Blumenthal Questions Massive No-Bid Contract Awarded to Trump's Ballroom Construction Firm

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI), wrote Clark Construction CEO Robert Moser and the National Park Service (NPS) regarding a no-bid contract awarded to Clark Construction to make repairs to public fountains in Lafayette Square, across the street from the White House – which occurred just a few months after President Donald Trump chose the company to build his ballroom. According to new reporting in the New York Times, the previous administration estimated the work on the Lafayette Square project to cost $3.3 million; documents show that a new contract with Clark Construction has ballooned to $17.4 million in taxpayer dollars.

“The federal government’s ballooning payments to Clark Construction and the circumstances of its recent contract to renovate Lafayette Park raise troubling questions about whether excess taxpayer dollars are being diverted to Clark Construction, and whether its unilateral selection may constitute an undisclosed reward for its central role in President Trump’s preferred vanity project,” Blumenthal wrote.

In October, Blumenthal wrote Clark Construction requesting information regarding its selection as the builder of President Trump’s ballroom. Clark Construction’s response shared no details on how the firm was selected to build the ballroom nor the terms of its agreement with the Trump White House.

As Ranking Member of PSI, Blumenthal has led an inquiry into the use of private donations to fund President Trump’s $300 million ballroom and has repeatedly raised concerns about donors that have deep financial, business, or other personal interests before the Trump Administration.

In December, Blumenthal wrote several individuals, including Roblox CEO David Baszucki, demanding answers about their reported contribution to the ballroom following an October 15, 2025 dinner that raised for the project. As part of his inquiry, Blumenthal also wrote to Shalom Baranes Associates Architects, which has taken on the project following President Trump’s clash with the previous architect.

Blumenthal has also written to each of the reported donors to the White House ballroom project as well as donors previously kept secret by the White House to seek information about the terms of their donations and any potential deals made in exchange for contributions.

The full text of today’s letter to Clark Construction is available here and copied below. The full text of today’s letter to NPS is available here.

Dear Mr. Moser:

I write regarding troubling new reports concerning a no-bid contract awarded to Clark Construction Group, LLC to conduct restoration work and repair two water fountains at Lafayette Park, located across the street from the White House. These reports are even more alarming in light of Clark Construction’s recent selection as the lead builder of President Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom, a role that involves a contract of undisclosed, yet presumably lucrative, value.[1] The federal government’s ballooning payments to Clark Construction and the circumstances of its recent contract to renovate Lafayette Park raise troubling questions about whether excess taxpayer dollars are being diverted to Clark Construction, and whether its unilateral selection may constitute an undisclosed reward for its central role in President Trump’s preferred vanity project.

In 2022, the National Park Service estimated that work to repair two ornamental fountains in Lafayette Park would cost approximately $3.3 million.[2] Yet, earlier this year, the Trump Administration reportedly agreed to pay Clark Construction $11.9 million to perform that same work, and made iterative increases in the scope of the project resulting in a total award of more than $17 million.[3] The National Parks Service assigned the contract to Clark Construction without opening it to competitive bidding as required by federal procurement law, invoking an “urgency” exception intended to be used in the event of wars and natural disasters.[4]

Clark Construction’s apparent receipt of a contract of excessively inflated value is troubling on its own. But these reports are even more alarming in light of Clark Construction’s lack of transparency concerning its role in building the White House ballroom. On October 28, 2025, I wrote to Clark Construction requesting information regarding its selection as the builder of President Trump’s ballroom.[5] Clark Construction’s November 12, 2025 response was entirely inadequate, providing no details on how the firm was selected to build the ballroom nor the terms of its agreement with the Trump White House. Clark Construction’s conduct and failure to respond adequately to my prior request raises questions as to whether it should remain “on a pre-approved list of contractors for projects on the White House grounds,” a role that Clark Construction highlighted in its response to the Subcommittee.[6]

The American people deserve to know whether excess taxpayer dollars are being used—without the authorization of Congress—to reward the President’s preferred partners. To assist the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations in its inquiry, please preserve all documents, records,[7] and communications[8] related to your firm’s participation in the renovation of Lafayette Park, and please provide specific responses to the following questions by May 15, 2026:

Have you entered into any agreement, formal or informal, to receive work from the federal government at above market prices in exchange for a reduced fee for the construction of the Trump ballroom?

How did you become aware of the opportunity to participate in the renovation of Lafayette Park?

Did you participate in a competitive or otherwise open bidding process prior to being selected for the renovation in Lafayette Park? Please describe the nature of this process.

Did you submit any materials as a part of the bidding process or prior to being selected to participate in the renovation of Lafayette Park? Please provide all materials that you submitted.

What are the terms of the agreement(s) you entered into regarding the renovation of Lafayette Park? Please provide a copy of any and all agreements you have entered into with the National Park Service, the White House, or any other federal government entity as part of your work on the renovation of Lafayette Park.

Please produce all cost estimates for the renovation of Lafayette Park prepared to date. To the extent that cost projections change over time, please provide updates on a monthly basis through completion of the project.

When were the initial plans for the renovation of Lafayette Park submitted and approved?

Since 2010, have you and/or any of your subsidiaries or affiliates participated in the construction of any properties owned or licensed by The Trump Organization, Inc., or any of their affiliates or subsidiaries, or do you have plans to bid on or otherwise participate in the construction of any Trump-affiliated properties?

If so, please list each project and include your company’s role, the date or estimated date of completion, and how much your company was or will be compensated in total for its participation.

Please contact the Subcommittee if you have any questions about responding to these requests.

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[1] David A. Fahrenthold, Luke Broadwater, and Andrea Fuller, Firm Building Trump’s Ballroom Got a Secret No-Bid Contract for a Nearby Job, New York Times (Apr. 25, 2026) https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/25/us/politics/lafayette-park-fountains-trump-contract.html.

[2] Id.

[3] Id.; Press Release, White House, The White House Announces White House Ballroom Construction to Begin (Jul. 31, 2025), https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/07/the-white-house-announces-white-house-ballroom-construction-to-begin/.

[4] David A. Fahrenthold, Luke Broadwater, and Andrea Fuller, Firm Building Trump’s Ballroom Got a Secret No-Bid Contract for a Nearby Job, New York Times (Apr. 25, 2026) https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/25/us/politics/lafayette-park-fountains-trump-contract.html.

[5] Letter from the Hon. Richard Blumenthal, Ranking Member, S. Permanent Subcomm. on Investigations to Robert D. Moser, CEO, Clark Construction (Oct. 8, 2025) www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025-10-28-Letter-from-Blumenthal-to-Clark-Construction.pdf.

[6] Letter from Grey Callaham, SVP, Legal, Clark Construction Group, LLC to Hon. Richard Blumenthal, Ranking Member, S. Permanent Subcomm. on Investigations (Nov. 12, 2025) (see attachment).

[7] For purposes of this request, “records” include any written, recorded, or graphic material of any kind, including letters, memoranda, reports, notes, electronic data (emails, email attachments, and any other electronically-created or stored information), direct messages, chats, calendar entries, inter-office communications, meeting minutes, phone/voice mail or recordings/records of verbal communications, and drafts (whether or not they resulted in final documents).

[8] For purposes of this request, “communications” include any records, as defined above, transmitted in any way between two or more individuals or entities.


U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Dave McCormick, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program for Seven Years

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) joined Senator Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) and 22 fellow senators in introducing the bipartisan Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2026. The bill would extend the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) for seven years, ensuring businesses do not face a lapse in terrorism risk coverage.

“For more than two decades, Congress has recognized the need for the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program. While making sure American businesses have access to this protection is an unfortunate necessity in today’s world, it’s critical that Congress extend the program,” said Senator Britt.

In 2002, Congress first passed the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) to make sure that commercial policyholders could obtain terrorism risk coverage in the wake of the September 11 attacks.

The business community has relied on TRIA for years, with the program only briefly lapsing in 2014. During this short lapse, terrorism coverage effectively became unavailable. Today’s threat landscape clearly demonstrates that Congress cannot allow further lapses in this program. The Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 would extend TRIA by seven years. Acting before the program expiration date of December 31, 2027, provides long-term market certainty and prevents future gaps in coverage.

“State sponsors of terror pose a persistent threat to the United States, and we must be prepared,” said Senator McCormick. “Reauthorizing TRIA ensures businesses and workers in Pennsylvania will be supported in the event of a terror attack.”

Senators Britt and McCormick were joined by Senators John Kennedy (R-La.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Ruben Gallego (R-Ariz.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.).

The Terrorism Risk Insurance Act is backed by the following: American Property Casualty Insurance Association, Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers, Independent Insurance, Agents & Brokers of America, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, Reinsurance Association of America, Coalition to Insure Against Terrorism, Nareit, Real Estate Roundtable, Commercial Real Estate Finance Council.

You can read the full text of the bill here.

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Cantwell Secures Funding to Modernize Vital Infrastructure in 4 WA Communities

$5.3 million in new infrastructure investments include a new seawall in Seattle, upgraded electric grid in Cowlitz Co., modernized water lines in Sammamish, and new emergency operation center in Yakima

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Finance Committee, announced that federal grants to help upgrade crucial infrastructure for four communities across Washington state were included in the final version of the bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security. President Donald Trump signed the funding bill into law last week, after House Republicans finally agreed to pass the bill, nearly a month after the Senate passed it unanimously.

