Oregon Airports to Receive More Than $3 Million in Federal Investment

Airports receiving federal funds include those in McMinnville, Burns, Florence, Troutdale, Ontario, Corvallis, Lexington, Newport, Tillamook and Gold Beach

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley as well as U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, Janelle Bynum and Maxine Dexter today announced that 10 Oregon airports will receive a combined federal investment of more than $3.1 million to improve their infrastructure.

“Small airports throughout our state need and deserve federal investments so Oregonians can count on them for small business support, emergency response, secure travel and more,” Wyden said. “These federal resources advance those key objectives statewide, and I’ll keep battling for similar infrastructure investments to make all airports in Oregon better and safer.”

“Investing in critical airport improvements such as taxiways, helipads, hangars, and more increases safety and strengthens infrastructure across our state,” said Merkley. “Our regional airports are vital hubs for Oregonians, supporting local businesses and providing essential lifelines during natural disasters. I’ll keep fighting to secure critical federal funds to improve the efficiency and reliability of Oregon’s airports, benefitting the folks who rely on them for business, travel, and so much more.”

“Regional airports are critical to keeping Oregon connected,” said Rep. Bonamici. “In rural communities like Tillamook, investments in transportation infrastructure give small businesses access to markets and make communities more resilient in the event of a disaster. I’m grateful that this funding will support work at the Port of Tillamook Bay.”

“Small airports are vital for rural Oregonians,” said Rep. Salinas. “They support local businesses and enable emergency responses when our communities need them most. This $1 million investment in McMinnville Municipal Airport will replace aging infrastructure and improve safety for everyone who uses it. I’m proud to help deliver these federal dollars to the airports that keep Oregon connected, and I’ll keep pushing to make sure rural communities keep getting the federal investment they deserve.”

“These infrastructure investments across our regional airports in Corvallis, Florence, Gold Beach and Newport are a win for the economic growth of our rural and coastal communities,” said Rep. Hoyle. “We rely on these federal dollars to build up our airports’ resilience in the face of worsening wildfire seasons.”

“Making it easier to get where you need to go keeps our economy strong and makes everyday life more convenient,” said Rep. Bynum. “Regional airports connect our communities, small businesses, and ensure Oregonians don’t have to drive hours just to access reliable transportation. I am proud to work with my colleagues to secure this critical funding for Oregon.”

“Investments in small airports are invaluable and will pay dividends for Oregonians in the years to come,” said Rep. Dexter. “This funding will support critical improvements to the Troutdale Airport, a key hub for the Port of Portland and our regional economy. I will keep working to bring federal dollars into high-value projects in our community.”

The awards totaling $3.14 million from the federal Department of Transportation for the Oregon airports are as follows:

$1 million to the city of McMinnville for McMinnville Municipal Airport to acquire and install a new wind cone to help pilots; to build 12,500 feet of perimeter fencing and 10 gates.

$417,996 to the city of Burns for Burns Municipal Airport to builda new 1,600-square-foot snow removal equipment building

$400,338 to the city of Florence for the Florence Municipal Airport toacquire and install a new wind cone and segmented circle navigational aid for pilots

$289,000 to the Port of Portland for Troutdale Airport to reseal 13,000 feet of existing taxiways and joints

$274,708 to the city of Ontario for Ontario Municipal Airport to build a new helipad

$245,950 to the city of Corvallis for Corvallis Municipal Airport to build a new 1,300-foot north taxi lane to provide airfield access to a non-exclusive hangar development area

$160,332 to Morrow County for the Lexington Airport to replace the precision approach path indicator for a runway; to replace and relocate the existing precision approach path indicator for another runway

$137,000 to the city of Newport for the Newport Airport to build a new 5,250-square-foot non-exclusive use hangar for aircraft storage

$137,000 to the Port of Tillamook Bay for the Tillamook Airport to build a new fuel farm by adding two fuel tanks and two self-service pumps and associated apron pavement for a new fuel type

$78,063 to the Port of Gold Beach for Gold Beach Municipal Airport to reseal 3,200 feet of runway pavement; to reseal 3,200 feet of taxiway pavement

“The City of McMinnville greatly appreciates the continued federal financial support of safety and security improvements at the McMinnville Municipal Airport,” said airport manager John Paskell. “This important project provides for a significant security upgrade by adding nearly three miles of perimeter security fencing and adds an additional level of safety for pilots by installing a supplement wind cone on the Runway 4 end of the airport’s primary runway. As a developing regional general aviation airport, and as a significant economic asset and job creator in the community, continued federal infrastructure investment in airports is critical in ensuring their viability well into the future, particularly for airports in smaller communities like McMinnville. Those airport improvement dollars go a long way and help protect and preserve the airport’s financial self-sufficiency while also improving the facility.”

“This federal investment is crucial as it ensures our airport infrastructure remains fully functional year-round, which is vital for emergency response and general aviation access in Eastern Oregon,” said Burns City Manager Brenda Engebretson.

“The City of Florence is excited to receive this FAA funding to support the Beacon & Wind Cone Replacement Project at the Florence Municipal Airport,” the city said in a statement. “This project will help to improve essential airport safety infrastructure, as well as support safe and reliable aviation facilities that serve local and regional users. The Florence Municipal Airport is an economic driver for our area that provides a valuable space for commerce, emergency response, and recreational uses. The City of Florence is grateful for the continued support of this regional asset. “

“Ensuring safe and efficient operations is the Port’s top priority, and this federal investment will help to maintain taxiways at Troutdale Airport,” said Curtis Robinhold, Executive Director of the Port of Portland. “We are grateful for the Oregon delegation’s continued support for our projects to meet the diverse transportation needs of our region.”

“The recent FAA award for the Lexington Airport to upgrade our precision approach path indicators (PAPIs), is a major win for a small regional airport like ours,” said Morrow County Commissioner Gus Peterson. “This system will allow us to continue to serve our users with improved safety and efficiency as well as allow us to be able to potentially expand in the future. Morrow County is grateful for the opportunity to continue to improve our small but important regional airport.”

“Securing funding for a new hangar is significant investment in the future of Newport Municipal Airport,” said Lance Vanderbeck, Newport Municipal Airport Director. “This project will enhance our ability to serve pilots, aircrafts, and improve overall efficiency and safety. Through this funding, we’re better positioned to meet demand and ensure the airport remains a reliable asset for our community.”

“As Mayor of Gold Beach, I know the port is critical for emergency services and is an economic development engine,” said Gold Beach Mayor Tamie Kaufman. “This work helps make sure the port can continue being an asset to our community,”

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VIDEO RELEASE: Senator Moody and President Trump Tout Recent Policy Wins in The Villages

THE VILLAGES, Fla.—Senator Ashley Moody is working to take the Florida blueprint for success nationwide. Standing with President Donald Trump today in The Villages, Senator Moody highlighted recent policy wins.

“Florida has set the blueprint for the rest of the nation—we’ve shown what happens when you keep taxes low, support law enforcement, empower families, and get government out of the way. Now, we’re taking that blueprint nationwide. It’s a privilege to stand with President Trump in The Villages today and share how we’re working for all Americans,” said Senator Ashley Moody.

BACKGROUND:

Senator Moody discussed the savings secured for Floridians through the Working Families Tax Cut package passed last year. According to recent reports, Florida claimed the top spot for the largest federal tax refunds in the U.S.—bringing home an average refund of around $4,500.

Senator Moody also highlighted President Trump’s historic efforts to secure the border, in contrast to the chaos and dangerous policies enacted under the Biden administration, and President Trump’s quick action to name drug cartels terrorist organizations.

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Senator Murray Statement on Fifth Circuit Ruling to Harshly Limit Access to Medication Abortion Nationwide

Washington, D.C. — Today U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee and a senior member and former chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement in response to the Fifth Circuit ruling that, as of now, has resulted in requiring patients nationwide to fill mifepristone prescriptions in-person at a health center:

“Mifepristone is safe and effective—millions of women have used this medication since the FDA approved it over 25 years ago. The only reason mifepristone is regulated as heavily as it already is, is because of anti-abortion politics, not because of science. Yet Republican anti-abortion extremists will stop at nothing to rip this basic health care away from women in America. Let’s be clear about what just happened: three judges on the most extreme appeals court in the country sided with anti-abortion politicians over the FDA’s career scientists, over a quarter-century of safety data, over millions of American women who have safely used mifepristone, and over practically every major medical association in the United States.

“The real-world consequences of this decision are devastating and immediate—and it is beyond infuriating and infantilizing what these judges are forcing women to do. A patient in rural Washington who was going to receive her medication by mail, now has to find a clinic, take time off work, arrange childcare, and travel—sometimes hours—for a pill she could have safely taken at home. A woman managing a miscarriage will be forced to make that same trip in the middle of one of the worst weeks of her life.

“This should not be a country where women’s access to health care is determined by the whims of a few zealous anti-abortion judges with zero medical or scientific training—do Americans really want a country where a panel of judges get to decide what medicine we can or can’t take? What’s next: cancer drugs? HIV medication? Let’s be eyes wide open that Republicans will accept nothing short of a national abortion ban—I will be fighting to ensure access to medication abortion every single way possible and to restore the right to abortion in every state for every woman.”

Two-thirds of U.S. adults oppose banning medication abortion. The overwhelming majority of Americans don’t want abortion legislated at all.

