Markey, Schumer, Warren, Booker, Smith Urge Behavioral Health Agency to Reverse Guidance Limiting Access to Life-Saving Tools for People with Substance Use Disorders

Letter Text (PDF)

Washington (May 8, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), top Democrat on the Primary Health and Retirement Security Subcommittee of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee today led his colleagues in writing to Christopher Carroll, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), urging it to reverse new guidance barring grant recipients from purchasing and distributing life-saving tools, such as fentanyl test strips, for people with substance use disorders.

SAMHSA’s new guidance defies evidence showing that harm reduction for substance use reduces overdose deaths and dangerous infections, threatening to reverse years of progress in combating the overdose epidemic. The new guidance also contradicts the President’s National Drug Control Strategy, issued by the White House this week, which calls drug test strips “an important tool.” Co-signers in the Senate include Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), and Tina Smith (D-M.N.).

In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “SAMHSA’s new guidance barring grantees from using federal funds to distribute syringes flies in the face of Congressional intent, undermining the programs designed to prevent outbreaks in the communities most vulnerable to them. It also creates a chilling effect on programs that distribute syringes, which may reject federal funding rather than risk violating increasingly restrictive guidelines. To abandon harm reduction is to do so at our own peril. At a time when this administration is raising the cost of health insurance, cutting Medicaid, and limiting funding for family planning clinics that offer testing for HIV and other infectious diseases, reducing access to clean syringes and test strips could be catastrophic. If this administration supports recovery from substance use disorder as it purports, you will support the resources that keep people alive long enough to get treatment. Every day this guidance remains in effect further risks the lives and safety of Americans.”

In the House, the letter was led by Representatives Madeleine Dean (PA-04) and Brittany Pettersen (CO-07). Additional co-signers include Becca Balint (Vt.-At Large), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Angie Craig (MN-02), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), and Paul Tonko (NY-20).

Senator Markey has been supportive of removing barriers to opioid use disorder (OUD) treatment, such as allowing people to take home doses of the medication methadone. In February 2024, SAMHSA announced a final rule to comprehensively update regulations governing Opioid Treatment Programs (OTPs), the first substantial updates to methadone access regulations in more than 20 years, which Senator Markey applauded. In March 2023, Senator Markey led a bicameral letter to SAMHSA expressing support for regulations that would expand access to OUD treatment, while highlighting barriers that continue to confront those seeking access to treatment.

In March 2023, Senators Markey and Rand Paul (R-Ky.), along with Representatives Donald Norcross (NJ-01) and Don Bacon (NE-02), introduced their bipartisan and bicameral Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act, which would improve patients’ ability to access treatment for OUD by modernizing outdated rules, empowering board-certified physicians to prescribe methadone to patients, and allowing pharmacies to dispense methadone.

In December 2022, Senator Markey secured his bipartisan Opioid Treatment Access Act (OTAA)—legislation that reduces wait times for patients to qualify for treatment for OUD and expands access to methadone clinics—into the end-of-year omnibus spending package.

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Senators Markey, Warren Statement on House-Passed Farm Bill Provision That Would Preempt State Animal Welfare and Agriculture Protections

Washington (May 8, 2026) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) released the following statement on the House of Representatives’ passage of a Farm Bill that would preempt a Massachusetts law that prohibits in-state sale of products from farm animals held in extreme and cruel confinement. This state law, An Act to Prevent Cruelty to Farm Animals, was passed in 2016 through ballot measure Question 3 with 78 percent of the vote.

“We oppose the inclusion of a provision in the House-passed Farm Bill to preempt state-level animal welfare and agricultural protection laws,” said the Senators. “This is a highly controversial and poisonous policy that ignores the will of the people. These state laws were overwhelmingly supported by a popular vote—they shouldn’t be overridden because of big-dollar lobbying. We have significant concerns about the House-passed Farm Bill, including this overreaching and harmful provision that should not be in the Farm Bill and needs to be removed.”

Last year, Senator Markey co-led a letter sent by 32 Senate Democrats objecting to the inclusion of this provision. Senator Markey signed a similar letter in 2023.

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Senator Marshall Recognizes National Mental Health Awareness Month

Junction City – Today, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) recognized National Mental Health Awareness Month to bring awareness to those in need of mental health care around the state. From military families who sacrifice to protect our country, to farmers who feed the nation, and everyday Kansans, mental health affects people in all walks of life.

“As a veteran and as a family member to those who have served, I have seen the toll military service can take on a family. As a fifth-generation farm kid and a rural doctor, I know farmers aren’t exempt from mental health struggles either,” said Senator Marshall. “Kansans take pride in serving others first, but sometimes care isn’t available when they finally need it for themselves. I am fighting to ensure every Kansan — from our military installations to our family farms — has access to the mental health resources they need.”

Today, on National Military Spouse Appreciation Day, Senator Marshall took part in a Military Family Mental Health Roundtable in Junction City, Kansas, with stakeholders from the community, including Pawnee Mental Health, Konza Prairie Community Health, Cohen Veteran Mental Health Clinic, Irwin Army Community Hospital, Geary County USD 475, and Manhattan USD 383. The discussion centered around supporting military families at Fort Riley through mental health resources, particularly during upcoming deployments from the base.

As part of his focus on mental health in Kansas, Senator Marshall has made mental health awareness and community support for farmers and ranchers a priority. Every year, more American farmers die by suicide than in farm accidents — yet stigma and lack of awareness in rural communities remain persistent barriers to care. Senator Marshall has been a part of events, participated in mental health discussions at HHS, and championed Community Health Centers as a stigma-free avenue for rural Kansans to access mental health services.

To support mental health for Kansans in all walks of life, Senator Marshall advocated for robust funding for mental health resources in this year’s appropriations requests:

Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN): In April, Senator Marshall requested $10 million in federal appropriations for FRSAN to support rural communities by delivering targeted, community-based support in areas where access to mental healthcare is limited. See his letter to the Senate Ag CommitteeHERE.

998 funding: Senator Marshall has advocated for “robust funding” for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, which provides assistance and resources to those experiencing a mental health crisis.

Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHC): Senator Marshall has long supported the important work of CCBHCs in bridging the mental health gap in rural America. Learn more about his advocacy HERE.

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Sen. Moran Joins Colleagues in Introducing Legislation to Extend Rural Hospital Program

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) recently joined Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) in introducing the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Reauthorization Act, legislation that would extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration (RCHD) program for another five years. RCHD supports rural hospitals by allowing them to test innovative hospital payment models under Medicare that boost financial sustainability to maintain and improve healthcare access in rural communities. There are currently two Kansas hospitals participating in the RCHD program: Stormont Vail Health Flint Hills Campus in Junction City and McPherson Hospital.

“Local hospitals are critical to the health and success of rural communities in Kansas and across the country,” said Sen. Moran. “I have long supported the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration program because it provides a lifeline for rural hospitals and health care providers, bolstering the stability and certainty needed for them to continue delivering quality care to the communities across our state.”

“Stormont Vail Health is committed to ensuring high-quality care remains local and accessible across the rural communities we serve throughout Kansas,” said Mark Slyter, President and CEO, Stormont Vail Health. “Our Flint Hills Hospital in Junction City demonstrates what is possible when rural hospitals have the right support. The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program has been essential in helping us address the significant and growing pressures facing rural health care—from rising costs and workforce shortages to increasing demand for services. It has enabled us to stabilize operations, invest in our people and facilities, and deliver safe, high-quality care close to home. Extending this program for another five years is critical. It will protect access to care in Geary County, strengthen rural health care delivery, and sustain a proven model that benefits patients, providers, and communities alike. Just as importantly, our hospital is a vital economic anchor for the region, and the reauthorization will ensure we can continue meeting the needs of those who depend on us. We are grateful for Senator Jerry Moran’s leadership and his recognition that this legislation is a critical investment in the future of rural health care and the communities that depend on it.”

“Federal legislation to extend the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program represents a critical step in sustaining access to healthcare in rural communities,” said Trish Giordano, Geary County Commissioner District #1. “This effort is especially important for Stormont Vail Health’s Flint Hills Campus in Junction City. Over the past three years, our local hospital has made meaningful progress toward financial stability through the dedicated efforts of its leadership, staff, and community partners. Continued participation in the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program will help maintain that momentum and ensure residents have reliable access to essential healthcare services close to home. The reauthorization of this program is vital to the long-term sustainability of rural hospitals like ours. Senator Jerry Moran is to be commended for his support of this important legislation.”

“The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program has been instrumental in helping McPherson Hospital continue providing high-quality care close to home for the patients and families we serve,” said Tanner Wealand, President and CEO, McPherson Hospital. “The program has strengthened our ability to maintain essential rural health services, support our workforce, and invest in the future of healthcare in our community. We strongly believe extending this program is critical to preserving access to care for rural Kansans and ensuring hospitals like ours can continue meeting the unique needs of rural communities

“Access to care in rural Kansas depends on maintaining stable and sustainable financing pathways for community hospitals. The Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program has helped participating hospitals continue delivering essential services close to home while supporting the health and economic vitality of their communities,” said Chad Austin, President and CEO, Kansas Hospital Association. “Kansas hospitals appreciate Senator Moran’s leadership and continued commitment to strengthening rural health care through the introduction of this legislation to extend the long-standing program and ensure hospitals can continue serving Kansans for years to come.”

