of fertilizer, but I will tell you that we’re very concerned particularly about phosphate with $1,000 plus sulfur. Right now, due to the restriction of sulfur coming through the Strait, we’re now at a point where sulfur costs alone are significantly higher than the cost of phosphate. So, you’ve seen around the world, right now, phosphate mines around the world starting to curtail production because of some of that price impact.”

SRW: “Same question for the rest of the panel. Has anyone seen a viable plan from the White House that gives them confidence that fertilizer prices will decrease in the near term?

“No takers.

“So, fertilizer prices are increasing. Diesel costs have also increased by over $2 a gallon compared to this time last year—and there’s no end in sight.

“Mr. Melton, you’re the president of the Kentucky Farm Bureau. So, you know farmers in the South. They typically don’t pre-purchase their fertilizer and are more subject to price volatility. What are you hearing from your members? Are they able to afford fertilizer this planting season?”

Eddie Melton (EM): “So, in Kentucky, we got an early start this year and most of the crop has already been planted this year in Kentucky. Senator, but I can tell you that, and especially on our farm, we did more intensive soil testing and applying fertilizer where we had to without trying to reduce yields. I think that’s across the south. I think a lot of people are doing those things, trying to get more creative to where we can try to pencil out a profit with where current prices are for our commodities.”

SRW: “So, people are feeling the affordability pitch, obviously, right?”

EM: “People are cutting back usage on fertilizer on their farms. Yes, sir.”

SRW: “So, dealing with the uncertainty as best they can. This uncertainty hits farmers at the worst possible time—planting season. Not a good time to be dealing with this. And I’m not hearing from anyone here that the White House has a plan that will solve this crisis for farmers.

“Dialog is one thing; a plan is another. And at this point, the best-case scenario for farmers is the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which was open before the war started.

“But even then, the fertilizer market will not bounce back overnight. If we were to open tomorrow, we will still be dealing with these prices.

“And so, between the war in Iran, spiking fuel and fertilizer prices, and illegal trade wars increasing the cost of equipment and limiting market access, it is no wonder that farmers in Georgia I talk to say that they can’t take much more. And we’re dealing with this farm foreclosure crisis.

“As a member of this committee, I’ll continue to fight for farmers doing everything I can to end this illegal war in Iran and unfreeze our fertilizer and fuel markets.

“Thank you very much to the panelists. Thank you, Mr. Chair.”

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Warnock Statement on Governor Kemp Calling Special Session to Further Gerrymander Georgia

According to reporting by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Gov. Brian Kemp is calling a special session set for June 17 to redraw the state’s political maps ahead for the 2028 election

Georgia is looking to further gerrymander its maps following the Supreme Court’s decision to greenlight states’ ability to more easily dilute the power of Black and brown voters

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) released the following statement on Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) calling a special session to redraw the state’s political maps.

“Georgians are angry about the broken promises of this President. Everything is more expensive because of an endless war and reckless tariffs. On top of that, 1.2 million Georgians saw their health care premiums double, all to fund tax cuts for billionaires.

Now, the same people who robbed Georgians of their doctor are robbing Georgians of their voice by redrawing the lines. Republicans under the Gold Dome are using their powers, not to make life more affordable, but to escape accountability from the people.

I will continue to lead the charge to ban gerrymandering federally, protecting our democracy once and for all.”

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WATCH: Warnock Forces Vote Prohibiting Predatory Medical Debt Collection Practices, GOP Kills Effort

Last year, the Trump Administration walked back the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s rule to protect consumers by ensuring medical debt collectors must keep their medical debt records valid, accurate, and verifiable—or face legal consequences

The resolution failed 50-50, with all opposition from Senate GOP

Senator Reverend Warnock: “Medical debt leaves Americans in serious financial jams. It wrecks lives”

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) forced a vote to revert to a previous policy to restore a rule that prohibits predatory medical debt collection practices, reversing a 2025 Trump Administration decision. Senator Warnock led 29 colleagues in demanding answers from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) on why the Trump Administration was actively working to add medical debt back onto credit reports. Georgia ranks in the top 10 states with the highest rates of medical debt, roughly $855 per Georgian. Over a quarter of rural Georgians have medical collections on their credit report

“Medical debt leaves Americans in serious financial jams. It wrecks lives,” said Senator Warnock. “Folks go to the doctor one day for a bandage or some minor injury and end up leaving with a financial burden the size of a mortgage. It could happen to any one of us.”