Senator Murray leads the Democratic caucus on reproductive health care issues, and she has led the fight in Congress to protect and expand access to mifepristone. Senator Murray led the Congressional response to FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, a lawsuit brought by Republican anti-abortion extremists trying to rip away access to mifepristone—Murray led multiple amicus briefs, organized her colleagues, and raised the alarm at every turn. In June 2024, the Supreme Court dismissed the case on standing, but Murray made clear that “the nationwide threat to medication abortion has not gone away—far from it. If Donald Trump and his anti-abortion allies return to power, they will do everything they can to rip away access to mifepristone and ban abortion nationwide.”

Senator Murray has grilled Trump’s FDA Commissioner, Marty Makary, on access to mifepristone at every opportunity she’s had—including at a HELP Committee hearing on his nomination in March, and an Appropriations Agriculture-FDA subcommittee hearing in May. In 2023, Senator Murray pressed national pharmacies including Costco to ensure access to mifepristone, and in August, when Costco announced it would no longer sell mifepristone at its stores, Murray spoke out to demand they reverse course.

In November of 2025, Senator Murray led the entire Senate Democratic caucus in a letter to HHS Secretary Kennedy and FDA Commissioner Makary expressing alarm over the Trump administration’s plans to conduct “its own review of the evidence” on the safety and effectiveness of mifepristone. Murray’s letter laid into the recent junk science “report” on mifepristone put out by the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC)—an avowedly anti-abortion think tank—that appears to be the basis for the Trump administration’s announced review of mifepristone. “By elevating the sham EPPC report as rationale for restricting access to mifepristone, HHS is blatantly undermining well-established science and weaponizing disinformation to fit the Trump administration’s clear agenda to cut off abortion access in any way possible,” Murray and the senators wrote.

Most recently, at the start of this year, Murray blasted her Republican counterparts on the Senate HELP Committee for holding a sham hearing to discredit medication abortion.

Throughout her career, Murray has beat back countless Republican attacks on reproductive care and other family planning services—and she is widely credited with successfully pushing the Bush administration’s FDA to follow the science and make Plan B available over the counter.

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Sen. Ossoff Delivering Resources to Help Veterans Find Jobs After Leaving Armed Forces

Warner Robins, Ga. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is delivering new resources to help veterans find jobs after they leave the Armed Forces.

Sen. Ossoff brought Republicans and Democrats together to support organizations across Georgia that help veterans find jobs once they leave the Armed Forces.

“I have secured the bipartisan support in the Senate to help veterans across the State of Georgia find employment in the civilian workforce,” Sen. Ossoff said.

Sen. Ossoff is delivering funding for the projects through bipartisan government funding legislation that became law on February 3.

Please find a summary of projects for which Sen. Ossoff is delivering funding below:

WARNER ROBINS: Central Georgia Technical College and the Georgia VECTR Center ($300,000): Central Georgia Technical College, in partnership with the Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource (VECTR) Center, will use the Federal funding to enhance access to workforce training and postsecondary education for veterans, active-duty service members, and their families. The project will fund workforce development training, including direct training, career coaching, resume and interview preparation, and student supplies such as books, certifications, and more.

SANDY SPRINGS: ATLVets, Inc ($223,000): ATLVets will use the Federal funding to provide training and support for veterans transitioning from service to running businesses. These resources will help expand training sessions and workshops for this program, covering topics such as business planning, financial management, and marketing strategies. The program also provides mentorship opportunities, pairing veterans with experienced professionals who offer guidance and support to help veterans navigate their transition to entrepreneurship.

JONESBORO: Library Foundation of Clayton County, Inc. ($300,000): The Library Foundation of Clayton County will use the Federal funding to provide training sessions to help veterans start and grow small businesses by offering instruction, training, and support with a strong focus on veterans transitioning into civilian life. These resources will allow the Library Foundation to expand their reach to even more veterans and offer more resources and workshops.

“On behalf of the Central Georgia Technical College Foundation Board of Trustees and Central Georgia Technical College, we are honored to receive this Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) grant through Senator Ossoff’s office to support Georgia’s veterans through workforce training and job readiness programs at CGTC’s VECTR Center,” said Tonya L. McClure, Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement. “This investment will provide life-changing opportunities through career training and employment services, helping veterans regain stability and build a secure future. We are grateful for the Senator’s leadership, as well as that of our entire legislative delegation, as we partner to strengthen our veteran community.”

“Veterans don’t retire — they redeploy. This funding gives ATLVets the resources to meet them where they are and help them channel that same mission-driven discipline into building businesses that strengthen our community. We’re grateful for Senator Ossoff’s leadership in making this happen for Georgia’s veterans,” said Zack Knight, Founder, ATLVets, Inc.

“We extend our profound gratitude to Senator Jon Ossoff for securing $300,000 to support veteran small businesses and entrepreneurs through the Clayton County Library Foundation. These critical resources will empower the brave men and women who have served our nation to pursue entrepreneurship in Clayton County…Where the World Lands and Opportunities take off,” said Dr. Alieka Anderson-Henry, Chairwoman Clayton County Board of Commissioners.

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ICYMI: LA Times Op-Ed – Padilla, Lemek: “Trump votes by mail. He just doesn’t want you to”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and California’s former Secretary of State, and Brian Lemek, Executive Director of Defend the Vote, penned an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times condemning President Trump’s threats to restrict voter access and urging Congressional action to protect mail-in and absentee voting.

In the op-ed, Padilla and Lemek criticized Trump’s recent Executive Order that aims to illegally re-write federal election administration rules, explicitly attacking vote-by-mail. In addition to the Executive Order, they discussed the Trump Administration’s efforts to limit voter access through efforts like the SAVE Act, while inflicting unnecessary challenges to voter registration and absentee voting. Padilla and Lemek also emphasized the extreme impact the vote-by-mail restrictions would have on democratic participation across our country.

“Under this order, if states don’t comply with Trump’s demands, the USPS won’t deliver absentee ballots of eligible voters in that state — meaning legally cast votes could go undelivered and uncounted. Not only is that dangerous and unconstitutional, it is profoundly un-American,” said Senator Padilla and Lemek.

They further outline how Congress can confront Trump’s illegal election takeover, through Padilla’s Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act, which would nullify Trump’s Executive Order and limit the administration’s attempts to implement any unlawful voter restrictions. This bill safeguards mail-in and absentee voting, ensuring registered voters can cast their ballot safely and accounted for.

Read the op-ed here and below:

“Trump votes by mail. He just doesn’t want you to”

By Alex Padilla and Brian Lemek, Guest Contributors

More than 158 million Americans cast a ballot in the 2024 election, and nearly one in three did so by mail.

Nothing about that should be controversial because voting by mail is safe, secure and deeply rooted in American history. Generations of voters have relied on absentee and mail-in ballots to make their voices heard — from Union soldiers during the Civil War, to Japanese Americans held in detention camps during the Second World War, to astronauts in space, to seniors, rural Americans, working parents and people with disabilities. And California — the first state in the nation to allow any registered voter who chooses to vote by mail without needing to provide a reason — has allowed voters to cast their ballots absentee since 1978.

Now that right is under attack.

On March 31, just days after casting his own ballot by mail in a Florida special election, President Trump signed an executive order attacking vote by mail and absentee voting nationwide.

The president’s order also attempts to create federal lists of who his administration considers “eligible voters,” which will be given to states and enforced by the U.S. Postal Service, weaponizing the USPS in ways that would interfere with the delivery of eligible Americans’ ballots. That’s right. Under this order, if states don’t comply with Trump’s demands, the USPS won’t deliver absentee ballots of eligible voters in that state — meaning legally cast votes could go undelivered and uncounted.

Not only is that dangerous and unconstitutional, it is profoundly un-American.

Immediately after Trump’s executive order was announced, more than 20 states and multiple organizations challenged it in court. They are right to do so, and we believe these states will prevail for the same reason the courts rejected the president’s earlier attempts to seize authority over our elections. Because the Constitution is clear: States and Congress set the rules for federal elections — not the president.

But Americans should not have to rely solely on the courts to protect their right to vote from a reckless president — especially with primaries and special elections already underway ahead of November’s midterms. Congress must do the right thing and act now to protect Americans’ fundamental right to vote.

One way to do that would be through the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act. This is a bill that will negate Trump’s executive order and any similar actions, ensuring eligible voters can continue to cast their ballots safely and securely through the mail, free from political interference.

It’s important to recognize, though, that this latest executive order did not come out of thin air. It is part of a broader campaign to undermine confidence in our elections and restrict access to the ballot box.

We have all heard ad nauseum the false claims and “the Big Lie” surrounding the 2020 election. The same claims that Trump’s FBI used to justify the seizure of ballots in Fulton County, Ga., and that the Justice Department is now using in Wayne County, Mich. Chad Bianco, a Republican candidate for governor in California, also called on “the Big Lie” as a basis for his illegal seizure of ballots from Riverside County. We have also watched repeated efforts to pressure states, purge voter rolls, impose unnecessary barriers to registration and make it harder for eligible citizens to vote through efforts like the so-called SAVE America Act.

Now the target is absentee voting and vote by mail — one of the most successful and widely used tools for democratic participation in modern America.

