Capito Votes to Fund ICE and CBP

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee (RPC), released the below statement following the passage of the Secure America Act, legislation that will fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through the entirety of the Trump administration.

The legislation includes $69.5 billion to fully fund border patrol, ICE, and DHS’s efforts to stop illegal immigration, detain criminal adult aliens in sanctuary cities, and investigate child exploitation.

“The passage of the Secure America Act delivers the resources our border and immigration enforcement officials need to continue to do their jobs to protect our country and secure our border. While reconciliation is not the ideal process for funding critical government operations like DHS, Senate Democrats left us no choice by refusing to join us in providing ICE and CBP with the tools and support they need to do their jobs. This legislation ensures that those who protect our homeland have long-term reliable funding to keep our communities safe. It also guarantees that Democrats can no longer hold funding for law enforcement and border security hostage during President Trump’s administration. Despite Democrat obstruction, Republicans delivered even stronger support for ICE and CBP, and I was proud to support this effort,” Senator Capito said.

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Senator Collins Speaks at Maine VFW State Convention

Click HERE, HERE, and HERE for individual photos.

NEWRY, ME – Today, U.S. Senator Susan Collins delivered remarks at the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Department of Maine’s 105th State Convention in Newry. More than 100 people attended this year’s convention, including VFW and VFW Auxiliary members and leaders, as well as representatives from VA Maine, Maine Veterans’ Homes, the Maine Bureau of Veterans’ Services, Honor Flight Maine, and Maine Paws for Veterans.

“It is always an honor to salute the heroes who have served our nation in uniform and who continue to serve their communities through the VFW,” said Senator Collins. “From educating young people about American values through the Voice of Democracy and Patriots’ Pen competitions to advocating for improved health care, suicide prevention, treatment and research for traumatic brain injury and PTSD, and earned benefits, the VFW continues to make an extraordinary difference for veterans, their families, and our country.”

During her remarks, Senator Collins also congratulated Olivia Drewniak, a high school senior from Woolwich, who became the first Mainer ever to win the national Voice of Democracy speech competition, and Piper Martin, a middle school student from Fort Fairfield, who was Maine’s winning Patriots’ Pen essayist. The VFW’s Voice of Democracy and Patriots’ Pen programs encourage high school and middle school students to reflect on American values, civic responsibility, and the service of America’s veterans.

Senator Collins, who is a member of the VFW Auxiliary in her hometown of Caribou, has long championed programs that support Maine veterans and their families. She strongly supported the new Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program facility at Togus VA Medical Center in Augusta, has worked to better care for veterans affected by toxic exposures through the PACT Act, and has secured more than $10 million in Congressionally Directed Spending in the past five years for critical upgrades to Maine Veterans’ Homes facilities across the state.

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Republicans block Senator Coons’ amendment to stop Trump’s taxpayer-funded slush fund from paying January 6 rioters who assaulted police

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) this morning introduced an amendment to the Republican reconciliation bill that would prohibit payments from President Trump’s $1.8 billion ‘anti-weaponization fund’ to individuals convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers during the January 6 insurrection. Despite claims by several Republicans that they were dismayed at the idea of taxpayer dollars going to convicted insurrectionists and cop-beaters, Senate Republicans blocked his amendment by a vote of 54-45; the amendment needed 60 votes to pass.

Ahead of the vote, Senator Coons spoke on the Senate floor about the need to stop taxpayer dollars from being used to reward President Trump’s political allies, including those who attacked police officers at the U.S. Capitol on January 6.

“My amendment is simple. It’s one sentence. The Department of Justice may not use taxpayer funds to make settlement payments to any individual convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers at or around the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021,” Senator Coons said on the Senate floor this morning. “It’s not complicated – if the administration won’t rule out potentially multimillion-dollar payments to those who assaulted police on these grounds, we must.”

The Trump administration created the $1.8 billion slush fund as part of a settlement after President Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization sued the Internal Revenue Service over the disclosure of his federal tax returns. Although a federal court has temporarily blocked payouts from the fund, President Trump and members of his administration have refused to clearly state that the fund is dead. The settlement between President Trump and his own Department of Justice – headed by his former personal lawyer – creating the slush fund makes clear that the settlement can only be amended in writing, which acting Attorney General Todd Blanche ruled out when questioned in the House of Representatives earlier this week.

When Senator Coons questioned acting Attorney General Todd Blanche before a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee last month, he refused to rule out payments from the slush fund to January 6 rioters, including individuals who assaulted police officers, as well as members of President Trump’s family or campaign donors.

