Fischer Takes on Regulation, Input Costs in Fertilizer Industry

Introduces Nebraskan testifying before the committee

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, questioned agriculture leaders on regulatory challenges and input costs in the fertilizer industry.

Fischer introduced Joshua Westling, CEO of J. Westling & Co. in Omaha, NE, who testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee. Westling is developing a new fertilizer production facility in Gothenburg, NE. Fischer also questioned Corey Rosenbusch, President of the Fertilizer Institute, and Trent Kubic, President of the South Dakota Corn Growers.

Download video of Fischer’s questioning here

Download audio of Fischer’s questioning here

Fischer’s questioning below:

FISCHER: I am pleased today to introduce Mr. Joshua Westling, who is here today as a witness before this committee on a very, very important subject. Mr. Westling is leading the development of Project Meadowlark, a new fertilizer plant in Gothenburg, Nebraska.

This facility is projected to produce 505,000 tons of liquid fertilizer and reach commercial operation, I'm afraid, not until 2029. But before working on Project Meadowlark, Mr. Westling led the development and construction of an anhydrous ammonia plant in Geneva, Nebraska, that became one of the few Greenfield Nitrogen fertilizer facilities built here in this country. Mr. Westling, we are so happy to see you here today, and I look forward to your comments.

Can you take just a minute to discuss the project that you are doing in Gothenburg and maybe highlight some of the challenges that you face

WESTLING: Thank you, Senator Fischer, for the question. The project that we're doing is to make a fertilizer type that's utilized in that region or geography in the state of Nebraska, born from the shortage that exists there and the difficulty of transporting product there over sometimes huge distances.

In terms of the challenges we've faced, like every large project that's not done by an incumbent or somebody with a big balance sheet, it's upfront capital and raising capital to get those projects off the ground. So, I'm fortunate and thankful for mostly farmers who stepped up to the plate to fund this project or to fund the early stages of the project.

FISCHER: We're hearing some discussions around federal investments. So, what types of safeguards do you believe should be put into place to ensure that new infrastructure projects that happen are not going to be resold, which Senator McConnell talked about that he was able to work on or contribute to consolidation, which is what I hear from producers. I'm sure you do out in the western part of the state too, hear from producers. They're worried about that consolidation, and what it does to price. Do you have any thoughts on that?

WESTLING: Senator Fischer, I'm certainly not an attorney, and I won't pretend to know how to write bills. I'll leave that to all of you who are much smarter than I am. But I would like to think that there is a way, through whatever form potential assistance comes in, for you to be able to create those exclusions or prohibitions from trading or consolidating or putting these types of projects in the hands of whomever you don't wish for them to be in.

FISCHER: Do you worry about regulations, federal regulations, local regulations? Have you had to deal with any of that?

WESTLING: Senator Fischer, we have had some regulations that we've had to deal with, not any different from most projects of this scale. We've been relatively fortunate in that in our state, the folks who are in charge of administering those regulations or enforcing those regulations have all been very reasonable to work with. And to the extent at the federal level where we needed them to weigh in, again, blessed by the fact that those folks have all been very reasonable to work with as well.

FISCHER: Mr. Rosenbusch, as many of my colleagues have shared, fertilizer availability and the prices are at the forefront of every farmer's mind across the country, and that includes my friends in Nebraska. For years, the United States has been reliant on foreign fertilizer production to meet that domestic demand.

With a lot of talk around the need to increase that domestic production, can you share the current regulatory challenges existing companies face when they tried to onboard a new fertilizer facility in the US?

ROSENBUSCH: It is really hard to build new capacity in this country. One recent ammonia plant took seven years to permit and over $25 million just to permit it, not even to start construction. We're talking four to five billion of capital. A phosphate mine took over a decade and $32 million just to permit. And that's all about the federal permitting process across multiple agencies.

When you think about actual production itself, once you get into production, the regulatory challenges that add costs to manufacturing, you've got phosphogypsum, which is a byproduct of phosphate fertilizer that has to be stacked and costs over a billion dollars a year just to maintain those stacks. There is a long list of regulations that we would be happy to share with you, of things that can be done to help bolster domestic supply.

FISCHER: Mr. Kubik, so nice to see you here. Can you take a minute to discuss the role that precision agriculture has, that new technology that's out there, and the increased approval we're seeing in the bio-based products can have in providing additional options to growers, to ag producers that are faced with the uncertainty they have now with fertilizer?

KUBIC: This is something I'm very, very passionate about coming out of college with an agronomy degree and always looking to better ourselves. And I think that could be said for all farmers. We're all trying to do what's best for the land, because we want our kids and our grandkids to farm in that land, and this fertilizer costs a lot, so we can't just throw it on and waste it and kind of hope it got there, right?

So, we're very precisely applying it. We're variable rate applying it, so parts of the field are getting more than others based on our soil testing to make sure we're doing everything exactly like we should. The biological space has definitely garnered a lot of attention over the past couple years with the increase in fertilizer. I'll be trying a couple different ones on my farm. I have tested multiple different ones on our farm.

The problem with that, unfortunately though Senator, we live in reality, and they're not enough right now to rely on. We still need fertilizer to grow our crops, and we're hopeful. I dream of a day where I don't need commercial fertilizer anymore. That'd be the best thing ever. But I don't know if my grandkids will experience that, but if we can put on less, put it on accurately, I think it does good for both sides.

This hearing was convened by the Senate Agriculture Committee and was titled “Perspectives on the Fertilizer Industry: Ensuring a Stable and Affordable Supply for American Producers.”

###


Not a Mandate: EPA Administrator on Fischer’s E15 Legislation

Fischer questions EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing

WASHINGTON –Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, questioned Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin on her Nationwide Consumer and Retailer Fuel Choice Act, which would allow for the year-round sale of E15.

Download video of Fischer’s questioning here

Download audio of Fischer’s questioning here

FISCHER: Is my bill or the actions you have taken at EPA in any way a mandate for a gas station to sell or an American consumer to buy E15?

ZELDIN: No, Senator.

FISCHER: Is it also accurate that we have had year-round E15 through a patchwork of regulations since 2019 – meaning this will be the eighth year that we have had E15 year-round?

ZELDIN: That is accurate, since 2019, yes.

FISCHER: And during these past eight years, are you aware of any refiners that have closed because consumers had a choice to purchase E15 year-round?

ZELDIN: I am not aware of any refinery that closed because of that.

FISCHER: So, we basically had E15 year-round for eight years and the sky did not fall. Thank you, Administrator. It is about time to make permanent nationwide year-round E15 because consumers do deserve to have a choice at the gas station and an opportunity to save money.

###


Gallego on Dreamers: ‘Stephen Miller Is a Coward and a Racist’

Senator Highlights Need for Path to Citizenship for Dreamers at Spotlight Forum

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) spoke at a spotlight forum highlighting the urgent need for a path to citizenship for Dreamers.

Watch Senator Gallego at the spotlight forum here and read excerpts below:

In his opening remarks, Gallego called out Stephen Miller for blocking Republicans from passing the Dream Act:

“I don’t have to repeat what we feel about Dreamers. They are Americans in everything except for them being citizens. I count many Dreamers as practically family to me and close friends.

“What this administration is doing is they’re basically being cowards because they know that Dreamers and the Dream Act have bipartisan support. […] They’re trying to do it in a backdoor way by basically making it so difficult for Dreamers to get their permission renewed again to the point where then that they’re finally exposed to deportation. […]

“This is Steven Miller being a coward. Stephen Miller is really just, in general, a coward and a racist. This is him trying to effectively get as many Dreamers out as possible.”

Gallego also spoke with the Chief Robert Rodriguez, Chief of Police for the Santa Ana Police Department who served in the Marine Corps. Rodriguez, who was brought to the U.S. as an undocumented child himself and later obtained U.S. citizenship, has DACA recipients on his police force but will likely have to fire them as a result of delays in their DACA renewal being adjudicated.

“You’re an example of how so many Dreamers serve the country: police officers, teachers. By the way, I don’t if people talk about that, how many teachers are DACA recipients? How many EMTs, firefighters? These people are very essential. As a matter of fact, during COVID, we at least classified them as essential workers. But they’re not essential workers when we want to deport them,” said Senator Gallego. “That’s a very good example of the hypocrisy of this nation right now.”

Senator Gallego has consistently stood up for Dreamers in the Senate.


Gallego Speaks on the Importance of Nuclear Energy at NEI Forum

“Energy independence matters. Nuclear power will bring us that energy independence, it will bring us that wage growth, it will bring that stability”

WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), ranking member of the Senate Energy Subcommittee, gave keynote remarks at the Nuclear Energy Institute’s Nuclear Policy Forum, highlighting the importance of nuclear energy in lowering costs and strengthening U.S. energy independence.

“As ranking member of the energy subcommittee, the future of energy is something that I think about every day,” said Senator Gallego. “But right now, our energy system is directly under pressure. Energy demand is rising faster than it ever has. […] Arizona seems to be kind of leading that front, and some of that is for good reasons. We have a growing economy, we have a potential game-changing tech when it comes to AI, and the energy demand comes from that.”