The irony is impossible to ignore: It’s very popular among Republicans in Florida and elsewhere, and Trump has repeatedly voted by mail himself. It’s good enough and safe enough for him, but not for the rest of America. He trusts the system when it serves him but attacks it when millions of others might use it to threaten his power.

History teaches us something important about these efforts.

Throughout our nation’s history, each generation has fought to expand the franchise — from women’s suffrage to the Voting Rights Act to the National Voter Registration Act. Again and again, Americans have rejected attempts to limit participation and silence voters.

And that lesson of resistance is universal. In fact, we just saw it in Hungary’s national election when voters turned out in overwhelming numbers after 16 years of eroding democratic norms to remove an autocratic leader and his party from power.

When people sense their rights are threatened, they organize. They speak out. And they vote.

That is exactly why attacks on vote by mail are so misguided. Trump can spread distrust. Trump can sign executive orders. Trump can try to rig the rules in your favor. But he cannot stop Americans from participating in their democracy.

Voting by mail is not a loophole. It is not a vulnerability. It is a strength — one that has allowed millions of Americans to participate in our democracy who otherwise might not be able to.

And Congress needs to do everything in its power to protect it.

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Padilla, Durbin, Peters, Schumer Lead Senate Colleagues in Pushing Back on Trump’s Executive Order Attacking Vote-By-Mail

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee and former California Secretary of State, along with Senators Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), led a group of 20 Senate Democrats in pushing back on President Trump’s Executive Order attacking vote-by-mail.

In a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, the Senators encouraged the DOJ to refocus on protecting voters and access to ballot box, as well as requested production of any opinions, correspondence, or documents related to Trump’s latest Executive Order.

“[This EO] is another attempt by the President to exceed the constitutional authorities granted to the Executive Branch concerning federal elections,” the Senators wrote. “Given the clearly unconstitutional nature of this EO, the Department of Justice (DOJ) should take no steps pursuant to the EO that violate the law and risk disenfranchising eligible voters. We further request that DOJ provide us with all legal opinions drafted by the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), and any other DOJ correspondence or documents concerning any claims regarding the legality of the EO, including any communications between senior DOJ officials and the Department of Commerce.

“For over a decade, the President has sought to sow doubt in our electoral system, baselessly attempting to make the case that the only secure elections are those that he wins. This behavior is not only unbefitting of his office, but also hypocritical,” the Senators continued, citing Trump’s own use of vote-by-mail.

“Article I, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution clearly indicates that states have the primary authority over election administration. Nonetheless, President Trump has repeatedly sought to restrict access to the ballot under the guise of election security… Taken together, the foreseeable result of these directives is that tens of thousands of eligible U.S. citizen voters will be disenfranchised,” the Senators further wrote, citing the EO’s unconstitutionality and vulnerabilities.

The Senators highlighted the disruption this would cause not only to voters, but also the ongoing gutting of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division,“Besides the disruption it would cause for mail-in voters, the President’s order would also further corrupt the mission of the DOJ Civil Rights Division to protect civil rights and ensure that all eligible voters are able to exercise their right to vote. Since January 2025, DOJ has been gutted—morally and physically. Within one year, the Civil Rights Division lost 75 percent of its attorneys, and it has been reported that 55 major civil rights cases concerning racial gerrymandering and police misconduct were closed as the Division prioritized Second Amendment and anti-trans cases. More broadly, DOJ seems wholly disinterested in enforcing the law, dropping an estimated 23,000 criminal investigations in the first six months of President Trump’s second Administration to focus on immigration enforcement.

“DOJ should reprioritize protecting the ability of all eligible voters to fairly and accessibly exercise their fundamental right to vote. Protecting civil rights was a foundational purpose for establishing DOJ, and ensuring legal access to voting remains a key responsibility of DOJ leadership,” the Senators concluded, condemning this effort before making a request for document production. “As such, we urge you to ensure that the Department does not implement this unlawful executive order.”

In addition to Padilla, Durbin, Peters, and Schumer, the letter was also signed by U.S. Senators Kristin Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Jeffrey Merkley (D-Ore.), Angus King (D-Maine), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

As Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee with oversight over federal elections, Padilla has consistently challenged Trump’s illegal efforts in attacking the right to vote, especially through vote-by-mail. In response to Trump’s unlawful Executive Order, Padilla introduced Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act, which would nullify Trump’s EO and place restrictions on the administration’s attempts to implement any unlawful voter restrictions. Padilla also took to the Senate floor four times as a leader in the Democratic opposition to the anti-voter SAVE Act. In April, Padilla and Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), led six Senators in expressing serious concerns about the harmful impacts to American voters of the Trump Administration’s plans to privatize the United States Postal Service (USPS) and move it under the control of the Department of Commerce.

In January, Padilla and Senator Merkley led their Senate colleagues in a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner, opposing the postmark policy under the Trump Administration that would make it harder for Americans to vote-by-mail. The USPS decision to delay postmarks would significantly increase voter disenfranchisement, as many states rely on postmarks to determine ballot eligibility.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Acting Attorney General Blanche:

On March 31, President Trump signed an executive order (EO), entitled “Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections,” which is another attempt by the President to exceed the constitutional authorities granted to the Executive Branch concerning federal elections.1 Given the clearly unconstitutional nature of this EO, the Department of Justice (DOJ) should take no steps pursuant to the EO that violate the law and risk disenfranchising eligible voters. We further request that DOJ provide us with all legal opinions drafted by the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), and any other DOJ correspondence or documents concerning any claims regarding the legality of the EO, including any communications between senior DOJ officials and the Department of Commerce.

For over a decade, the President has sought to sow doubt in our electoral system, baselessly attempting to make the case that the only secure elections are those that he wins. This behavior is not only unbefitting of his office, but also hypocritical. For example, while the President has condemned the practice of voting by mail, he still mailed in his own ballot during a recent special election in Florida.2 Notwithstanding the wild fabrications about widespread voter fraud coming from the White House, it is imperative that, as our nation’s chief law enforcement official, you uphold the rule of law and not implement this unlawful executive order and its enforcement provisions.

Article I, Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution clearly indicates that states have the primary authority over election administration.3 Nonetheless, President Trump has repeatedly sought to restrict access to the ballot under the guise of election security. The recent EO disregards federalism and the constitutional right to vote and instead deems the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) arbiters of citizenship using data that even DHS itself has admitted contains numerous errors, empowering them to compile a list of approved voters with scarcely any oversight.4 The EO also tasks the United States Postal Service (USPS) with only delivering ballots from voters to election officials that are on the Administration’s approved list of voters and directs the Attorney General to prioritize investigating and prosecuting a wide variety of actors involved in activities as innocuous as printing a ballot that is distributed to individuals the Administration determines are not eligible to vote. Furthermore, the printing, sending, and returning of mail and absentee ballots by voters for federal primary and special elections has been ongoing across the country for months prior to the general election in just over six months. Taken together, the foreseeable result of these directives is that tens of thousands of eligible U.S. citizen voters will be disenfranchised.

Contrary to President Trump’s erroneous claims, state and local election officials already have measures in place to ensure that only registered voters are able to vote. In fact, noncitizens rarely successfully cast ballots in U.S. elections. A Bipartisan Policy Center analysis of the Heritage Foundation’s Election Fraud Database only found 77 such instances from 1999 to 2023 out of hundreds of millions of votes.5 And nonpartisan experts concluded that only 0.000043 percent of mail-in ballots cast in federal general elections from 2016 to 2022 were fraudulent.6 That is only four cases out of every 10 million votes cast through the mail.

In addition to the obvious constitutional issues presented by the executive order, Section 2 is especially concerning, as it directs you to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of election officials if ineligible voters receive—not cast—ballots. As a result, the EO risks imposing criminal liability on election administrators, even absent clear evidence of intent to enable illegal voting. Additionally, Section 5 directs you to withhold federal funds from states and localities that fail to comply with the order. While the text does not specify which provisions are at issue, federal courts have repeatedly rejected as unlawful the practice of defunding localities simply because of policy differences.7

Besides the disruption it would cause for mail-in voters, the President’s order would also further corrupt the mission of the DOJ Civil Rights Division to protect civil rights and ensure that all eligible voters are able to exercise their right to vote. Since January 2025, DOJ has been gutted— morally and physically. Within one year, the Civil Rights Division lost 75 percent of its attorneys, and it has been reported that 55 major civil rights cases concerning racial gerrymandering and police misconduct were closed as the Division prioritized Second Amendment and anti-trans cases.8 More broadly, DOJ seems wholly disinterested in enforcing the law, dropping an estimated 23,000 criminal investigations in the first six months of President Trump’s second Administration to focus on immigration enforcement.9

As Acting Attorney General, you have sworn an oath to defend the Constitution. This EO is clearly at odds with that responsibility. New polling shows that 58 percent of Americans believe that many people will be told they are ineligible to vote when they arrive to the polls this November.10 This 16-point rise from January 2020 is alarming but entirely predictable, given the President’s concerted misinformation campaign regarding voter fraud.

DOJ should reprioritize protecting the ability of all eligible voters to fairly and accessibly exercise their fundamental right to vote. Protecting civil rights was a foundational purpose for establishing DOJ, and ensuring legal access to voting remains a key responsibility of DOJ leadership. As such, we urge you to ensure that the Department does not implement this unlawful executive order.