Over 140 police officers were injured during the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to overturn the result of the 2020 election. 15 officers were hospitalized, and four ultimately lost their lives. More than 1,500 people were convicted of crimes stemming from their participation in the insurrection; all were pardoned as one of President Trump’s first acts back in office last year. Many of them have expressed a desire to collect payouts from the newly created fund. Meanwhile, a new report shows that 97 of the rioters pardoned by President Trump – more than one out of every twenty – have been arrested, charged, or convicted of other crimes since their release, including child molestation, grand larceny, and deadly conduct.

A video and transcript of Senator Coons’ remarks are below.

WATCH HERE.

Senator Coons: Mr. President, President Trump has previously announced the creation of a $1.8 billion taxpayer-funded ‘victims of weaponization’ slush fund. And on May 19, I questioned acting Attorney General Todd Blanche about this announced anti-weaponization fund – specifically, would anyone convicted of assaulting police officers in or around our Capitol on January 6 be eligible for a payout from this fund.

The acting Attorney General would make no such commitments, and so the Senate must. My amendment is simple. It’s one sentence. The Department of Justice may not use taxpayer funds to make settlement payments to any individual convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers at or around the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

It’s not complicated – if the administration won’t rule out potentially multimillion-dollar payments to those who assaulted police on these grounds, we must. I urge my colleagues to take up and pass this amendment alongside me and ensure that taxpayer funds won’t be so badly misused in this way.


Senator Coons statement on vote on reconciliation bill to fund Trump’s mass deportation agenda

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) released the following statement after the Senate voted to pass the Republican reconciliation bill that funds Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol. The Senate also voted, 54-45, to reject an amendment Senator Coons offered that would have prevented January 6th insurrectionists who attacked police officers from receiving payments from President Trump’s $1.8 billion “weaponization” slush fund:

“Instead of working to lower the cost of gas or groceries, housing or health care, Senate Republicans have just jammed through another bill to spend taxpayer money on out-of-control and unaccountable immigration enforcement while shielding them from popular, commonsense reforms that would have brought them in line with law enforcement agencies around the country. How is that going to help a mom who doesn’t know how she’s going to pay to fill up her car because of Trump’s war of choice with Iran? Or working parents whose health care premiums have shot up because of the last reconciliation bill? Or entrepreneurs seeing costs skyrocket because of Trump’s tariffs?

“Instead of helping working Americans, Republicans have decided to help a corrupt and unpopular president in his efforts to become even more corrupt and unpopular. This bill does not go far enough to prevent Trump’s $1.8 billion slush fund that he can use to pay off cop-beaters, campaign donors, and insurrectionists as he and his hand-picked set of commissioners see fit. My Republican colleagues’ belief that they can take the acting Attorney General at his word flies in the face of the actual text of the Department of Justice’s settlement and President Trump’s own words Wednesday. They have done nothing to stop Trump’s amnesty from IRS audits that is a license to commit tax fraud. My amendment tonight would have prevented any dollars from this so-called “weaponization fund” from going to the cop-beaters at the Capitol on January 6; instead of supporting it, many of my Republican colleagues who claim they oppose this fund voted it down. It’s clear they believe that there should be one set of rules for the American people and another for President Trump.

“Republicans have once again betrayed the working people they promised to help, worrying more about placating President Trump than American families.”


Cornyn Statement on Senate Passage of Secure America Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement after the Senate passed the Secure America Act to fully fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) through the end of President Trump’s second term:

“Democrats have proven they will stop at nothing to completely obstruct President Trump and Republicans’ agenda, most recently risking the safety and security of the American people by shutting down the Department of Homeland Security for 76 days,” said Sen. Cornyn. “The Secure America Act gives the brave men and women of ICE and Border Patrol the resources they desperately need to protect our homeland and ensures Democrats can’t hold this critically important funding hostage while President Trump is in office, which is why I was proud to support it.”

Background:

The Secure America Act makes the following investments to fund federal law enforcement and secure the border because Democrats refuse to do so:

$72 billion to fully fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP) through the end of President Trump’s term;

$38 billion for ICE to pay and hire agents, maintain facilities, invest in new technology, and coordinate with local law enforcement;

And $26 billion for CBP to invest in more agents, field operations officers, support personnel, and more.


Cortez Masto Votes Against Partisan Bill to Give a Blank Check to ICE and Border Patrol

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after her vote against Republicans’ bill to provide $70 billion to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol, without any meaningful reforms for the agencies.