“After a month, House Republicans finally agreed to the DHS funding bill the Senate passed. I’m glad the good work being done at the Coast Guard, TSA, FEMA, and other agencies will be funded again,” Sen. Cantwell said.

In total, Sen. Cantwell helped secure $5,368,288 for infrastructure in the State of Washington.

Descriptions of each grant are below.

Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District will receive $1,125,000 for the Well 9 Seismic Resiliency Water Transmission Main Design project. This project will design a redundant water transmission, allowing the water district to continue to deliver water to customers in the event of a catastrophic seismic event.

Yakima Valley Emergency Management will receive $1,953,000 to establish and construct an Emergency Operation Center in Yakima County. U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04) also supported the project.

The City of Seattle will receive $1,145,144 to plan for the second phase of replacing the Seattle Waterfront Elliot Bay Seawall, a vulnerable seawall in downtown Seattle. U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07) also supported the project.


Cantwell Introduces Resolution Raising Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), a senior member on the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, joined U.S. Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) in introducing a resolution commemorating May 5th, 2026, as a National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

"Indigenous people – especially women and girls – are being murdered or going missing at horrific and unacceptable rates. On May 5th, we remember the victims of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People crisis and recognize the suffering of families and Native communities. We must demand justice and continue our work to get more law enforcement resources for tribes,” Sen. Cantwell said.

Sen. Cantwell is a strong advocate for increasing the presence of tribal law enforcement officers on reservations to help combat the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and People (MMIWP) crisis among Native communities. In 2023 and 2025, she introduced the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act, which would help tribal police departments hire and retain tribal law enforcement officers by providing access to federal retirement, pension, death, and injury benefits on par with law enforcement officers from non-tribal jurisdictions. In 2023, she called on then-President Joe Biden to work to secure additional Bureau of Indian Affairs Office of Justice Services Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU) agents for the State of Washington.

Following Sen. Cantwell’s urging, in June 2023 the U.S. Department of Justice announced the creation of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons Regional Outreach Program, which dedicated five Assistant U.S. Attorneys and five coordinators to the task of resolving the cases of missing and murdered indigenous people. This included dedicated personnel based in Eastern Washington.

In 2020, the Sen. Cantwell-championed Savanna’s Act was signed into law. The law helps federal, state, and tribal law enforcement agencies better respond to cases of missing and murdered indigenous women and people by improving coordination among all levels of law enforcement, increasing data collection and information sharing, and providing tribal governments with vital resources.

Sen. Cantwell has also helped secure public safety funding specifically for tribal communities. In the 2013 and 2022 reauthorizations of the Violence Against Women Act, Sen. Cantwell fought to include strong tribal policies including: allowing tribes to continue to have jurisdiction over dating violence and domestic violence crimes and violations of tribal protection orders, restoring tribal jurisdiction over violent and dangerous crimes such as child and sexual abuse, sex trafficking and stalking, and providing tribes with more resources to improve and build public safety programs within their communities.


Capito Celebrates Addition of Two Marion County High Schools to the GameChanger Program

FAIRMONT, W.Va. – Today, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) celebrated the addition of two West Virginia high schools, Fairmont Senior and East Fairmont High Schools, to the GameChanger Prevention Education Program. Senator Capito has long been a supporter of GameChanger, which was founded in 2018 to empower young West Virginians to lead healthy, drug free lifestyles as they prepare to be the leaders of tomorrow.

“GameChanger, a program designed by and for West Virginians, is not only a success story, but is a model for the rest of the country. I was proud to join students, teachers, and parents today to celebrate the addition of Fairmont Senior and East Fairmont High Schools to the program,” Senator Capito said.“The work the GameChanger program is doing to find creative solutions to the drug crisis is incredible. With organizations like GameChanger leading the way, we can envision a future without addiction.”

“It is with great pride that out students, counselors, coaches, principals and families of Marion County Schools continue to see the student mentorship, positive messaging and awareness of addiction and prevention through this collaboration with GameChanger, especially as we launch into this expansion of the programming, the soon-to-be launched GameChanger University and student-driven change in Marion County,” Donna Heston, Marion County Superintendent of Schools, said.

“This is just another shining example of what can happen when our educators, our government and our communities come together for the good of our youth and teens. Senator Capito’s continued support and the support today from the Marion County Commission enables GameChanger to provide the very best Evidence-Based and Evidenced Informed Prevention Education Programs not just in Marion County but throughout the State of West Virginia,” Joe Boczek, GameChanger Executive Director, said.

Photos from the event are below:

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) delivers remarks at a GameChangers event in Fairmont, W.Va. on Monday, May 4, 2026.

U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) delivers remarks at a GameChangers event in Fairmont, W.Va. on Monday, May 4, 2026.

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Cassidy Hosts Veterans Town Hall in Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) hosted a veterans town hall at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Zachary Taylor Post in Baton Rouge, where they discussed Cassidy’s work to ensure veterans have access to the health care and benefits they need.

“Louisiana veterans deserve a system that works for them,” said Dr. Cassidy. “Through discussions like these, I can better serve them in Washington and ensure they get the benefits they’ve earned.”

As a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, Cassidy is taking a leading role in shaping legislation that will benefit veterans. He recently passed through the Senate the Veterans Health Administration Policy Advisory Commission (VetPAC) Act, which will facilitate a transparent, expert-driven review process for the Veterans Health Administration’s operations, including their delivery of care at VA hospitals. He also added a provision in the Renewing Opportunity in the American Dream (ROAD) to Housing Act that will ensure benefits for disabled veterans don’t count against them when applying for housing assistance.

Cassidy recently announced that the VA has awarded a lease for a new community-based outpatient clinic in St. George, which will serve veterans throughout the Capital Region. Also, Cassidy’s casework team based in Baton Rouge regularly advocates for Louisiana veterans and their families before the VA. If a veteran or spouse of a veteran has an issue with the VA, they can call (225) 929-7711 for assistance.

Cassidy was thanked in advance by Mr. Jason Sedotal, Commander of Chapter 177 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, whose chapter hosted the town hall.

“We appreciate Senator Cassidy visiting with our members and other veterans to discuss what he’s doing to ensure we have access to quality health care and benefits,” said Mr. Sedotal. “We also thank him for honoring the sacrifice we made as veterans by advocating for us in Washington.”

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Senator Collins Visits Mid-Maine Technical Center

Click HERE, HERE, HERE, and HERE for individual photos.

WATERVILLE, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins visited the Mid-Maine Technical Center (MMTC) in Waterville, where she met with students and faculty and toured several of the center’s programs. She also saw firsthand MMTC’s new engineering and manufacturing program that is supported by federal funding she secured through her role on the Senate Appropriations Committee. The center serves students from Waterville, Winslow, and Messalonskee high schools.

“It was great to visit MMTC today to meet with students and instructors and to see several of the center’s programs in action, including the new engineering and manufacturing program that is supported by federal funding I secured through my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee,” said Senator Collins. “Seeing students work directly with advanced equipment and apply what they’re learning in real time shows how this kind of training helps prepare them well for careers in high-skilled, competitive fields. I was also impressed to meet students in the nursing program who are on track to earn their certified nursing assistant credentials before graduating, helping meet the pressing needs of Maine’s workforce.”

In 2024, Senator Collins secured $718,000 to support MMTC’s purchase and installation of machine tooling, 3D metal printing, and other equipment. Since 2021, Senator Collins has secured nearly $1.5 billion to support 672 projects across Maine’s 16 counties.

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

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

People’s Republic of China (PRC) firms are some of the largest investors in the mining industry in Africa. The Chinese government finances or outright owns many of these firms. Since 2006, China has invested more than $39 billion in mining operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Guinea, Zambia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. China is involved in the traditional large-scale mining sector and the artisanal and small-scale mining sector – a more rudimentary, labor intensive and generally unregulated or illegal form of mining which poses a significant risk of employing child labor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read more on the bill here.


Cortez Masto, Rosen Deliver Over $600,000 They Secured to Improve Water Infrastructure in Carlin

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) delivered $602,000 in community projects funding they secured from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to replace significant portions of the water main in Carlin, Nevada. This updated water main will help the town reduce water loss, ensure the security of their drinking water system, and comply with code requirements.

“In Nevada, we know that water is precious,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “When a city or town’s water infrastructure is out of date or in need of repairs, it can jeopardize access to clean, safe drinking water for an entire community. I applaud the City of Carlin for working to update its water main, and I am proud to have secured federal funding to help the town complete this project.”

“Every Nevadan deserves to have access to clean water,” said Senator Rosen. “At a time when droughts and water shortages are becoming more common, I am proud to have secured funding for this critical project in the City of Carlin and thrilled to see the funds delivered. I will continue to work across party lines in the Senate to ensure that all Nevadans have access to clean water.”