It is imperative that we understand the Department’s role in justifying this unlawful order. Through the Office of Legal Counsel, the Department of Justice reviews all executive orders “proposed to be issued by the President … for form and legality.”11 Please provide any DOJ or OLC opinions, correspondence, or other documents related to DOJ’s evaluation of the legality of this EO; communications between senior DOJ officials, including Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon and Acting Voting Section Chief Eric Neff, with the Department of Commerce, including Secretary Howard Lutnick’s office; and, if none exist, please explain why this is the case. We request that you comply with this request no later than May 15.

We look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely,

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Reed Statement on Trump Withdrawing Troops from Germany

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, after the Department of Defense announced that President Trump had ordered the withdrawal of approximately 5,000 troops from Germany, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement:

“President Trump should immediately reverse this foolish decision. Withdrawing thousands of American troops from one of our most important strategic positions in the middle of a war is a serious mistake that will reverberate well beyond this moment. Weakening our military footprint in Europe at a time when Russian forces continue to mercilessly attack Ukraine and harass our NATO allies is a priceless gift to Vladimir Putin and suggests American commitments to our allies are dependent on the president’s mood. The president should immediately cease this reckless action before he causes irreversible consequences for our alliances and long-term national security.”


Ricketts Designates May as Beef Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced a resolution to designate May 2026 as Beef Month in America. Ricketts is a longtime champion — and enjoyer — of Nebraska beef. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), James Lankford (R-OK), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) cosponsored this resolution.

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

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

“Anyone who knows beef knows the best comes from Nebraska,” said Senator Fischer. “Beef production is the largest part of our agriculture economy, and we lead the nation in every step from feeding to processing. I’m proud to join Senator Ricketts on this resolution to give our ranchers the recognition they deserve for putting high-quality beef on the table.”

“We salute the American beef producers who persevere through any hardship, from high input costs to global competition, to supply families with high-quality beef. We also recognize the historic and ongoing importance of the cattle industry to our nation’s development and economy,” Senator Hyde-Smith said. “I’m also proud of Mississippi cattle growers and all they contribute to the wellbeing of my state.”

“Beef is not just a staple on our tables, it is a cornerstone of Oklahoma’s economy and way of life,”said Senator Lankford. “Our cattle producers work day in and day out to feed families across the country and keep rural communities strong. Recognizing National Beef Month is a chance to highlight their hard work, but it is also a reminder that we need policies that support them, not hold them back.”

“Growing up a 5th-generation farm kid, I know firsthand that nobody raises better beef than Kansas,”said Senator Marshall. “Our ranchers work hard to provide delicious, nutritious beef to American families. I’m proud to celebrate them this month.”

“The Livestock Marketing Association appreciates Senator Ricketts for recognizing National Beef Month by highlighting the important role that the cattle industry plays in rural communities, the national economy, and our food supply,” said Lucas Simmer, Director of Government and Industry Affairs, Livestock Marketing Association.

“Nebraska’s ranchers show up rain or shine—whether in the middle of a blizzard, during the heat of a drought, or the under the threat of wildfires. We don’t just protect our herds, we feed the world,” said Craig Uden, President, Nebraska Cattlemen. “We thank Senator Ricketts for recognizing our cattle producers and ensuring the world knows the true value of American beef.”


Ricketts on Combatting Communist China, Protecting Nebraska Ag Land

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, during his weekly press call with Nebraska media, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) discussed the need to combat Communist China’s spying. This follows the filing of charges against a Chinese national for photographing Offutt Air Force Base.

“Last week, we learned of an incident at Offutt Air Force Base,” said Ricketts. “A Chinese national was arrested and charged with illegally photographing the military installation. He photographed sensitive aircraft like the RC-135 and the E-4B. This action puts Nebraska airmen and national security at risk. It threatens Offutt’s critical mission. It threatens our nation.”

Ricketts also highlighted his efforts to restrict ownership of ag land by foreign adversaries, including the AFIDA Improvements Act and PLOT Act.

“The Chinese Communist Party also has a policy of strategically buying ag land,” said Ricketts. “As of 2023, Communist China owned more than 277,000 acres of farmland. But it’s not just about the number of acres that they own. They have targeted sensitive sites surrounding Army bases and airfields such as Fort Bragg in North Carolina and Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. These aren’t minor intrusions. This is a serious national security threat.”

Watch the video here.

TRANSCRIPT:

Senator Ricketts: “Last week, we learned of an incident at Offutt Air Force Base.

“A Chinese national was arrested and charged with illegally photographing the military installation.

“He photographed sensitive aircraft like the RC-135 and the E-4B.

“This action puts Nebraska airmen and national security at risk.

“It threatens Offutt’s critical mission.

“It threatens our nation.

“This is a continuing pattern of malicious behavior by Communist China.

“I see this firsthand as chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy.

“We know that Chinese nationals have tried to steal our agriculture biotechnology.

“One Chinese national was sentenced to three years in prison and forfeited farms he had purchased for long-term theft of valuable corn seed in Iowa and Illinois.

“Two Chinese Communist agents were arrested at the University of Michigan last year for smuggling dangerous biological pathogens into the U.S. that could attack our crops.

“Supposed Chinese tourists have been flying drones around bases.

“In 2023, a Chinese national was arrested in California for running an illegal bio lab.

“He was already a wanted fugitive for stealing American intellectual property.

“He has since been linked to further illegal bio labs, including one in Las Vegas, where authorities found samples of HIV and malaria.

“The Chinese Communist Party also has a policy of strategically buying ag land.

“As of 2023, Communist China owned more than 277,000 acres of farmland.

“But it’s not just about the number of acres that they own.

“They have targeted sensitive sites surrounding Army bases and airfields such as Fort Bragg in North Carolina and Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota.

“These aren’t minor intrusions.

“This is a serious national security threat.

“I’m leading efforts to restrict foreign ownership of ag land by foreign adversaries.

“The U.S. Department of Agriculture is responsible for overseeing the foreign purchase of ag land.

“This authority comes from the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act, or AFIDA.

“I introduced the bipartisan AFIDA Improvements Act to strengthen this foreign ag land reporting process.

“It increases transparency and information sharing.

“It would also require an online reporting portal for USDA.

“These provisions were included in the House Ag Committee’s Farm Bill.

“I also introduced the Property Location Oversight and Transparency, or PLOT Act.

“The PLOT Act increases USDA oversight of foreign purchases of American farmland.

“The PLOT Act would lower reporting thresholds to capture smaller foreign ownership stakes that currently go unreported.

“The PLOT Act would also require foreign purchasers to provide detailed digital maps of ag land purchases.

“These maps would be available to USDA, local governments, and the public.

“That way, every Nebraskan knows where foreign adversaries are purchasing farmland.

“Communist China is the greatest threat to the American way of life.

“The Chinese Communist Party wants to replace the United States as the sole global power.

“Dictator Xi Jinping has no problem hurting Americans or Nebraskans in this pursuit.

“In the Senate, I’m fighting to combat Communist China’s malign influence.

“We will not permit their spying.

“We will not accept their aggression.

“On a separate note, congratulations to the city council of Lexington for taking the next step to acquire Tyson properties.

“That includes ag land, a wastewater treatment plant, and a railroad link.

“This will provide the opportunity for future jobs and investment in Lexington.

“I await further announcements from the city.

“I will also continue to work with Lexington city officials.”


VIDEO: Ricketts Discusses Wins for Biofuels, Rural Nebraska under RFS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) participated in a Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works hearing on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget. Ricketts asked for updates on EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin’s support for year-round E15 and highlighted how the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) strengthens rural economies.

“The EPA has done a lot for biofuels, and we have a lot of biofuel wins from your agency,” said Ricketts. “I commend the EPA for your historic 2026 and 2027 RVOs, and for putting forward the highest biomass diesel volumes the program has ever seen. Second, thank you for issuing the temporary emergency waiver to allow for the sale of E15 all year round. And your support for that is evident.”

“After years of uncertainty, it’s encouraging to see an administration that understands what the RFS was designed to support: which is the rural economy. That supports American manufacturing and strengthens American energy dominance in Nebraska,” said Ricketts. “It supports good jobs and the farmers who are the backbone of rural America.”

Watch the video here.


VIDEO: Ricketts on Combatting Communist China’s Aggression, Protecting Undersea Cables

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) participated in a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing where he discussed his work to combat the illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive activities of Communist China in the Indo-Pacific. Ricketts highlighted how Communist China’s maritime militia threatens undersea, critical infrastructure of regional allies.

“Russian research vessels and tankers [are] coincidentally stopping over critical infrastructure right as it fails. The Indo-Pacific has this problem, only it’s magnified,” said Ricketts. “You’re not just seeing the actions of a few rogue ships, but you’ve got the Chinese maritime militia, which has a fleet of thousands of civilian fishing vessels that are just CCP proxies.”

“These dual-use vessels provide Beijing with a perfect screen for their ICAD activities — illegal, coercive, aggressive, and deceptive operations that target subsea cables and threaten the digital lifeblood of regional countries like Taiwan, which we’ve already talked about, but also Vietnam, the Philippines, and Singapore,” said Ricketts.

Watch the video here.


IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… Sen. Rick Scott Questions Sec. Hegseth, General Caine in Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Senator Rick Scott questioned top defense officials at a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing on the Department of War budget request for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY 27) and the Future Years Defense Program.