“Republicans already gave ICE and Border Patrol $150 billion. They don’t need another $70 billion with no accountability to continue to terrorize families and go after American citizens and Dreamers.” said Senator Cortez Masto. “Instead, we could be using these dollars to help working families afford health care, pay our local law enforcement, or fund school lunches.”

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Republicans Block Cortez Masto Amendment to Redirect $31 Billion in Excessive ICE Funding to Local Law Enforcement

***VIDEO AVAILABLE***

FTP for TV stations of her remarks is available here.

Washington, D.C. – Tonight, during debate on the Republican funding bill that will hand another $70 billion to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) forced a vote on her amendment that would have redirected $31 billion in ICE funding to local law enforcement. Republicans blocked the amendment from passing.

“Americans don’t need thousands of federal agents terrorizing their streets. They need local police they can trust to follow the laws they’re enforcing,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “That’s why my amendment would take this excessive funding for ICE and redirect it toward the COPS Hiring Program, so we can put over 200,000 local police officers on our streets nationwide.”

Cortez Masto will continue to push for her PUBLIC SAFETY Act to redirect the excessive funding passed in the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and send it instead to local law enforcement programs.

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Cramer, Smith, Hoeven, and Klobuchar Introduce Legislation to Address USPS Delays

***Click herefor audio***

BISMARCK, N.D. – According to the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Office of Inspector General, North Dakota and Minnesota ranked in the 10 worst regions for mail service performance. Residents across the two states often deal with missing and delayed deliveries with little to no explanation from the USPS. To solve the critical issues behind this, a bipartisan group of senators from the two states introduced legislation to address the problems shippers and recipients are having.

U.S. Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Tina Smith (D-MN), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Postal Delivery Accountability Act requiring the USPS implement tracking information for mail deliveries and ensure it is available to residents.

“The Postal Service is required by law to deliver six days a week to every address in America,” said Cramer. “That’s the law, that’s not an option. But we know in North Dakota, that’s oftentimes [not] the reality and the problem is worsened by the fact that the Postal Service can’t accurately track when mail routes don’t receive deliveries. For paychecks, prescription medication, and other important items, we rely on this essential service that the Postal Service is supposed to be providing. The Postal Delivery Accountability Act will support the critical work by requiring proper tracking tools and notifications for customers so they can know exactly where their delivery is and when they can expect it. This is 2026 after all!”

“Minnesotans rely on the Postal Service for essentials like prescriptions, bills, and Social Security checks. When mail delivery is delayed or unreliable, the harm is real. Yet when I ask the Postal Service for information about these disruptions, I’m told everything is fine. The reality is that they often don’t even know themselves,” said Smith. “As an essential public service, the USPS owes Americans transparency. The Postal Delivery Accountability Act is an important step toward that goal.”

“North Dakotans depend on timely, reliable mail delivery,” said Hoeven. “Delayed or undelivered mail can have real consequences for families, seniors, veterans and small businesses. This legislation would help improve transparency, strengthen accountability at USPS and ensure customers have better information when delivery issues arise.”


Senate Passes the Secure America Act

Legislation Funds ICE and CBP, Bolsters Law Enforcement and Homeland Security

***Click herefor audio.***

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Fulfilling their promise to secure the border and prioritize the safety and security of Americans, the U.S. Senate passed the Secure America Act, funding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through the remainder of President Donald Trump’s administration.

The legislation now moves to the House of Representatives for final approval before heading to President Donald Trump’s desk to be signed into law.

“For 76 days, Democrats kept the Department of Homeland Security in limbo,”said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND). “Then they made it crystal clear they’d rather defund law enforcement than defend law enforcement. And under President Trump, America has the most secure border we’ve ever had, and Republicans refuse to go backward or sacrifice the safety of our law enforcement personnel to Democrats’ open-border fantasies. The Secure America Act delivers the immigration security and rule of law that we all promised when we ran and that the American people expect.”

Democrats obstructed passage of funding for ICE and CBP, causing a 76-day U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown — the longest in U.S. history — which began on February 14 and ended April 30 after President Trump signed legislation restoring funding for most of the department. After congressional Democrats blocked bipartisan appropriations, Republicans had to use the budget reconciliation process to fund border and immigration agencies.

Cramer’s support for the legislation follows his recent travel to the U.S.-Mexico border, where he met with agents and reviewed the dramatic turnaround in border conditions under the Trump administration. During prior visits to the Rio Grande Sector, he witnessed waves of illegal crossings as Border Patrol agents faced record-breaking surges at the southern border during the Biden administration. At the peak of the crisis, DHS reported monthly encounters nearing 160,000, with daily apprehensions climbing as high as 15,000.