Items to note:

Sen. Moran has long supported the RCHD program since it was established in 2004, and he has repeatedly cosponsored its reauthorization throughout his time serving in Congress.

The most recent performance data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) found that new RCHD hospitals significantly improved their Medicare margins and had higher capital investments, resulting in stronger financial conditions and helping with staff retention. Participating hospitals are predominantly paid using a reasonable cost-based methodology instead of the inpatient prospective payment system. Currently, all 30 of the program’s spots are being utilized.

The legislation is also cosponsored by Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Angus King (I-Maine), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), James Lankford (R-Okla.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.).

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

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Murkowski Welcomes Funding for Emergency and Resilience Needs In Alaska Native Villages

Anchorage – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) announced $20 million in emergency funding to help 16 Alaska Native villages that were facing severe shortages of basic, necessary supplies. The funding includes $4 million for immediate relief, delivering essential resources such as heating fuel, water, and firewood to 16 villages, and $16 million for critical infrastructure and climate resilience efforts in the Native Village of Chefornak.

“For many Alaskans, this support could mean the difference between getting by and going without. Last year alone, Akiak residents were without community power for 43 days. In Selawik, residents went nearly a month without drinking water due to failing infrastructure, relying on bottled water donations to tide them over.

“These realities are far too common in rural Alaska. Communities that rely on barges and small planes for deliveries often face weather delays that leave store shelves empty and fuel tanks low. Fuel costs are already high and projected to go even higher with the spring deliveries – expect to see prices upwards of $15 per gallon. Families will struggle to heat their homes, travel safely, haul firewood, or hunt to feed their households, and many communities have suffered water system failure over the cold winter. So emergency relief for heating fuel, water, and firewood will be welcome news to these communities.

“Challenges in Chefornak are also intensifying as they grapple with erosion, permafrost loss, and failing infrastructure which not only destroy homes and other vital buildings but threaten the safety and livelihood of the community itself. Investments that help relocate at-risk homes, repair essential infrastructure, restore wetlands, and rebuild critical access points such barge landings are vital to keeping communities connected and safe.

“That is why it is so important that the BIA is delivering essential resources to Alaska Native villages in urgent need. These investments are an important step toward safeguarding community health and supporting Tribal leadership in their pursuit of long-term resilience. I appreciate Assistant Secretary Kirkland for traveling to Alaska, listening directly to communities, and helping provide emergency support while recognizing the urgent need for greater long-term stability,” said Senator Murkowski.

Background: The 16 communities receving supplies are: Akiak, Ambler, Beaver, Buckland, Chefornak, Gambell, Goodnews Bay, Kiana, Kipnuk, Koyuk, Kongiganak, Kwigillingok, Newtok, Selawik, Shaktoolik and Shungnak. This funding will assist the village of Chefornak address threats of severe erosion, permafrost loss, and failing infrastructure by relocating at-risk homes, restore damaged wetlands, and reconstruct its barge landing. Chefornak is one of many Alaska Native villages facing these types of infrastructure and resilience needs.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Community Resilience was funded at $34 million in FY25. Senator Murkowski is the Chairman of the Interior appropriations subcommittee and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. On May 5 and 6, Chairman Murkowski held a two-part field hearing in Alaska in which Assistant Secretary Kirkland participated and heard directly from Tribal leaders. Part one was held in Anchorage and titled, “Alaska Native Voices: A Roundtable with Kipnuk and Kwigillingok on Disaster Impacts, Recovery, and Resilience.” The second part is titled, “From Disaster to Resilience: Strengthening Tribal Communities through Federal Response, Mitigation and Relocation Programs.” Hearing will be followed by a Tribal Leader listening session.

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ICYMI: In Yakima, Murray Discusses Key Homelessness & Housing Investments, Visits with Provider Whose Federal Funding She Helped Protect

ICYMI: Senator Murray Forces Trump Administration to Release Homelessness Funding to Washington State

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

Yakima, WA – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, visited the Yakima Neighborhood Health Services to learn more about their work providing accessible and integrated health and social services to the community. Yakima Neighborhood Health Services provides health care, education programs, services to end homelessness, and more to the Yakima valley—serving over 23,000 patients with more than 90,000 visits a year.

In April, Senator Murray announced Yakima Neighborhood Health Services’ Continuum of Care (CoC) grant for $171,966 was being renewed after she secured language forcing its renewal in the latest spending bill. The grant was part of a larger tranche of CoC grants whose renewals were threatened this year after the Trump administration took a number of steps to weaken and distort the program and hold up fiscal year 2025 funding. Nationwide, more than 170,000 individuals could have lost housing if the Trump administration’s proposed changes had taken effect. In the fiscal year 2026 funding bill for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Senator Murray secured provisions in law to keep funds flowing to communities, and HUD is now complying with the law and beginning to renew grants like Yakima Neighborhood Health Services’.

“I am glad I was able to meet with the leadership and community today at Yakima Neighborhood Health Services and hear about the important work they are doing to help end homelessness in the Yakima valley. Last year, the President proposed cutting the federal housing budget in half. I said no, and I negotiated to increase funding and protect programs that are critical to addressing our housing affordability and homelessness crisis. We also saw the Trump Administration attack the Continuum of Care program, our biggest federal tool for addressing homelessness. I fought back and secured language protecting that program and our communities,” said Senator Murray. “I’ll keep fighting to address the crisis of homelessness in Washington state and to make sure our youth get the support they need. That’s why I’m working across the aisle to create new grant programs that address the root causes of youth homelessness head on. We know the best way to support our youth is to make sure they never become homeless in the first place.”

“Sen. Murray has been a champion for access to affordable health care, affordable housing, and services for veterans in rural communities like the Yakima Valley. She has supported Community Health Centers, and our model of integrated care providing medical, dental, behavioral health, social services and housing. We are also thrilled to support her efforts to prevent youth homelessness and are honored to have her here today to talk more about how we can support this work,” Rhonda Hauff, CEO, Yakima Neighborhood Health Services.

HUD’s CoC program is the largest federal program for reducing homelessness, and Washington state receives approximately $120 million annually from the program. Late last year, the Trump administration issued a new notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for fiscal year 2025 funding that sought to upend the program by threatening timely renewal of CoC grants and imposing an arbitrary cap of 30% of funds for permanent housing, effectively slashing funds for this proven tool to address homelessness by more than half. The NOFO was immediately challenged in court by Washington state, alongside other states and nonprofits. In December, a U.S. District Court issued a preliminary injunction blocking HUD from implementing the new NOFO. In April, HUD failed in its attempt to overturn that court order, and the First Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed Congress’ goal of maintaining funding continuity.

Even before the Trump administration targeted the CoC program with its new NOFO, local governments and non-profits across the country were informed that recipients would have to comply with vaguely worded executive orders that Trump signed in the opening weeks of his second term, specifically related to immigration status, abortion and reproductive care, “gender ideology,” and DEI programs. King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties were among the eight original local government plaintiffs that sued the Trump administration over the potential loss of funding.

President Trump’s budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 would have slashed funding for HUD by almost 50 percent—a staggering cut that would have decimated housing assistance programs, making millions of Americans vulnerable to homelessness. His budget also proposed consolidating the CoC program with the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program within the formula-based Emergency Solutions Grants program and time-limiting assistance to two years, all while reducing overall funding by $532 million, or 12 percent. In addition, President Trump’s budget also proposed to eliminate major formula programs communities rely upon to develop new affordable housing and for community development activities.

In the face of these drastic cuts, Senator Murray led efforts to safeguard critical federal funding for affordable housing and homelessness safety nets. In the government funding bill Trump signed into law on February 3, 2026, Senator Murray secured a $4.1 billion—or 6 percent—increase in rental assistance programs and a $366 million increase in homeless assistance programs, while rejecting President Trump’s proposals to block-grant, and impose harmful work requirements and time limits on these critical programs that support over 10 million Americans. Notably, Murray secured new guardrails to protect Continuum of Care grants from Trump administration sabotage. The legislation requires HUD to renew Continuum of Care grants expiring during the first quarter of calendar year 2026; all grants expiring in the second quarter of calendar year 2026 if HUD did not make awards by April 1, 2026; and all remaining grants expiring during calendar year 2026 if not awarded by July 1, 2026. In April, HUD announced it would release funds to renew all projects that expired during the first quarter in compliance with the law. Further CoC grant renewals are expected, as HUD has previously acknowledged to the courts that it is now out of time to run a competitive process that meets the deadlines set by this year’s funding bill.

In September, Senator Murray also called for an investigation into HUD’s handling of the grant award process for the Continuum of Care (CoC) Builds program, after HUD notified communities across the country that it was once again scrapping the grant application process it had just run—for the second time—and that it was now forcing organizations to apply for funding for a third time. Earlier this year, a district court ruled that HUD violated the law with the way it handled the CoC Builds awards. And in November, Senator Murray led Democrats in a letter to Secretary Turner calling on him to immediately halt reported plans to make drastic changes to the Continuum of Care program, which could result in nearly 200,000 Americans being forced out of their housing and back into homelessness.