You can watch his questions for the witnesses, Secretary of War, Pete Hegseth; Under Secretary of War and Chief Financial Officer Jules W. Hurst III; and General J. Daniel Caine, USAF, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff by clicking HERE or on the image below.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM SENATOR SCOTT’S QUESTIONS:

ON DEPARTMENT OF WAR ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

SEC. HEGSETH: “What I’m most proud of is the incredible men and women who serve our nation in uniform and what they are capable of and when they’re given a clear mission and unleashed to it”

“Men and women [are] more inspired to serve in the military than they have been in a generation, and you see that in the young Americans who are rushing to recruiting stations at historic numbers, 30-year highs across the force. We’re hitting our recruiting numbers halfway through the year. Why is that? Because the American people look at what we’re doing at the War Department by getting back to basics and they’re attracted to that.”

ON FOREIGN MILITARY SALES:

SEC. HEGSETH: “The America First Arms Strategy prioritizes what we sell and to whom. A catalog approach. Foreign military sales are critical to our own defense industrial base. It’s more customers for our companies that employ more American workers to ensure our allies are properly armed the fights and they can stand alongside us.”

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Sen. Rick Scott in Wall Street Journal: Your Taxes Shouldn’t Help Platform Hasan Piker

NAPLES, Fla. — This week, the Wall Street Journal published a letter to the editor by Senator Rick Scott responding to its earlier editorial about the decline of Yale University, which culminated in Yale hosting Hasan Piker, a left-wing socialist podcaster who has publicly called for the murder of Senator Scott and others.

Senator Scott said, “America is $39 trillion in debt. Yale has a $44 billion endowment and is tax-exempt. The annual cost of attending Yale is roughly $94,000. Half of Americans earn less than $45,000 per year. You don’t need an Ivy League degree to do that math. Why make Americans subsidize a wealthy private school that invites antisemitic socialists who advocate violence?”

The letter can be found HERE or below:

Last week, your editorial “Yale Takes Itself to Reform School” (April 20) said the university isn’t what it once was. No kidding. Two weeks ago, Yale University hosted a debate with Hasan Piker—a socialist podcaster who sees successful entrepreneurs as a problem for which the solution is to take their money and kill them (in no particular order).

Where socialism creeps in, decline always follows. Mr. Piker has said I should be killed. He has said America deserved 9/11. He wishes for the fall of the “American empire.” Different views ought to be welcomed on university campuses, but is that the high-level thought of the supposed intellectual titans known to attend Yale? I hope not. These are the ravings of an America-hating, terrorist-supporting lunatic.

While I’m glad the university at least acknowledged its academic decline in its recent report, failure demands accountability. The Florida taxpayer shouldn’t have to foot the bill for any of it.

That’s why I’m calling on Congress to deny Yale federal funding.

America is $39 trillion in debt. Yale has a $44 billion endowment and is tax-exempt. The annual cost of attending Yale is roughly $94,000. Half of Americans earn less than $45,000 per year.

You don’t need an Ivy League degree to do that math. Why make Americans subsidize a wealthy private school that invites antisemitic socialists who advocate violence?

If Yale wants to host “intellectuals” who call for the murder of their political opponents, that’s their choice. They just have no business receiving any of your tax dollars.

Sen. Rick Scott (R.)

Naples, Fla.

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***VIDEO RELEASE*** Sen. Johnson Holds Hearing on Biden Health Officials’ Failure to Detect COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Signals

WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chairman of the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, held a hearing titled, “Unmasked: How Biden Health Officials Purposely Turned a Blind Eye Toward COVID-19 Vaccine Safety Signals.”

In conjunction with the hearing, the chairman released an interim Majority Staff Report, along with approximately 600 pages of records detailing how beginning in early 2021, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials became aware of a new, “state of the art” data mining method that could better detect statistically significant safety signals for adverse events associated with the COVID-19 vaccines. Rather than adopt the “state of the art” method, Biden health officials continued to employ their older data mining method with known limitations that prevented FDA from detecting adverse events.

“Peter Marks, with the knowledge that he was treating vaccine injuries, and they weren’t mild injuries. These were life-threatening injuries. These are total disability–type of injuries. So, he knew it. He was treating them. He knew that his safety surveillance system was masking these signals .... They were pleading with the officials at FDA, NIH, that knew they were severely injured by the vaccine, counting on them to make that public, to study their results so that others could get treated. To this day, they have not done that,” Sen. Johnson said.

“We've got a real big problem in this country about vaccine-injury deniers. Again, these vaccine injuries are real, but it’s being denied. And you know, Mr. Science himself, accused a lot of people of being science deniers. I’ll accuse people of being vaccine-injury deniers,” Sen. Johnson continued.

“Nobody that pushed these things wants to admit they’re wrong. The advice they gave might have resulted in somebody’s death or permanent disability. That’s what we’re faced with. That’s why we have this massive vaccine- and injection-injury denying going on in this country. And I can tell you, from my standpoint, I’m not giving up … I’m not caving to the ridicule and vilification,” Sen. Johnson concluded.

Watch the full video of the hearing here.

The interim PSI Majority Staff Report can be found here.

The records the senator released contain minimal redactions for personally identifiable information which was one of the categories of redactions requested by HHS. The records are linked below:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Excel Documents

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ICYMI: Rosen Calls Out Defense Secretary Hegseth Over Use of Antisemitic Trope

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Senator Rosen called out Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth over his use of an antisemitic trope against the media and Democrats. Hegseth has repeatedly used the term “Pharisees,” a deeply problematic term that has been used historically to depict Jewish communities as hypocritical or morally corrupt.

As co-founder and co-chair of the Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Antisemitism, Senator Rosen has made it her priority to fight antisemitism, wherever and whenever it happens. She successfully pushed the Coast Guard to reverse course on a policy change that would have downgraded the classification of swastikas from hate symbols to “potentially divisive.” She also introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen Holocaust education at public schools and increase awareness of Holocaust educational resources available to local communities. Recently, Senator Rosen demanded that the Senate take swift action on proposals that would help address the rising growth of antisemitism across the U.S.

MS Now: “I found it actually pretty offensive…It goes hand in hand with the oddness of his rhetoric”

Chris Hayes: “The Pharisees thing is very weird. Obviously, it’s a biblical reference to a sort of a sectarian division that existed at Jesus’s time in the New Testament…but often has been appropriated later by basically Christian antisemites. It has a long history of being deployed in that way. And he was using it also. He was calling like senators, which I found actually pretty offensive. I mean, I’m not Jewish, but so maybe I’m not the one taking the offense. But he called Richard Blumenthal this and then he went back and forth with Senator Jacky Rosen. I want to just play that sound because it is odd. And it ‘s. It goes hand in hand with the, I think, the oddness of his rhetoric, which would be the most charitable way to describe it. Take a listen“

CNN: Hegseth Defends the use of Pharisees to Attack Media and Democrats

Sen Rosen: “You keep doubling down on this phrase, Mr. Secretary. You compare journalists, you compare us, you compare so many to Pharisees. Pharisees, It’s a problematic and historically weaponized term that casts Jewish communities as hypocritical or morally corrupt, you doubled down again and said it. Words matter. Words matter. What you choose to say. How we choose to say it. How do you justify using this language as Secretary of Defense? Words matter if they hurt.

“Historically hurtful term, why do you continue to use it? And what actions are you taking to prevent rhetoric like this from permeating throughout the department that is going to target specific groups or individuals of people based on their religion?”

Hegseth: “Senator, I feel like it’s a pretty accurate term for folks who don’t see the plank in their own eye and always want to see what’s wrong with an operation, as opposed to the historic success of preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. So I stand by it.”

Sen Rosen: “You stand by calling people Pharisees? Sir, I cannot, I cannot stand for that. That is wrong. It is not respectful to people, and I expect anyone who is in leadership in our country to be respectful and use respectful terms and not be an anti-semite.”

New York Times:Here are the takeaways from Hegseth’s Senate testimony on the Iran war

Hegseth was accused of using antisemitic language.

Senator Jacky Rosen, Democrat of Nevada, accused Mr. Hegseth of using antisemitic language when he compared members of Congress and the news media to the Pharisees who criticized Jesus of Nazareth for performing miracles.

“It’s a problematic and weaponized term that casts Jewish communities as hypocritical or morally corrupt,” Ms. Rosen said of the defense secretary’s use of the term Pharisee.

“Words matter — what you say, how we choose to say it,” she said. “How do you justify using this language as secretary of defense?”

“I feel like it’s a pretty accurate term for folks who don’t see the plank in their own eye and always want to see what’s wrong with an operation,” the defense secretary said. “As opposed to the historic success of preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapons.”

“So I stand by it,” he added.

The Independent: Nevada senator accuses Hegseth of being ‘antisemite’ in Iran-heavy budget hearing — and he doesn’t refute it

Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen labeled the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, an “antisemite” during a charged hearing on Capitol Hill on Thursday that saw the former Fox News chief spar with senators over allegations of spreading a Christian nationalist agenda and leading America into an unpopular conflict with Iran.

The moment came after Hegseth remarked to another senator that he sometimes referred to members of the press as “Pharisees”, a term referring to a sect of Jewish thought active thousands of years ago that has come to be used occasionally by non-Jews as a kind of slur meant to describe someone as hypocritical or litigious. During the 2020 presidential campaign, Pete Buttigieg faced criticism from some Jewish figures for using the term.