Crapo Votes to Fund Law Enforcement, Strengthen Border Security Through President’s Term

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senator for Idaho Mike Crapo issued the following statement after voting in favor of passage of the Secure America Act, legislation to fully fund U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol through 2029:

“Immigration enforcement is a critical component of our national security,” said Crapo. “Democrats’ refusal to fund law enforcement at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security resulted in a record-long government shutdown and uncertainty for the men and women who work tirelessly to protect the American people. I voted today to fully fund these critical agencies through the end of the President’s term to ensure we continue to secure our border and enforce the law.”

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Daines Urges Colleagues to Support Katie Lane’s Nomination to be Montana’s Federal Judge

“She will bring honor, decency, and integrity to the bench”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines gave a speech on the floor of the U.S. Senate, where he urged his colleagues to vote in favor of Katie Lane’s confirmation to serve as the next judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.

Watch Daines’ speech HERE.

Daines’ remarks as prepared for delivery:

Thank you, Mr. President,

Today, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of confirming Katie Lane to serve as the next Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.

Katie attended kindergarten through 12th grade in Bozeman. We went to the same high school- we’re both Bozeman High Hawks.

She spent her childhood summers skiing, camping, and hiking, which instilled in her a deep love of the Treasure State and the values that make it the Last Best Place.

Katie went on to attend George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School, where she graduated magna cum laude.

She then clerked at both the trial and appellate levels of the federal judiciary for two federal judges.

She returned to Montana to serve as Deputy Solicitor General under Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen from 2021 to 2023.

During her time in Helena, Katie worked zealously to defend Montana’s laws and challenge federal overreach.

She litigated cases in both state and federal courts on issues important to Montanans, including defending the Second Amendment, multiple land use and grazing rights cases, as well as defending Montana’s coal industry.

As Montanans know well, federal judges play a critical role in our daily lives.

For many years, we have dealt with an activist judiciary that repeatedly rules against Montana’s interests.

That’s why it’s essential we pick principled jurists who are committed to upholding the Constitution and making decisions based on the rule of law, not personal politics or viewpoints.

With this in mind, Senator Sheehy and I are confident that Katie is the right choice to serve Montana as our next federal judge.

Katie’s values are rooted in Montana and grounded in the Constitution.

Katie’s distinguished record of public service and experience in the federal and state judiciary makes her well-qualified to serve on the federal bench.

I am confident she will be fair-minded, principled, and bring honor, decency, and integrity to the bench.

I cannot recommend Katie highly enough and urge my colleagues to vote to confirm her today without delay.

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Duckworth Joins Markey, Senate Democrats in Calling for Affordability, Safety, Worker Priorities in Surface Transportation Bill

The Senators call for protections against Trump’s politically motivated attacks on infrastructure projects

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee (CST)—joined U.S. Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and 14 of their Senate Democratic colleagues to call on the Republican and Democratic leaders of the U.S. Senate Committees on Environment and Public Works; Commerce, Science and Transportation; Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; and Appropriations to continue the progress made in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization bill.

“We look forward to working with you to ensure the next surface transportation bill delivers real benefits to the American traveler by protecting against politicization, supporting safety improvements, cutting costs, creating good jobs, and protecting the climate and our health. With these priorities in mind, this bill can establish a world-class infrastructure system for decades to come,” the lawmakers wrote.

In the letter, Duckworth, Markey and their colleagues urge the Senate committee leaders to prioritize several key areas, including:

Protect infrastructure grants from political interference — All infrastructure grant authorizations must include guardrails that prevent current and future administrations from cancelling or delaying already awarded grants.

Make transportation safer — Infrastructure investments must prioritize safety through investment in safe road design, accountability requirements and rigorous safety standards.

Address the affordability crisis — Infrastructure investments must make transportation more affordable for Americans by providing a historic investment in transit, walking, biking, EV charging and passenger rail, maximizing consumer choice and lowering costs.

Create good, union jobs — Infrastructure and transportation policy must include purposeful, pro-union policies such as project labor agreements, rail safety protections and apprenticeships that create middle-class jobs.

Address the climate crisis and protect public health — The next surface transportation bill must protect and expand existing programs aimed at reducing emissions and improving air quality and reject punitive EV fees.