Senator Warnock, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, continues to stand up in defense of Georgia consumers by holding the CFPB under President Trump accountable. Last year, Senator Warnock questioned the Trump administration’s CFPB nominees at a Senate Banking Committee Hearing. During the hearing, Senator Warnock asked the nominees if they agreed with President Trump on the CFPB being “A very important thing to get rid of” and if the agency would address the 266,560 outstanding complaints from Georgians in a timely manner.

Watch Senator Warnock’s speech HERE.

See below a transcript of Senator Warnock’s speech:

“Mr. President,

“I rise today in support of my resolution to restore the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s rule restricting medical debt collections.

“This rule protected Americans from paying for medical services they did not receive or repaying debt they already paid off.

“Medical debt leaves Americans in serious financial jams. It wrecks lives. Folks go to the doctor one day for a bandage or some minor injury, and end up leaving with a financial burden the size of a mortgage. It could happen to any one of us.

“Georgia ranks among the top 10 states with the highest rates of medical debt, to the tune of $855 per Georgian, in large part because of the state’s refusal to expand Medicaid. In fact, more than a quarter of rural Georgians, rural Georgians, have medical collections on their credit report, one in four, and that’s 10 percentage points higher than the national average. Americans face more barriers as a result.

“Their mortgage costs increase, their access to car loans can be restricted just because they got sick and went into debt for care, and that’s why I led 30 of my colleagues in a letter to the Trump administration defending the CFPB work on protecting families from the consequences of medical debt, but the Trump administration’s actions will make it easier for debt collectors to aggressively go after sick or struggling Americans and prey on families already saddled with medical debt. That’s just cruel and unnecessary.

“I encourage my colleagues to vote yes on this resolution.

“Thank you. I yield back.”

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Ahead of SCOTUS Ruling, Entire Senate Democratic Caucus Backs Resolution Affirming Abortion Pill as Safe, Effective

FDA approved mifepristone for use over two decades ago

Supreme Court set to rule on right-wing extremist attempt to roll back access to medication abortion

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

Text of Resolution (PDF)

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

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

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

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

“Abortion opponents nationwide continue to push their politically motivated attacks on mifepristone and medication abortion to make it harder for everyone, everywhere to get care. That’s despite decades of research and millions of people using mifepristone to safely and effectively end a pregnancy,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “In the face of these attacks, we are grateful to Senator Warren, Sen. Baldwin, Senate Minority Leader Schumer, Sen. Wyden, Sen. Murray, and Sen. Smith for reaffirming that science-based policies must govern access to mifepristone.”

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

'“For decades, the science has been overwhelmingly clear: mifepristone is safe and effective. Millions of Americans have relied on this critical medication, which revolutionized access to care. We’re grateful to Senator Warren, Sen. Baldwin, Senate Minority Leader Schumer, Sen. Wyden, Sen. Murray, and Sen. Smith for their ongoing efforts to ensure the critical decisions about necessary—and sometimes life-saving— healthcare are based in science, not ideology,” said Rachana Desai Martin, Chief U.S. Program Officer at the Center for Reproductive Rights.

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

Senator Warren has led the charge to protect reproductive freedom:

In May 2026, Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) led 12 senators in pressing the Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on the Commission’s efforts to weaken a rule affirming employment protections for workers undergoing fertility treatments.

In March 2026, U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.); Ron Wyden, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee; and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) led 23 colleagues in publishing a new report revealing the harm Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress have caused to Americans in the six months since their dangerous provision to “defund” Planned Parenthood, buried in their Big, Beautiful Bill, went into effect. The report reveals that, in addition to acting as a backdoor abortion ban, the “defund” provision has ripped away Americans’ access to essential services — including primary care, birth control, cancer screenings, and wellness exams — and raised health care costs.

In November 2025, ahead of the Senate Finance Committee’s confirmation vote for Thomas M. Bell, Donald Trump’s nominee for Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General (IG), U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) exposed Bell’s flip-flopping and slammed his extreme anti-abortion views.

In July 2025, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) pressed Michael Stuart, nominee for General Counsel of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), on his dangerous anti-vaccine views, staunch anti-abortion advocacy, and more. Ahead of his confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Finance Committee later today — at which Senator Warren will question Stuart — Senator Warren sent Stuart a letter outlining her key concerns with his nomination.

In February 2025, Senators Warren and Duckworth pressed Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Trump’s then-nominee for the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), on his hostile anti-abortion record.