Hegseth remarked to a senator during the hearing, “I looked out at our press corps at the Pentagon and called them the Pharisees in the press, because they look for every problem.”

New York Times’ The Daily: Hegseth in the Hot Seat

Michael Barbaro: “Finally, there’s a really important exchange about the very idea of dissent and the growing sense, which, Eric, you had mentioned in the beginning of our conversation when it comes to how Hegseth has treated the media, that this Secretary of Defense is not really open to dissent, not really interested in being challenged, whether that’s from the news media or even from Congress.”

Eric Schmitt: “You’re right. And he is definitely in the camp of either you’re with us or you’re against us. There’s no gray area in the middle here, where it’s like, we can agree to disagree on these kind of issues.

Senator Rosen: “You keep doubling down on this phrase…You compare journalists, you compare us, you compare so many to Pharisees.”

Eric Schmitt: “Pharisees in the New Testament, who criticized Jesus of Nazareth for performing miracles.”

Senator Rosen: “It’s problematic and historically weaponized term that casts Jewish communities as hypocritical and morally corrupt. You doubled down again and said it.”

Eric Schmitt: “And she’s just taken aback by this.”

Senator Rosen: “How do you justify using this language as Secretary of Defense? Words matter. It’s a historically hurtful term.”

Pete Hegseth: “Senator, I feel like it’s a pretty accurate term for folks who don’t see the plank in their own eye and always want to see what’s wrong with an operation, as opposed to the historic success of preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon. So I stand by it.”

Senator Rosen: “You stand by calling people Pharisees? Sir, I cannot, I cannot stand for that. That is wrong. It is not respectful to people. And I expect anyone who is in leadership in our country to be respectful and use respectful terms and not be an antisemite.”

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Rosen, Cortez Masto, Curtis, Kelly Create National Dark Sky Week

Washington, D.C. – A bipartisan resolution introduced by U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV.), John Curtis (R-UT), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) recognizing the week of April 20th, 2026, as National Dark Sky Week passed the Senate unanimously. The resolution honors the places across the United States, including Great Basin National Park, where the lack of light pollution creates a dark night sky prime for stargazing.

“Nevada is home to some of the darkest skies in the country, which can be seen from the Great Basin Star Train out of Ely and Great Basin National Park, giving us a glimpse into the depths of our galaxy,” said Senator Rosen. “I am proud to join Senator Cortez Masto in proclaiming National Dark Skies week, highlighting one of the many wonders that Nevada has to offer and promoting conservation so the views can be enjoyed by generations to come.”

“The record-breaking Artemis II mission has renewed the sense of wonder many Americans feel when looking up at the night sky,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Dark sky places, including Nevada’s very own Great Basin National Park, are the ideal destinations for stargazers searching for the best views of faraway constellations and even the Milky Way. My resolution honors these sites and urges their conservation for future generations.”

“As we commit our physical and intellectual resources to exploring space and the stars through programs like Artemis, we should also ensure that every American can connect with our fascinating universe from here on Earth,” said Senator Curtis. “By marking National Dark Sky Week, our resolution provides us a moment to renew our curiosity, celebrate the beauty beyond the Earth’s atmosphere, and work together to reduce light pollution.”

“I’ve seen the stars from orbit, but you don’t have to be an astronaut to look up and feel that same curiosity. There’s nothing quite like a clear night sky, and Arizona has some of the best in the country,” said Senator Kelly. “Dark skies inspire kids to study science, brings economic development to our rural communities, and connect us to something bigger than ourselves. That’s worth protecting.”

“With the rise of private space travel, rare celestial events like the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse, and the recent Artemis II space mission, curiosity about the skies has never been greater. And Nevada is the perfect destination to explore it, for everyone from beginners to expert stargazers,” said Rafael Villanueva, Chief Executive Officer of Travel Nevada. “Nevada provides a front-row seat to the most spectacular stargazing that awaits visitors to our rural communities. We’re excited for Senator Cortez Masto’s bipartisan resolution to proclaim National Dark Skies Week, bringing rightful attention to our stargazing opportunities.”

“Friends of Nevada Wilderness wants to thank Senator Cortez Masto for recognizing National Dark Sky Week and for her longtime support of Nevada’s incredible starry skies,” said Shaaron Netherton, Executive Director of Friends of Nevada Wilderness. “Dark sky tourism has become so important for our rural counties and Nevada is fortunate to have some of the darkest skies in the country. Let’s keep them that way.”

“The ability to see pristine dark skies is becoming inaccessible for billions of people around the world, but fortunately, Nevada’s wide open landscape is a huge asset and offers astronomy related pursuits in every corner of the state for first time stargazers to professional astrophotographers. Senator Cortez Masto’s bipartisan resolution to proclaim National Dark Skies Week will help more people enjoy the awe and wonder of unpolluted starry skies and support Nevada small businesses like mine that rely on tourism,” said Liz Woolsey, owner of the Stargazer Inn & Bristlecone General Store in Baker, Nevada.


Rounds Discusses Eliminating the Department of Education with Secretary McMahon

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) recently discussed plans to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education with Secretary Linda McMahon at a hearing of the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies.

“I am concerned, as most of the people on this committee are, with regards to the direction that education has been going nationally since the creation of the Education Department,” said Rounds. “The latest scores from the National Assessment for Educational Progress, they're really kind of a national embarrassment. Two thirds of our nation's fourth graders can't read proficiently. Even worse, one-third of eighth graders scored below basic, the highest percentage ever recorded. That means these kids can't identify basic literary elements in a text. In math, the gap between high and low performing students is the widest it's ever been. The Department of Education was originally created to collect education data and advise state and local organizations on best practices, but it's really become a place, until you came into the picture, where it was a top-down direction-giving program. I like the approach that you're taking in returning it back to the states.”

“Well, to your point, sir, in this proposed budget is $2 billion that would go as a block grant to states through a formula that'll be worked on,” said McMahon. “What this will allow states to do that don't always participate in grant making because they maybe don't have enough money to hire grant writers, etc. But now all states will participate in money coming from this $2 billion. And then governors, state superintendents, state school boards will decide how this money should be spent in their state, where the greatest needs are, whether that's in rural communities. Whatever those programs are, they will be deciding how to spend that money.”

Rounds has long been pushing to dissolve the Department of Education and return critical programs back to other agencies. He first introduced the Returning Education to Our States Act in November 2024 and reintroduced it for the 119th Congress in April 2025. Rounds has met with McMahon multiple times to discuss this legislation, which aligns with the Secretary’s plans for the Department.

Watch the exchange HERE. Read a transcript of the exchange below.

+++

Rounds: Madam Secretary, welcome. Let me just begin by saying thank you for taking the time to visit South Dakota and to talk about the goals moving forward with regard to the planning that you’ve got to deliver education decision making back to the states. Before I really get into that portion of it, I’d like to kind of share some concerns as well with regard to the TRIO program. I think this is one that a lot of folks have got some concerns with. And I would just ask that with the amount of attention you’ve seen here in this committee, if you would just commit to us that you would do the follow ups with it on some of the concerns that have been expressed about the loss or the changes to the TRIO program and that it is a sensitive area.

McMahon: Certainly will do that.

Rounds: Thank you Madam Secretary. I've appreciated your willingness to visit the issue of bringing the decisions for education back to the states, and your Returning Education to the States tour I thought was a really good idea. I like the idea that those decisions should be made at the local level. I think there's a number of areas within the Department of Education that we've been working on, through legislation, trying to divvy back out again to the departments that they were in before the Department was ever created. I like the fact that you've been working very hard at doing agreements with other agencies, in which you would take something which is currently with the Department of Education, and moving it back over to where it was before 1980. I like those ideas. We've introduced legislation that would do something similar and work our way back through, providing more block grant opportunities to the states with money, but then looking at specific areas such as impact aid and IDEA and so forth. Not block granting those things, but keeping those areas together in an office and the money with it. So, I just appreciate the way that you've focused on this.

I am concerned, as most of the people on this committee are, with regards to the direction that education has been going nationally since the creation of the Education department. The latest scores from the National Assessment for Educational Progress, they're really kind of a national embarrassment. Two thirds of our nation's fourth graders can't read proficiently. Even worse, one-third of eighth graders scored below basic, the highest percentage ever recorded. That means these kids can't identify basic literary elements in a text. In math, the gap between high and low performing students is the widest it's ever been. The Department of Education was originally created to collect education data and advise state and local organizations on best practices, but it's really become a place, until you came into the picture, where it was a top-down direction-giving program. I like the approach that you're taking in returning it back to the states.

Can you just, in a broad sense, would you like to share a little bit about what your vision is in terms of what the Department of Education should be like, as opposed to what it was when you found it, in terms of listening to the states and empowering the states, but not necessarily telling the states what they're supposed to do in a one-size-fits-all model?

McMahon: Well, to your point, sir, in this proposed budget is $2 billion that would go as a block grant to states through a formula that'll be worked on. What this will allow states to do that don't always participate in grant making because they maybe don't have enough money to hire grant writers, etc. But now all states will participate in money coming from this $2 billion. And then governors, state superintendents, state school boards will decide how this money should be spent in their state, where the greatest needs are, whether that's in rural communities. Whatever those programs are, they will be deciding how to spend that money.