Senator Murray has also led efforts to address and prevent youth homelessness. In March, Senator Murray introduced her bipartisan Preventing Youth Homelessness Demonstration Act, which would authorize $105 million for HHS’s Administration for Children and Families (ACF) aimed at tackling youth homelessness by investing in prevention strategies and community-based solutions. The new legislation will build off HUD’s Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program she helped establish in 2016—and has successfully fought to secure funding for every year since—by addressing the conditions that contribute to youth homelessness and providing effective resources and support for young people and families who need them most. Senator Murray has consistently worked to address Washington state’s homelessness and affordable housing crises and has fought for federal investments to make sure every young person has a roof over their head. In February of this year, Senator Murray secured $5 million for the youth homelessness prevention demonstration program, a $1 million increase—based on her proposal. This program allocates grants to state, local, and Tribal governments and non-profit community-based organizations to provide primary prevention services for youth at risk of homelessness. Murray has funded this program for the last several years without an authorization—by passing her new bipartisan bill, the grant programs would be formally established and help ensure their long-term continuity.

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Sens. Ossoff & Rev. Warnock, Reps. Williams & McBath Upgrading Stormwater Infrastructure in East Point

East Point, Ga. — U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock, alongside Congresswomen Nikema Williams (GA-05) and Lucy McBath (GA-06), are delivering resources to upgrade stormwater infrastructure in East Point.

Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock and Reps. Williams and McBath brought Republicans and Democrats in Congress together to deliver Federal funding for key stormwater infrastructure upgrades along Norman Berry Drive in East Point, including a storm water main replacement and headwall restoration to improve stormwater flows and prevent sink holes in the area.

Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock and Reps. Williams and McBath are delivering $1,092,000 for the project through bipartisan government funding legislation that became law on January 23.

“Every town in Georgia deserves safe, effective water infrastructure,” said Sen. Ossoff. “That’s why we bought Republicans and Democrats together to upgrade stormwater infrastructure in East Point.”

“Safe and clean water infrastructure is something that every thriving community needs,” said Senator Warnock. “I am proud to work alongside my Georgia colleagues to bring these federal funds to Georgia.”

Congresswoman Nikema Williams said: “Securing clean, safe, and dependable water infrastructure for the families of East Point is just one way we can deliver the most basic of needs for Georgians. I’m proud to join my Georgia colleagues in bringing $1,092,000 back to the people of East Point.”

“Failing stormwater infrastructure isn’t just an eyesore–it can cause serious safety hazards and streetflooding,” McBath said. “Working together, my colleagues and I helped to bring needed federal investments to repair storm lines in our community. This funding will reduce flooding concerns and keep our community clean.”

“This is another step forward made possible by strong partnership and shared vision. The City of East Point recognizes the leadership of Senator Ossoff and Senator Warnock, along with Congresswoman Williams and Congresswoman McBath, in advancing critical infrastructure improvements in our city. This $1.09 million investment in the Norman Berry Drive Stormwater Improvement Project strengthens our infrastructure and supports a more resilient, forward-looking East Point, and we recognize our Water and Sewer Department, led by Director of Water Resources Melissa Echevaria and her team, who will deliver these improvements for our residents, businesses, and visitors,” said Mayor Keisha Chapman of East Point.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… Sen. Rick Scott on The Glenn Beck Program

NAPLES, Fla. – Today, Senator Rick Scott joined The Glenn Beck Program to discuss the SAVE America Act, the latest developments on Iran, and President Trump’s upcoming visit to China.

Listen to the full interview HERE or by clicking the image below:

HIGHLIGHTS:

ON THE SAVE AMERICA ACT:

“It’s frustrating. Democrats want it, Republicans want it, Independents want it,” said Senator Scott. “The Democrat [senators] don’t want it because they want the fraud. So, the only way it’s going to happen is we have to either do the talking filibuster or get rid of the filibuster. The filibuster was never supposed to be used to stop legislation and nominations.”

ON IRAN:

“[President Trump] has the job of Commander in Chief, and his responsibility is to protect American lives,” said Senator Scott. “So, are we supposed to wait until a nuclear weapon goes off in New York City? Is that what we should do, then we can go to war? Or should we do it when we know they want to get a nuclear weapon and destroy you and me and our families? Should we do it now or wait until the nuclear weapon goes off? I think we ought to do it now, and that’s what he’s done, and he’s done everything he can to make sure we don’t put our troops at risk.”

ON AMERICA-CHINA RELATIONS:

“[China] has elected to be our enemy…Think of how many Americans they’ve killed with fentanyl. They tried to destroy all of our companies, right? They’re threatening our allies,” said Senator Scott.

“Do you realize that almost all of our drugs, our generic drugs, the ingredients come from China? Do you think that’s safe? It’s not safe. You trust them? If there’s another crisis [you think] that they will send us the drugs we need? I mean, we all, as Americans have to save ourselves.”

In October 2025, Senator Rick Scott, as Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, released an investigative report titled “Protecting Seniors’ Access to Essential Medications: Securing the Foreign Generic Pharmaceutical Supply Chain.” The report underscores America’s dangerous overreliance on foreign-made generic drugs, which are vastly imported from Communist China and India.

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Senator Rosen Visits Dayton to Discuss Child Care, Health Care

DAYTON, NV – Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) visited Dayton, Nevada to meet with local organizations and tour projects made possible through federal funding she helped secure. Senator Rosen started her day with a visit to the Boys and Girls Club of Mason Valley, where she was able to see the progress being made on the new Early Learning Center in Dayton. The new Center, which received $3.5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act for its construction, will expand capacity to accommodate 64 children.

Senator Rosen then stopped by the Healthy Communities Coalition (HCC), seeing all the great work that is being done to support individuals in Lyon, Storey, and Mineral Counties. Founded in 1995, HCC provides direct mental health services, housing assistance, public health awareness, and provides access to their food pantries.

Senator Rosen has made it one of her priorities in the Senate to secure federal funding for essential projects all across the state. Last year, she secured more than 623 million in federal funding for Nevada. Already this year, she has secured millions for Nevada’s housing, airports, and rural communities.


Following Disturbing Incident In Lāhainā, Schatz Calls On NOAA To Strengthen Public Education Efforts To Protect Hawaiian Monk Seals

HONOLULU – Following a disturbing incident involving an attack on a Hawaiian monk seal in Lahaina, U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), a member of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries, called on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to step up efforts to better educate the public on the need to protect Hawaiian monk seals, one of the most endangered seal species in the world.

“This alarming incident shows that we need to do more to educate the 10 million visitors who we welcome to Hawai?i each year – including continuing to ensure NOAA Fisheries, its Office of Law Enforcement, and the agency as a whole have the capacity and resources necessary to recover endangered species like the Hawaiian monk seal, conserve their habitats, and enforce their federal protections,” Senator Schatz wrote in his letter to NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs.

The full text of Schatz’s letter can be found below and is available here.

Dear Under Secretary Jacobs:

Hawai?i is home to a number of endangered species, including the Hawaiian monk seal that is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has played a critical role in the recovery of the population of monk seals, from conservation of their habitat to significant outreach, education, and volunteer coordination to minimize human disturbance. Residents of Hawai‘i respect monk seals and the waters and beaches we share, but following an attack on a monk seal on a Maui beach this week, I am concerned that visitors also need to be properly educated.

On Wednesday, May 6, state and Maui County law enforcement officers responded after someone was caught on video throwing a large rock at a monk seal. There was immediate and strong public outcry. Law enforcement officers quickly detained the alleged suspect and are gathering evidence in preparation for turning the matter over to NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement. I applaud Maui residents and local law enforcement for their swift action. NOAA support for monk seal education, outreach, management, and science in Hawai?i helped enable this strong response. Even more impressively, these efforts have added up to one of the most extraordinary recoveries of a marine mammal species in the United States: from roughly 1100 to 1600 individuals over 15 years.

This alarming incident shows that we need to do more to educate the 10 million visitors who we welcome to Hawai?i each year--including continuing to ensure NOAA Fisheries, its Office of Law Enforcement, and the agency as a whole have the capacity and resources necessary to recover endangered species like the Hawaiian monk seal, conserve their habitats, and enforce their federal protections. Since coming to the Senate, I have championed annual funding of roughly $4.5 million for monk seal science and management. I request that NOAA provide answers to the following questions by May 29, 2026.

What steps has NOAA taken in recent years to strengthen monk seal education and outreach?

How has that contributed to monk seal recovery?

What are the most significant remaining threats to monk seal recovery?

What relevant activities is NOAA undertaking in Fiscal Year 2026, especially collaborations between NOAA managers and scientists together with their state and county counterparts?

How can we better facilitate education for visitors to Hawai?i?

I appreciate NOAA’s continued partnership with Hawai?i state and local officials and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

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NEWS: Sen. Schiff, Rep. Carbajal, Local Leaders Call Out Trump Administration’s Attempts to Restart Offshore Oil Operations on Central Coast

Santa Barbara, CA – U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Congressman Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.-24) joined local Central Coast environmental leaders to rally against the Trump Administration’s attempt to restart offshore oil platforms owned by Sable Offshore Corporation, which uses the same infrastructure that caused the disastrous oil spill off Refugio State Beach in 2015. Schiff raised the alarm on the impacts of the Refugio spill which caused devastation on marine ecosystems and coastal communities as well as extensive costs for environmental clean-up.