Specifically, the project for which this funding was secured will replace 3,500 line feet of the transmission main between the primary spring water source and the booster pump station located on Hamilton Street in Carlin.

Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen are champions of Nevada’s rural communities and have consistently worked to update the Silver State’s water infrastructure. They have secured millions in funding for Nevada’s rural airports and for government services like law enforcement and public education in rural counties. Cortez Masto and Rosen have fought to protect the livelihoods of Nevada’s ranchers. They have secured millions to ensure access to clean drinking water throughout Nevada and fought to protect Southern Nevada’s groundbreaking water conservation projects.

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Cortez Masto, Rosen Urge U.S. International Trade Commission to Not Excessively Tax Nevada Quartz Businesses, Homebuyers

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) wrote a letter to the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) urging them against recommending overly burdensome tariffs on quartz imports. Quartz fabricators, many of which are based in Nevada, rely on imported and domestic quartz to provide American households with quartz products like countertops. The 50 percent tariff considered by the ITC could raise the cost of a quartz countertop an extra $504-$1,036 per kitchen, pricing out more than 150,000 American households from buying a home.

“The domestic quartz fabricator industry includes more than 10,000 mostly small, hometown American businesses who employ about 100,000 workers fabricating quartz. These businesses take both domestic and imported quartz slabs and use complex machinery, laser measurements, software, and highly skilled craftsmanship to make high-quality products in their communities. More than 1,000 of them submitted declarations to the U.S. International Trade Commission (“ITC”) in its investigation opposing the imposition of a safeguard because trade restrictions risk hurting, rather than protecting, the profitability and employment of the industry,” wrote the Senators.

Economic modeling has shown that a 50 percent tariff on quartz imports would kill approximately 6,400 jobs in the domestic quartz industry, while a 25 percent tariff would result in 4,400 lost jobs. Even an 8 percent tariff would eliminate the jobs of nearly 1,800 Americans and cause the profits of domestic fabricators to decline by $161.4 million.

“An overly aggressive remedy is likely to cause more harm to our domestic industries than it is to help, not to mention its impact on consumers and housing supply. We urge the Commission to take a light touch approach and recommend a remedy with the last restrictive measures possible,” concluded the Senators.

Read the full letter here.

Senator Cortez Masto has continued to push the Trump Administration to address the impacts of Trump’s tariffs on working families and Nevada businesses, including Nevada coffee shops. During a Senate Finance Committee hearing, Cortez Masto pressed USTR Greer about the impacts of President Trump’s blanket tariffs on Nevadans, particularly those employed in the tourism and hospitality industry. The Senator introduced the Tariff Transparency Act to require the U.S. International Trade Commission to publicly investigate how Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada would impact the American people.

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Working Families Tax Cuts Create Stability for Small Business

Washington, D.C.—National Small Business Week celebrates the millions of entrepreneurs who turn their ideas and hard work into the products, services and jobs that lift up communities. In Idaho, over 200,000 small businesses employ over 56 percent of workers, forming the backbone of the state’s economy. Those businesses can now operate and plan with new confidence, thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts law championed by U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho). The law restores and makes permanent a variety of policies that support job creators, workers and their families.

“Tens of millions of businesses rely on the pro-growth policies built into the Working Families Tax Cuts,” said Crapo. “Now, with these enhanced provisions permanently added to the tax code, small businesses can focus on serving their communities instead of costly and time-consuming planning and compliance tasks.”

Key wins:

Makes permanent the 20 percent small business deduction, increasing confidence for over 25 million small businesses

The deduction is expected to create 1.2 million jobs annually and boost small-business GDP by $750 billion over the next decade

Doubles Section 179 expensing, used to make capital investments, and raises the phase-out threshold

Restores full expensing for domestic research and development, freeing up $100 billion of research expenses for tens of thousands of small businesses

Makes permanent the expanded Opportunity Zone program and incentivizes investment in rural areas

Permanently doubles the death tax exemption, sparing family-run businesses from costly planning and tax burdens that make it difficult to pass operations from one generation to the next

Increases the 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC reporting thresholds, reducing paperwork burdens for job creators and workers

What they are saying:

“Of all the great provisions in the WFTC, the policies created and extended to help small businesses are the most forward thinking and bring the biggest bang for the taxpayer’s buck. When we see strong economic growth in the next few years, be sure to look back at this law fondly, as it provided the foundation for a strong American economy for years to come.” – National Taxpayers Union Senior Policy Manager David Timmons

“78% of small businesses are already benefiting from at least one provision in the law, and an overwhelming 92% describe their current condition as stable or growing. This is what pro-growth tax policy is supposed to achieve.” – Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council President & CEO Karen Kerrigan

Click HERE to learn more about how the Working Families Tax Cuts set up small businesses for success.

Click HERE to learn more about the Finance Committee provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts.

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Curtis, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Highlighting Chinese Threat to American Strategic Interests

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT), member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined a bipartisan resolution affirming concern over the growing threat China poses to America’s national security and economic prosperity at a pivotal moment for U.S.-China relations. The resolution calls for a continued and steady focus on strengthening deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, protecting American workers and businesses from unfair economic practices, maintaining leadership in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, supporting allies and partners, preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and advancing human rights and democratic values.

“At this pivotal moment in U.S.-China relations, we must approach the future with clear eyes and steady resolve,” said Senator Curtis. “China’s actions demand a coordinated and bipartisan response. This resolution reinforces our commitment to strengthening deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, standing with our allies, and ensuring American workers and innovators can compete on a level playing field. The United States must lead with both strength and principle to safeguard our security, our prosperity, and the values that define us.”

The resolution was led by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE). Joining Senator Curtis as cosponsors were Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Patty Murray (D-WA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jim Banks (R-IN), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Todd Young (R-IN), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).

“In the run-up to next month’s U.S.-China summit, the United States Senate is sending a clear message: remember who Xi Jinping and the PRC are,” said Senator Coons. “Beijing is trying to create a more aggressive, coercive, and lawless international landscape that harms the American people, and the United States cannot give away the store in negotiations in exchange for fig leaves. We must stand with our allies and partners and work with every tool of the U.S. government to combat these aggressive practices.”

“Communist China is the greatest threat to the American way of life,” said Senator Ricketts. “Communist China actively threatens the rules-based system that has maintained peace and prosperity for over 80 years. We must deter Communist China. We must stand with our partners and allies that Beijing threatens.”

The resolution states that the United States should address the security, economic, technological, diplomatic, and strategic threats posed by China as a top foreign policy priority. It also calls for the United States to:

Sustain and strengthen deterrence against China in the Indo-Pacific

Protect U.S. economic interests against predatory trade practices

Maintain American leadership in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and other foundational technologies

Reaffirm U.S. commitments to allies, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines

Preserve peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait

Strengthen support for partners facing military, economic, and gray zone coercion

Counter China’s influence in multilateral organizations and standards-setting bodies

Advance democratic norms, human rights, openness, and civil society in the Indo-Pacific and beyon


Curtis, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Improve Education Transparency at Community Colleges

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Curtis (R-UT) cosponsored legislation that would improve education transparency by ensuring that reported graduation rates accurately reflect the success of community colleges. The Time for Completion Act requires colleges and universities to report graduation and completion rates for a broader range of students, including non-first-time and part-time students.

The bill was introduced by Senator John Barrasso (R-WY), and is also co-sponsored by Senators Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) and Ted Budd (R-NC).

“Often having to balance work, family, and school, many of Utah’s community and technical college students’ success frequently isn’t counted in current graduation metrics,” said Senator Curtis. “The Time for Completion Act brings greater transparency and fairness to our education system, giving students and families the tools they need to make good decisions while ensuring our institutions are recognized for the full impact they have on our workforce.”

“Wyoming is fortunate to have eight wonderful community colleges. These schools represent the future of Wyoming’s workforce. They deserve to have all of their students accurately accounted for in graduation rates,” said Senator Barrasso. “Current reporting requirements do not reflect the unique background of community college students. The Time for Completion Act will make sure prospective students have the most accurate information about graduation rates so they can choose the best school for them.”

“Wyoming’s colleges are training the next generation of skilled workers our state depends on, and they deserve credit for every student they help succeed,” said Senator Lummis. “Far too often the workers earning degrees and certificates while holding down jobs or raising families go uncounted, and that shortchanges both the institutions and the students themselves. This legislation offers a long overdue fix in federal reporting and gives prospective students the honest picture they need to plan for their future.”

Background:

Under current Higher Education Act (HEA) requirements, institutions receiving federal student aid must report graduation and completion rates only for full time, first time, certificate- or degree-seeking undergraduates who start and finish at the same institution. This excludes millions of nontraditional students, such as part-time, transfer, and returning students, from being reflected in this data.

As a result, publicly available graduation rates can significantly underestimate student success and mask gaps across different types of learners. These rates inform state performance-based funding and are required disclosures for institutions receiving federal student aid. They also guide institutional benchmarking, and students and families rely on this data to assess institutional quality and value.