It is a reduction in the total amount of dollars that are going. There are some programs that the Department has looked at that we have eliminated. We've also condensed about 17 programs into this block process. So, I think there is opportunity for states, you know, to take on this responsibility. And as a reminder, as you're aware, states provide about 93% of their own education budget. So, the amount that comes from, you know, the federal government is small by total comparison of the money that is spent in each state, you know, for its education process. So, I think the government wants to continue through Title 1A funding. We're recommending that's level funded. IDEA, we have, through our budget, proposed the greatest increase in a long time, a half a billion dollars for IDEA funding, and that includes $50 million for infants and children in their programs so that they're ready to accept these children who might have disabilities at birth or very early on. So I think that you know, the administration is showing that we're very concerned about our children and about education across the board.

Rounds: I appreciate your comments on it. I'm going to run out of time, but I did want to I just identify one more item on and that's Impact Aid. It's really important because that's the money that comes back to the states to replace what would otherwise have been property tax dollars and so forth that were found for like an area where on a Native American reservation or in an air force base, where it's the assistance to an area that may have federal lands that otherwise aren't taxed. And Impact Aid is really important to some of our more rural states like South Dakota. And I think one of the questions had been if it was to be delivered back out, would you keep it with a particular other department in terms of an agreement or an operational plan? Do you know where Impact Aid might end up or would you keep it within the Department of Education?

McMahon: We haven't determined that. Happy to get back to you on that. However, I want you to know that the Impact Aid dollars are going out on time where they're supposed to go.

Rounds: Excellent. Excellent. That takes a load off of a lot of these smaller school districts that really rely on that Impact Aid. Yes. I thank you for the attention to that matter.

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NEWS: Senate Unanimously Approves Schiff-Padilla Resolution Honoring UCLA Women’s Basketball Team’s National Championship Win

Washington, D.C. – Today, the Senate unanimously approved a resolution from U.S. Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla (both D-Calif.) congratulating the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins women’s basketball team, who won their program’s first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) title on April 5.

The resolution honors Head Coach Cori Close, who led the team to a 37–1 record, as well as seniors Lauren Betts, Gabriela Jaquez, Kiki Rice, Angela Dugalic, Gianna Kneepkens, and Charlisse Leger-Walker, who scored every point for the Bruins during the championship game.

“I am thrilled to congratulate the UCLA women’s basketball team on their remarkable run this season, capped off by a history-making win,” said Senator Schiff. “The dedication and tenacity of these young athletes is an inspiration to all of us. Go Bruins!”

“In a season defined by grit and determination, the Bruins captured their first-ever NCAA championship—a historic win that reflects the very best of Los Angeles as a city of champions. Congratulations to Coach Close, her staff, and the outstanding UCLA women’s basketball student-athletes whose dominant performance made this a season UCLA and LA will celebrate for years to come,” said Senator Padilla.

The Senate approved the resolution by a unanimous voice vote.

The full text of the resolution can be found here.

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STATEMENT: Sen. Schiff on Trump Administration’s New Letter Claiming Iran War is ‘Terminated’

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) released the following statement after President Donald Trump notified Congress that the war in Iran has been “terminated.”

This comes after Senator Schiff forced a vote on his War Powers Resolution to withdraw U.S. forces as the statutory clock ran out on the President’s use of military force, consistent with the 60-day mark laid out in War Powers Act of 1973.

The War Powers Act clearly states: “Within 60 calendar days after a report is submitted…the President shall terminate any use of United States Armed Forces…”

“For 60 days, the President has used American military forces without the authorization of Congress, and now, in violation of the War Powers Act.

“He has bombed Iran. He has blockaded their ports and international waterways. He has threatened annihilation of an entire civilization. He has driven up costs for every single American household. And he continues to do so.

“This notification does nothing to negate the requirements of the War Powers Act that the President “shall terminate any use of United States Armed Forces.” Nor does the ceasefire, since the Navy is still being used to blockade Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. Although the President may wish the law was otherwise, “any” means “any” and “shall” means “shall.” He started a war of choice and deployed thousands of servicemembers without approval of Congress nor the American people. And as those servicemembers remain overseas, we will continue to push the President to end this unconstitutional and unlawful use of our armed forces.

“The letter of the law of the War Powers Act is clear. Our troops must come home. This war must end, and this letter changes nothing.”

Background: Yesterday, Senator Schiff forced a vote in the Senate on his War Powers Resolution, asserting the statutory clock had ended on the President’s ongoing use of military force, consistent with the 60 days since the President notified Congress that we were war with Iran. Ahead of the vote, Schiff laid out the importance of the War Powers Act’s 60-day mark on the Senate floor. The vote failed.

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Following Schmitt’s Request, DOJ Commits to Ending All Districts Drawn Based on Race

Schmitt Sent a Letter Calling for Nationwide Enforcement of Louisiana v. Callais Ruling

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon calling for both a full review of all pending redistricting litigation and an examination of all districts created due to prior misinterpretation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) in light of the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Louisiana v. Callais. After sending the letter, Assistant Attorney General Dhillon confirmed the Department of Justice (DOJ) will conduct a full review of all potentially racially gerrymandered districts drawn under prior misinterpretations of Section 2 of the VRA prior to Callais.

“The Department should not wait for private litigants to identify every race-based district one by one. The Civil Rights Division has participated in, monitored, or influenced redistricting litigation for years. It should therefore identify the universe of districts created, preserved, or defended under the old Section 2 regime and determine whether they survive Callais.

“The Department should act swiftly with urgency: issue guidance implementing Callais, review every pending and prior, yet still in effect, Section 2 redistricting matter, and use its authority to stop the VRA from continuing to be used as a pretext for continued unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. I look forward to working with you to ensure the Civil Rights Division enforces Section 2 as an anti-discrimination law—not as a racial districting mandate,” wrote Senator Schmitt.

Read Senator Schmitt’s letter HERE.

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Additional Pair of Bipartisan Senators Back Shaheen-Led INSULIN Act to Cap Monthly Out-of-Pocket Costs at $35, Bringing Total to 14 Co-Sponsors

**7 Senators from each party now back the bipartisan legislation to make insulin more affordable**

(Washington, DC) – Two new Senators—one from each party—have signed onto the bipartisan INSULIN Act that would make life-saving insulin more affordable for Americans living with diabetes. U.S. Senators Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Chris Coons (D-DE) are backing the bipartisan bill, led by Diabetes Caucus Co-Chairs Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME), as well as Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and John Kennedy (R-LA).

The Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act would cap the cost of insulin at $35 per month for Americans on private and employer insurance and create a pilot program to provide insulin at the same cost to Americans without insurance. In addition to Shaheen, Collins, Warnock, Kennedy, Coons and Wicker, the legislation is supported by U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Angus King (I-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Katie Britt (R-AL).

The push to cap the monthly cost of insulin comes as the cost of health care continues to top Americans’ affordability concerns.

Click HERE to view bill text.

INSULIN Act in the news:

Semafor: Senators reach deal on capping insulin costs at $35

Union Leader: Shaheen bill would extend $35 monthly insulin cap to private/employer health care plans

The Hill: Senate deal reached to cap insulin costs

Fox News: Bipartisan Senate bill to cap insulin for Americans at $35 has new momentum

Politico: Bipartisan bill seeks to cap insulin costs for private insurance

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Sheehy, Coons Introduce Bill to Expose Chinese Forced Labor and Environmental Abuses in Africa

U.S. SENATE – Senators Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) introduced the China-Africa Mining Transparency Act of 2026 to unmask China’s use of forced labor, child labor, and environmental abuse to mine critical minerals in Africa. The bill underscores the cost of reliance on rogue states like China to supply the minerals necessary for national security and economic prosperity.

“As we restore American energy dominance and onshore critical mineral production, it is imperative that we expose the reality behind China’s grip on critical minerals: forced labor, child exploitation, and environmental destruction. The United States cannot afford to rely on opaque and abusive supply chains for the resources that power our national security, and this bipartisan bill will bring long-overdue transparency and accountability,” said Senator Sheehy.

“Chinese companies should not be profiting off forced labor and environmental destruction in other countries. This bipartisan bill will make it harder for them to do just that, protecting children and the environment across the globe and our future here at home,” said Senator Coons

Reports have documented China operating their mines in violation of labor standards and in a manner that causes environmental harm in Africa. This legislation pulls back the curtain on Chinese mining by directing the Secretary of State, in consultation with other agencies and their foreign counterparts, to develop a publicly available annual list of each People’s Republic of China (PRC) entity that is mining critical minerals in Africa using forced labor, child labor, or in a manner that causes environmental harm.

Statements of Support:

“When it comes to protecting workers and the environment while responsibly producing the minerals we all need, the American mining industry does it best. Documenting the practices of overseas operations that are owned or controlled by Chinese Communist Party entities highlights the urgent need to secure our supply chains by emphasizing domestic mineral production.” – Mark Compton, Executive Director, American Exploration & Mining Association

“The International Conservation Caucus Foundation wishes to thank Senators Sheehy and Coons for their efforts to reinforce American leadership in the global mining sector, particularly in Africa, where critical mineral development intersects directly with national security, economic stability, and environmental stewardship. The United States has a strategic interest and a moral responsibility to promote lawful, environmentally responsible mining practices that uphold labor standards and protect vulnerable ecosystems. Countering the influence of the CCP and its exploitative practices in mineral supply chains is essential to securing the materials that power our modern economy and ensure that resource development does not fuel instability, corruption, or environmental degradation.” – International Conservation Caucus Foundation

Background:

People’s Republic of China (PRC) firms are some of the largest investors in the mining industry in Africa. The Chinese government finances or outright owns many of these firms. Since 2006, China has invested more than

$39 billion in mining operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Guinea, Zambia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. China is involved in the traditional large-scale mining (LSM) sector and artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector – a more rudimentary, labor intensive and generally unregulated or illegal mining which poses a significant risk for employing child labor.