In December 2024, Senators Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) reintroduced the Health and Location Data Protection Act, legislation banning data brokers from selling Americans’ sensitive personal information.

In September 2024, at a hearing of the Senate Finance Committee, Senator Elizabeth Warren highlighted the dangerous consequences women faced after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

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In New Response to Warren, Pentagon Reveals Interference with Stars and Stripes Mission That Threatens Censorship, Media Independence

Pentagon revealed shift in mission and focus of Stars and Stripes on same day it fired Stripes’ advocate for independence

“While America is at war, the Trump administration is hellbent on silencing our key military newspaper and attacking service members’ access to the free press.”

Text of Response (PDF)

Washington, D.C. – In a new response to a recent letter from U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), the Pentagon reveals interference that threatens the media independence of Stars and Stripes, the military’s editorially independent newspaper. The response was prepared the same day the Pentagon fired Stripes’ ombudsman, its advocate for independence.

“While America is at war, the Trump administration is hellbent on silencing our key military newspaper and attacking service members’ access to the free press. Every American should be concerned about this blatant censorship,” said Senator Warren.

In the new response, the Pentagon reiterated that “Stripes will remain editorially independent of the military chain of command, military public affairs activities, or other external influences, and without censorship or propaganda,” but multiple other points in the letter reveal the Pentagon interfering with the mission of the paper and shifting toward censorship and propaganda.

Highlights include:

The Pentagon explains Stripes’ mission as to “deliver content, specifically relevant to Service members and their families, that is not usually covered by commercial media.” The Pentagon also describes Stripes as a “publication that serves the U.S. military community [and] operates in support of good order and discipline of the military.”

The Pentagon called First Amendment protections for the military newspaper “unnecessary.” In response to questions from the lawmakers about why it removed a Stripes regulation that called for the newspaper to “[keep] with the principles of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,” the Pentagon called the rule “unnecessary principally,” stating that “there was no need for it to be in the Code of Federal Regulations.”

The 1994 regulations that the Pentagon revoked in January were implemented after years-long oversight investigations from Congress and GAO uncovered systemic issues of censorship at Stripes. The regulations incorporated many of Congress’s and GAO’s recommendations and reforms, including the appointment of a civilian editor in chief and the insulation of editorial decision-making from DoD officials.

The Pentagon dodged questions about whether it has withheld articles from publication at Stripes. In response to the lawmakers asking whether DoD has withheld any articles from publication, the Pentagon answered narrowly, writing: “The language concerning good order and discipline has not led to any Stripes articles being withheld from publication.”

The response appears to reveal increased Pentagon influence in directing the future of Stripes. Following a Department of Defense memo from March calling for the creation of an advisory group for Stars and Stripes to be selected by its publisher, the Pentagon, in this new response, notes that the group has yet to be formed but has to receive the office of the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs’ “concurrence.”

The new information comes in response to an April letter from the lawmakers, denouncing the Department of Defense’s restrictions on Stars and Stripes. The letter pressed DoD on its decision to limit Stripes’ editorial independence, asked which of the paper’s past articles have violated DoD rules, and pushed for more information on the extent of the involvement of DoD political appointees in editorial decision-making at the paper.

In March, DoD issued a memo giving DoD political appointees more authority over Stripes, placing new restrictions on its reporters and the paper’s independent ombudsman, and limiting civilian editors from publishing wire service stories unless “approved by” a DoD political appointee, even for sports and coverage of war zone areas. DoD’s memo imposed new rules on Stars and Stripes, including calling for the reprint of DoD official statements in the paper, restricting journalists’ ability to conduct investigative journalism, and limiting access to DoD sources.

Stripes has a decades-long history of independent journalism. DoD formally codified many of Congress’s recommendations to protect the paper in 1994, including the appointment of a civilian editor in chief and the insulation of editorial decision-making from DoD officials.

Senator Warren has led efforts to stop the Department of Defense’s attacks on the free press:

In April 2026, Senator Warren led lawmakers in slamming the Pentagon’s restrictions on the editorial independence of Stars and Stripes and called for the Department to reverse policies that violate press freedom.

In January 2026, Senator Warren joined Senator Blumenthal and colleagues to speak out in support of the newspaper and urge DoD to reverse course and instead protect its editorial independence in line with the First Amendment.