The Time for Completion Act would provide a more accurate and comprehensive picture of institutional performance by counting a wider range of students in graduation and completion metrics. The bill expands disclosure requirements to include the completion or graduation rates of non-first-time and half-time, certificate- or degree-seeking undergraduates. It also amends the HEA so that part-time and other nontraditional students are included in federally reported graduation rate calculations.


Daines Leads Delegation of U.S. Senators to China

Trip will focus on Chinese Technology and Domestic Innovation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, announced today he is leading a bipartisan congressional delegation of five senators on a visit to China this week. The delegation will visit various tech businesses in Shanghai and Beijing and meet with Chinese officials.

“In order to effectively compete with China, we need to understand China’s innovation ecosystem, which is why I am glad to be here with my colleagues. With the United States and China making up 40 percent of the total world economy, engaging the Chinese is vital to maintaining U.S. competitiveness globally,” said Daines.

This is Daines’ seventh trip to China since being elected to Congress. He spent thirteen years in a management role for Procter & Gamble, the last six in China launching American brands to compete against Chinese companies.

The delegation also includes Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Mike Lee (R-UT), and Jerry Moran (R-KS).

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Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Interpower Corporation

RED OAK, Iowa – To celebrate National Small Business Week, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Interpower Corporation of Mahaska County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in each of Iowa’s 99 counties.

“Since 1975, Interpower Corporation has been conducting business as a premium supplier of power systems for customers around the world,” said Chair Ernst. “Bob and his team have been powering up the Mahaska County community with speed and attention to safety, exceeding customer needs and exemplifying the American entrepreneurial spirit.”

Bob Wersen founded Interpower Corporation as Panel Components Corporation in 1975 specializing in supplying power systems. In 1993, Bob moved the business to Iowa and has since expanded with locations in Oskaloosa, Lamoni, and Ames. Today, Interpower Corporation continues supplying high-quality, American-made power cord systems locally and internationally, cementing their reputation as the premier supplier of power system components for worldwide markets.

Stay tuned as Chair Ernst continues to recognize outstanding Iowa small businesses with her Small Business of the Week award.

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Senator Gallego Speaks at McCain Institute’s Sedona Forum

SEDONA – On Saturday, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) spoke on a panel titled “Standing with Ukraine: Policy, Politics, and War” at the McCain Institute’s Sedona Forum.

“Ukraine can win, Ukraine is winning right now, and our government should make decisions to make sure that happens. Let’s arm them, let’s give them intelligence they need, let’s give them capabilities to reach deep into Russia,” said Senator Gallego. “It’s in our national interest, our joint interests with NATO and Ukraine, to destroy military capability of Russia, and we have to make a decision to do it. We want Ukraine to win. Ukraine destroying Russia is good for world stability, and we should make that investment to do it as fast as possible.”

Watch the full panel here.

Senator Gallego has been a leading voice in the Senate supporting Ukraine and pushing back on the Trump administration’s decisions to ease pressure on Russia. Recently, he introduced the bipartisan No Oil Profits for Enemies (NOPE) Act and led colleagues in calling on the administration to impose further sanctions on Russia.

See below for media coverage highlights:

Arizona Republic

“’I think there was a problem in the Biden administration where they didn’t know if Ukraine could win and what a victory would look like,’ said Gallego, who was a member of the House Armed Services Committee before joining the Senate in 2025. […]

Gallego said he is troubled that the Trump administration is applying pressure to Ukraine to accept what he called ‘a bad peace deal.’

That, he predicted, would not be honored by Russia and ‘would really cause the collapse of American leadership around the world.’

Taiwan, Gallego said, would feel pressure to strike some type of deal with mainland China after seeing the U.S. allow Kiev to bend to Moscow. Closer to Ukraine, Moldova and the Baltic states could be the next targets of Russian aggression, he said.”

FOX10

Gallego: “This is why it is important. You know, you know, I do this that we go to the Munich Security Conference, that we are the different voice than the administration. I’ll be going to the Black Sea Conference in Odessa, Ukraine, this summer to make sure that people understand, like, yes, this administration may be antagonistic to the idea of Ukraine sovereignty, but there are many, many supermajority of senators, supermajority of members of Congress that do not have that same point of view. And we will fight for your freedom and for your sovereignty.”


Gillibrand, Colleagues Announce Plan To Accelerate Tree Planting In Underserved Communities

The Neighborhood Tree Act would authorize $2 billion for urban tree-planting programs

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), along with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), announced the Neighborhood Tree Act, legislation to provide federal funds for tree-planting programs in urban and underserved communities.

The Neighborhood Tree Act would establish the Neighborhood Tree Fund at the U.S. Department of Agriculture and authorize $2 billion in federal grants for tree-planting programs nationwide. According to the EPA, trees and vegetation in urban areas can offset heat island effects, reduce energy use, improve air quality, reduce stormwater runoff, and enhance quality of life. Recent polling indicates that 73% of Americans wish their neighborhood had more trees.

“New York families deserve clean air, access to green space, and lower energy bills,” said Senator Gillibrand. “As the price of fuel rises for working Americans, the Neighborhood Tree Act would bring shade and reduced energy needs through expanded tree-planting programs in New York and across the county. I am proud to be introducing this important piece of legislation, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to get it passed.”

The bill is endorsed by American Forests, Holden Forests & Gardens, the National Audubon Society, the National Wildlife Federation, the Sierra Club, the Trust for Public Land, and the Western Reserve Land Conservancy.

The Neighborhood Tree Act would:

Establish the Neighborhood Tree Fund and authorize $2 billion in federal grants

The Neighborhood Tree Fund would be administered by the USDA.

Eligible grantees would be: states, tribal governments, local governments, and local community tree and volunteer organizations

The Secretary of Agriculture would give priority to entities that propose projects that:

Serve low-income areas or communities with a lower tree canopy percentage and higher temperatures than surrounding areas;

Support climate mitigation and resilience;

Advance community-led urban forestry, tree-based local food production, reduce urban heat, and improve public health and environmental outcomes.

The bill would also expand the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council from 15 to 16 members and require that one member of the council be a resident of a low-income community.

The legislation is also cosponsored by Senators Andy Kim (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Ed Markey (D-MA) and Representatives Shontel Brown (D-OH), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Mike Thompson (D-CA), Emilia Sykes (D-OH), Dina Titus (D-NV) and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).

Full text of the Neighborhood Tree Act can be found here.

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Grassley Releases Senate Judiciary Title of Reconciliation Bill to Fund Law Enforcement, Safeguard American Communities

BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), in conjunction with the administration, Senate leadership and colleagues, today released the Senate Judiciary Committee title of Republicans’ targeted reconciliation bill to invest in federal law enforcement and border security measures. The legislation allocates funds to the U.S. Departments of Justice and Homeland Security (DHS) through Fiscal Year 2029.

“Democrats set the wrong kind of record by shutting down DHS for a historic 76 days, forcing brave law enforcement officers and their families to miss multiple paychecks. Sadly, Democrats’ irresponsible DHS shutdown proved they’re still the party of open borders and ‘defund the police.’

“Republicans won’t allow our country to be dragged backwards by Democrats’ radical, anti-law enforcement agenda. The Senate Judiciary Committee is taking action to help provide certainty for federal law enforcement and safer streets for American families. We will work to ensure this critical funding gets signed into law without unnecessary delay,” Grassley said.

Download text of the Judiciary title HERE.


ICYMI—Hagerty Joins Fox & Friends on Fox News to Discuss Iran’s Economic Crisis, US-China Talks

NEW YORK—On Friday, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN), a member of the Senate Banking and Foreign Relations Committees and former U.S. Ambassador to Japan, joined Fox & Friends on Fox News to discuss Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s clash with Senate Democrats, the latest on the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, and President Trump’s upcoming visit to China.

*Click the photo above or here to watch*

Partial Transcript

Hagerty on Hegseth’s committee dispute with Senate Democrats: “It’s as if you’re listening to someone from the Ayatollah [Mojtaba Khamenei]’s own cabinet speak when you hear the Democrat side make these accusations. It’s as if they’re trying to talk the economy into the tank, and they’re trying to talk the American public into thinking this is some sort of vast defeat when that is absolutely not the case.”

Hagerty on further military intervention in Iran: “The options are considerable, and if you think about the authority that we have right now in the region—the carrier strike groups that are there—we are fully armed and ready to go. Time is on our side in this one. The Iranians had an opportunity with the ceasefire. They’ve been in complete catastrophe, evidently, from their political navigation. But we’re ready to see this come to an end. President [Donald] Trump has been very clear: There will not be a nuclear weapon, and a nuclear-armed Iran. We’re not going to allow them to continue this. And we’re not going to allow them to continue to hold the entire world’s economy hostage either.”

Hagerty on Russian involvement in Iran and the war in Ukraine: “Any sort of assistance with targeting [U.S. military bases] is an action that should never be tolerated. I think [Trump] is telling [Russia] that Iran is going to be over soon, and Russia better get in line as well. It really is amazing to see the agility of the Ukrainian army and, frankly, the toughness of the Ukrainian army.”