Reports have documented China operating their mines in violation of labor standards and in a manner that causes environmental harm in Africa. A 2021 report noted that employees for Chinese mining firms in the DRC were subjected to physical violence and withholding of wages. A 2023 study found that 78 percent of employed cobalt workers in the DRC experience forced labor and indicated the use of child labor at LSM and ASM sites. In February of 2025, a Chinese firm in Zambia dumped approximately 50 million liters of mining waste into the Kafue River when a tailings dam failed, threatening protected areas in the country.

The China-Africa Mining Transparency Act directs the Secretary of State – in consultation with other heads of Federal departments and agencies, and the foreign country counterparts of such individuals, as applicable – to develop a publicly available annual list of each PRC entity that the Secretary reasonably assesses is carrying out mining of critical minerals, gold, or iron in the DRC, Nigeria, Guinea, Zambia, South Africa, or Zimbabwe using forced labor or forced child labor, or in a manner that causes environmental harm to a protected area in the country concerned. The Secretary is also directed to identify each mine, mining zone, or concession at which such mining is carried out.


Van Hollen Joins Kelly, Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Protect Federal Workers’ Credit During Government Shutdowns

Today, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) joined Senators Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.) in introducing legislation to protect federal workers’ credit histories during a government shutdown. The Federal Worker Credit Protection Act of 2026 would prevent harm to credit ratings because of missed or delayed payments when federal workers aren’t getting paychecks, helping ensure federal workers are not financially penalized for circumstances beyond their control.

“Our dedicated federal employees provide essential services for the American people, and they should not suffer during government shutdowns that are entirely beyond their control. This legislation ensures that the risk of credit damage isn’t an added burden on these civil servants while they are going without pay and helps them get back on their feet when shutdowns end,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“Federal workers shouldn’t be punished by a government shutdown that isn’t their fault,” said Senator Kelly. “Earlier this month, I met with Phoenix TSA officers working without pay. They shared how the financial strain they were dealing with—including missed payments—hurt their credit scores. That kind of damage can follow you for years. I’m taking action to make sure the people who keep our country running aren’t hurt by Washington’s dysfunction.”

“Our patriotic civil servants should not have to suffer during federal government shutdowns. House Republicans refused to advance a plan that would have ended the shutdown a month ago – insisting instead on holding the financial security of federal workers hostage. It’s just common sense that we pass legislation protecting civil servants from evictions, foreclosure, loan defaults, and credit damage during these disastrous shutdowns. While this Administration keeps up its witch hunt of federal workers, I will keep fighting to protect the federal workers in my state and across the country,” said Senator Alsobrooks.

“In the past six months, Republicans have forced two of the longest government shutdowns in history. At a time when Americans are already struggling with rising costs, federal workers shouldn’t have to worry about their credit taking a hit because they’re not getting paid,” said Senator Gallego. “This bill protects hardworking public service workers from long-term financial damage during shutdowns they didn’t cause.”

“While I helped pass legislation to ensure hundreds of thousands of civil servants and military personnel receive backpay after the government reopens, I know it isn’t the same as getting a paycheck on time when the mortgage and bills are due,” said Senator Kaine. “This legislation helps protect federal workers’ credit and ensure they aren’t penalized for missed payments during a shutdown.”

“Virginia’s federal workers are the backbone of the services Americans depend on. Our public servants credit reports shouldn’t be negatively affected because of a shutdown they did not cause. This legislation would help ease the pain of a government shutdown by giving federal employees time to catch up when the government reopens,” said Senator Warner.

“AFGE is profoundly grateful to Sen. Mark Kelly for introducing the Federal Worker Credit Protection Act of 2026, a much-needed bill to temporarily protect the credit ratings of federal employees during government shutdowns. The sad reality is that all-too-frequent agency funding lapses can permanently harm federal workers, long after the government eventually reopens. Simply giving people backpay, as current law requires, does nothing to undo the undeserved damage to their credit ratings, their good name, and their dignity. Senator Kelly’s bill hits pause on negative credit information during periods when feds are still working hard for the American people while drawing zero-dollar paychecks. We urge swift Congressional passage of the bill,” said Dr. Everett Kelley, National President, American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO (AFGE).

“Federal workers work hard to keep this country running and they’re still being punished because of government shutdowns that aren’t their fault. For them, falling behind on bills because their paycheck stopped shouldn’t hurt their credit standings, sometimes for years after a shutdown ends. We appreciate Senator Kelly for listening to NFFE members and taking a commonsense step to protect workers from lasting financial damage, and we’re proud to support it,” said Randy Erwin, National President, National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM).

“We have been showing up to work since November without a paycheck, then only partial checks and it has taken a real toll,” said Pascual Contreras, a TSA officer at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. “I am three months behind on rent, and my credit score has dropped by more than 200 points. That has put our plans to buy a home out of reach. It’s not fair that something out of our control can impact our financial future like this. I’m grateful to Senator Kelly for listening and working on a solution.”

Background:

A month after the Senate passed funding for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and more components at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the House finally passed the same bill and ended the DHS shutdown.

For 76 days, thousands of federal workers missed paychecks, putting them at risk of missing payments on mortgages, car loans, student loans, credit cards, and more. Even a single missed payment can significantly lower a consumer’s credit score, leading to higher interest rates, reduced access to credit, and long-term financial strain.

The Federal Worker Credit Protection Act of 2026 would allow federal workers who have been without pay during a shutdown to protect their credit. Specifically, the bill would:

Prohibit consumer reporting agencies from reporting adverse information on the credit report of federal workers during a government shutdown and for 30 days after the end of a shutdown as workers’ pay is restored;

Require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to notify consumer reporting agencies when federal agencies enter and exit shutdown status;

Allow federal workers to correct adverse information already on their credit report.


MEDIA ADVISORY: Welch to Discuss Skyrocketing Food Prices, Election Integrity; Host Common Grounds Listening Session in Addison County

10:00 a.m. Welch to Host Common Grounds Listening Sessions in Addison County

MIDDLEBURY, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) will travel to Middlebury next week as part of his ‘Common Grounds with Senator Welch’ listening session series. Senator Welch invites Vermonters to get a cup of coffee and discuss how Washington can work better for the Green Mountain State. The Senator will host ‘Common Grounds’ listening sessions in every county of Vermont in 2026.

LOGISTICS:

WHO: U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.)

WHEN: Wednesday, May 6th at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE: Champlain Valley Unitarian Universalist Society (CVUUS) 2 Duane Ct., Middlebury, VT 05753

PARKING: There is limited parking on site, with some reserved for those with limited mobility. Additional parking is available at Middlebury Union High School, Main Street downtown lots, or Kinney’s.

RSVP: Vermonters can RSVP HERE for Senator Welch’s ‘Common Grounds’ Listening Session in Middlebury.

MEDIA RSVP: Media are kindly asked to RSVP to Elisabeth St. Onge: Elisabeth_St.Onge@welch.senate.gov 1:00 p.m. Welch to Speak at HOPE Food Shelf on How Vermonters are Hurt by Rising Food Costs and Trump’s Economic Policies

MIDDLEBURY, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, will visit with nutrition advocates to discuss how President Trump’s economic policies are hurting Vermont families’ ability to put food on the table.

Senator Welch will highlight new data on how the Trump Administration’s trade and tariff policies, reckless war in Iran, and tax bill has caused inflation to soar in President Trump’s second term.

LOGISTICS:

WHO: U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.)

WHEN: Wednesday, May 6th at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE: HOPE Food Shelf; 282 Boardman St, Middlebury, VT 05753

MEDIA RSVP: Media are kindly asked to RSVP to Elisabeth St. Onge: Elisabeth_St.Onge@welch.senate.gov 2:00 p.m. Welch to Visit Nitty Gritty Grain Co. in Charlotte to Discuss How Trump’s Economic Policies and War in Iran Are Raising Costs for Farmers and Grain Producers

CHARLOTTE, VT — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, will visit Nitty Gritty Grain Co. in Charlotte, where he will meet with farmers and producers to discuss rising food productions costs and the harmful impacts of President Trump’s policies on farm communities.

Nitty Gritty Grain Co. produces organic, small batch grains for restaurants and bakeries across Vermont. They are owned and operated by a 7th generation farming family.

The Senator will also be joined by O Bread Bakery.

LOGISTICS:

WHO: U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.); Nitty Gritty Grain Co.; O Bread Bakery; Farmers and Producers in Vermont

WHEN: Wednesday, May 6th at 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Nitty Gritty Grain Co.; 4458 Lake Rd, Charlotte, VT 05445

MEDIA RSVP: Media are kindly asked to RSVP to Elisabeth St. Onge: Elisabeth_St.Onge@welch.senate.gov