The letter also underscores the need to prioritize accessibility in the next surface transportation reauthorization, emphasizing the need to ensure equitable access for people with disabilities and individuals who face transportation barriers. The lawmakers wrote, “All investments must ensure the highest standards of accessibility across all modes of transportation so that people with disabilities and those facing transportation barriers have access to the same travel options as others. Ensuring transportation options are accessible benefits millions of riders and strengthens the economic and social fabric of communities.”

In addition to Duckworth and Markey, the letter was co-signed by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Peter Welch (D-VT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

The full text of the Senators’ letter is available on Duckworth’s website.

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Duckworth Statement After Senate Republicans Passed Another Blank Check for Trump’s ICE and Border Patrol While Doing Nothing to Help Americans

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after Senate Republicans voted to gift Donald Trump’s ICE and Border Patrol an additional $70 billion without any guardrails or reforms but refused to help Americans suffering from soaring costs as a direct result of Trump’s illegal war and other disastrous policies. The GOP reconciliation bill passed the Senate by a vote of 52-47.

“Americans are getting pummeled by sky-high costs thanks to Donald Trump—and Republicans couldn’t care less. Instead of fighting to lower energy and grocery bills for their constituents, Senate Republicans spent all day and night fighting to bankroll Trump’s out-of-control lawless agents who killed two Americans in broad daylight.

“In Republicans’ extreme reconciliation bill, the American people would get nothing while ICE and Border Patrol get another $70 billion blank check—on top of the $100 billion included in Trump’s Big, Ugly Bill—without any reforms, guardrails or protections. Republicans refused to support Democrats’ efforts to lower housing and health care costs, but fought to protect Trump’s $2 billion slush fund to pay out violent insurrectionists who assaulted police officers and his other lackies who broke the law. And while American taxpayers continue footing the bill for Trump’s self-created economic crisis, Republicans are just fine letting Donald Trump’s family get away with tax fraud.

“Republicans showed their true priorities. It’s Donald Trump first, America last—every damn time.”

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Durbin, Duckworth, Rep. Kelly To Introduce "Wear Orange" Resolution To Honor Hadiya Pendleton, Gun Violence Survivors

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and U.S. Representative Robin Kelly (D-IL-02) announced their “Wear Orange” resolution to designate June 5 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day and the entire month as National Gun Violence Awareness Month as gun violence often spikes when summer begins.

The resolution honors Hadiya Pendleton, who was shot and killed in a Chicago park on January 29, 2013—just one week after she performed as a drum majorette in President Barack Obama’s second inauguration. Her family and friends started the “Wear Orange” movement to raise awareness of the 46,000 people who die due to gun violence every year in the U.S. Hunters often wear orange to avoid being shot.

“Guns are now the number one killer of our nation’s children. With one in five Americans having lost a loved one to gun violence, this is nothing short of an epidemic,” Durbin said. “We are introducing this resolution in memory of Hadiya Pendleton, who was only 15 years old when she was senselessly shot and killed in Chicago. In honor of what would have been—should have been—her 29th birthday, I will proudly ‘Wear Orange’ as a sign of my dedication to finally putting an end to this public health crisis.”

“I refuse to let our children grow up in a country that refuses to protect them from gun violence,” said Duckworth. “To honor Hadiya Pendleton and too many other victims of gun violence, Congress must take action to help keep our children and our communities safe. I’ll never stop working for commonsense gun safety reforms that can save lives and help prevent future tragedies—American families depend on it.”

“I ran for office because I was sick and tired of watching Congress do nothing as children were killed by gun violence. Hadiya should’ve been safe at a park, but she was shot just months before I was sworn into office for the first time,” said Kelly. “Since Hadiya’s family and friends started Wear Orange, the color has become a beacon for action and advocacy. I’ve worked alongside her parents and other survivors to save lives from gun violence because the people closest to the pain are also closest to the solutions to end this crisis once and for all.”

The “Wear Orange” resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-CT), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD).

Read the full text here.

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Durbin, Duckworth, Rep. Kelly To Introduce “Wear Orange” Resolution To Honor Hadiya Pendleton, Gun Violence Survivors


Durbin Voting Marathon To Greenlight Trump's Mass Deportation Campaign, Senate Republicans Reject Durbin's Amendment To Protect DACA Recipients

WASHINGTON – As Senate Republicans attempt to jam through nearly $70 billion in funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to support the President’s cruel mass deportation campaign, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and author of the Dream Act, called up his amendment to protect DACA recipients for a vote. The amendment would redirect $10 million towards timely processing of DACA renewal applications, while also restricting ICE and CBP funds in the bill from being used for the arrest, detention, deportation, or removal of DACA recipients who meet the requirements of the program.