Senator Gallego emphasized that expanding nuclear energy would strengthen U.S. energy independence, create good-paying jobs, and help keep costs down for working families.

“The solution is possible. How and what can we do to make energy cheaper, affordable and more reliable, and at the same time making sure that we have that growth that comes from wage growth when it comes to high end manufacturing, manufacturing jobs,” Senator Gallego continued. “If we can get the right nuclear and energy portfolio mix – especially nuclear – to be able to meet the demands of the future, you’re gonna be able to get two things: number one, steady, reliable energy; number two, low carbon emissions; and number three, good paying jobs.”

“Energy independence matters. Nuclear power will bring us that energy independence, it will bring us that wage growth, it will bring that stability for the person like my mom or my cousins who are worried about the utility bill, and it will bring good paying jobs,” Gallego said.

In February, Senator Gallego co-led the introduction of the bipartisan ARC Act to accelerate investment in and encourage completion of new commercial nuclear reactors by minimizing the risk of project cost overruns.

“One of the things that I’m very proud of is putting together a bipartisan bill with the help of Senator Risch from Idaho, called the ARC Act. The ARC Act is to encourage the restart, the rebirth of nuclear power in this country. We’ve gone way too long, and we put so many burdens on creating nuclear energy that it has actually scared a lot of y’all from even getting help,” Senator Gallego continued. “There’s a lot of bad things this administration has done […] but the one area that I do agree with them is that they have an extremely aggressive [approach] in terms of actually making the NRC a real commission that’s pro nuclear, instead of trying to kill nuclear.”


Gillibrand Slams President Trump For Rising Gas Prices, Calls For An End To The Iran War

Press Conference Follows Release Of A New Consumer Price Report That Shows That Inflation Is At Its Highest Level In Three Years

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) held a virtual press conference slamming President Trump for causing the highest gas prices in years. She called for an immediate and permanent end to the president’s war in Iran, which is directly responsible for raising costs for hardworking Americans.

“Every commute to work, every ride to a doctor’s appointment, and every carpool to school costs 50 percent more today than it did just a year ago due to skyrocketing gas prices. That is a direct result of President Trump’s reckless war with Iran,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The American people do not want this war; they want lower costs. President Trump must end the war once and for all and provide relief to Americans struggling with higher costs in his economy.”

The average cost of gas in New York state today is $4.59 per gallon—nearly 50 percent more than it was a year ago. In some parts of New York, gas is over $5.00 per gallon. A full breakdown of gas prices by county can be found here.

This is a direct result of President Trump’s war with Iran, which has caused the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a quarter of the world’s oil passes.

In today’s press conference, Senator Gillibrand reiterated her call for President Trump to end the war to provide relief to American consumers.

Senator Gillibrand has made clear that she will not provide a blank check for President Trump’s reckless war in Iran. She has voted yes multiple times on war powers resolutions to reassert Congress’ responsibility, demand accountability, and send a clear message that military force must be debated, justified, and authorized before American lives are put at risk. She has repeatedly called for the president to prioritize lowering costs at home rather than reckless foreign wars abroad.

###


Gillibrand Statement On Trump’s Possible $10 Billion DOJ Pay Day And How It Could Be Better Spent Reversing Cuts To New York

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) issued the following statement on the New York Times report that the Justice Department is holding internal discussions about settling the president’s dubious $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS that could “involve the government directly providing taxpayer funds or another public benefit to the president.”

“The president is using his power to secure himself potentially a $10 billion payout from taxpayers. Meanwhile, at the gas pump, in the grocery store, and across everyday life, his agenda is driving up costs for working families. It’s blatant corruption and a betrayal of the American people. He’s getting a pay day, and Americans are paying the bill.”

To put in this perspective, here are multiple examples of what $10 billion would mean for New York:

$7.5 billion in federal funding for New Yorkers’ health care that was cut by Trump and Republicans last year

$8 billion in funding for New York’s hospitals and health care systems that was cut because of Trump and Republicans

$1.4 billion in funding for food assistance that was cut by of Trump and Republicans

$850 million in federal funding for lifesaving biomedical research at New York universities and research institutions that Trump and Republicans attempted to cut last year

$433 million was the proposed cut to New York State education programs in Trump’s latest budget

$400 million was the proposed cut to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in New York State in Trump’s budget

$139 million in federal grants for transportation projects in New York State that the Trump administration has canceled

###


Senator Gillibrand Highlights How $1 Billion Could Fund Law Enforcement Instead Of Trump’s Ballroom

During National Police Week, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) is highlighting data showing how the $1 billion in taxpayer dollars congressional Republicans want to pay for Donald Trump’s ballroom project could instead be used to fund vital federal programs that would support hiring and training for law enforcement agencies across the country, as well as benefits programs for officers and their families.

“Instead of wasting $1 billion in taxpayer dollars into President Trump’s vanity project, this money should go toward helping local law enforcement attract and retain new talent, support officers injured in the line of duty, and receive improved training and new equipment,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I urge my Republican colleagues to reject the president’s wasteful proposal and instead support the law enforcement officials who dedicate their lives to keeping our communities safe.”

Below are estimates of what this funding could do for these crucial police programs instead of a ballroom:

Providing Child Care for Police Officers:

$1 billion could provide full funding and expansion of the Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act’s pilot program.

$25 million a year would fund Senator Gillibrand’s legislation to expand access to childcare and promote innovative solutions for our first responders and their families to ease the burdens of overtime and irregular hours.

Access to Mental Health:

$1 billion could fund Senator Gillibrand’s First Responders Wellness Act to establish a national mental health hotline for first responders.

The legislation allocates $10 million a year to expand access to mental and behavioral health support that is specifically tailored to the needs of first responders and staffed by peer specialists and counselors who have an understanding of the occupational stressors experienced by first responders and have completed trauma-informed training.

$1 billion could provide funding to establish a first responders mental health professional pilot program designed to increase the number of culturally competent, confidential, and independent mental health services to law enforcement officers.

COPS Hiring Program:

$1 billion could provide nearly four years of full funding for the COPS Hiring Program.

In Fiscal Year 2026, over $250 million was appropriated for this program, which is designed to provide funding directly to local law enforcement agencies to hire and/or retain officers and support community policing efforts.

Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program:

$1 billion could fully fund four years of thePublic Safety Officers’ Benefits Program, providing benefits to over 2,000 first responders and their families.

In Fiscal Year 2026, $236 million was appropriated for this program, which provides death and education benefits to survivors of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders, and disability benefits to officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty.

Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program:

$1 billion could fund a full year of Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants.

This program is the leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. It provides funding to support personnel, equipment, supplies, contractual support, training, technical assistance, and information systems for criminal justice or civil proceedings for a multitude of programs, including:

Law enforcement

Prevention and Education

Corrections

Drug treatment

Witness protection

Mental health and behavioral programs

###


Grassley Cheers House Passage of Combating Organized Retail Crime Act

WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) applauded the House of Representatives for passing companion legislation to his bipartisan Combating Organized Retail Crime Act by an overwhelming vote of 348-60. The widely supported legislation would improve the federal response to organized retail crime and establish new tools to recover stolen goods.

“Last night, the House of Representatives secured a major victory for U.S. consumers and businesses by passing the Combating Organized Retail Act,” Grassley said. “Organized retail crime costs Americans billions of dollars each year and endangers lives along our nation’s supply chain and in our stores, due to aggressive tactics like ‘smash-and-grab’ robberies and cargo hijacking. As Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Americans’ safety is my top priority – whether online, at home, at work or in the supermarket. I’ll continue my work to ensure my commonsense crime-fighting bills make their way across the finish line.”

Background:

Grassley and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act in the 117th, 118th and 119th congresses to establish a multi-agency response to evolving trends in retail theft. Since its introduction, the bill has garnered massive support from leaders at the national and local levels, including 38 state attorneys general, major law enforcement organizations and a coalition of over 260 impacted businesses. Over the years, Grassley has worked closely with law enforcement officers and retail organizations to ensure the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act effectively addresses the issue at hand. He’s also led a Judiciary Committee hearing to examine the growing criminal trend of retail crime, where expert witnesses urged Congress to swiftly pass his legislation.

In addition to the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, Grassley is working to advance several bills aimed at cracking down on crime and delivering safer communities for Americans. These bills include the James T. Woods Act, to crack down on online child exploitation, and the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act, to fight the spread of illicit xylazine.


Grassley Thanks Law Enforcement During National Police Week, Leads Resolution Reiterating Senate’s Unwavering Support

WASHINGTON – Amid National Police Week, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) thanked America’s law enforcement officers for their selfless service and highlighted his ongoing work to back the blue.

This week, Grassley and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing May 11th through May 15th as National Police Week. Additionally, Grassley is working to shepherd several bipartisan law enforcement bills through the Judiciary Committee. The bills scheduled for a committee vote tomorrow include legislation to improve mental health resources for officers, assist law enforcement in solving cold cases and speed up critical benefits for first responders, among others.

Text of Grassley’s resolution, as well as a full list of cosponsors, is available HERE.