In October 2025, Senator Warren pressed Mr. Charles L. Young III, then-nominee to be Army general counsel, on the Department of Defense’s attempts to restrict freedom of the press and his commitment to preserving free speech for military reporters.

In March 2025, Senator Warren pressed Emil Michael, then-nominee for Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)), on his concerning history of attacks on journalists and public accountability.

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Warren, Rick Scott Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Ban Former Members of Congress from Lobbying

Bill would impose lifetime prohibition on lobbying by former Members of Congress and elected officers of the House and Senate

Text of Bill (PDF)

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.) introduced the Banning Lobbying And Safeguarding Trust (BLAST) Act, a bipartisan bill to impose a lifetime ban on lobbying by former members of Congress.

Under current law, former members of Congress are allowed to lobby their former colleagues in Congress after a “cooling off” period — one year for former members of the House of Representatives and two years for former senators. The BLAST Act would replace “cooling off” periods with a permanent ban and fully prohibit former members from making lobbying contacts, closing a loophole often used to lobby while avoiding registration requirements.

“It’s simple: Members of Congress should spend their time in Washington serving the American people, not preparing to cash in big time with a cushy lobbying career after they leave office,” said Senator Warren. “It’s long past time to close the revolving door that’s corrupted our government and destroyed public trust in elected officials. This bipartisan bill is an important push to get that done.”

“When politicians use their time in public office to cash in after they leave government, the American people lose. Trust in our institutions is at an all-time low, and the revolving door between Capitol Hill and K Street is a big part of that,” said Senator Rick Scott. “We need to restore the American people’s trust in their government, and that’s why I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill to put government clearly back on the side of the people. Our founders never intended public service to become a training ground for a lifetime of lobbying. Senator Warren and I are working to end this practice once and for all.”

The bill prohibits two categories of activity:

Registration: This provision bars former members and elected officers from working as registered lobbyists or engaging in any activity that would require them to register under the Lobbying Disclosure Act. The ban applies to lobbying of Congress and the Executive branch.

Conduct: This provision prohibits former members from making lobbying contacts, regardless of their registration status. This includes making communications or appearances before members of Congress, congressional staff, or legislative offices with the intent to influence official action on behalf of private parties.

Under the BLAST Act, the Department of Justice could pursue both criminal and civil penalties for violations of the lifetime lobbying ban. Criminal penalties include up to one year imprisonment and up to five years for knowing and willful violations. Civil penalties may include fines of up to $50,000 per violation and injunctive relief to prevent ongoing or future violations. While enforcement would typically be handled by the Department of Justice, including the Public Integrity Section, enforcement could be initiated through referrals from Congress, congressional ethics committees, or Inspectors General.

Senator Warren has led the fight to root out corruption and close the revolving door between government officials and the private sector:

In April 2026, at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Warren (D-Mass.) pressed Secretary Hegseth on allegations that Trump administration officials are engaging in possible insider trading by placing bets on the Iran War through prediction markets.

In February 2026, Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.), along with Representatives Pat Ryan (D-N.Y.) and Deborah Ross (D-N.C.) pressed the Inspectors General (IGs) of 16 key agencies to open investigations into senior Trump officials who were recently lobbyists or “shadow lobbyists” and may be using their roles to benefit their former employers and clients.

In January 2026, Senators Warren (D-Mass.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and Andy Kim (D-N.J.), pressed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on potential conflicts of interest surrounding the awarding of multiple lucrative Department of Defense (DoD) contracts and loans to companies associated with President Donald Trump’s son, Donald Trump Jr.

In December 2025, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) pressed the Trump administration to follow through on promises to limit defense companies stock buybacks and incentivize them to increase research and development spending.

In December 2025, Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) called for then-Attorney General Pam Bondi to recuse herself from the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s review of any Warner Bros. merger due to potential conflicts of interest related to her former employer, lobbying firm Ballard Partners.

Senator Warren’s Department of Defense (DoD) Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act, with now-Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.), would limit the influence of contractors on the military, constrain foreign influence on retired senior military officers, and assert greater transparency over contractors and their interaction with DoD.

In July 2025, Senators Warren (D-Mass.) and Rick Scott (R-Fla.), wrote to former Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin seeking an explanation and further information on his recent decision to start a strategic advisory firm. Austin had publicly promised Senator Warren during his 2021 confirmation process that he would not become a lobbyist after his government service ended.

In December 2020, Senator Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) reintroduced the Anti-Corruption & Public Integrity Act, to strengthen ethics laws and crack down on government officials’ conflicts of interest across the government.