Ultimately, most Senate Republicans blocked the amendment from passing with a 48-51 vote, making clear that Republicans are willing to greenlight this Administration’s inhumane treatment of immigrants, regardless of their DACA status or lack of criminal record.

Durbin said ahead of the vote, “This is something that we’re all familiar with—DACA recipients. They came to the United States as infants, toddlers, and children. To qualify for DACA, they have to register every two years and pay a $600 fee [and] go through a complete criminal background check before they can be approved. If they violate the terms of the background check, they are disqualified from DACA. What they are looking for is a job—to legally work in the United States and not to be deported… They get no special benefits for being on DACA—no special government benefits. This language basically says the DACA recipients will be protected from arrest, detention, and removal.”

Since returning to office, President Trump has used every tool at his disposal to thwart the protections of DACA. Last year, ICE arrested at least 261 DACA recipients and deported 86 of them. Even those who have not been detained have faced unprecedented delays in renewing their DACA status. Without renewal, these young people will lose their ability to work legally in the United States and will no longer be protected from deportation. Further, a recent Board of Immigration Appeals decision has paved the way for current DACA holders to be issued removal orders, increasing their likelihood of detention and deportation even with valid DACA authorization. The impacts are even worse for Dreamers who cannot obtain protections pursuant to DACA.

Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

In March, Durbin and U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) led 39 of their Senate Democratic Caucus colleagues in a letter to then-DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow demanding DHS reduce the delays in processing renewal applications under the DACA program.

In February, Durbin called out DHS for wrongfully targeting and removing DACA recipients. According to DHS, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested 261 DACA recipients and 86 have been removed from the country between January 1, 2025, and November 19, 2025.

Beginning in 2001, Durbin introduced the Dream Act to give young immigrants the chance to earn U.S. citizenship. He has introduced the legislation every Congress since. Over the years, Durbin has told the stories of 150 Dreamers on the Senate Floor. In 2012, Durbin worked with then-President Obama to establish the DACA program to allow these young people to gain temporary status. The most current available government data shows that the number of DACA holders has fallen from roughly 530,000 in September 2024 to roughly 515,000 in June 2025.

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During Voting Marathon To Greenlight Trump’s Mass Deportation Campaign, Senate Republicans Reject Durbin’s Amendment To Protect DACA Recipients

WASHINGTON – As Senate Republicans attempt to jam through nearly $70 billion in funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to support the President’s cruel mass deportation campaign, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and author of the Dream Act, called up his amendment to protect DACA recipients for a vote. The amendment would redirect $10 million towards timely processing of DACA renewal applications, while also restricting ICE and CBP funds in the bill from being used for the arrest, detention, deportation, or removal of DACA recipients who meet the requirements of the program.

Ultimately, most Senate Republicans blocked the amendment from passing with a 48-51 vote, making clear that Republicans are willing to greenlight this Administration’s inhumane treatment of immigrants, regardless of their DACA status or lack of criminal record.

Durbin said ahead of the vote, “This is something that we’re all familiar with—DACA recipients. They came to the United States as infants, toddlers, and children. To qualify for DACA, they have to register every two years and pay a $600 fee [and] go through a complete criminal background check before they can be approved. If they violate the terms of the background check, they are disqualified from DACA. What they are looking for is a job—to legally work in the United States and not to be deported… They get no special benefits for being on DACA—no special government benefits. This language basically says the DACA recipients will be protected from arrest, detention, and removal.”

Since returning to office, President Trump has used every tool at his disposal to thwart the protections of DACA. Last year, ICE arrested at least 261 DACA recipients and deported 86 of them. Even those who have not been detained have faced unprecedented delays in renewing their DACA status. Without renewal, these young people will lose their ability to work legally in the United States and will no longer be protected from deportation. Further, a recent Board of Immigration Appeals decision has paved the way for current DACA holders to be issued removal orders, increasing their likelihood of detention and deportation even with valid DACA authorization. The impacts are even worse for Dreamers who cannot obtain protections pursuant to DACA.

Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.

In March, Durbin and U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) led 39 of their Senate Democratic Caucus colleagues in a letterto then-DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph Edlow demanding DHS reduce the delays in processing renewal applications under the DACA program.

In February, Durbin called out DHS for wrongfully targeting and removing DACA recipients. According to DHS, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested 261 DACA recipients and 86 have been removed from the country between January 1, 2025, and November 19, 2025.