Video and a transcript of Grassley’s remarks follow.

Remarks by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa

Chairman, Senate Judiciary Committee

“National Police Week”

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

Since 1962, Americans have recognized the second week of May as National Police Week.

This is a week of reflection, gratitude and tribute to our nation’s brave men and women in blue.

I’m leading the United States Senate in celebrating this annual tradition by introducing a resolution to honor law enforcement during National Police Week.

So, as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I’m also helping steer several bipartisan, pro-police bills out of committee.

I’m proud to back the blue, and I’ll continue my efforts in Congress to protect and support law enforcement.

To our nation’s courageous officers: I thank you for keeping the peace, and may God bless you every day.


ICYMI: Des Moines Register: Iowa’s Grassley Urges Probe of The Knot's Alleged Deceptive Practices

Iowa’s Grassley urges probe of The Knot's alleged deceptive practices

By Kevin Baskins

May 13, 2026

Des Moines Register

An email from an Iowa vendor to wedding planning website The Knot is both succinct and expressive.

“I don't want a phone call. I don't want to talk through it. I'm drowning in bills from your company for leads that were promised but never received. I'm unimpressed and dissatisfied," the author wrote. "I don't feel 'supported' ? I feel deceived. I don't want a refund. I want my contract cancelled immediately and to never pay The Knot, Wedding Wire, or Wedding Pro another dime.”

The vendor, whose name was redacted, was eventually released from the contract. But the complaint has U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa renewing his pressure on the Federal Trade Commission to investigate allegations of fraudulent and deceptive business practices by The Knot.

The Republican's effort to address complaints about the widely used service dates back to March 2025. That October, he asked FTC Chair Andrew N. Ferguson for an investigation, saying he had received complaints of “repeated failures to honor contracts and deliberate attempts at fraud.”

His office on Monday, May 11, put the total number of complaints received at more than 200, including some from small businesses in Iowa. Like the one Grassley cited, many allege that The Knot, which connects wedding services providers with potential clients, has charged them for providing leads that turned out to be false.

The providers, such as caterers and venue operators, also complain about failure to provide promised advertising and discounts.

In his latest letter to Ferguson, dated April 29, Grassley included the emails between the Iowa vendor and The Knot and reiterated his request for an investigation. He asked the FTC chair to "provide me with what steps you’ve taken to investigate all of the allegations you have received concerning The Knot’s alleged deceptive and fraudulent business practices.”

“Accordingly, I’m referring for your review records I received from an Iowa small business owner recounting the alleged fraudulent and deceptive business practices they were subjected to by The Knot," he wrote. "The records enclosed with this letter include emails between the Iowa small business owner and The Knot representatives detailing an alleged bait-and-switch scheme perpetrated by The Knot and screen shots of messages from allegedly fake leads..."

Read the rest HERE.


VIDEO: Grassley Praises House Passage of Landmark E15 Legislation

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a lifelong family farmer and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, welcomed the House of Representatives’ passage of historic legislation allowing for the permanent, year-round sale of E15 nationwide.

Download video of Grassley’s remarks HERE.

“This is a very major step forward for family farmers, for our national security and for every American who fills up at the pump. E15 creates jobs in rural communities, helps secure America’s energy dominance and, importantly, lowers gas prices,” Grassley said, in part.

“Now, of course, it’s up to the Senate to take up this very urgent legislation. Congress must take action to boost fuel supply and help rural America in the process. E15 would pump $14 billion dollars into the farm economy. Iowa’s family farmers are counting on the Senate to deliver year-round E15. I’m going to keep fighting until we get this bill to the president’s desk,” Grassley continued.

Grassley thanked Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-Iowa), Zach Nunn (R-Iowa), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) for their hard work to get E15 passed in the House. Grassley also noted President Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins have all urged Congress to pass E15 during trips to Iowa this year.

Grassley has been a champion for E15 for over fifteen years:

April 2026: Spoke on the Senate floor to support Iowa’s Members of Congress for fighting for family farmers on E15 and the Farm Bill.

March 2026: Spoke at an Agriculture Committee hearing in strong support of E15.

January 2026: Wrote an op-ed praising President Trump’s support for legislation allowing for the year-round, nationwide sale of E15.

September 2025: Received Growth Energy’s 2025 “Fueling Growth Award” for his efforts to support biofuel production.

October 2025: Called for any legislation that includes ad hoc payments to farmers to also include E15.

August 2025: Introduced the bipartisan Ethanol for America Act to make it easier for Americans to fuel their vehicles with homegrown E15.

April 2025: Joined a bipartisan letter urging President Trump to permit the nationwide sale of E15 fuel through the 2025 summer driving season and beyond.

February 2025: Reintroduced the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act with Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a congressional proposal to allow for E15 sales year-round and nationwide.

April 2024: Welcomed the EPA’s emergency fuel waiver permitting nationwide E15 sales for the summer 2024 driving season.

February 2024: Applauded the EPA’s decision to approve a petition from eight Midwestern governors to permanently authorize year-round E-15 sales in their states.

December 2023: Pushed the EPA to quickly finalize a summertime waiver, helping retailers prepare for summer 2024 sales.

April 2023: Issued a statement on the EPA’s decision to permit nationwide E15 sales for the summer 2023 driving season.

April 2023: Sent a letter urging President Joe Biden to issue an emergency waiver allowing for the summertime sale of E15.

March 2023: Reintroduced the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act with Fischer and Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.).

November 2022: Introduced legislation to expand the year-round sale of E15 nationwide, extending the Reid vapor pressure (RVP) volatility waiver to ethanol blends above 10%.

March 2022: Sent a letter urging President Biden to permit the year-round sale of E15 fuel to restore American energy independence.

April 2021: Introduced the Renewable Fuel Infrastructure Investment and Market Expansion Act requiring the EPA to finalize its proposed rule removing certain barriers to expanded sales of E15.

July 2021: Reintroduced the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act with Fischer and Klobuchar.

May 2019: Led the effort to encourage the first Trump administration to approve year-round E15.

March 2019: Praised the EPA’s proposed rule allowing the year-round sale of E15.

February 2019: Reintroduced the Fuel Choice and Deregulation Act.

January 2019: Received the E15 award from the Iowa Corn Growers Association. alongside Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) for championing year-round sales of E15.

October 2018: Released a video statement in support of the EPA beginning the process of allowing year-round use of E15 gasoline.

March 2017: Introduced the Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act.

October 2018: Authored an op-ed with Ernst in support of year-round E15.

March 2015: Introduced the Fuel Choice and Deregulation Act to remove the EPA’s impediments to market competition and innovation in the transportation fuel market.

January 2011: Praised EPA’s decision to expand eligibility for its E15 waiver.

October 2010: Welcomed the EPA’s decision first authorizing E15 usage.

-30-


Hagerty Applauds Patel, Serralta for Continued Commitment to Memphis Safe Task Force

The Memphis Safe Task Force is a multi-agency law enforcement initiative that partners federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to combat violent crime in Memphis.

WASHINGTON—On Tuesday, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, addressed FBI Director Kash Patel and Director of the United States Marshals Service (USMS) Gadyaces S. Serralta during a hearing for the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies, thanking them for their transformative work and their establishment of a permanent office in Memphis, TN.

*Click the photo above or click here to watch*

“Memphis boasts a rich cultural history, wonderful people and community leaders that are dedicated to their city. It’s a hub for major logistics and medical device manufacturing,” Hagerty said. “It’s also home to advanced technologies like xAI, but it’s been troubled by serious violent crime.”

The Memphis Safe Task Force has targeted violent crimes stemming from street gangs and drug traffickers, building upon the work of an existing FBI task force. Director Serralta testified that, as of April 2026, the operation has yielded 8,701 total arrests by federal officers and an additional 1,426 illegal firearm seizures.

Patel noted the joint effort of federal, state and local law enforcement officers has greatly contributed to the safety of Memphis, and the FBI is committed to the long-term success of the mission. “Thanks to you and the leadership in Tennessee, we opened our new office in Memphis to permanently assure the citizens of Tennessee that we’re not going anywhere,” Patel said.

Hagerty commended the success achieved by the task force, calling it “a true example of where cooperation can make a difference here in America. And you have transformed a city for us.”

###


During Police Week, Senators Hassan and Cornyn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Provide Tax Cut for Families of Fallen First Responders

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and John Cornyn (R-TX) today introduced bipartisan legislation that provides a tax cut for families of fallen first responders. The bill would allow the families of public safety officers — including police officers, fire fighters, and other first responders — who die in the line of duty to not pay federal income taxes on the fallen first responder’s income for the year of their death and the preceding year, and to be eligible for refunds on any taxes paid for those years.

“First responders sacrifice for our communities each and every day, and when some make the ultimate sacrifice, we owe their surviving families our support,” said Senator Hassan. “This bipartisan bill provides the families of our fallen heroes with financial support as they navigate their loss and also ensures that the last thing that they have to worry about is an unexpected bill from the IRS. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation to help support the families of our first responders.”