Hagerty on the president’s upcoming visit to China: “I think the tables have turned significantly in the president’s favor. The Venezuelan oil that the Chinese were buying was deeply discounted on the market; it’s under our control right now. I certainly think that the timeline is such that we could have the Iranian situation under control at that point, too. America will be speaking from a position of strength this time, very different from when President Trump had to go in the wake of the Biden failures and basically plead with the Chinese to ease off on the critical mineral sanctions and choke point.”

Hagerty on China threatening Panamanian ships: “I think the Chinese are trying to reset the leverage as well. They also denied Meta a merger; they have blocked that because they don’t want us to succeed in AI. This is a competition on global scale, and the Chinese are again trying to position [themselves] for this very meeting between [Chinese President] Xi [Jinping] and President Trump. We’ll have a much better hand when we walk into that meeting this time. We need to stop every ship, and that’s the goal. Ships are not moving out of the Strait of Hormuz with oil in them going to China.”


Hoeven: Tax Relief Delivering Real Results for Hundreds of Thousands of North Dakota Taxpayers

MANDAN, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today outlined the benefits of tax relief passed as part of the Working Families Tax Cut Act (WFTCA), also known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, for families and small businesses in North Dakota. Hoeven made the remarks as part of a roundtable with Representative Julie Fedorchak and members of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). Hoeven highlighted how, with tax season now complete, North Dakotans are seeing firsthand how the legislation puts more money in their pockets, supporting families’ livelihoods and empowering businesses to invest more in their operations. Combined, the bill’s provisions preserve $4 trillion in tax relief, the majority of which benefit those earning under $400,000 per year, while preventing a $1,700 tax hike on the average family of four.

For Families and Individuals:

Permanently extends individual tax rates and bracket changes of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

The bill also further increases the standard deduction, which benefits and helps simplify income taxes for the vast majority of taxpayers.

As a result of enhancements in the WFTCA, more than 345,000 families in North Dakota saw their standard deduction increase by $1,500.

Eliminates taxes on tips and overtime for millions of American workers.

Supports families by increasing and making permanent the enhanced child tax credit at $2,200, with $1,700 of that amount being refundable, adjusted for inflation.

This benefits more than 87,000 families in the state.

Provides permanent relief from the death tax by setting the exemption to $15 million or $30 million for those married filing jointly, adjusted for inflation.

Establishes savings accounts for newborns to help build financial security.

Creates a new $6,000 tax deduction for millions of low- and middle-income seniors.

Combined with other deductions, this will result in the average beneficiary paying zero taxes on Social Security.

For Small Businesses:

Permanently extends the Section 199A pass-through deduction for small businesses, farmers and ranchers, including the Section 199A(g) deduction used by agricultural cooperatives.

This benefits nearly 72,000 small business owners in North Dakota.

Increases the Section 179 expensing to $2.5 million and increases the phaseout for qualified property at $4 million.

Establishes a 100 percent accelerated depreciation for new industrial and manufacturing facilities that begin construction between 2025-2028.

Makes permanent the 30 percent interest expense allowance.

Permanently extends the 100 percent research and development deduction.

Makes permanent 100 percent bonus depreciation.

“Hundreds of thousands of North Dakotans are paying lower taxes today because of the Working Families Tax Cut Act. That means our people are keeping more of their hard-earned money, have greater financial stability and can increase their standard of living, while our small businesses have more capital on hand to invest in the growth of their operations,” said Hoeven. “That’s a recipe for a strong and growing economy. Like we saw with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which we passed during President Trump’s first term, economic growth generates more government revenue over the long-term so we can fund our priorities and reduce the debt and deficit. This pro-growth approach, whether from tax relief, reducing the regulatory burden or advancing U.S. energy dominance, is the right path forward for our nation.”

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Husted leads resolution highlighting children’s mental health awareness

“This resolution recognizes the need for prevention, early intervention and treatment while applauding those working every day to improve the well-being of our kids.”

WASHINGTON – Sens. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.) introduced a resolution to support the designation of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week.

“As the youth mental health crisis continues to grow across our country and in Ohio, it is critical that we highlight the importance of supporting our children. This resolution recognizes the need for prevention, early intervention and treatment while applauding those working every day to improve the well-being of our kids,” said Husted.

In recent years, rates of mental health conditions have increased among Ohio children and youth.

The resolution:

Supports the designation of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week to raise awareness of children’s mental health and the importance of early detection, treatment, intervention and prevention strategies;

Recognizes the relationship between children’s mental well-being and ample outdoor recreation, a healthy diet, regular socialization with peers and adequate sleep;

Urges that youth mental health be categorized as a national priority and calls for the continued promotion of mental health in schools and communities;

Applauds the collaboration of local, state and federal organizations in promoting awareness of youth mental health and providing support for those in need;

Advocates for individuals, families and communities to participate in activities surrounding Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week to promote mental well-being initiatives, reduce stigma and facilitate access to essential services and resources; and

Reaffirms the importance of mental health as a necessary aspect of overall well-being and urges continued efforts to facilitate access to mental health care for American children.


Lankford, Fetterman Celebrate Public Service Recognition Week

Oklahoma City, OK – Senators James Lankford (R-OK) and John Fetterman (D-PA) introduced a resolution ahead of Public Service Recognition Week, May 3rd through 9th, to honor employees of federal, state, and local governments and members of the uniformed services. The resolution commends public servants for their dedication, professionalism, and patriotism, recognizes their indispensable role in strengthening the economy, protecting public safety, and sustaining democratic self-governance, and calls upon the people of the United States to observe Public Service Recognition Week with appropriate programs and activities.

“Public Service Recognition Week gives our country an opportunity to pause and thank the many government workers across Oklahoma and the nation for their commitment to serving others,” said Lankford. “Civil servants support our military, provide essential care for veterans, keep our airports safe and running smoothly, along with many other important jobs that help our nation function daily. Today and every day we are grateful for the way they serve each and every one of us.”

“Public servants keep this country running in many different ways—all contributing significantly to the greatest country in the world. It’s more important than ever that we show up for them,” said Senator Fetterman. “I’m proud to join Senator Lankford in introducing this resolution for Public Service Recognition Week. No matter what level of government they serve at or what uniform they wear, I commend and am grateful for these men and women, their dedication, and their patriotism—not just this week, but always.”

As Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Border Management, Federal Workforce and Regulatory Affairs, Lankford leads efforts to make the federal government more efficient and effective. This includes supporting the federal workforce. The resolution recognizes that “public service is a noble calling involving a variety of challenging and rewarding professions and highly skilled and trained individuals offering their knowledge, effort, and skills in support of the public.”

Lankford has served as chairman of the HSGAC subcommittee since 2015. During his time as chairman, he has focused on improving the federal workforce, reducing government waste and duplication, and removing regulatory burdens to encourage economic growth. The resolution calls upon the people of the United States to “observe Public Service Recognition Week with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that honor and acknowledge the service of those who work on their behalf.”

Read the full resolution HERE.

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Senators Markey, Warren, Blumenthal Demand Gun Manufacturer Halt Marketing Campaigns of Assault-Style Weapons to Minors

Letter Text (PDF)

Boston (May 4, 2026) – Senators Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today wrote to Eric Schmid, owner of Mountain Billy Gun Lab—formerly Wee1 Tactical—demanding the company cease all marketing of assault-style weapons directed at minors, withdraw related advertisements, and halt the sale of products promoted in campaigns. Although Wee1 Tactical rebranded as Mountain Billy Gun Lab in mid-2024, the underlying business model and marketing strategy appear substantively unchanged.

An investigation by The Smoking Gun reveals that Mountain Billy Gun Lab continues to promote scaled-down AR-15 style weapons—now branded as “GOAT-15”—using images and social-media content that depict children firing these weapons. The rebranding appears designed to deflect negative attention rather than to substantively alter the company’s approach to products and audiences.

In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “According to The Smoking Gun, Mountain Billy Gun Lab’s website and social-media accounts portray the GOAT-15 series as suitable for training new shooters and ‘family range days,’ with explicit visual depictions of children using the rifles in Instagram videos and posts. These include videos showing a young girl loading and firing a short-barreled GOAT-15, children assisted by adults while firing rifles, and captions referencing family and youth shooting contexts. These visuals and captions strongly suggest that Mountain Billy Gun Lab’s promotional outreach continues to appeal to minors—a practice that, whether intentional or not, raises serious questions about consumer safety and lawful marketing.”

The lawmakers requested responses to the following by May 18, 2026:

For each product sold or marketed since the rebrand, identify the intended and actual target markets, including any age-specific consumer research.

Provide copies of all internal safety evaluations or age-appropriateness assessments for products designed or marketed for “new shooters” that could reasonably include minors.

List all marketing personnel, agencies, or consultants responsible for approving social media content directed at or likely to reach minors.

Provide all social-media content, postings, and campaign analytics for Mountain Billy Gun Lab accounts since the rebranding.

Describe any internal policies governing age-targeting on marketing platforms used by the company.

The lawmakers’ letter follows a letter from Senators Markey, Warren, Blumenthal, and others to the FTC, urging it to investigate Wee1 Tactical (the predecessor to Mountain Billy Gun Lab) for its promotion of the “JR-15,” a .22-caliber AR-15 style rifle scaled down for children.