Beginning in 2001, Durbin introduced the Dream Act to give young immigrants the chance to earn U.S. citizenship. He has introduced the legislation every Congress since. Over the years, Durbin has told the stories of 150 Dreamers on the Senate Floor. In 2012, Durbin worked with then-President Obama to establish the DACA program to allow these young people to gain temporary status. The most current available government data shows that the number of DACA holders has fallen from roughly 530,000 in September 2024 to roughly 515,000 in June 2025.

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Ernst Cancels the Viral Fraud-Fluencers Scamming Taxpayers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is cracking down on fraud-fluencers, social media personalities who are making fleecing taxpayers a lifestyle and flagrantly flaunting to their followers how easy it is to scam Uncle Sam.

From podcasts on fraud and YouTubers rapping about ripping off welfare programs to a TikTok creator bragging about living in the U.S. illegally and more, Ernst is exposing the worst of these crafty creators as part of her crusade against fraud.

A self-described “con artist” who swindled more than $1 million from the Small Business Administration spent the spoils curating an upscale lifestyle on TikTok and Instagram;

A freeloading TikTok creator living in the U.S. illegally gained a following bragging about collecting government handouts and encouraging other migrants to “invade” America;

An IRS employee who stole more than $3.5 million from numerous government programs advertised her illegal pyramid scheme on Instagram; and

A TikToker who went viral for a video explaining how to scam the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, now warns, “watch what y’all put on the internet because everything is not for the internet—and I learned that.”

To permanently block these streaming schemers, Ernst is asking the U.S. Government Accountability Office to investigate online forums where criminals share how-to guides or other tips and develop blueprints for government agencies to protect public programs from these scammers.

“…a new trend is emerging in which both convicted and uncharged fraudsters share information that allows others to exploit government programs,” wrote Ernst. “The brazen nature of these fraudsters’ behavior is alarming and warrants closer examination.”

Read the full letter here.

Background:

Ernst has long fought to root out government waste, fraud, and abuse, particularly within SBA’s pandemic relief programs, successfully leading the Senate to pass her SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act extending the window for holding COVID fraudsters accountable and recovering taxpayers’ hard-earned dollars.

Last month, Ernst unveiled a comprehensive anti-fraud legislative package, the Protecting American Taxpayers Act, that, if enacted, would recover stolen funds, protect taxpayer dollars, and stop fraudsters.

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Fischer Statement on Senate Passage of Secure America Act

Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) released the following statement after she voted for and the U.S. Senate passed the Secure America Act:

"Today, the Senate delivered historic, multi-year funding for our Border Patrol and ICE agents. At a critical moment for national security, this bill blocks Democrats' efforts to defund border security and locks in the record-low border crossings achieved under the Trump administration. I’m proud to advance this legislation, which will protect public safety and strengthen law enforcement.”

Permalink: https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2026/6/fischer-statement-on-senate-passage-of-secure-america-act


Gillibrand, Schumer, Riley Call On Norfolk Southern And Union Pacific Corporation To Repair Dilapidated Bridges

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY), and Representative Josh Riley (D-NY-19) urged the chief executive officers of Norfolk Southern and the Union Pacific Corporation to prioritize public safety and commit to conducting critical repairs on four railroad bridges spanning Water and State streets.

The lawmakers’ push follows a 2023 city-commissioned inspection that found 12 railroad bridges owned and operated by Norfolk Southern to be in “severe” or “poor” condition. In the letter, the members wrote, “Irrespective of the final decision of the proposed merger between Union Pacific Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation by the Surface Transportation Board, we ask that you commit to completing essential infrastructure upgrades to these bridges.”

While Norfolk Southern has rehabilitated bridges over Glenwood Avenue, Jarvis Street, Front Street, and Murray Street, with work set to begin on the Brandywine Avenue bridge this week, four structures over Water and State streets remain untouched, posing ongoing safety concerns for the community. The members underscored, “Signs of distress on these bridges found in the 2023 report were incredibly alarming, with the two bridges located on Water Street identified to be in the most severe condition of the twelve total bridges that needed repairs. Norfolk Southern indicated its plans to begin a multi-phase rehabilitation project to address repairs needed by the four bridges on Water Street and State Street this year, but to this date has not begun to do so.”

The members closed the letter by urging the CEOs at both companies to prioritize the safety of Binghamton residents and swiftly finish repairs on the remaining bridges. They also sought a commitment to “continued long-term maintenance of all railway infrastructure currently owned by Norfolk Southern Railroad in the City of Binghamton.”