“Public safety officers put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe, and Congress must do everything we can to support their families when the worst case scenario happens,” said Senator Cornyn. “This National Police Week, I’m proud to introduce this bill to provide tax relief for the families of fallen first responders – ensuring they have one less thing to worry about as they grapple with the loss of their loved one.”

The Relief for Families of the Fallen Act is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Association of Police Organizations, Major Cities Chiefs Association, Concerns of Police Survivors, the New Hampshire Troopers Association, and the New Hampshire Police Association. The bill’s introduction comes during National Police Week. The tax relief provided by the bill, which mirrors a provision provided to the families of fallen service members, helps ensure that the families or other estate beneficiaries of our heroes do not have to worry about a surprise bill during tax season. Additionally, the bill requires that the Internal Revenue Service provide this relief as quickly and easily as possible for the families of the fallen.

Senator Hassan has made supporting first responders and their families one of her top priorities in the Senate. Last December, President Trump signed her bipartisan SUPPORT Act into law, providing communities across the country with more resources to fight the fentanyl crisis. Senator Hassan has also cosponsored bipartisan legislation to make it easier for first responders to buy a home and receive mental health treatment.

###


Whistleblower Testifies That Biden Admin Violated Hawley Law to Declassify Lab Leak Info

WASHINGTON — Today, a CIA whistleblower testified before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee (HSGAC) about the intelligence community’s handling of information related to the origins of COVID-19. In January 2023, Senator Hawley’s legislation to declassify any and all” information related to COVID’s origins—including information that would substantiate the lab leak hypothesis—passed Congress unanimously and was signed into law. Today’s whistleblower testified that the Biden administration intentionally ignored that law and refused to provide Congress and the American people with the truth about COVID.

The whistleblower, who worked in the intelligence community during COVID, toldthe Committee that the Biden Administration amassed thousands of pages of information on the origins of the pandemic. Yet despite their obligation under the law, they “decided to write a different paper,” providing a mere five pages of heavily redacted, non-substantive information.

When Senator Hawley asked if the Biden Administration’s claim that “nothing was researched at the Wuhan Lab that could plausibly be a progenitor of SARS Covid” and that “there is no evidence of any research related incident involving Wuhan employees that might have been related to the pandemic” were true, the whistleblower said, “They’re not true.”

Senator Hawley concluded, “The United States government first deliberately violated a law passed by Congress, signed by the president, that ordered them to release all information related to the Wuhan lab. Number one. Number two, they then violated the law again by withholding thousands and thousands of pages that they had at the time and knew were covered by the law Number three, the conclusion, so-called, they released to the public are false. If that is not a cover-up, I don’t know what is.”


Heinrich Joins 535 News to Discuss the Trump Administration's War on the West, Including Attacks on Public Lands, Wildland Fire Response, and Cost of Living

Video here

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, appeared on 535 News with Igor Bobic where he spoke about President Trump’s war on the west — including attacks on public lands, wildland fire response, and skyrocketing gas prices.

U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich, Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, live on 535 News with Igor Bobic, May 12, 2026.

On President Trump Skyrocketing Electricity Prices:

Igor Bobic: “What is Congress doing about these rising energy costs?”

Senator Heinrich: “Well, we have a lot that we can be doing about rising energy costs, and unfortunately, we're at a time when the administration is making policy decisions that is moving the needle in the wrong direction.

“So, whether that's the war in Iran, which has really driven gasoline and diesel prices incredibly high. Whether that was the tariffs that they put on all sorts of feed stocks to be able to generate electricity. Whether it's even, you know, the fact that they are slow walking, and have even issued stop work orders on cheap, clean generation because they disagree with the kind of color of electrons that you're putting on the, on the grid. Everything they've been doing is moving things in the wrong direction. So, resolving the war in Iran, getting rid of tariffs for good, putting more projects onto the grid — especially clean energy projects that right now are the cheapest electrons available — all of those things are what Congress should be doing.”

On the Trump Administration Killing Clean Energy Projects that Would Have Lowered Utility Bills:

Bobic: “Is now the time to talk about renewables? And what kind of conversations are you having in Congress right now on the other side of the aisle?”

Heinrich: “Well I think the most productive conversations are around permitting reform. And you know, I think to the extent that we can get rid of administrative discretion for both parties in terms of permitting, gives people the kind of certainty that they need to invest in the market. Renewables are cheaper right now. They're faster to develop. If we had a level playing field, in terms of permitting, they’d outperform the rest of the market.”

Bobic: “Why is the president so averse to renewables like wind?”

Heinrich: “Apparently, he saw some wind turbines offshore at one of his golf resorts, and that had some sort of personal impact on him. I believe that we should be developing our economy. You know, we're going to go through an energy transition. That should be a planned energy transition. We should embrace cheaper sources of electricity and energy broadly. And so, I think to the extent that we can work on bipartisan, durable solutions, I think that's the best path forward for the country.”

Bobic: “Summer is coming up, obviously. How concerned are you about the energy grid right now? Ahead of summer? Obviously, a lot of trouble spots.”

Heinrich: “There are a lot of trouble spots. I think it would help dramatically if we could get some of these projects — that have gone all the way through the regulatory process and are ready for a signature from a secretary — if we could get those connected to the grid. The faster we can connect those, the fewer problems we'll have.”

On Permitting Reform Discussions in Congress:

Bobic: “You mentioned permitting reform. Obviously, a lot of bipartisan interest in speeding up how we build, and the time it takes to build both renewable projects, oil projects, housing. So many issues there. You announced back in March, I believe, that you were restarting discussions about permitting reform with Republicans. How is that going? What is the state of play right now?”

Heinrich: “I think the conversations have been very productive. And we had a good starting place because we did an effort in the last Congress that didn't make it across the finish line. But which, I think, had a really balanced and effective approach to things. So we didn't start from zero.

“I think the biggest threat to permitting reform, right now, is the bad faith that this administration is showing. So, we've had a court ruling saying: ‘What the Secretary of Interior was doing — and not permitting fully vetted projects — is illegal.’ But those projects aren't moving off his desk. And then, when you look at the Department of Defense, there are something like 150 generation projects that have been just frozen at DOD — that would put cheap electrons onto the grid as well. So, when you show that sort of bad faith, it makes it harder for me, especially, to get individual senators in my caucus to embrace permitting reform if they think it's only going to be applied to one side of the ledger.”

On the Trump Administration Undermining the Forest Service’s Firefighting Efforts:

Bobic: “Are you worried about this upcoming fire season and what that's going to mean for, you know, Congress, policy here?”

Heinrich: “I am deeply worried. I mean we're just looking at a Forest Service that has thousands fewer frontline staff than they did a year and a half ago. That concerns me. I'm seeing the numbers come back, in terms of the acres treated for fuels reductions, down something like 30 percent. That worries me. And you know managing our forests responsibly, and preparing and preventing wildfire, those are not partisan issues in the west. This fire season, I think, has everyone losing sleep.”

Bobic: “You mentioned earlier these cuts at Interior. How are those going to affect, you know, how we address things like wildfires in this country?”

Henrich: “It makes us less prepared. And we just have fewer people on the ground. You know, we also have the administration talking about moving the fire response from the Forest Service to Interior. I don't know if that's a good idea or a bad idea. But I sure as hell want to understand exactly how it's going to work before they pull the trigger. And I would hope that they wouldn't rearrange the deck chairs in the middle of the fire season. That's something to figure out ahead of time. Make sure you have fully vetted ideas. Understand how everybody's going to fulfill their role before you ever make a decision like that. Because it has life and death consequences for my constituents.”

On Senate Republicans Using Congressional Review Act (CRA) Resolutions to Sell Off Public Lands:

Bobic: “You mentioned Boundary Waters, obviously a big vote last month. Are you prepared for similar actions to come from your Republican colleagues on this front, similar CRAs, and do you see that action by them as a precedent for future Congresses?”

Heinrich: “It's absolutely a precedent, and it's a terrible precedent. They basically changed the rules. CRAs were created as a legislative tool to deal with overreach in regulations — not land use plans. So, this is a brand-new way of them getting around the filibuster to be able to develop and give a Chilean mining company basically our copper. So that they can send it to China, refine it, and sell it back to us with a tariff on top — ironically enough. It shows that lack of balance.

“And if there's a place where we should be cautious, my goodness, it's the Boundary Waters. I mean, it is such an impressive place. My family's been there. Teddy Roosevelt really worked hard to make sure that it was protected in perpetuity. And putting a copper sulfide mine right in the head waters of that special place... I just think that is the poster child of not having a balanced, thoughtful approach to development on public lands.”

On Senate Republicans’ Attempts to Fund President Trump’s Illegal War with Iran:

Bobic: “Could that sweeten the deal? Perhaps to get your vote on something like Iran funding? That's what they've talked about. Try to include it as part of a war funding package to help get some of these western Republicans and also some Democratic votes there. Do you think that's possible?”