During the press conference, Schiff emphasized that allowing Sable Offshore Corporation, which has blatantly disobeyed directives from California agencies that are required for offshore oil and pipeline operations, to continue forward with this plan has the potential for extreme devastation. He also highlighted the work he’s doing in the Senate to preserve and protect California’s coastlines and ecosystems.

“It’s just a thrill to breathe in the ocean air, to enjoy this incredible beauty around us, and to think that it is now being threatened again by reopening this damaged pipeline. That caused such damage in 2015, resulting in $22 million of losses, but more importantly, the loss of marine life, the loss of the coastal economy here, the injury to small businesses. And for what are we going to risk that,” said Senator Schiff.

“This is really a national issue. And I think moving off of fossil fuels and moving to renewable sources of energy is an environmental imperative. It is a health imperative. It’s an economic imperative. It is a national security imperative,” the Senator continued.

Background:

Senator Schiff has been a strong opponent of restarting oil drilling off the California coast and has advocated for renewable energy sources to strengthen environmental protections. He published an op-ed in the Los Angeles Times strongly opposing Sable Offshore Corporation’s attempts to restart oil drilling operations. Additionally, Schiff and Rep. Carbajal wrote to Governor Gavin Newsom raising concerns about the potential restart of offshore oil drilling operations along California’s Gaviota Coast by Sable Offshore Corp, and demanded answers from the Trump administration on its involvement in Sable Offshore Corporation’s attempts to restart offshore oil drilling using the same pipelines that caused the Refugio State Beach oil spill of 2015.

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NEWS: Sen. Schiff, Rep. Lieu Secure $1.1 Million in Federal Funds for Mitigating Landslides in Palos Verdes Peninsula

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA – Today, Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Calif.-36) announced that they secured $1,145,144 in federal investments for Klondike Canyon’s Landside Emergency Mitigation Plan, the project is part of nearly $259 million in funding secured by Schiff for California for fiscal year 2026.

This federal investment will be used to mitigate the impact of the Klondike Canyon Landslide – a significant segment of the larger Portuguese Bend Landslide Complex. This landslide is the largest continuously moving landslide in North America, and in recent years record-breaking rainfall has exacerbated its instability, posing an immediate threat to lives, critical infrastructure, and homes.

The Congressionally Directed Spending that Schiff and Lieu fought for and delivered will be used to install additional dewatering wells to remove subterranean water that accelerate the land movement and the installation of water drainage channels and pipes to prevent the water from entering the earth. These efforts are intended to stabilize the area and prevent future disasters long term.

“Landslides pose a continuing threat to the lives and homes of Southern Californians, and we need to tackle this problem head on. I’m proud to partner with Congressman Ted Lieu in delivering federal dollars to help stabilize the land and mitigate the risks caused by land movement long-term,” said Senator Schiff. “This is an important step toward addressing dangerous landslides in the Palos Verdes peninsula, and I will continue doing everything I can to support the community in its efforts to address this problem and protect California families.”

“After tireless work, I’m grateful we were able to deliver long-overdue federal resources to the Peninsula communities confronting the devastating impacts of ongoing land movement,” said Congressman Lieu. “These are the first federal dollars Rancho Palos Verdes has received specifically to address land movement, and they are arriving at a critical time. When you visit Rancho Palos Verdes, the devastation caused by land movement is hard to miss. Homes have been destroyed, roadways have been damaged, and natural habitats have been wrecked. The Rancho Palos Verdes community has been incredibly resilient through these challenges, and I’ve been proud to work alongside community members, local leaders, federal officials, and Senator Schiff to help make this funding a reality.”

“We are extremely grateful to Senator Schiff and Congressman Lieu for fighting to provide these two small, citizen-led districts in our City with a major boost of funding for their ongoing efforts to slow land movement and prevent future acceleration,” said Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor Paul Seo. “The City was proud to support ACLAD and KCLAD with their funding requests and will continue working collaboratively with them to protect our residents.”

This is the first-ever federal investment in the Palos Verdes peninsula landslides, and it comes after emergency landslides in the area in recent years. In October 2024, Senator Schiff, Congressman Lieu, California State Senator Ben Allen, and California State Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi toured Palos Verdes peninsula landslides.

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PHOTOS: Sen. Schiff Attends Grand Opening of Metro D Line in L.A., Emphasizes Efforts to Push for Safe and Efficient Transportation

Los Angeles, CA – Today, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) attended the grand opening of the Metro D line, which has expanded west from existing subway lines by nine miles helping riders with direct access to museums, jobs, healthcare, shopping, and neighborhood destinations along one of the region’s busiest corridors. Schiff emphasized the metro extension will not only reduce travel time and strengthen connections between Los Angeles’ most active and cultural centers but will create better transit experiences ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

During the visit, Schiff rode the first train on the Metro D line where he was able to experience a historic moment for Los Angeles’ economy and infrastructure. Schiff highlighted his continued efforts to push for greater federal funding that will allow for more safe and efficient public transportation in Los Angeles and across California.

“This extension of the D line is going to bring people together. It’s going to get us out of our cars. It is going to get us moving faster. And it gives us a sense of community,” said Senator Schiff. “What a great milestone in L.A. transit history. A great milestone in L.A. history.”

Background:

The Senator helped secure approximately $91 million, alongside Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), in the 2026 Appropriations bill for L.A. 28 Olympics transportation needs. Additionally, Schiff joined Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37) and 35 California colleagues, in requesting the inclusion of $2 billion in the President’s 2027 Budget Request for mobility initiatives ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

View photos from the visit below:

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WATCH: Trump’s Weakness is “Breathtaking”; Sen. Schiff Breaks Down Trump’s Ineffective Negotiations to End Illegal Iran War

Schiff:“…This regime is emerging more powerful, at least it feels it’s more powerful, more entrenched, more hard line, more of a threat to its own people. It’s the result of entering a war without thinking about the consequences and conducting it incompetently. And the fundamental weakness of this president.”

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) joined MS NOW’s The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell to break down President Trump’s ineffective negotiations aimed at ending his illegal Iran war.

Last week, Senator Schiff led the sixth War Powers Resolution aimed at requiring the administration to end this illegal war. The procedural vote would have brought Senator Schiff’s resolution up for Senate consideration on the 60-day mark after the administration’s notification to Congress, coinciding with the War Powers Act’s statutory clock running out.

View the full interview here.

Key Excerpts:

On Americans paying the price of the Iran war:

[…] But Iran now feels empowered. It feels like the clock is ticking on its side. It feels the president is desperate for a deal. You hear the president talking about a deal basically, that sounds a lot like the deal that Barack Obama struck that he so ridiculed. And he wishes to distinguish it somehow by saying, no. No, this deal will be different, because this deal, in this deal, Iran promises not to develop a bomb. Well, I guess, I guess that’s really something we can now rely on. Iran’s word. So, we are just saying, as you said, the president having trapped himself growing weaker and weaker, and sadly, he has also trapped the country. And we’re paying for it. Prices are now 50% higher at the pump, and Donald Trump said today that if they went up another 50% and were paying double that, it would be worth it. Well, I don’t think the American people feel this is worth it at all.

On the weakness of President Trump:

[…] And unfortunately, even if we went back to the JCPOA, Iran now feels that it has the leverage, because it can shut down the strait, and any threat that it might shut down the strait. For example, if it doesn’t abide by any deal struck with President Trump in the future, and the president threatens to snap back sanctions. Which is basically the same mechanism as under the Obama JCPOA. Iran can threaten, well, if you snap back sanctions, we’re going to close the strait. And that now is a powerful threat that really wasn’t the case before this ill-considered and unlawful war. So tragically, I think this regime is emerging more powerful, at least it feels it’s more powerful, more entrenched, more hard line, more of a threat to its own people. It’s the result of entering a war without thinking about the consequences and conducting it incompetently. And the fundamental weakness of this president.

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Senator Schmitt Defends First Amendment Rights of UCLA Law Students

Schmitt Calls Out UCLA Administration for Violating Conservative Students’ First Amendment Rights

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, sent a letter to UCLA Chancellor Dr. Julio Frenk and UCLA Dean Michael Waterstone demanding answers following recent violations of students’ First Amendment and civil rights following the disruption of a student event hosted by the Federalist Society.

On April 21, the UCLA Law student chapter of the Federalist Society faced repeated disruptions from left-wing students while hosting a campus event. Although the disruptions violated multiple UCLA student-conduct policies, UCLA Law failed to discipline the students responsible, instead threatening Federalist Society students with disciplinary action if they released information about the disruptive student-activists.

“Rather than remedy that First Amendment violation and punish the students who violated school policy to disrupt their fellow classmates’ event, UCLA Law instead compounded its First Amendment violation when Assistant Dean Bayrex Martí sent a threatening email to the Federalist Society students. That email to the Federalist Society students threatened them with “campus [disciplinary] process” if they released the names of the student-activists who disrupted the event.3 That email further violated the Federalist Society students’ First Amendment rights because it was an attempt to impose a prior restraint on them through a viewpoint-discriminatory threat of retaliation if they engaged in constitutionally protected speech,” wroteSenator Schmitt.

In the letter, Senator Schmitt requested responses to the following questions:

1. In a statement after the April 21 event, UCLA Law “is reviewing all policies and will take necessary steps to ensure student groups can host speakers in an environment of civil engagement.”

a. What is the nature of this “review”?

b. What “necessary steps” will UCLA Law take to ensure that student groups can exercise their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and association?