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Senator Marshall Highlights Firefighter Appreciation Day

Great Bend – Today, as the nation recognizes National Firefighter Appreciation Day, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas) is honoring the brave men and women across Kansas who run toward danger so the rest of us don’t have to. From the volunteer departments in Western Kansas to the crews serving Wichita and Kansas City, Kansas firefighters exemplify the courage, sacrifice, and community spirit that define our state.

“As a doctor, I’ve seen firsthand what happens in those critical minutes before a firefighter or first responder arrives on scene — and I know that lives hang in the balance,” said Senator Marshall. “These men and women don’t clock in for the paycheck — they do it because they love their neighbors and their communities. Kansas is full of that kind of character, and I’m proud to go to bat for them every single day in the United States Senate.”

Kansas is home to hundreds of fire departments — the vast majority of them volunteer — protecting communities that stretch across nearly 82,000 square miles. In rural Kansas, a volunteer firefighter will drive across the county to reach a wildfire, and departments often operate on shoestring budgets, relying on aging equipment and the generosity of local donors. Senator Marshall has consistently advocated in Congress for robust federal funding to ensure no Kansas firefighter is left without the tools they need to do their job safely.

As part of the annual federal appropriations process, Senator Marshall has submitted the following funding requests on behalf of Kansas fire and emergency management. These requests reflect conversations with fire chiefs, union leaders, emergency managers, and community members across all 105 Kansas counties:

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) program at FEMA helps fire departments obtain the equipment, protective gear, vehicles, and training necessary to protect the public

The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program at FEMA ensures fire departments have the staffing levels necessary to make it home safe

The National Firefighter Registry for Cancer at the CDC: the nation’s largest firefighter cancer registry that helps better understand and reduce the link between firefighting and cancer

Read the full letter HERE.

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Merkley Statement on Republicans’ Bill Gifting ICE, Border Patrol Billions While Ignoring Middle Class Families

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, released the below statement after Senate Republicans released bill text that will gift the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) nearly $70 billion in new spending.

“Now that Republicans have unveiled their bill gifting ICE and Border Patrol nearly $70 billion to continue propping up Trump’s rogue police and wreaking havoc across American communities, Senate Democrats are prepared to review this bill line by line and vigorously challenge any provision that violates the Byrd Rule.

“At a time when gas prices are rising every day due to Trump’s war of choice with Iran and families continue to struggle to buy groceries, Republicans are ignoring the needs of middle-class America and instead funneling money into Trump’s ballroom and throwing billions at two lawless agencies—agencies that are already sitting on over $100 billion in unspent funds.

“Throughout this process, Democrats will continue to show the American people that we are for bringing down costs, making it easier to get ahead, and building an economy where families thrive and billionaires pay their fair share. It is clear that the country has had enough of the Republican ‘families lose, billionaires win’ agenda,” said Ranking Member Jeff Merkley.

Last month, Merkley released an analysis of the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) SF-133 reports showing that, as of the end of March, these two agencies are sitting on more than $103 billion in unobligated funding from the One, Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) that Republicans enacted last July.

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Merkley, Wyden Announce Nearly $1.1 Million for Oregon Fish and Wildlife Conservation Efforts

Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced a total of $1,059,961 in federal funding is coming to Oregon to support state fish and wildlife agencies. This funding comes from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) State Wildlife Grant program, which supports state agencies’ conservation efforts.

“Our state’s lands and waters are integral to the futures of countless fish and wildlife, as well as many Oregonians’ quality of life and livelihoods,” said Merkley, who serves as the top Democrat overseeing funding for the USFWS. “This new federal funding will strengthen conservation efforts and local restoration work, ensuring that Oregon’s ecosystems are protected for generations to come.”

“Oregonians’ enjoyment of the outdoors is in our DNA, and protecting the state’s fish and wildlife is essential to ensuring our special relationship with nature continues now — and in the future,” Wyden said. “I’m glad these federal investments are coming to our state, and I’ll keep battling to secure similar resources for lands and water in Oregon.”

The State Wildlife Grant program funds local fish and wildlife agencies to protect and manage species, promote the recovery of wildlife, and conserve habitats across the country. Since 2000, over $1.4 billion from the program has been distributed nationwide.

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Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bill to Strengthen Protections for Dogs Under the Care of Breeders

The Puppy Protection Act aims to end cruel, mass breed practices by improving care standards for dogs

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley said today they have joined colleagues in introducing legislation that would strengthen protections for dogs under the care of breeders by ensuring they live in a safe environment, have access to outdoor spaces, and can regularly interact with other dogs and humans.

“As the saying goes, ‘dogs are man’s best friend.’ Yet, too many are living in small spaces without enough food or water before they find their forever home,” Wyden said. “Puppies deserve to be born into a world where they can romp around on grass, play with their furry friends, and curl up in a comfortable, safe environment. This bill raises the standards of care for dogs so they can live a happy and healthy life from the get-go.”

“Our canine companions deserve to be treated with basic dignity and care at all stages of their lives. We must hold irresponsible breeders accountable and make sure puppies are raised with the care, safety, and humane treatment they deserve,” said Merkley.

The Puppy Protection Act would create stronger standards for dogs in relation to their veterinary care, housing, and breeders through the following solutions:

Caging and space requirements: Expand enclosure requirements to allow dogs to stand on their hind legs without touching the top of their enclosure and increase the number of square feet of their enclosure based on the dog’s size. Enclosures also could not be stacked on top of one another.

Exercise: Offer dogs over the age of 12 weeks unrestricted access from their primary enclosures to a ground-level, enclosed outdoor exercise area.

Socialization: Set a 30 minute requirement per day for dogs to socialize with humans and compatible dogs outside of the time spent in veterinary care.

Breeding: Require a screening by a veterinarian prior to each attempt to breed and prohibit breeding of two litters in any 18-month period or more than six litters in a dog’s lifetime. Breeders must also find a humane placement for retired breeding dogs, such as with adoptive families or rescue organizations.

In addition to Wyden and Merkley, other co-sponsors of the bill led by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) are U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mark Warner (D-VA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).

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VIDEO RELEASE: Senator Moody Sponsors PRESS Act to Stop Drug Cartels from Manufacturing Murder Pills to Kill Americans

Watch full press conference here.

MIAMI, Fla.—Counterfeit pills containing fentanyl continue to kill thousands of Americans every year. To stop the manufacturing of these murder pills, Senator Ashley Moody is targeting the equipment used by drug cartels to create them. Today joined by law enforcement and local officials in Miami, Senator Moody announced the introduction of the PRESS Act. The act criminalizes the intentional importation of pill press machines and unlisted precursor chemicals with the intent to manufacture illicit drugs. Rep. Addison McDowell introduced an identical measure in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“We are turning the corner in the fight to end the opioid crisis. Overdose deaths are on the decline and President Trump closed the border—making it more difficult for cartels to smuggle drugs into our country. However, thousands of Americans continue to die from opioid poisoning and counterfeit pills containing lethal doses of fentanyl play a major role in overall deaths,” said Senator Ashley Moody. “To stop the manufacturing of these murder pills, I am sponsoring the PRESS Act. My bill will outlaw the importation of this pharmaceutical equipment by anyone who intends to create counterfeit pills.”

“Having lost my little brother to a counterfeit pill likely produced using precursors smuggled across the border from China, it has been my top priority in Congress to combat the fentanyl crisis and make sure our law enforcement has the tools and resources they need to bring this crisis to a halt,” Rep. Addison McDowell said. “I commend Sen. Moody’s leadership on bringing up the PRESS Act in the Senate, and I look forward to seeing this legislation make it to the President’s desk.”

BACKGROUND:

Pill press machines are often imported into the country by drug cartels piecemeal and then assembled domestically to produce counterfeit pills that are then sold to Americans and often laced with deadly fentanyl.

The PRESS Act gives federal prosecutors the tools needed to charge foreign entities who import unlisted precursor chemicals and pill press machines with the intent to manufacture illicit drugs.

The bill adds criminal penalties for the unlawful importation of pill presses:

No more than eight years for the illicit manufacturing or distribution of a tableting machine, encapsulating machine, press punch, die system, gelatin capsule, or related equipment and unlisted precursor chemical;

Not more than 15 years for violations involving more than 1,000 kilograms.

In 2025, the DEA seized more than 45 million fentanyl pills, and more than 9,000 pounds of fentanyl powder, removing at least an estimated 347 million potentially deadly doses of fentanyl from our communities.

DEA intelligence indicates a shift in cartel operations, with increased trafficking of fentanyl powder and domestic production of fentanyl pills.

Counterfeit pills are pressed to look like legitimate prescription opioids using imported tableting machines, punches, and die-molds. These table-top pill press machines can produce up to 5,000 pills per hour, with larger floor models producing 15,000 pills per hour.

China and Central American cartels skillfully smuggle pill press parts through U.S. ports and customs, often labeling them as “furniture parts” or “machine spare parts.” These parts are then reassembled as unregistered pill presses and used to mass produce counterfeit pills.

As Florida’s Attorney General, Senator Moody issued many warnings and public awareness materials about the dangers of using counterfeit pills.