Heinrich: “Budget reconciliation is such a hyperpartisan tool. I think that's a heavy lift. And certainly, the kind of irresponsible spending that we've seen on a war that the American people don't support. [Trump’s war] that is raising their gas prices, and raising their diesel prices, and that diesel number is raising their grocery prices. That's a pretty big lift. I could not imagine voting for something like that.”

###


Heinrich Labels President Trump’s FY27 Forest Service Budget Request a “Roadmap on How to Dismantle the Forest Service”

Video here

WASHINGTON – During a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing to examine the Trump administration’s budget request for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27), U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), the Committee’s Ranking Member, delivered opening remarks, criticizing U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz for slashing programs and protections for U.S. forests and haphazardly reorganizing wildfire fighting efforts without a public plan as the nation is in the middle of wildfire season.

VIDEO: Ranking Member Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) delivers opening remarks on the U.S. Forest Service FY27 budget request before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, May 13, 2026.

“Last year, I found the proposed budget deeply troubling. This year, when taking into context [the] relentless series of attacks we’ve seen on our public lands, the budget seems disappointing and irresponsible. Over the last year, we saw a chaotic hollowing out of the Forest Service staff, with the firing and re-hiring, in some cases, of vital positions, in addition to deferred resignations, and early retirements,” began Heinrich.

“Let’s look at the budget. Again, with no details, and a passing recognition of the need for future legislation, the budget proposes to move the wildland fire program to the Department of the Interior. Let me be clear: When we are spending our time on make-believe budgets and moving deck chairs around on the deck of the ship, it means we're not preparing to fight fires... When we’re willing to lose people who support the agencies’ ability to conduct research, or interact with our state and local partners, we're losing the same red-card holders who make up incident command teams and the fire militia,” Heinrich continued.

“What this budget shows me is a roadmap on how to dismantle the Forest Service,” Heinrich concluded.

A video of Heinrich’s opening remarks is here.

A transcript of Heinrich’s remarks as delivered is below:

Good morning, Chief Schultz. Thank you for being here today to discuss the Forest Service’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget request.

Last year, I found the proposed budget deeply troubling.

This year, when taking into context [the] relentless series of attacks we’ve seen on our public lands, the budget seems disappointing and irresponsible.

Over the last year, we saw a chaotic hollowing out of the Forest Service staff, with the firing and re-hiring, in some cases, of vital positions, in addition to deferred resignations, and early retirements.

Ultimately, we saw a loss of well over 5,000, roughly 5,800, Forest Service employees.

I’ve heard from my constituents who are worried about the Forest Service’s ability to carry out basic responsibilities – everything from trail maintenance to projects to protect infrastructure investments.

We saw the Forest Service pull back watershed protections in areas where local communities are actually pleading for politicians in D.C. to safeguard their water – both in my state and around the country.

We saw the Forest Service begin to strip away decades’ long habitat protections in backcountry areas, the very places that I and my constituents go to hunt elk.

On top of that, the Forest Service continues to push forward with a reorganization without a public facing plan or assurances on specifically how this will actually help the Forest Service better manage our forests.

Let’s be clear: many of the claims that we will likely hear today – about how the Forest Service supports healthy forests, and partnerships with sportsmen and local communities and states, don't match up to what’s actually in the proposed budget.

For example, when talking about the reorganization, we will hear about a desire to bring Forest Service managers closer to the forests that they manage.

However, workforce reductions proposed in the budget mostly affect on-the-ground staff.

These are the people who actually carry out forest restoration and hazardous fuels work.

We will hear claims that the reorganization will not impact the Forest Service’s ability to continue to conduct top notch research – despite this budget actually proposing to eliminate most of the research centers, something that I hope the Senate and Congress will revisit.

So, let’s look at the budget. The Budget Request eliminates the Forest and Rangeland Research program.

To zero this program out at a time when our forests face increasing threats from wildfire, from insects, from disease, and from aridification, is short-sighted and in my view, reckless.

We will hear claims about how eliminating regional offices will make the Forest Service more responsive to state and local governments.

I want the Forest Service to be more responsive to state and local budgets, but in the budget, we see a total elimination of the State, Private, and Tribal Forestry programs.

These programs are important.

They’re vital for supporting forested landscapes in the West, where land ownership is split among federal, state, private, and tribal stewards.

Eliminating these programs would undermine non-federal forest management.

Claiming that states will pick up the bill is unrealistic – it's an abdication of our responsibility to manage these lands today and for future generations.

And then there is the wildland fire program.

We are hearing that the reorganization will not move the wildfire program out of the Forest Service.

So, let’s look at the budget.

Again, with no details, and a passing recognition of the need for future legislation, the budget proposes to move the wildland fire program to the Department of the Interior.

Let me be clear: When we are spending our time on make-believe budgets and moving deck chairs around on the deck of the ship, it means we're not preparing to fight fires, which is my primary concern in this coming season, which looks like it's going to be a doozy.

When we’re willing to lose people who support the agencies’ ability to conduct research, or interact with our state and local partners, we're losing the same red-card holders who make up incident command teams and the fire militia.

I said this last year, and I will say it again: I am open to new ideas in wildfire policy or better, more efficient organization.

But what we’ve been offered so far is not thoughtful reform — it’s a decoupling of fire management and land management missions – those things should be done together.

They should be one in the same. That's how we have holistic management of our forests.

I'm also concerned that the Forest Service is claiming to have achieved 90 percent of the hazardous fuels treatment goals, but by your own account the acres treated were down nearly 30 percent in 2025 compared to 2024.

Given a budget proposal that doesn’t adequately support our communities, doesn’t effectively protect watersheds and wildlife habitat, and doesn’t seem to, at its core, value the people that carry out the work — I have serious concerns about this administration’s ability to meet even the baseline land management responsibilities.

What this budget shows me is a roadmap on how to dismantle the Forest Service.

I want to empower the Forest Service. I want to them to be able to manage our forest.

Thank you Mr. Chairman. I yield back and I look forward to our discussion today.


Sen. Heinrich Recognizes National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) announced that a resolution he cosponsored commemorating May 5th, 2026, as a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls passed the U.S. Senate.

Last year, Heinrich cosponsored and secured Senate passage of the resolution.

The resolution is led by U.S. Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.).

The text of the resolution is here.

###


WATCH: Hickenlooper Demands Trump Stop the Bombs, Lower Americans’ Bills

Hickenlooper: “We have money for ballrooms and bombs — and tax breaks for billionaires – but nothing for hardworking Americans.

Hickenlooper has voted seven times to end the war in Iran

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper took to the Senate floor to demand President Trump end the war in Iran and to share stories from Coloradans who are struggling to afford basic necessities while the White House continues to pour billions into a war that’s driving up inflation.

Earlier today, Hickenlooper voted with Senate Democrats in support of a War Powers Resolution to block the use of U.S. Armed Forces in further hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by Congress. Republicans voted against ending the war for the seventh time.

Watch his speech HERE.

“This cost-of-living emergency didn’t start with this war. But the war is making it worse – far worse,” Hickenlooper said. “And the president’s response has been to spend more. Not on you, but on the war itself.”

“…Our nation’s priorities are completely backward. We have money for ballrooms and bombs — and tax breaks for billionaires – but nothing for hardworking Americans,” he concluded.

During the speech, Hickenlooper highlighted stories from Coloradans he’d recently met who described the crushing financial pressure they face as prices continue to rise.

“Last week, I met an Uber driver named Kareem,” Hickenlooper said. “It costs him $68 every day to fill up his car. Kareem’s expenses now exceed his take-home pay. He had to find a second job to make ends meet. He told me he worries every day about having enough money to feed his children.”

Hickenlooper emphasized that families across Colorado are making impossible choices between paying for food, gas, housing, and medical care while the president continues to prioritize war over lowering costs at home.

“Last week in Denver, I met TJ. He told me his marketplace premium went from $30 a month to over $500 a month. And this happened right when he was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer,” Hickenlooper said. “TJ couldn’t afford his marketplace plan and was forced to drop it. He had to move in with his parents just to stay afloat.”

For a full video of Hickenlooper’s remarks, click HERE. A full transcript of his remarks as prepared for delivery is available below:

“Madam President,

There’s a debate right now about the cost of the Iran war.

This administration won’t give us a straight answer. But Coloradans can.

They are paying $4.50 a gallon for gas. That’s $25 more every time they fill their tank

Shoppers are seeing their grocery bills go through the roof. Since January alone, the price of berries has doubled. Today, the average family of four now spends over $1,000 a month on groceries – and that number keeps climbing the longer this war drags on.

Mortgage rates jumped half a point in two months — costing homebuyers over $100 more every month.

Just yesterday, President Trump admitted he doesn’t “think about Americans’ financial situation” when making decisions on the war in Iran.

Finally, the truth!

The American people know this. They’ve seen how this administration’s policies are costing lives overseas — and exaggerating a cost-of-living emergency here at home.

And while the White House can’t even track what it’s spending on the war, American families are struggling to budget for the basics.

To the administration, these are just numbers on a spreadsheet. To the rest of us, these are our family members, our neighbors – all of you.

Last week, I met an Uber driver named Kareem. It costs him $68 every day to fill up his car. Kareem’s expenses now exceed his take-home pay. He had to find a second job to make ends meet. He told me he worries every day about having enough money to feed his children.