2. UCLA Law sent a follow-up email suggesting it could punish students for publishing the names of the disrupting students. Does UCLA Law continue to assert it can punish students for the protected speech of releasing the names of the disrupting students?

3. Will UCLA Law investigate whether Assistant Dean Martí or other administrators have engaged in other violations of the First Amendment, such as viewpoint discrimination?

Read Senator Schmitt’s full letter HERE.

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Shaheen Caps Off Week of “Affordability Action Tour” Events with Visits to Affordable Housing Site, New England College

(Henniker, NH) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) capped off a week of events as part of her “Affordability Action Tour” to highlight the rising cost of energy, health care and housing in the Granite State by visiting an affordable housing development in West Lebanon to highlight the importance of accessible housing across New Hampshire as construction costs spike due to President Trump’s reckless tariffs and war in Iran. Shaheen also visited New England College to highlight federal funding she secured to bolster its program to produce more nurses. Photos from today’s events can be found HERE.

In West Lebanon, Shaheen visited the Village at Crafts Hill (VCH) to underscore the importance of preserving New Hampshire’s housing supply and to discuss policy solutions to lower costs, including her Strategy and Investment in Rural Housing Preservation Act to protect rural housing, which recently passed the Senate.

“Everywhere I go, I hear about how the cost of housing—both rental and ownership—has skyrocketed in New Hampshire and is making it harder for families to find a home they can afford. The Villages at Craft Hill is a great example of the kind of solutions we need to increase access to affordable housing in the rural parts of our state,” said Senator Shaheen. “The Senate recently passed a bipartisan housing package with multiple provisions I’ve sponsored, including a bill I led to preserve rental assistance for hundreds of thousands of affordable units nationally, and which was inspired by our work at Twin Pines.”

Shaheen is helping to lead efforts in the Senate to lower housing costs and increase the supply of affordable units for families struggling to find a place to call home. Recently, three of Shaheen’s commonsense bills were passed in the Senate as part of a bipartisan housing package to address the high cost of housing and increase the supply of affordable units in the Granite State and across the country. In addition to the Strategy and Investment in Rural Housing Preservation Act, the 21st Century Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act included the Streamlining Rural Housing Act and the Preservation and Reinvestment Initiative in Community Enhancement (PRICE) Act to make it easier and less expensive to build new housing and protect lower-income renters.

Earlier this year, Shaheen visited the Normandin Square Apartments—a 60-unit apartment community where the majority of units are affordable—to tour ongoing renovation efforts with officials from the Laconia Housing Authority. Shaheen secured $750,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending for the renovation project in the bipartisan FY 2026 government funding legislation.

Later in the day, Shaheen visited New England College (NEC) and met with NEC leadership, faculty and students to receive an update on the College’s revamped 3-year Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) program, which will help address a critical regional shortage of nursing professionals.

“Robust training programs are critical to addressing the shortage of nursing professionals that we’re seeing across New Hampshire, and especially in the most rural parts of the state,” said Senator Shaheen. “That’s exactly what New England College’s revamped nursing program is working to tackle. It was great to be able to see firsthand how funding I helped the College secure is going to work to get more nurses out in the field so that Granite Staters in all parts of the state can get care.”

Shaheen, a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, secured $2 million in Congressionally Directed Spending in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 appropriations bills to renovate nursing areas of NEC’s science facilities by expanding classrooms and purchasing state-of-the-art equipment.

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Sullivan Announces Expanded Marine Corps Presence in Alaska to Strengthen Arctic Readiness

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, welcomed the United States Marine Corps’ announcement of “Campaign–Alaska,” a new strategic initiative that will expand the Marine Corps’ presence and training operations in Alaska to strengthen America’s Arctic readiness. The initiative includes two key efforts: Marine Rotational Force–Alaska, which will bring Marines to Alaska for persistent Arctic training and exercises, and Supporting Arms Liaison Team–Alaska, a permanent Marine Corps detachment at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Together, these efforts will enhance the Marine Corps’ ability to train, operate, and deter adversaries in the Arctic and improve coordination with joint and allied forces.

Click here or the image above to watch the video.

“For nearly a decade, I have been working to increase the United States Marine Corps’ presence in Alaska, and today’s announcement is a major milestone in that effort,” Senator Sullivan said. “The Marine Corps recognizes what more and more of our military leaders understand: Alaska is one of the most strategic places in the world, and there is no better place for Marines to train, operate, and be ready to deploy. Marine Rotational Force–Alaska and the permanent establishment of a Supporting Arms Liaison Team at JBER mark the beginning of a broader Marine Corps campaign in Alaska—bringing elite, expeditionary Marines to America’s Arctic, strengthening our joint force, and adding another powerful chapter to the historic military comeback happening across our state. As a Marine who served for 30 years, I could not be more excited to see the Marine Corps making this commitment to Alaska.”

“In this era of strategic competition, Alaska is critical to homeland defense and a vital theater for global power projection in the Arctic," said Lt. Gen. Bobbi Shea, Commanding General, Marine Forces Northern Command. “The Marine Corps Campaign - Alaska is a deliberate and necessary step to ensure we provide the Joint Force with a combat-credible force to support the National Defense Strategy.”

Background:

MARINE ROTATIONAL FORCE - ALASKA

MRF - Alaska is a task-organized Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) that conducts persistent, multi-domain expeditionary training and experimentation in Alaska. It is designed to provide a combat-ready force capable of operating in extreme cold weather, austere terrain, and limited-infrastructure conditions. Unit sizing and equipment is dependent upon operational requirements at the time of rotation.

Supporting Commands:

Marine Corps Forces Northern Command (MARFORNORTH): Serves as the component command overseeing MRF - Alaska, monitoring, reporting, and coordinating all Marine Corps forces operating in the Alaska Theater of Operations.

U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM): MRF - Alaska supports Homeland Defense operations under this command and integrated into USNORTHCOM exercises and operations.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM): MRF - Alaska participates in exercises and strengthens interoperability in support of this command.

SUPPORTING ARMS LIAISON TEAM - ALASKA

SALT - Alaska is a permanent Marine Corps detachment established at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER). It provides a year-round, persistent liaison and Joint fires integration capability that supports rotational, Joint, and allied forces, ensuring continuity and enhancing the quality of training in the Arctic.

Supporting Commands:

Marine Corps Forces Reserve (MARFORRES): Is the parent command for SALT - Alaska. MARFORRES is responsible for activating, manning, and sustaining the detachment.

6th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO): SALT - Alaska is a permanent detachment of this Marine Corps Reserve unit.

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Van Hollen, Alsobrooks Secure Over $4 Million for Maryland Initiatives Boosting Small Businesses and Entrepreneurship

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG), and Senator Angela Alsobrooks (both D-Md.) have secured $4,014,000 in direct federal funding for four community-led projects throughout Maryland within the fiscal year 2026 FSGG appropriations bill – which was enacted into law as part of a 5-bill government funding package passed by Congress and signed into law in February. These projects – submitted and secured by the Senators – will support small business growth and workforce training across Maryland.

“Federal dollars can make a big impact when we invest them directly in projects that support our communities’ needs. That’s why we fought to deliver these federal funds to local partners who will work to empower Maryland entrepreneurs from a range of backgrounds to grow their businesses and succeed. We worked hard to secure investments in this legislation to spur greater opportunity and shared prosperity in our state,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

“Small businesses make up 99.5% of all businesses in Maryland – so it is critical we continue to invest in them, cut red tape, and make the opportunity for starting a business accessible for even more Marylanders. Senator Van Hollen and I partnered in securing over $4 million in federal funding for four community-led projects in the fiscal year 2026 FSGG appropriations bill. These projects will bolster small businesses, provide training opportunities, and lift up Marylanders – especially veterans,” said Senator Alsobrooks.

The Senators worked to secure these funds and provisions prior to their passage, but ultimately voted against the larger package they were included within – stemming from concerns over insufficient safeguards to protect federal workers against the Trump’s attacks and to prevent the Administration from misusing Congressionally approved taxpayer dollars, among other factors.

Highlights for Maryland in the Fiscal Year 2026 Financial Services and General Government Funding Bill

Congressionally Directed Spending

Project Name: Expanding the Family Child Care Pipeline

Applicant: Maryland Family Network

Project Description: Funds will be used to provide targeted support for individuals aspiring to open licensed family childcare programs, including training, coaching, and additional support services, to help lessen the decline in family childcare providers.

Project Location: Baltimore City

Amount Included: $770,000

Project Name: FSC First Level Up Program

Applicant: Prince George’s Financial Services Corporation dba FSC First

Project Description: Funds will be used to provide technical assistance to small and minority-owned businesses to support their growth by improving access to capital, training opportunities, and mentoring—helping them “level up” and succeed.

Project Location: Prince George's County`

Amount Included: $244,000

Project Name: Kingdom Cares Economic Empowerment and Innovation Center

Applicant: Kingdom Global Community Development Corporation

Project Description: Funds will be used to provide technical assistance to small businesses, fostering their growth from inception to launch and scalability. The program will also support mentorship opportunities, connecting new entrepreneurs and established local small businesses.

Project Location: Prince George's County

Amount Included: $1,000,000

Project Name: Veteran Institute for Procurement (VIP)

Applicant: Montgomery County Chamber Community Foundation

Project Description: Funds will be used to expand curriculum and trainings for small businesses owned by veterans—including those who have been service-disabled—through the Veteran Institute for Procurement, which assists veterans in accessing federal procurement opportunities.