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Welch Calls on Rubio to Abide by the Leahy Law and Investigate New Reports of Human Rights Abuses

Welch’s remarks on the Senate Floor follow shocking new reporting from the New York Times

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) called on U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to abide by the Leahy Law and investigate allegations of sexual violence and human rights abuses by American taxpayer-funded foreign military units.

“Every year Egypt and Israel receive more military aid, paid for by American taxpayers, than any other country, and that’s by far. Yet neither of their governments, nor our own, have shown the slightest concern about addressing longstanding allegations of the widespread use of sexual violence against prisoners in their custody. That is unacceptable—it must change. American taxpayer funds are directly supporting foreign military units that have been credibly implicated in rape and other abhorrent acts of sexual violence…The United States has long embraced in its foreign policy the protection of human rights. It is at the heart of the Leahy Law, passed by this United States Senate. That law directs the Secretary of State to investigate credible reports of human rights abuses,” said Senator Welch on the Senate floor. “Mr. President, in light of the credible reports of gross human rights abuses, I call upon the Secretary of State to act—to investigate and to abide by the provisions of the Leahy Law. I yield back.”

The Senator’s remarks on the Senate follow new reporting from Nicholas Kristof in the New York Times, published earlier this week, entitled “The Silence That Meets the Rape of Palestinians” and “The Horror of Sexual Assault in Israeli Prisons.” Senator Welch also condemned acts of sexual abuse and violence against Israeli hostages by Hamas, and against prisoners in Egypt.

Watch Senator Welch’s remarks on the Senate Floor here:

Read Senator Welch’s full remarks below:

“Mr. President, multiple press articles and reports by human rights organizations as well as United Nations human rights investigators, have documented the widespread acts of horrific sexual violence against prisoners in the Middle East over many years.

“These articles and reports describe, often in graphic, gruesome detail, a consistent pattern of sexual abuse, corroborated by multiple sources, and in some cases with shocking photographs and videos posted on social media by the perpetrators themselves.

“These allegations amount to gross violations of human rights, including torture, and if committed by members of foreign military and police forces that receive training or equipment from the United States, they are sanctionable under United States law—the Leahy Law.

“In Egypt, allegations of acts of systemic sexual violence against prisoners are not new. The allegations have been the subject of reports, including by U.S. and Egyptian human rights organizations and the Department of State, for many years.

“Mr. President, we also know that Hamas militants who invaded Israel on October 7, 2023, committed brutal acts of sexual violence, including gang rape, against Israelis during the attack, and against Israeli hostages. On May 12th, a team of Israeli researchers released a report which concluded that sexual violence by Hamas militants against women and men was “systematic, widespread and integral” to the attack. Many of us have condemned those barbaric crimes and called for justice for the Israeli victims.

“I personally still have vivid memories of hearing personally of the horrors of these attacks from Israeli victims who bravely came and spoke to members of the U.S. Senate.

“Mr. President, here is also extensive evidence, both before and after October 7th, of a pattern of sexual violence against Palestinian prisoners by Israeli security forces. Allegations of such abuses in Israeli prisons are not new, but they have sharply increased since October 7th. So have reports of widespread abuses and killings of Palestinian civilians by Israeli soldiers, and acts of violence—including sexual assault and murder—by Israeli settlers, which reportedly continue to this day.

“I will not repeat the gruesome details of the attacks reportedly committed against Palestinian prisoners by Israeli soldiers, but I do urge my colleagues, uncomfortable as it may be, to read the articles by Nicholas Kristof in the May 11th New York Times, entitled “The Horror of Sexual Assault in Israeli Prisons” and “The Silence That Meets the Rape of Palestinians.” The heinous acts that were described to him by former prisoners and witnesses, if proven in a court of law, would warrant decades-long prison sentences.

“Despite overwhelming evidence, Egyptian authorities and Hamas officials have denied that forces under their command have sexually assaulted prisoners. Likewise, Israeli authorities, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, while rightly condemning Hamas’s acts of sexual violence, dismiss out of hand the reports of similar acts by Israeli soldiers as fabrications.

“The fact is that these are not isolated reports, nor are victims of sexual violence prone to voluntarily invite the public scrutiny and profound embarrassment that comes with describing being subjected to these types of humiliating mistreatment.