And it’s not just the president’s war that’s increasing costs. This comes on the heels of Republicans’ efforts to gut health care and slash the social safety net.

Last week in Denver, I met TJ. He told me his marketplace premium went from $30 a month to over $500 a month. And this happened right when he was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer.

TJ couldn’t afford his marketplace plan and was forced to drop it. He had to move in with his parents just to stay afloat.

I also met a Denver resident living with a rare neurologic condition from COVID. Last year, in the middle of her endless health battle, her husband was diagnosed with cancer.

Their marketplace premium doubled. They couldn’t afford for both of them to have health care at the same time. So, her husband put off chemotherapy so she could get a badly needed treatment.

Let me say that again.

In the wealthiest nation on earth, a man with cancer was forced to go without health care. Just so his wife could have it. That is shameful.

Her words will stay with me. This woman told me she’s come to terms with death and her husband’s cancer diagnosis.

But what she can’t accept is the daily battle to afford her health care – when the cost of staying alive is bankruptcy.

And these Coloradans aren’t outliers.

Over one million Americans had to drop their health insurance plans in January after Republicans refused to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. Of the Americans who decided to stay on their insurance, over three million missed their monthly payment in January.

How long before they too lose their health insurance?

And it’s not just the people in big cities.

Farmers across Colorado were already being crushed by the cost-of-living emergency. Now soaring fuel and fertilizer costs are making a grave situation critical.

One sweet corn farmer in Montrose told me that fuel normally takes up 15% of his operating costs. Now, it’s 65%.

He said: ‘If I didn’t have a son that was crazy enough to farm, I’d probably quit. Because the unknowns make it impossible to plan.’

Think about that. Because the unknowns make it impossible to plan.

Farmers are now paying 40% more for Nitrogen-based fertilizer, 60% more for diesel. And with just weeks remaining in the planting season, 70% of them can’t afford their operating costs.

Add in tariffs and drought conditions caused by worsening climate change – and it’s no wonder so many Colorado producers are choosing to fallow their land instead of farm.

You don’t need a crystal ball to know what comes next. Fewer crops means higher prices.

And as one farmer told me, “A country that can’t feed itself, can’t survive.”

We’re hearing stories like these all the time. It doesn’t matter if we’re meeting with farmers, teachers, or restaurant owners. Rural or urban. Republican or Democrat. We hear the same thing:

Costs are too high. And Americans need help.

This cost-of-living emergency didn’t start with this war. But the war is making it worse. Far worse.

And the president’s response has been to spend more. Not on you, but on the war itself.

The president recently requested $1.5 trillion to fund the Department of Defense. That’s money we don’t have – money we’ll have to borrow and add to our ballooning debt.

To put that in perspective, $1.5 trillion is the equivalent of borrowing roughly $18,000 for every American family.

Now ask yourself: do we really want to take on that cost for a war with no clear path to victory?

And that doesn’t even cover the full cost of the Iran war. The White House Budget Director told Congress that a separate funding request is coming.

We’re expecting up to $200 billion more – just for the operations in Iran.

$200 billion. With that money, we could fully fund pre-K for every kid in America. We could have free community college for every American. We could get closer to universal health care

Our nation’s priorities are completely backward. We have money for ballrooms and bombs — and tax breaks for billionaires – but very little for hardworking Americans. It’s just plain wrong.

MAGA Republicans are giving the White House a blank check while you get stuck with the bill.

We need to end this war and stop asking the American people to carry costs they never agreed to bear.

The president treats billions like a rounding error. Coloradans don’t have that luxury.

Every dollar counts. And hardworking families are paying the price.

Thank you, Madam President. I yield the floor.”

###


PHOTOS: Hirono, Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Honor Legacy of Filipino Migration to Hawaii

Senator Hirono with Ethan P. Johanson (left) and APAC Acting Director Yao-Fen You (right)

~ More Photos can be found here ~

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In recognition of May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), in partnership with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center (APAC), presented “Stories from the Field: Filipino Migrant Workers in Hawaii,” a two-week poster exhibition exploring the migration of Filipinos to Hawaii in the early 20th century. This year marks the third consecutive collaboration between Senator Hirono and APAC to highlight the contributions AANHPI communities have made to the United States. The exhibition is open to the public for view in the rotunda of the Russell Senate Office building from Monday, May 11–Friday, May 15, and Monday, May 18–Friday, May 22.

“I am proud to host this exhibition in collaboration with APAC and help share this history of the Filipino and Filipino American communities in Hawaii,” Senator Hirono said. “Throughout May, as we celebrate our communities’ historic contributions, we also reaffirm our commitment to building a more inclusive and equitable future for all. This exhibition is also meaningful because 2026 marks both our nation’s 250th and the 80th anniversary of the Luce-Celler Act of 1946, which granted Filipino and Indian immigrants the right to naturalize as American citizens. I will continue working to ensure that members of the AANHPI community and all people have the opportunity to live freely, and be treated with dignity and respect.”

“We are deeply grateful for our ongoing partnership with Senator Hirono,” said Yao-Fen You, APAC’s acting director. “We appreciate the opportunity to share Smithsonian resources that document and celebrate the rich history and culture of AANHPI individuals and communities.”

In the early 1900s, U.S. immigration policies curtailed the entry of Chinese and Japanese laborers into Hawaii, prompting sugar plantation owners to recruit workers from the Philippines, then a U.S. territory. As U.S. nationals, Filipinos migrated more freely and became central to Hawaii’s plantation economy, comprising more than half the labor force by 1926. These workers, known as sakadas, played a vital role in shaping the islands’ social and economic landscape.

The exhibition centers on the lives of two sakadas, Eusebio Maglinte and Epimaco Fariola Mansueto, tracing their journeys from the Philippines to Hawaii and onward to the continental United States. While many Filipinos established lasting communities in Hawaii, others moved on to the West Coast, including Stockton, California, which by the 1940s had become home to the largest Filipino community outside the Philippines.

Their stories continue in APAC’s exhibition, “How Can You Forget Me: Filipino American Stories,” currently on view at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Senator Hirono has long advocated on behalf of AANHPI communities in Hawaii, the U.S., and Pacific Island nations and territories. Earlier this month, Senator Hirono’s resolution recognizing May as AANHPI Heritage month passed the Senate by unanimous consent. Senator Hirono also led a bipartisan, bicameral resolution recognizing October as Filipino American History Month. In February, 2025, she introduced the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act bicameral, bipartisan legislation that would speed up the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans. Last year, Senator Hirono introduced the Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act, which instructs the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to establish a national outreach and education mental health and substance misuse strategy for the AANHPI community and study and collect disaggregated data on AANHPI representation in the behavioral health workforce and behavioral health utilization rates among AANHPI youth. In 2017, Senator Hirono presented the Congressional Gold Medal, Congress’ highest civilian honor, to Filipino World War II veterans.

###


Hoeven: AeroVironment Awarded $43 Million to Equip Sky Range Aircraft With Phased-Array Antenna System

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today announced that AeroVironment has been awarded a $43 million contract by the Test Resource Management Center (TRMC) to equip Range Hawks with its phased-array antenna system as part of the Sky Range hypersonic missile testing program. The award builds on Hoeven’s efforts to recruit BlueHalo, which was later acquired by AeroVironment, to the state and build partnerships with North Dakota’s unmanned aviation, hypersonic missile and space operations.

AeroVironment’s phased-array antennas are required for converting Global Hawk aircraft to Range Hawks, enabling them to track hypersonic missiles and other airborne and space-based threats, while communicating with satellites.

The contract is supported by the $8.3 million partnership Hoeven worked to fund and establish between the company and Bismarck State College (BSC).

This partnership created an engineering and manufacturing hub in Bismarck that gives students firsthand experience in working with phased-array technology.

This college-to-career pipeline is critical to ensuring AeroVironment has the workforce it needs to take on this highly technical work for the Sky Range program.

This comes as the latest expansion of AeroVironment’s operations in North Dakota, with the company having also:

Brought its directed energy system to the state to be used in counter-drone research and development.

Installed its counter-drone system AV Halo at GrandSKY, providing 360-degree long range radar surveillance and mission-ready operations software in support of Project ULTRA.

“Sky Range revolutionizes the way we test hypersonic missiles. By using unmanned aircraft to track the missiles, rather than ships out at sea, Sky Range provides greater flexibility, lower costs and greater operational security. AeroVironment’s phased-array antenna system is crucial to these efforts, and today’s $43 million contract will ensure the Range Hawks have the communications and tracking capabilities needed to make these missile tests a reality,” said Hoeven. “We’ve worked hard to build partnerships across our state that attract innovative companies to North Dakota and enable them to meet the future defense needs of our country. AeroVironment is a great example as we continue supporting the work it’s doing with Sky Range, Project ULTRA, BSC and others.”