Project Location: Montgomery County

Amount Included: $2,000,000

Additional priorities secured by the Senators in the FY26 Financial Services and General Government funding bill include:

Department of the Treasury: The bill provides $1.87 billion for the Department of the Treasury (excluding the IRS) to combat illegal anti-money laundering, regulate our banks, and safeguard the financial system against abuse by illicit actors.

Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund: The bill provides $324 million for the CDFI Fund, protecting current funding levels for the Fund and rejecting the 59% cut (-$190.9 million) sought by President Trump, as well as the 15% cut (-$47.4 million) proposed by House Republicans. This funding helps expand economic opportunity for underserved communities and supports the development of child care centers, affordable housing units, health care facilities, and small businesses in every part of the country. The bill also includes new measures to ensure the Fund is adequately staffed to fulfill its statutorily-required duties.

Small Business Administration (SBA): The bill provides $1.25 billion for SBA— rejecting President Trump’s proposal to slash funding that helps America’s small businesses by over 40%. The bill includes $330 million for SBA’s Entrepreneurial Development Programs (EDP), a $13.2 million increase over fiscal year 2025. This includes $150 million for Small Business Development Centers, a $10 million increase above fiscal year 2025, and $21.4 million for Veterans Outreach, a $2.9 million increase above fiscal year 2025. This funding will support small businesses across America and connect them with vital resources.

Federal Defenders: The bill provides $1.766 billion for Federal Defenders, a nearly 22%, or $315 million, increase above fiscal year 2025. This critical new funding will reimburse Criminal Justice Act panel attorneys who make up 40% of the overall federal defender workforce. These attorneys play a vital role in upholding the Sixth Amendment’s guarantee to counsel in criminal proceedings. In July 2025, Federal Defenders funding lapsed, and panel attorneys were not reimbursed until this past November after Democrats secured a provision in the continuing resolution to provide funding. Fully funding defender services will help ensure defendants across the country will be represented by paid, effective counsel—protecting their Sixth Amendment rights.

Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP): The bill provides $456.5 million for the Office of National Drug Control Policy to combat the opioid and substance use disorder crises, stop drug trafficking, and address addiction.

Election Security Grants: The bill provides $45 million—a $30 million increase over fiscal year 2025—rejecting President Trump’s efforts to zero out funding for the grants. Election Security Grants for states and U.S. territories improve the administration of federal elections, upgrade voting equipment, make security enhancements, and protect Americans’ right to have their vote counted in free and fair elections.

District of Columbia (D.C.): The bill provides $877.9 million to D.C. and rejects over a dozen new House Republican riders that would have restricted D.C. residents’ access to reproductive care, weakened local gun safety laws, and overridden local policies. For the first time in over 25 years, the bill increases the amount available for D.C. students to use toward tuition assistance to keep pace with the high cost of college. Finally, the bill protects D.C.’s ability to spend its own money and prevents the reckless—and pointless—cuts caused by House Republicans’ full-year continuing resolution in fiscal year 2025.

General Services Administration (GSA): The bill provides $165.7 million for GSA construction projects at federal facilities across the country.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS): The bill provides $11.2 billion for the IRS, $1.4 billion above President Trump’s budget request. This includes $5 billion for Enforcement ($2 billion above the level in House Republicans’ bill), $3 billion for Taxpayer Services, and $3.2 billion for Operations Support. The bill also includes expanded transfer authority for the IRS to tap existing funds to support enforcement, taxpayer services, and operations support.


Welch Excoriates Assistant AG Dhillon’s Push for Voter Data as Leading to Potential Disenfranchisement of Millions

Welch to Dhillon: “For nearly 70 years, the Civil Rights Division has enforced federal statutes that protect Americans’ right to vote. Your leadership represents a marked departure from that tradition.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on The Constitution, this week delivered a scathing criticism of Assistant Attorney General (AAG) Harmeet Dhillon’s leadership of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division for pushing the mass collection of sensitive and private voter data. Senator Welch emphasized that statements and actions by AAG Dhillon and others in her Division—especially as we approach the 2026 midterm elections—risk disenfranchising eligible voters and are contrary to the Civil Rights Division’s statutory mandate to ensure all Americans can freely vote.

In his letter, Senator Welch highlighted the dangers of new policy directives issued under AG Dhillon: “Recent requests for voter data by the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division raise serious concerns about the Department’s efforts to undermine future elections. Soon after being confirmed to lead the Civil Rights Division, you issued a new policy directive to the Division’s Voting Section, directing staff to help the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) obtain voter database information from states—purportedly to identify ineligible voters. Following this policy directive, the Civil Rights Division has asked states for full access to their voter rolls, including sensitive and private information such as Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and dates of birth.”

Senator Welch continued: “The pursuit of this data raises two important concerns. First, the Department does not have the statutory authority to request this information. Second, the efforts to obtain this information will undermine electoral integrity, not protect it. States led by both Republicans and Democrats have appropriately rejected the Department’s request for its voter rolls, citing privacy concerns and potential violations of state and federal law. So far, your Division has filed lawsuits against 30 such states, as well as the District of Columbia. Every court that has reviewed these cases on the merits has dismissed the Division’s claims.”

Senator Welch underscored how AG Dhillon’s statements have furthered false narratives to justify the collection of voter data and discredit recent elections: “On January 6, 2026, you justified the collection and review of states’ ‘voter rolls [as] essential to ensuring that American citizens’ votes count only once, and only with other eligible voters[.]’ The mass collection and verification of American voters’ eligibility—with outdated, inaccurate information—risks eliminating eligible voters from state voter rolls. DOJ attorneys have confirmed both in court and in internal communications that the Division intends to run states’ voter roll data against DHS’ ‘SAVE database’ to verify voters’ citizenship status. This database is estimated to falsely flag voters as noncitizens at least 14% of the time. . . . Some states have complied with your requests for data. The Civil Rights Division now houses the personal information of tens of millions of Americans, which it has begun disclosing to DHS, as well as private contractors.”

“Your own statements have furthered false narratives to justify the collection of voter data. Last month, you stated that the Division has found ‘tens of thousands of non-citizens on the voter rolls.’ Voting by non-citizens is a widely debunked claim. In an audit carried out by the Michigan Department of State, just 0.00028% of voters in the 2024 general election were found to be noncitizens. You have provided no evidence to support your claims,” continued Senator Welch. “Under your leadership, the Civil Rights Division has also moved to discredit recent elections. On April 14, 2026, you made the highly irregular demand for ballots from the 2024 election from Detroit. The request was based on three allegations of voter fraud that occurred in the 2020 election—out of 878,10221 votes cast—and a prior lawsuit alleging that absentee ballots were not properly processed in that election. A judge previously dismissed that lawsuit on the grounds that the allegations were ‘not credible.’”

Senator Welch requested detailed answers from Assistant AG Dhillon on the following questions in order to better understand the work being carried out by the Voting Section of the Civil Rights Division:

Please provide a list of contractors that the Civil Rights Division is disclosing voter data to.

Have any officials within the Division communicated with any outside groups or individuals in relation to voter data requests or analysis? If so, please list the names of these entities and provide records of any agreements with these entities.

Please provide copies of any analyses DOJ has conducted using voter data, as well as an explanation of any methodology used.

What work has the Civil Rights Division undertaken to attempt to enforce Executive Orders 14248 and 14399?

Please provide the evidence to support your statement that the Civil Rights Division has found “tens-of thousands of non-citizens on the voter rolls.”

Read and download Senator Welch’s full letter to Assistant AG Dhillon.

Senator Welch has been a leading voice in pushing back against the Trump Administration’s attacks on the rule of law and efforts to undermine the Civil Rights Division. In January, Senator Welch criticized Assistant AG Dhillon for the creation of a new ‘Second Amendment Section’ at the Division as a major departure from its long-standing mission of protecting Americans from discrimination in favor of advancing President Trump’s agenda.

Senator Welch has called for answers on Assistant AG Dhillon’s weaponization of the Civil Rights Division, including directing sections to pursue President Trump’s policy and political goals, and denounced the Administration’s plans to freeze all new civil rights cases or investigations at the Division. The Senator also led all six of his Democratic colleagues on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Constitution Subcommittee in demanding answers from DOJ concerning the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle the Division.

During President Trump’s first week in office, Senator Welch slammed the President’s plans to freeze all new civil rights cases or investigations at the Civil Rights Division.

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Welch Provides Remarks at Washington Electric Cooperative’s Annual Meeting

MONTPELIER, VT – U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Credit, this week delivered remarks at the Washington Electric Coop’s (WEC) Annual Meeting, held in Montpelier.

In his remarks, the Senator highlighted his bipartisan bill with Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), the REWIRE Act, which would modernize the nation’s electric grid and meet America’s growing energy demand. The Senators’ legislation would incentivize advanced transmission upgrades, strengthen state grid planning, and accelerate the deployment of innovative grid technologies to lower costs and improve grid reliability for American families and businesses.