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Murray and Wyden Target Billionaire Trusts, Introduce Landmark Legislation to Close Loopholes Sheltering Potentially Trillions in Untaxed Wealth

The Fair Trusts for Fiscal Responsibility Act cracks down on tax avoidance and ensures that millionaires and billionaires pay their fair share

A conservative estimate projects Murray’s bill would generate $675 billion over ten years

Senator Murray: “The revenue from this bill alone could extend the ACA tax credits AND provide high quality child care for every working family in America.”

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, introduced the Fair Trusts for Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2026 to close tax loopholes used by the wealthiest Americans to avoid paying taxes through complicated trust arrangements. The legislation is co-led by Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee.

“Firefighters and nurses don’t get to hide their money in a trust fund and skip out on paying their taxes—billionaires shouldn’t get to either,” said Senator Murray. “The very wealthiest Americans hide their fortunes in a trust for generations and call it tax planning—that is absurd and those are dollars that should be going to our schools, infrastructure, and health care. In America, if you earn a paycheck, you are paying taxes—it’s time to close the loophole that lets individuals with armies of lawyers stash away billions without paying taxes. This Republican Congress has bent over backwards to rig the system for billionaires. I am simply proposing that the ultra-wealthy—people with more than $50 million sitting in a trust—finally pay what they owe and contribute their fair share back to the country that made their success possible. I’ll bet that most Americans would prefer we fund child care and pre-k for every working family in this country rather than let billionaires get a free ride on their taxes. The revenue from this bill alone could extend the ACA tax credits AND provide high quality child care for every working family in America. If you don’t have more than $50 million laying around in a trust, you don’t have to worry about this bill resulting in anything other than better funded roads and public schools.”

“We cannot allow there to be ultra-wealthy dynasties in this country hoarding all the money and power for generations on end, and we cannot have a tax system that encourages it,” said Senator Wyden. “Our budgets suffer and economic opportunity bleeds away when the ultra-wealthy dodge taxes in America, so this bill is a smart way of ensuring the highest earners are paying a fair share just like nearly everybody else.”

Most Americans will not receive an inheritance, and for those that do, only those with assets exceeding $30 million—for a married couple—are required to contribute a portion through taxes, and even then, only on amounts over that substantial exemption. Fewer than 0.1% of Americans pay estate tax at all. These funds provide revenue that can be used for essential investments in our country, like schools or critical infrastructure. Yet many of the very wealthiest Americans use special trusts to delay, minimize, and avoid paying taxes. Experts estimate that hundreds of billions of dollars and potentially trillions of dollars are held in generation-skipping transfer tax exempt trusts that are not subject to the rule against perpetuities.

The Fair Trusts for Fiscal Responsibility Act addresses tax avoidance head on by applying a 1 percent rate on trust assets between $50 million and $100 million, 1.5 percent between $100 million and $250 million, 2 percent between $250 million and $1 billion, and 3 percent on assets above $1 billion. To ensure fairness, the bill provides full refundability of the withholding against estate tax liability so that only those actively avoiding transfer taxes face increased burdens, while also capping total withholding so it does not exceed estate tax owed. The legislation further strengthens compliance through new reporting requirements and penalties for noncompliance, while exempting charitable trusts, ERISA-qualified employee benefit trusts, and other trusts not typically used in estate planning.

A conservative estimate of a similar proposal indicates that Murray’s legislation would raise approximately $675 billion over ten years, noting, “even based on our low-end estimate of $4.5 trillion in GST-exempt trusts today, if those trusts face an average annual tax of 1.5% under the withholding tax, that is approximately $675 billion over ten years.” This could fund free school lunch for every kid in America, child care for every working family, and the replacement of every lead pipe in America; alternatively, the revenue could fund the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) for decades, or extend the enhanced premium ACA tax credits nearly twice over.

In addition to Senators Murray and Wyden, the bill is also co-sponsored by Senators Van Hollen, Booker, and Alsobrooks.

The legislation is endorsed by Americans for Tax Fairness, Patriotic Millionaires, Public Citizen, Groundwork, Economic Security Project Action, NETWORK Lobby, National Women’s Law Center, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and United for a Fair Economy.

“A tax system that favors the rich makes America a poorer country for everyone, including the rich themselves. Working Americans can’t wait until later to pay taxes,” said Bob Lord,Senior Vice President for Tax Policy, Patriotic Millionaires. “Taxes are withheld from every one of their paychecks. So when ultra-rich Americans use trusts to delay paying estate tax for 50 years on billion-dollar fortunes left for their grandchildren, average Americans feel cheated. Sen. Murray’s Fair Trusts for Fiscal Responsibility Act would end this outrageous preferential treatment and restore a feeling of fairness to our tax system. Ultra-rich families wouldn’t make more tax payments. They’d just make more timely tax payments, like the rest of America does.”

“ATF applauds Senator Murray for introducing the Fair Trusts for Fiscal Responsibility Act,” said David Kass, Executive Director of Americans for Tax Fairness. “For decades, the wealthy have been able to hoard massive amounts of wealth and pass it down to future generations through key loopholes. The existing estate-tax exemption is so high ($30M for married couples) that only the wealthiest 0.1% of estates owe any tax. Yet wealthy families can further reduce what they pay through strategies like GRATs and dynasty trusts, leading to losses in revenue for public investments in education, healthcare, and more. This legislation would make key reforms to curb these abuses and rein in dynastic wealth in our country.”

Senator Murray is fighting for tax fairness and closing loopholes on Wall Street. Last month, at a Senate Budget Committee hearing on Social Security, Senator Murray slammed the Trump administration for gutting the Social Security Administration (SSA) and questioned witnesses on the fact that the very wealthiest Americans have the smallest effective payroll tax rate. Murray made clear that when it comes to addressing SSA solvency, there is no reason for working people to face drastic benefit cuts when the very wealthiest could simply pay their fair share.

In 2025, Senator Murray helped introduce the Carried Interest Fairness Act to eliminate a tax loophole that benefits wealthy money managers on Wall Street. The current carried interest loophole allows investment managers to often pay almost half the tax rate compared to most other Washington workers. Over the course of her career, Murray has long championed a fair tax system—rejecting Republican efforts to cut benefits for working people and repeatedly pushing for reforms to ensure the very wealthiest Americans simply pay their fair share. Murray has always recognized that the national debt and deficits pose real challenges; however, it has been her longstanding belief that America can reduce budget deficits while still investing in national priorities that support economic growth.

The full text of the legislation is HERE.

A one pager is HERE.

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Sen. Ossoff Working to Crack Down on Corporate Price Gouging to Lower Grocery Prices

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is working to crack down on corporate price gouging to lower grocery prices.

Sen. Ossoff is cosponsoring the Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act of 2026 to stop big corporations from taking advantage of consumers by unfairly overcharging for groceries.

The bill, first introduced by Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), would prohibit the use of surveillance-based price setting practices, where corporations use a person’s precise location, browser history, or surveillance to charge people different prices for the same goods and services.

“Georgia families are paying too much for groceries. This bill will crack down on corporate price gouging to lower costs for Georgia families,” Sen. Ossoff said.

Sen. Ossoff continues working to lower prices for Georgia families.

In December, Sen. Ossoff urged U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins to reinstate Federal grant funding through the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission’s Childcare Access and Nutrition Systems (CANS) Program to help reduce food insecurity.

Last April, Sen. Ossoff joined a group of Senators calling out Congressional Republicans’ budget proposal, which proposed cutting billions of dollars from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and have devastating consequences for Georgia veterans, seniors, children, and farmers.

Last February, Sen. Ossoff and Congresswoman Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), alongside other members of Georgia’s Congressional Delegation, urged Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to reverse course and apply for the summer EBT program after Governor Kemp refused tens of millions of dollars in Federal funding to help Georgia children afford lunch during the summer months.

In 2024, Sen. Ossoff introduced the Fresh Food Act of 2024 to address food insecurity across Georgia by helping attract more grocery stores to Georgia communities with limited access to fresh foods, and to help support Georgia farmers.

Click here to read the Stop Price Gouging in Grocery Stores Act of 2026.

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AS GAS PRICES SURGE IN ROCHESTER-FINGER LAKES, SCHUMER DEMANDS AN END TO TRUMP’S RECKLESS IRAN WAR, ANNOUNCES HE WILL FORCE WEEKLY VOTES TO END WAR, AND CALLS ON NY HOUSE REPUBLICANS TO STAND UP FOR...

As Gas Skyrockets Over $4, And American Troops Remain In Harm’s Way, NY House Republicans Refuse To Check Trump’s Reckless War of Choice – Schumer, Standing With Local Vets And Families Struggling From Gas Prices, Says Enough Is Enough And Vows To Force Votes Every Week To End The War

New Report Shows American Families Have Paid $16 Billion More For Gas Since Trump Started War In Iran, Including $517+ Million In NY Alone

Schumer: Iran War Has Cost NYers Half A Billion At The Gas Pump – This Must Stop

Over 60 days into Trump’s reckless war with Iran, with no end in sight, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer stood outside a gas station with Rochester-Finger Lakes families, veterans, and farmers slammed by higher prices to say enough is enough and demand an end to Trump’s reckless and damaging war of choice. As the average price of gas surges to over $4 despite Trump’s promise to lower costs, Schumer vowed to force votes every single week to stop the war and called on NY House Republicans to stand up for NY families paying the price for Trump’s disastrous Iran war.