-###-


Husted joins bill to advance AI for Americans

Establishing the NAIRR as a shared national research infrastructure will give students, researchers and workers access to resources to advance safe AI development, drive innovation and strengthen America’s leadership in emerging technologies.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) joined Sens. Todd Young (R-Ind.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Cory Booker’s (D-N.J.) Creating Resources for Every American to Experiment with Artificial Intelligence (CREATE AI) Act.

This bipartisan bill would establish the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR). The NAIRR is a shared national research infrastructure to connect American researchers and educators to data, software and tools necessary to advance AI research and development (R&D) and develop AI skills for the U.S. workforce.

The bill would also focus on improving the safety, reliability and trustworthiness of AI for Americans.

“As AI continues to transform the world on a global and economic scale, it’s critical to our innovation and national security that America leads—and wins—the race. Establishing the NAIRR as a shared national research infrastructure will give students, researchers and workers access to resources to advance safe AI development, drive innovation and strengthen America’s leadership in emerging technologies. I’m proud to support the CREATE AI Act to expand opportunity and prepare our next generation for success,” said Husted.

“The United States cannot cede leadership in AI development to China. For both our economic and national security, we must harness AI’s potential and mitigate its risks. By establishing the National AI Research Resource in statute, the CREATE AI Act will give incredible access and resources to America’s brightest, allowing for advancements in AI innovation, deployment, and safety for our country and ultimately the world,” said Young.

“The Create AI Act will help us develop and deploy AI responsibly, while also unleashing American innovation by expanding access to the tools needed to conduct cutting-edge research. But as we push this technology forward, we must also take seriously our responsibility to rein in its potential harms — putting the right safeguards in place to ensure AI is used safely, ethically, and in the public interest. By truly democratizing access to AI, we can prepare American workers for the future, maintain our nation’s competitive edge, and ensure these rapid advancements strengthen our economy and benefit communities in New Mexico and across the country,” said Heinrich.

“Artificial intelligence has the potential to impact a range of fields, from national security to health care. Our bipartisan legislation establishes the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NAIRR), which will provide tools and resources for universities and researchers across the country. This will help NAIRR to accomplish the objectives laid out in President Trump’s AI Action Plan. Universities in South Dakota are already conducting research and applying AI and other emerging technologies. This legislation will allow these universities to expand their leading role,” said Rounds.

“The United States has some of the brightest AI researchers in the world. They want to solve hard problems and improve people’s lives—but the steep financial costs of doing this research have pushed too many of them to the sidelines. The NAIRR gives universities, students, and researchers—in New Jersey and across the country—the tools they need to pursue new breakthroughs; it ensures that the future of AI research isn’t shaped only by a small number of large companies; and it helps us build a stronger, more diverse AI research community that’s focused on serving the public good,” said Booker.

The CREATE AI Act would establish NAIRR to do the following:

Spur innovation and advance the development of safe, reliable and trustworthy AI research and development

Improve access to AI resources for researchers and students

Expand capacity for AI research in the U.S.

Develop AI tools for the U.S. workforce

This bill builds on Husted’s efforts to leverage AI for America’s workforce. He joined the AI for Mainstreet Act, which would provide training, guidance and support to American small businesses looking to implement artificial intelligence (AI) into their businesses.

He is also leading the bipartisan AI Talent Act. This bill would create an AI and tech talent team within the U.S. Office of Personnel Management to provide guidance in hiring experts in AI to join federal agencies.


Kaine, Colleagues Urge Rubio to Uphold U.S. Commitments to Taiwan as Trump Meets Xi

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and a bipartisan group of 11 of his Senate colleagues issued a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirming congressional support for the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and the United States’ commitments to Taiwan, and reiterated their firm belief that the Administration should not make any changes to this policy. This letter coincides with President Donald Trump’s official trip to Beijing, during which he will meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“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 determine Taiwan’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,” the senators concluded.

The letter was led by Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and John Curtis (R-UT). In addition to Kaine, the letter was signed by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

Full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Secretary Rubio,

We write to reaffirm congressional support for the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act (TRA) and our firm belief that there should be no unilateral changes to this policy nor any new declaratory policy on Taiwan, consistent with longstanding U.S. commitments including the Six Assurances President Reagan articulated.

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 determine Taiwan’s future by non- peaceful means to be “a threat to the peace and security of the Western Pacific,” and of “grave Concern.”

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.

During your tenure in the U.S. Senate, you consistently demonstrated strong support for U.S.- Taiwan relations and for the TRA. In 2017, you joined a bipartisan letter to President Trump stating that the “One China policy, based on the [Taiwan Relations] Act, the Three Joint Communiques and the Six Assurances [...] provides the basis for our enduring relationship with Taiwan.” You further emphasized the “bipartisan commitment that we must not waver in providing necessary support for Taiwan to defend itself in the face of China’s ongoing military aggression and the cross-Strait military imbalance.”

These principles remain true and necessary today. 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.

###


Walkinshaw, Kaine Urge Trump to Press China to Stop Forcibly Returning North Korean Refugees

Washington, D.C. — Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) sent a bicameral letter to President Donald Trump during the U.S.-China Summit urging him to press Chinese leader Xi Jinping to stop forcibly returning North Korean refugees to a country where they face torture, forced labor, imprisonment, or execution.

The letter calls on President Trump to use "all diplomatic levers at his disposal" to compel the People's Republic of China (PRC) to halt the repatriations, recommit to its obligations under the United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention, and grant refugee status to affected individuals so they can travel to a safe third country.

"Chinese authorities are systematically and knowingly forcing hundreds of North Koreans back to a place where they will face mistreatment and retribution," the lawmakers wrote. "The PRC has been party to the United Nations Refugee Convention and Protocol for over four decades yet consistently violates the principles to protect refugees."

The letter cites findings from the bipartisan Congressional-Executive Commission on China, of documenting the forcible repatriation of 600 North Korean refugees on October 9, 2023 — the largest single repatriation on record — and approximately 200 more in April 2024. The PRC classifies most North Koreans as illegal economic migrants to avoid its obligations under the Refugee Convention, despite knowing those returned face severe punishment, particularly Christians and those who had contact with South Korean groups while in China.

The letter is also signed by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Jeff Merkley (D-ORE), Peter Welch (D-VT) and U.S. Representatives Ami Bera (CA-06), James McGovern (MA-02), and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10).

Read the full letterhere.

###


WATCH: In SASC ETC Hearing, Kelly Questions Special Operations Commanders on Maritime Unmanned Systems and Davis-Monthan Power Projection Wing

SOCOM Confirms New Davis Monthan Mission is on track

This week, during a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) Emerging Threats and Capabilities (ETC) Subcommittee hearing, Arizona Senator and Navy combat veteran Mark Kelly (D-AZ) questioned United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) leaders on the future of maritime unmanned systems and the standup of the new Power Projection Wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona.

Kelly, author of the SHIPS for America Act, pressed Rear Admiral Walter Allman on where Naval Special Warfare is on undersea and unmanned systems: “Where are you today in underwater systems and other unmanned systems, and where do you want to be, let’s say 5 or 10 years in the future?”

Allman pointed to the Multi-Mission Dry Combat Submersible as the command’s most significant near-term investment, saying it will give SOF access to “nearly anywhere on the planet we need to go in the undersea.”

Kelly also got an update from Lieutenant General Michael Conley on the Power Projection Wing coming to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. Lieutenant General Conley confirmed the wing is on track, with the first aircraft set to arrive this fall and the wing commander taking command next summer.

Sen. Kelly questions Admiral Allman and General Conley during a SASC ETC hearing.

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

Senator Kelly:

Well, it sounds like you were probably talking about where my question was going to be, Admiral, about maritime unmanned systems, other advanced platforms that you need. I will just say, I’ve been pushing my SHIPS for America Act to try to rebuild the maritime industrial base here domestically so we can improve shipbuilding. But that also extends to the to the stuff you need, those kinds of capabilities, that that workforce. Could you talk a little bit about, just so I know, and you may have already said this today, where are you today in underwater systems and other unmanned systems, and where do you want to be, let’s say 5 or 10 years in the future?

Rear Admiral Walter H. Allman III:

Thank you Senator. We have been making progress in our undersea assets, but we have a significant build coming up in our Multi-Mission Dry Combat Submersible, which will partner with the Virginia class and give us access to nearly anywhere on the planet we need to go in the undersea. So, that investment is just beginning. So, that capability will return to a capability we had in the early 2000s that is just so strategically important that the investment in both the platforms and the MILCON that will be necessary to launch and recovery, the launch and recovery of the platform is probably our most significant needs.

Kelly:

Have you given any thought to, this might sound crazy, I’ve given a little thought as the cost to launch to get into orbit continues to go down, it might go down significantly enough at some point. But if you guys ever wanted to get somewhere really, really fast, if we were willing to commit, I’m talking maybe 10, 15, 20 years from now, commit to keeping something somewhere on a pad and ready to go. You could get somewhere in 20 minutes. You guys ever, ever, ever, ever talk about, like, these crazy ideas?

Allman:

I’ll defer to my AFSOC colleague here.