“Vermonters don’t mind working hard, but they want to know that at the end of the day their hard work will put them a step ahead—not two steps behind. Right now, the Trump Administration is moving us backward by undermining clean energy projects and increasing our dependence on expensive and volatile fossil fuels. At a time when we need more affordable electricity and greater electrification across our economy, it makes no sense to turn away from clean energy sources like wind and solar that are already among the cheapest forms of power we can use,” said Senator Welch. “My bipartisan REWIRE Act takes a commonsense approach to upgrade the transmission infrastructure we already have and will lower costs for Vermonters.”

After two decades of stagnation, American electricity demand is projected to rise by as much as 5.7% by 2030—the fastest increase since the 1960s. Meeting this demand will require nearly 5,000 miles of new high-capacity transmission lines each year, according to the Department of Energy. Yet in 2024, only 322 miles of new high-voltage transmission were completed.

The Reconductoring Existing Wires for Infrastructure Reliability and Expansion (REWIRE) Act provides a commonsense path forward: rather than building from scratch, upgrade existing transmission lines with advanced conductors that can double capacity (a process known as “reconductoring”). By reducing congestion and bypassing lengthy permitting requirements, reconductoring could reduce grid costs by $85 billion by 2035 and $180 billion by 2050.

Learn more about the REWIRE Act and read a one-pager on the bill.

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EWTN News article on Smith-Scott letter to President Trump'U.S. lawmakers urge Trump to press China's president on Jimmy Lai case'

By Tessa Gervasini

Published May 9, 2026 at 12:00 PM ET

More than 100 U.S. lawmakers sent President Donald Trump a letter asking him to address Jimmy Lai’s case when he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 14–15.

Lai, founder and publisher of the pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on Feb. 9 over what Chinese officials claim were national security violations. The sentencing followed Lai’s conviction, which ended what Lai’s defenders described as a politically motivated show trial.

In October 2025, Trump spoke with Xi Jinping about Lai. In the letter sent to the White House on May 8, lawmakers urged Trump to advocate for Lai again by asking for his humanitarian release.

Catholic Rep. Chris Smith, R-New Jersey, co-chair of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, and Sen. Rick Scott, R-Florida, both longtime advocates of Laiʼs, circulated the bipartisan letter that was signed by 105 other members of Congress.

“We know the president wants to do this,” Smith said in a May 8 interview with “EWTN News Nightly." “We want him to know — President Trump — that weʼre solidly behind him about what he might be able to accomplish.”

“And he could use that, frankly, more effectively, with Xi Jinping, and say, ‘Look, donʼt just do it for the executive branch. The legislative branch is asking you, as well, from a humanitarian point of view,’” Smith said.

The president has “an ability to persuade” like “no other president Iʼve ever known,” Smith said. “And I hope he can persuade Xi Jinping to let this great man go.”

The letter notes that Trump’s “direct engagement is critical to securing Mr. Laiʼs immediate release on humanitarian parole” and the case for his freedom “is urgent and undeniable.”

“He is a devout Catholic and successful entrepreneur who has already spent five years in detention, much of it in solitary confinement,” lawmakers wrote.

“His family, his friends, and supporters have indicated that if he is released, he will leave Hong Kong and withdraw from public life,” they wrote. “It is a clear, practical path forward that reunites a family and prevents this case from becoming an irreversible tragedy — and an enduring symbol of repression that will echo far beyond Hong Kong.”

Lai’s ‘deteriorating health’

The group is calling for a humanitarian release due to Lai’s “deteriorating health condition.” They wrote: “His health has declined in custody, and prolonged isolation and inadequate prison conditions only increase the risk of permanent harm.”

“From a humanitarian point of view, weʼre hoping the president will look Xi Jinping in the eyes and say, ‘Let this guy go. Do it now. Itʼs a good gesture. It means a lot to us as Americans,’” Smith said.

“Jimmy Lai spoke truth to power. He did it with grace, eloquence,” Smith said. “His newspaper … was just a beacon of hope and [truth], and for that, heʼs got a life sentence — 20 years. Heʼs 78. Itʼs probably a life sentence, and heʼs very sick.”

In this photo taken on June 16, 2020, Hong kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai poses at the Next Digital offices in Hong Kong. | Credit: Anthony Wallace/AFP via Getty Images

“Iʼm very concerned,” Smith said. “Weʼve known for decades that when somebody is a political prisoner, and thatʼs what Jimmy Lai is, or religious prisoner, and you get sick, they let you die. They do not attend to your needs.”

Lai “has a number of very serious ailments,” Smith said. “Type 2 diabetes is just one of them. Heʼs got a lot of other problems, and they all are compounding, cascading. He needs good medical attention, and he needs it now.”

“Otherwise itʼll be a blight on the Chinese Communist Party added to the other blights that theyʼve accumulated over the years. But break that mold of letting people just die in prison through neglect,” Smith said.


Patch article on Manchester Twp.'s new, federally-funded police vehicles'10 Police Vehicles Funded By $1.148M Federal Grant In Manchester'

By Karen Wall, Patch Staff

Published Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 5:32 am ET

MANCHESTER, NJ — Manchester Township has 10 new police vehicles thanks to a federal grant.

The new vehicles — nine Chevy Tahoes and the van — were unveiled Tuesday at police headquarters at the Manchester Township municipal complex.

The vehicles were purchased with a $1,148,000 federal Byrne Discretionary Grant secured in 2024 by Rep. Chris Smith, whose 4th Congressional District includes Manchester.

The Byrne Discretionary Grant is through the U.S. Department of Justice, and was for fleet augmentation, officials said.

Manchester Township purchased nine Chevy Tahoes and a new animal control van with federal grant funds. (Manchester Township)

Manchester police said the need for new vehicles was identified by then-Chief Robert Dolan several years ago.

"Many vehicles in the department's aging fleet were beyond operational limits and temporary fixes could no longer alleviate these issues," the department said.

Dolan reached out to Smith for assistance.

"Our department — serving over 45,000 residents across 85 square miles — was facing increasing demands with limited resources," Manchester Police Chief Antonio Ellis said. "That’s when we put forward a comprehensive plan — focused on restoring reliability, safety, and sustainability, and that plan led to the real results we see before us today."

Smith praised township officials for their efforts to advocate for the funding.

"Today is an amazing example of what good local governance can lead to. Their remarkable advocacy has reaped tangible benefits for the people of Manchester Township — the nine brand-new Chevy Tahoe SUVs and animal control van that stand before us will actively make Manchester safer and better equipped to fulfill the needs of its residents," Smith said.

In addition to Smith, Ellis, Ocean County Commissioners Robert Arace and Jennifer Bacchione, Manchester Mayor Joseph Hankins, Manchester Township Council President Michele Zolezi, Vice President Council James Vaccaro, and council members Sandy Gravatt-Drake and Craig Wallis were in attendance.

"Today is about more than new vehicles. It’s about commitment, partnership, and delivering for the residents of Manchester Township," Ellis said. "At the end of the day, this is about people. It’s about our officers having the equipment they need to respond safely and ensuring they return home safely to their families."

Councilman Craig Wallis, Mayor Joseph Hankins, Council President Michele Zolezi, Rep. Chris Smith, Police Chief Antonio Ellis, Ocean County Commissioners Rob Arace and Jennifer Bacchione, Councilwoman Sandy Gravatt-Drake, Council Vice President James Vaccaro. (Manchester Township)

This article was published on May 9, 2026 and can be found online at:


Latta Announces 2026 Congressional Art Competition Winners

Mathey’s winning artwork, titled "Hometown," will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol Tunnel for one year. Three honorable mention winners will have their artwork displayed in one of Latta's congressional offices for the year.

“We have incredible talent across Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District. Congratulations to Sarah Mathey on her winning piece, ‘Hometown,’ which beautifully showcases her artistic talent and creativity. As we celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial, it is important to reflect on where we come from and the meaning our hometowns hold for us, and Sarah captured that message beautifully through her work. Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees and everyone who participated in the Congressional Art Competition,” said Latta.


Representatives McIver, Menendez, Watson Coleman Mark One Year Since ICE Chaos at Delaney Hall

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) released a video marking one year since they toured the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, New Jersey.

As they conducted oversight to hold the Trump administration accountable for human rights abuses committed during its immigration enforcement operations, militarized agents charged into a crowd of peaceful protesters, delayed elected officials acting within their constitutional duty, and arrested Newark Mayor Ras Baraka who was standing outside the facility. In the aftermath, Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, Alina Habba pressed charges against McIver—one of many examples of Trump’s weaponization of the Justice Department against his critics.

In the video, the members call for greater oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities across the nation and lambast the Trump administration for its intimidation tactics. Following their oversight visit at Delaney Hall in May 2025, the members reported on the substandard conditions they witnessed. Just one month later, four detainees escaped the facility by breaking through an aluminum exterior wall. The detention center was already riddled with food shortages and low-quality water. “The Trump administration is trying to criminalize oversight because they know their actions are despicable in the eyes of the American public,” they said.

“They want us to be afraid. They want us to think no one can stop them. They are wrong.”

Watch the video here.

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Menendez, Watson Coleman, and McIver Mark One Year Since ICE Chaos at Delaney Hall

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressmembers Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) released a video marking one year since they toured the Delaney Hall detention center in Newark, New Jersey. As they conducted oversight to hold the Trump administration accountable for human rights abuses committed during its immigration enforcement operations, militarized agents charged into a crowd of peaceful protesters, delayed elected officials acting within their constitutional duty, and arrested Newark Mayor Ras Baraka who was standing outside the facility. In the aftermath, Donald Trump’s former personal attorney, Alina Habba pressed charges against McIver— one of many examples of Trump’s weaponization of the Justice Department against his critics. In December 2025, Habba was disqualified from her role as US Attorney for New Jersey for serving unlawfully.