“As Trump continues his reckless war of choice in Iran, families here in the Rochester-Finger Lakes are paying the price at the gas pump and beyond. Gas prices just reached new highs and families are seeing no relief in sight, but Trump and Congressional Republicans don’t seem to care about the pain American families are feeling at the pump,” said Senator Schumer. “With gas costing over $4 a gallon, inflation climbing, tariffs hammering consumers with higher prices, and mortgage rates going up, the American people cannot afford Trump’s disastrous war. Congress cannot simply sit on the sidelines while our brave servicemembers are risking their lives on the front lines and American taxpayers are shelling out tens of billions of dollars for an unnecessary foreign war. We will continue to force votes on our War Powers Resolution week after week after week to show the American people what side their representatives are on.”

A new report from the Joint Economic Committee found that families in every state spent millions more on gasoline over the past month. In the first two months of the war, New Yorkers paid $517,229,794 more for gasoline compared to prices before the war. Trump originally campaigned on the promise to get the price of gasoline under $2 a gallon; instead, he has chosen to enter the U.S. into a conflict that is dramatically spiking costs, causing the average gas price in New York state to rise to more than $4 a gallon. Meanwhile, across America, cost inflation is ticking back up, and mortgage rates are rising again.

This is on top of the billions the war in Iran has already cost American taxpayers. In the first six days alone, the war cost American taxpayers $11.3 billion. The Pentagon estimates the war has cost $25 billion so far. The Trump administration has also requested the largest increase in defense spending since World War II, while gutting programs that American families rely on to care for their children, put food on the table, access healthcare, and more.

Schumer says American families are paying the price for a war they didn’t choose—while Republicans refuse to lift a finger to stop it. And on the front lines, American servicemembers are being asked to risk their lives without a clear objective, without transparency, and without the backing of Congress. Schumer said that is not strength or leadership, that’s a failure of responsibility.

Schumer vowed he will force a vote every week on a War Powers Resolution to rein in Trump’s reckless military actions until the war ends. The senator said no president should take the country to war alone, and Congressional Republicans need to stand up to Trump and reassert Congress’s authority on matters of war.

Schumer continued, “No president should ever take this country to war alone. Republicans know Trump’s handling of this war has been a disaster. They see how much the American people are hurting right now. NY House Republicans need to do their jobs, stand up to Trump and stand up for their constituents who are paying the price for his war.”

According to the report, families across the country are spending 37% more at the pump than they did since February 28, an increase by 2% in the past month, with the average price to fill up one tank reaching $146.74 for the top-selling pickup truck, $59.10 for the top-selling SUV, and $52.99 for the top-selling sedan. Overall, families across America are paying $16 billion more for gasoline compared to prices before Trump’s war on Iran.

Charles Hippert, Air Force Veteran from Ontario County, said, “Veterans like me took an oath of office to serve and defend the Constitution, which rests the powers to make war with Congress – the branch of government closest to the American people – because nothing is more serious than sending Americans into war. That seriousness demands careful thought and planning, otherwise lives are placed at unnecessary risk on the battlefield, and Americans at home are left to deal with the financial toll of war, including at the gas pump. I appreciate Senator Schumer’s efforts today on behalf of our troops and our community here at home.”

Amanda Krenning, New York Farm Bureau Manager of County Farm Bureau Relations and Development said, “The higher fuel costs are creating a ripple effect across the farming community. It’s costing more to gas up equipment to run local farms and dairies, and it’s driving up the cost of fertilizer and thus the cost to produce our food and dairy. It’s also creating a lot of future uncertainty and volatility that makes it difficult to absorb the unexpected spike in fuel costs that’s now hitting right at the start of the growing season. We appreciate Senator Schumer’s support to help address this uncertainty.”

Local resident Rachel Brill said, “I have been negatively impacted by the increase in gas prices. I live in Rochester so I can be close to my family and commute 23 miles one way, 46 round trip, each day to work in Canandaigua. I have to fill up my tank every week, and the price has gone up over $10 per tank - now more, after this last 40¢ jump. Over the course of the month, this is more than $40 - previously another week's worth of gas. Along with the increased home heating prices, and grocery prices, I am less financially stable than I expected when I took this, my first professional job in my field, which requires a Master's degree.”

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AS SOUTHERN TIER SEES RECORD HIGH GROCERY COSTS, SCHUMER ANNOUNCES LANDMARK LEGISLATION TO BREAK UP THE MEATPACKING MONOPOLIES, HELP FARMERS, AND DRIVE DOWN COST OF MEAT FOR FAMILIES

Schumer Says Four Corporate Giants Dominate Meat Market, Squeezing Farmers And Ranchers Who Keep Just 16 Cents Of Every Dollar Spent On Food And Rigging The System Against Southern Tier Families

New Schumer Bill Will Break Up Big Monopolies In Meat Packing That Lead To Higher Prices For Consumers & Hurt Farmers And Restore Real Competition To Help Farmers And Smaller Meat Producers While Lowering Prices

Schumer: New Bill Will Bring Down Costs For Families At The Grocery Store

As Southern Tier families face the rising cost of groceries, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today stood with Southern Tier farmers and families at Chemung County Cornell Cooperative Extension to introduce the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act. The Senator’s new landmark legislation would break up the big meat monopolies, boost farmers Upstate, and lower grocery costs for families.

“The meatpacking monopoly is driving up costs for New Yorkers in the Southern Tier at the grocery store and rigging the game against local farmers. Corporate giants dominate the meat market and set prices sky-high for families, all while squeezing profits from farmers by eliminating competition, and it needs to end,” said Senator Schumer. “That’s why I’m introducing legislation – the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act – to break up the monopoly and lower costs. This bill is centered around making groceries more affordable, making farmers more profitable, and putting the needs of working middle-class people ahead of the interests of powerful corporations. Local businesses are the backbone of communities; they love their customers and want prices to be affordable, and they get hurt by big corporations and suppliers rigging the game against consumers. America’s economy and our Main Streets are stronger when costs are lower, and we have true competition, and this bill will do exactly that.”

According to analysis from the Urban Institute, New York’s 23th Congressional District – which covers Chemung, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Tioga Counties as well as parts of Schuyler, Steuben, Erie, and Niagara Counties – has experienced an increase in the average monthly cost of groceries. In the past five years, monthly grocery prices for a family of four have increased from $870 to $1,110 each month, a whopping nearly 30% increase.

Schumer explained that a major driver of high meat prices is a food system rigged in favor of corporate monopolies. Four companies, Tyson Foods, JBS, Cargill, and National Beef, control 85% of the beef market, 67% of the pork market, and 60% of the chicken market.

Schumer’s Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act is a competition-driven, pro-farmer, pro-rancher, pro-worker, pro-consumer, cost-of-living bill that breaks up dominant meatpackers and uses all available tools to stop unfair pricing that drives up grocery bills for American families. The bill would force the biggest meatpackers to choose a line of business instead of dominating beef, pork, and chicken all at once, and aims to provide financial and technical assistance to farmers’ cooperatives and small businesses that seek to acquire, operate, or expand meatpacking plants or facilities, helping make more local supply chains to lower costs. In addition, to directing the FTC to go after foreign-controlled conglomerates that squeeze American producers and distort U.S. markets.

"CCE Chemung is grateful for Senator Schumer's long-standing interest in agriculture and food affordability,” said Michell Podolec, Executive Director of Chemung County Cornell Cooperative Extension. “I appreciate his continued attention to supporting our farmers and maintaining strong local food systems."

“I’m excited about this legislation because it will help my farm, and other local Southern Tier livestock farmers,” said Ike Mallula, Owner and Farmer at Red House Ranch. “This bill is encouraging growth in the meat packing and processing sector.”

“We love serving our community, but the current agriculture landscape has made it incredibly difficult,” said Mike Sullivan Owner of Hilltop Inn in Elmira. “The cattle inventory hasn’t been this low since the 1950s, which has driven our own beef procurement costs up by over 60% in the last few years. As a restaurant, our priority is maintaining the high-quality our guests expect without making dining out a luxury they have to cut back on.”

“We have struggled with profitability, as costs have increased just as quickly as we could ramp up revenue,” said Greg and Lily DeForest-Campbell, owners of 1897 Beekman House Bed and Breakfast. “High energy and fuel bills have certainly played a part, but grocery prices have had one of the most significant factors in our struggle to stay afloat. Consolidation in the grocery and meat packing industries have clearly played a strong role in these rising costs, with an accompanying decline in quality and availability here in rural New York. New Yorkers shouldn't have to work sixteen hour days, day in and day out, just to worry about keeping grocery bags full. We thank Senator Schumer for the introduction of this bill, and for his efforts to help hard-working New Yorkers stay afloat in these increasingly expensive times.”

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