Lieutenant General Michael E. Conley:

Senator, thanks for the questions. Good seeing you again. We’re looking at it. We look at it from a rocket cargo type of lens. How could we get it across the world in minutes and not days, but not deep thought into it yet. We’ve dabbled in some con-opt development and trying to figure out what it might look in order to service the other soft partners, but we’re probably a ways away from investing AFSOC money in it. But I agree with you, it gets cheaper every day.

Kelly:

As it gets cheaper. It’s something we could even maybe get people on the other side of the planet very quickly. Basically 30, 40 minutes anywhere.

Kelly:

I was thinking Navy. It’s a ship. It’s a space ship, Tim! I know, you would sign up to do this. And then, General, just on the conversation we had a couple of weeks ago at the power projection wing, I was talking to Admiral Anderson just today, AFRICOMM Commander, about the OA-1K and the ability to, with that platform, to be able to put some effects on a target and it seems like it’s well suited, obviously, for Special Ops. That’s why it’s in the power projecting wing here. Could you give me a little update on where we are with standing up the wing at Davis-Monthan?

Conley:

Yes, I certainly can. So, we just took possession of our 18th OA-1K, and I think from an operational perspective, you’re right. We have yet to put it into combat. We’re still building out the initial cadre and training crews. I think it will provide combatant commanders Swiss Army knife capability, where one day it could do exquisite SIG and collect Intel ISR things and also be armed with up to 6,000 pounds of payload, whether that’s Hellfires, rockets, maybe some small cruise missiles that we’re working on.So, I think, again, it provides the ground force commander lots of options at a very affordable price point. Flight hours that are roughly 50% less cost per hour than an MQ-9 nine, even. As far as Davis-Monthan, we have already planted some seed corn out there with our personnel to build it out next summer. Our wing commander will take command of the wing out at Davis-Monthan. We will get our first OA-1K delivered out there later this fall. Our first 2operational 0A-1K squadrons will be at Davis-Monthan. And then we’re working through the environmental analysis with the recommendation to move a CV-22 Squadron out there.

Kelly:

Great. I was in Jordan a couple years ago and they had some sitting on the ramp, some of the Air Tractors, and they had a lot of stuff hanging off of it. Thank you.


Kim, Schumer, Durbin, Reed, Shaheen, Warner, Coons, Schatz, Warren Statement on Trump’s China Policy Ahead of His Summit with President Xi

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.) alongside Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mark Warner (D-VA) Chris Coons (D-DE), Brian Schatz (D-HI), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) released the following statement as President Trump arrived in China for his meeting with President Xi. The Senators condemned the administration’s policies on China as failures for the American people and national security, and encouraged the President to secure real, long-lasting wins for American families, rather than trade away American security and jobs for a photo-op.

“The Trump Administration’s China policy has been one failure after another for American taxpayers and U.S. national security. In just the last year, the President has walked back export controls and blessed sales of critical AI chips to Chinese firms, cut American research, weakened our alliances, squeezed farmers, and failed to stop the flow of fentanyl into our communities. Instead of investing in U.S. alliances and partnerships to tackle global challenges, Trump has destroyed U.S. global standing, one of America’s most formidable advantages over China.

“Now, as the President arrives in Beijing, he isn’t even pretending he will try to solve these problems—most of his own creation. Instead, he’s focused on investment deals that could threaten American manufacturing and economic independence. Given the economic hardship facing families across our country, Trump owes the American people solutions, not just another red-carpet appearance.

“The solutions to these challenges are forged at home and with U.S. allies and partners and will not be solved in any one summit. To be effective, he must have a plan to defend U.S. manufacturing and ensure any U.S. investments in China do not allow our most advanced technologies to flow to the People’s Liberation Army. He needs to get serious about investing in the research, skills, and industrial might needed for the U.S. to build the jobs of the future here in America. He should rebuild alliances and partnerships, provide U.S. security support to Taiwan amid growing threats, and reverse the damage done by his bullying of allies with across-the-board tariffs. And when it comes to halting the flow of fentanyl and synthetic opioid precursors, Trump should not let Xi repackage the same deliverables that the Biden Administration already secured. Rather, he should rebuild multilateral counternarcotics pressure on China to end money laundering and government acquiescence to precursor and equipment sales once and for all.

“U.S. national security and American taxpayers cannot afford for Trump to simply get another photo op while folding to Xi. On fentanyl, economic security, regional and global security, American jobs, and prices at home – Trump must come back from Beijing with real, long-lasting wins for the American people.”

###


Senator Kim Forces Votes to Reverse Trump’s Attacks on American Consumers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ), member of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, helped Senate Democrats take over the floor to force 20 votes on reversing the Trump administration’s attacks on American consumers. Senator Kim individually filed two of the 20 Joint Resolutions of Disapproval of Trump Administration Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) rules to protect Americans from unfair and illegal debt collection and defend their right to access and control their financial reports and futures.

These votes to make life more affordable for working families come after the Trump Administration’s year-long assault on the CFPB that has already cost American consumers $19 billion to date.

Senator Kim’s Joint Resolution of Disapproval to defend Americans’ right to access their own credit and background reports. WATCH

Background: Trump’s CFPB rescinded a 2024 rule that made it easier for consumers to obtain a copy of their own credit and background reports, clearing the way for companies to put up roadblocks when consumers try to access their own personal data. Senator Kim introduced SJ Res 127 to restore the 2024 rule.

“We have a law already on the books – the Fair Credit Reporting Act – to protect this right but we’re seeing companies and others finding creative ways to skirt this responsibility, and working Americans are the ones left paying the price. That’s why we must pass this Joint Resolution of Disapproval I filed today and reassert this law’s authority… When these companies choose to cheat the system, they’re able to make a profit, while American consumers are left in the dark about their own credit,” said Senator Kim in remarks on the Senate Floor today.

Senator Kim’s Joint Resolution of Disapproval to protect Americans from being forced or threatened into paying debts they don’t legally owe. WATCH

Background: Trump’s CFPB has rescinded 2023 guidance that cracked down on debt collectors who bring or threaten to bring legal action against consumers on time-barred or non-enforceable debts, or ‘zombie debts’, increasing the risk of consumers being forced or threatened into paying debts they don’t legally owe. Senator Kim introduced SJ Res 126 to undo the Trump CFPB decision and restore the earlier rule.

“I rise today because the American dream of owning a home is getting further and further out of reach and as working families get crushed by Trump’s economy – Congress needs to take steps to make life more affordable…The CFPB issued guidance that set out clear rules for how to rein in foreclosures on stale mortgage debts. The Trump administration withdrew this commonsense rule leaving these homeowners at-risk,” said Senator Kim in remarks on the Senate Floor today.

He continued: “With this vote, we can restore this guidance. We can protect homeowners from zombie debt. We can restore accountability and make sure debt collectors compensate consumers for the harm inflicted by their unfair, deceptive collection. And we can stand up for millions of Americans who need us to have their backs.”

###


Senator Kim Introduces Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Support Fellow “Sandwich Generation” Caregivers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) joined U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06) in introducing theMultigenerational Caregiving Data Act. The bipartisan, bicameral legislation would close a critical data gap affecting millions of Americans, including Senator Kim, who fall into the “sandwich generation” as they care for both aging parents and children.

“I feel the isolation of being a sandwich generation caregiver every day as I look after my dad with Alzheimer’s and my two boys. It’s a challenge millions face across our country and yet we too often go unheard and overlooked. This legislation works to change that. The better our federal data represents the true experience of caregivers and how many of us there are, the better we can deliver the support and resources caregivers deserve,” said Senator Kim.

“Millions of Americans are balancing the demands of raising children while caring for aging loved ones, often at great personal and financial cost,” said Representative Houlahan. “Today, our federal data systems don’t clearly capture the number of Americans involved in caregiving at this scale. This bipartisan bill takes a simple, practical step to ensure their contributions and challenges are no longer invisible.”

Senator Kim’s legislation is the Senate companion to Congresswoman Houlahan’s bill, which is co-led by Representatives Mike Turner (R-OH-3), Ro Khanna (D-CA-17), and Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL-13).

Sandwich generation caregivers play a vital but underrecognized and unpaid role in the nation’s economy and family structure. No major federal survey currently identifies and counts individuals providing care across generations—leaving policymakers without the data needed to understand the economic and societal impacts and develop methods to support them.

The Multigenerational Caregiving Data Act would require at least one federal survey to include a question identifying individuals who provide unpaid care to both older adults and children, leveraging existing infrastructure at minimal cost. By establishing the first nationally consistent data on multigenerational caregiving, the bill will help improve policymaking, better target resources, and track trends over time.

“Family caregivers cannot remain invisible in our nation’s health data. The Multigenerational Caregiver Data Act is an important step toward better understanding the realities of caregivers balancing care across generations and ensuring policymakers have the data needed to build more effective supports for families,” said Jason Resendez, President and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving.

A dad of two young boys, Senator Kim became a sandwich generation caregiver after his father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. He believes we must build a care movement that delivers tangible solutions for the millions of Americans who are in the same position he is—and the millions more who risk falling into the Sandwich Generation if we don’t act. Read more about how he is working in the Senate to build a universal care movement.