In the video, the members call for greater oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities across the nation and lambast the Trump administration for its intimidation tactics. Following their oversight visit at Delaney Hall in May 2025, the members reported on the substandard conditions they witnessed. Just one month later, four detainees escaped the facility by breaking through an aluminum exterior wall. The detention center was already riddled with food shortages and low-quality water.

“The Trump administration is trying to criminalize oversight because they know their actions are despicable in the eyes of the American public,” they said.

“They want us to be afraid. They want us to think no one can stop them. They are wrong.”


Menendez, Watson Coleman y McIver celebran un año desde el caos del ICE en Delaney Hall

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Hoy, los congresistas Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) y LaMonica McIver (NJ-10) publicaron un vídeo que conmemora un año desde que visitaron el centro de detención Delaney Hall en Newark, Nueva Jersey. Mientras supervisaban para exigir responsabilidad a la administración Trump por los abusos de derechos humanos cometidos durante sus operativos de control migratorio, agentes militarizados cargaron contra una multitud de manifestantes pacíficos, retrasaron a funcionarios electos que actuaban dentro de su deber constitucional y arrestaron al alcalde de Newark, Ras Baraka, que se encontraba fuera de la instalación. Posteriormente, la ex abogada personal de Donald Trump, Alina Habba, presentó cargos contra McIver, uno de los muchos ejemplos del uso del Departamento de Justicia por parte de Trump contra sus críticos. En diciembre de 2025, Habba fue descalificada de su cargo como fiscal federal de los Estados Unidos para Nueva Jersey por haber servido ilegalmente.

En el vídeo, los miembros piden una mayor supervisión de las instalaciones de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE) en todo el país y critican a la administración Trump por sus tácticas de intimidación. Tras su visita de supervisión a Delaney Hall en mayo de 2025, los miembros informaron sobre las condiciones deficientes que observaron. Solo un mes después, cuatro detenidos escaparon de la instalación rompiendo una pared exterior de aluminio. El centro de detención ya enfrentaba escasez de alimentos y problemas con la calidad del agua.

"La administración Trump está intentando criminalizar la supervisión porque saben que sus acciones son despreciables a ojos del público estadounidense", dijeron.

"Quieren que tengamos miedo. Quieren que pensemos que nadie puede detenerlos. Están equivocados."


For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland

May 9, 2026 202-808-6129

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT RESPONDS TO REPORT OF MULTIPLE GUNSHOTS IN FREDERIKSTED

St. Croix, USVI — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) today released the following statement in response to a report of over 100 gunshots fired in Frederiksted, St. Croix:

"The ongoing violence in our territory weighs heavily on me. Every incident is a painful reminder of how much work remains for us.

"Frederiksted holds a very special place in my heart and in the work of my office. We have seen this town endure years of neglect and deterioration — and we have also seen the resilience of the people who refuse to give up on it. I am continually inspired by the residents, business owners, advocates, and community members who show up every single day committed to making the town of Frederiksted better. My team and I stand with you, as we always have.

“Throughout my time in Congress, my team and I have consistently advocated for public safety, community investment, and regional security across the territory. Public safety begins long before a crime is committed, and I worked to ensure that USVI youth-serving organizations like the Caribbean Centers for Boys & Girls received $1 million in community project funding in 2024 to support effective youth programming. Organizations like these provide safe spaces, mentorship, and wraparound services for at-risk youth and are an integral part of violence prevention. I will continue to champion federal funding for community-based organizations on the front lines of violence prevention in the Virgin Islands.

“I have also fought to restore and protect federal behavioral health grants, including SAMHSA funding and secured $141,000 for Project Cultiv8te's after-school gun violence intervention programming for at-risk youth, $857,000 for St. Clair Institute, and $788,000 for Bush Tea and Therapy Foundation. I understand that trauma, untreated mental illness, and lack of behavioral health infrastructure are significant drivers of community violence.

“Additionally, I have long advocated for equipping the Virgin Islands Police Department with the resources necessary to address the unique security challenges of a Caribbean territory. This includes securing $3.9 million in federal funding to purchase three marine enforcement vessels to assist with drug-trafficking interdiction and safety patrols in the territory's waters.

"Frederiksted and our entire territory deserves safety, investment, and the full attention of every level of government. I will continue to fight for nothing less."

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Rep. Greg Steube Announces Veterans History Project Interview Featuring Colonel Robert J.M. Gaddis, United States Army

Watch the Video Here.

SARASOTA — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today released the latest installment in his ongoing Veterans History Project Series, honoring the military service of constituents from Florida’s 17th District. This interview features Colonel Robert J.M. Gaddis, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces officer who served more than 26 years in uniform and continued supporting U.S. Special Operations efforts following his military retirement.

Born and raised in Indian Hill, Ohio, Gaddis graduated from The Ohio State University in 1986 as a Distinguished Military Graduate through the ROTC program before commissioning as an Infantry officer in the United States Army. Following graduation, he completed Airborne School, Ranger School, and Pathfinder training before reporting to Panama with the 193d Infantry Brigade (Light). During his military career, Gaddis deployed throughout Central and South America, including missions to El Salvador, Peru, and Honduras, and led infantry assaults during Operation Just Cause, the U.S. invasion of Panama.

Colonel Gaddis then later served with the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and held leadership assignments with U.S. Southern Command, the U.S. Embassy in Senegal, and U.S. Military Groups in Nicaragua and Ecuador, overseeing security cooperation and counter-drug operations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Following his retirement from the Army in 2012, he continued serving in civilian leadership roles at Special Operations Command South.

Colonel Gaddis also received numerous military honors and decorations for his service to the United States, including the Defense Superior Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, and Pathfinder Badge.

“I’m grateful to Colonel Robert Gaddis for his decades of service to our country in the United States Army,” said Rep. Greg Steube. “As a fellow Army veteran, I appreciate Colonel Gaddis’ leadership in combat operations and his continued commitment to protecting American interests abroad. His leadership and sacrifice should be an inspiring example for the future generations of Americans.”

Please click here to watch the full interview.

Be sure to check Congressman Steube’s YouTube channel in the future for upcoming interviews.

The Office of Congressman Greg Steube will submit the interview to the Veterans History Project, an initiative of the Library of Congress’s American Folklife Center to collect and retain the oral histories of our nation’s veterans.

Initially started in 2000, the Veterans History Project aims to collect, preserve, and make accessible the personal accounts of the United States military veterans and Gold Star Families so that future generations may hear directly from the veterans and better understand their service. Researchers, scholars, and educators rely upon VHP collections as a primary source. The oral histories, photographs, manuscripts, and other original materials supplement historical texts and valued cultural resources. Veterans from all branches and ranks of the United States military who served in World War I through the more recent conflicts are eligible to participate. For more information on the VHP, please visit https://www.loc.gov/vets/.


Duckworth Celebrates Mother’s Day by Highlighting Need for Family-Friendly Policies

[OAK PARK, IL] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today convened local leaders, health care experts, community activists and moms to discuss the challenges moms and families are facing under the Trump Administration and hear directly from parents about the policy solutions they want to see at the local, state and federal level to better support families. Duckworth moderated a panel discussion on the impacts and importance of motherhood with Dr. Amanda Adeleye, Medical Director of CCRM Fertility’s Chicago-area center, Jenny LeFlore, Digital Creator behind Mama Fresh and Sherita Hamlin, Chicago Parent Leader of Community Organizing and Family Issues, followed by a listening session with dozens of local moms and community members on the policies they want to be implemented to benefits moms and extreme impacts of the Trump Administration on families. Duckworth, in partnership with the Collaboration for Early Childhood, discussed the challenges mothers in America face while trying to provide for their families and answered questions on how community leaders can work together to improve the quality of life for families. Photos of today’s listening session are available on the Senator’s website.

“The simple act of parenting a child is challenging enough on its own, but our country—especially under the Trump Administration—has made being a parent, particularly a mom, incredibly difficult,” Duckworth said. “We don’t have support for child care, paid family leave or expanding access to IVF like Trump promised—instead we have skyrocketing costs on groceries, gas and baby gear, widespread cuts to Medicaid, ACA subsidies and SNAP benefits, and federal agents terrorizing our communities—even our daycares—and ripping families apart. It doesn’t have to be this way. We are better and stronger as a nation when we support moms and families.”

Following the listening session, Duckworth continued her celebration of moms at the at the Greater Rock Missionary Baptist Church’s (G.R.M.B.C.) “Give Mother’s Their Flowers” Brunch Service in Chicago. She honored the mothers in attendance and shared more about how her journey with motherhood has guided her work in the U.S. Senate. Afterward, Duckworth attended a Mother’s Day Tea at the Primo Center for Women and Children. Primo Center is Chicago’s largest provider of shelter and services for homeless families, operating 370 shelter beds and 91 permanent supportive housing units, serving hundreds of families annually across Englewood, Austin, Hermosa and Auburn Gresham. Photos from the Greater Rock Missionary Baptist Church visit can be found on the Senator’s website.

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