“Mr. President, every year Egypt and Israel receive more military aid, paid for by American taxpayers, than any other country, and that’s by far. Yet neither of their governments, nor our own, have shown the slightest concern about addressing longstanding allegations of the widespread use of sexual violence against prisoners in their custody. That is unacceptable—it must change. American taxpayer funds are directly supporting foreign military units that have been credibly implicated in rape and other abhorrent acts of sexual violence.

“Mr. President, the United States has long embraced in its foreign policy the protection of human rights. It is at the heart of the Leahy Law, passed by this United States Senate. That law directs the Secretary of State to investigate credible reports of human rights abuses.

“Mr. President, in light of the credible reports of gross human rights abuses, I call upon the Secretary of State to act—to investigate and to abide by the provisions of the Leahy Law. I yield back.”

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Welch Joins Axios to Discuss Lowering Drug Prices, Democrats’ Post-Midterms Health Care Agenda

Welch joined Axios’ Future of Health Summit 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee on Health Care, joined Axios Live for their second annual Future of Health Summit to discuss America’s changing health care landscape and Senate Democrats’ early efforts to restore access to health care and lower out-of-pocket costs in the 120th Congress.

In his interview with Peter Sullivan, Health Care Policy Reporter for Axios, Senator Welch highlighted how his bipartisan Fair Prescription Drug Prices for Americans Act would offer relief for millions of patients by requiring pharmaceutical companies to charge Americans what other countries pay for medications.

“We’ve got an incredible challenge in this country. We have to have as a goal—in my view, and it’s got to be a shared goal—that we have to have a health care system where citizens can have access to health care they need regardless of their ability to pay. Now, does that sound like pie in the sky? Most countries have that. All countries with their health care systems have challenges, but our challenges are that we have a health care system that is unsustainably unaffordable. It’s unaffordable for taxpayers with Medicare and Medicaid, it’s unaffordable for employers who are constantly doing their best to take care of their employees,” said Senator Welch. “What I hope is that instead of having a blame game when we get back next year, we appreciate the urgency of coming up with something that’s sustainable for folks, whether they voted for Trump or voted for Harris. It just doesn’t matter, this is too essential to the well-being of our families.”

View photos from the event and watch Senator Welch’s remarks below:

Read key excerpts of Senator Welch’s conversation with Axios Reporter Peter Sullivan:

Peter Sullivan: “The president has been talking about getting Congress to pass this ‘Most Favored Nation’ idea into law. You could see yourself voting for that if it came up?”

Sen. Welch: “Well, not only vote for it, I would work actively and aggressively to make it happen. The president hasn’t introduced any legislation, alright?…There’s a lot of talk here, but there’s not real action. But again, here’s the sadness that I have in the current sort of political environment that we have…If you talk to people in Kansas about health care, and you talk to people in Vermont about health care—their anxiety about what those premiums are; their anxieties about the well-being of people they love and their families—it’s totally the same.

“This is a shared problem. And when again you start out with the fact that people here pay twice as much as other countries and we don’t have the same health outcomes, there’s got to be a shared acknowledgement that you know what, that’s messed up. And we’ve got to then start working on a shared solution.”

•••

Peter Sullivan: “Last point on the ‘Most Favored Nation’ drug pricing, I mean, has the administration done outreach? Has anyone from the administration reached out to you to talk about that policy this year? You would like them to reach out to you?

Sen. Welch: “I’ll check my inbox—nothing there. I check every single day! [laughter] You know what? I am all in. If President Trump comes down and he says: ‘let’s do Most Favored Nation,’ sign me up. I’m ready, I’m going to go talk to every single one of my colleagues. So, this is not on the level from the administration, okay? Because Trump’s not a shy guy, right? And if he wanted something to happen in the United States Senate, it’s a kind of ‘or else’ situation in terms of his discussions with my Republican colleagues. So, I’ll keep checking, and I’ll keep hoping, and I promise I’ll keep working if he comes in with the ‘Most Favored Nation.’

•••

This Congress, Senator Welch has led the introduction of several bills to make health care more accessible and affordable for Vermonters, including the 340B Pharmaceutical Access To Invest in Essential, Needed Treatments & Support (PATIENTS) Act, the No Big Blockbuster Bailouts Act, the EMS ROCS Act, the Eliminating Thickets to Improve Competition (ETHIC) Act, the Fair Prescription Drug Prices for Americans Act, the Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act, the Fair Funding for Rural Hospitals Act, and the Rural Hospital Support Act.

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