In 2023, Senators Schumer and Gillibrand pushed Norfolk Southern to publicly release its private inspection report and called on the company to eliminate potential structural and safety issues in the City of Binghamton. Following the devastating 2023 freight train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, which caused a massive fire and chemical spill, Schumer introduced the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023, legislation to help create new rail safety protocols, hold railroads accountable for malfeasance, and increase transparency of trains carrying hazardous materials. The senators personally wrote to the head of Norfolk Southern and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to immediately work with the city to address these safety concerns and urged the FRA to conduct its own inspection of the bridges in question to understand the safety threats to the Binghamton community. This effort builds on the senators’ advocacy to strengthen rail safety, improve transparency, and get answers from railroad companies who put Upstate NY communities at risk.

The full letter can be found HERE.

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Gillibrand Statement On Trump Demanding Bill Pulte Gut Intelligence Agencies

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee, issued the following statement in response to President Trump telling the Wall Street Journal he plans to have acting Director of National Intelligence Bill Pulte – who didn’t even have a security clearancewhen he was named to the position – gut America’s intelligence apparatus in the middle of a war:

“Donald Trump’s plan to use his unqualified political crony to gut our intelligence agencies directly endangers our national security. This is ridiculous – ODNI is vital to keeping our country safe from threats at home and abroad. Congress established the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to ensure the catastrophic failures that led to 9/11 never happened again. I urge all my colleagues, Democrat and Republican, to oppose this reckless escapade and protect the integrity of our national defense.”

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Senator Gillibrand Calls For $250 Million To Preserve Our History For The 250th Anniversary Of America

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, stood in Columbia County to announce a major bipartisan push for historic preservation funding. In a letter to Senate Interior Appropriations Subcommittee leadership, Gillibrand called for $250 million to be allocated to the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF), which is overseen by the National Park Service (NPS), in celebration of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

As the nation’s largest dedicated source of funding for historic preservation, the HPF delivers grants to restore endangered landmarks, revitalize historic downtowns, and support State Historic Preservation Offices. Gillibrand emphasized that directing these federal resources straight into local communities will be critical to unlocking regional economic growth and creating local jobs. The funding is poised to have a monumental impact on the Hudson Valley. Specifically, it could offer critical support for the Hudson River Historic District, the largest National Historic Landmark District on the U.S. mainland, which is home to 1,869 unique historic structures and sites that could qualify for preservation assistance.

“The Hudson Valley is home to so much American history – from Revolutionary War sites to one of the birthplaces of modern American art,” said Senator Gillibrand. “As we approach our nation’s 250th anniversary, we must ensure that the communities who safeguard this history have the resources they need. Securing increased funding for the Historic Preservation Fund isn’t just about honoring our past; it is an investment in our future. These grants flow directly onto our main streets and create good-paying local jobs while revitalizing regional economies.”

“To preserve our historic structures is to preserve our city’s story for future generations,” said Hudson Mayor Joseph Ferris. “Thanks to critical New York State historic preservation funding, the Pocketbook Factory has been brought back to life. I applaud Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s push for an additional $250 million in federal historic preservation funding. This increase in funding will give incredible historic landmarks and structures a second-life. These programs do more than preserve history, they serve as an opportunity to create meaningful local jobs and drive economic growth.”

“The Pocketbook Hotel shows that old buildings aren’t just history—they create jobs and boost our economy,” said Mike Tucker, President & CEO of Columbia Economic Development Corporation. “It was great working with the young developers on this project, but federal support in the form of Historic Preservation Tax Credits are what actually makes these big dreams a reality.”

The Historic Preservation Fund enables communities like Hudson to restore historic main streets, stabilize aging public infrastructure, and elevate underrepresented histories, including Indigenous and African American heritage sites.

Ahead of the 2026 Semiquincentennial, the proposed $250 million appropriation would ensure that historic treasures across New York State and the nation are being preserved and revitalized.

The full letter can be read HERE.

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Senator Gillibrand Celebrates Big Community Funding Wins On Long Island

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, celebrated the more than $23 million in federal funding for critical community projects across Long Island included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 funding packages signed into law earlier this year.

The funding includes $3 million for the expansion and renovation of the YMCA’s community center in Patchogue; $750,000 for a Construction Training Academy at the United Way of Long Island, and $400,000 for the renovation of a community hub at the Viscardi Center. Senator Gillibrand personally secured funding for these projects as congressionally directed spending items.

“These federal dollars will power real growth across Long Island,” said Senator Gillibrand. “From financing critical workforce development programs at United Way of Long Island to supporting the expansion of the YMCA in Patchogue, this money will make a real difference for New Yorkers. I’m proud to have fought to secure these funds, and I’ll keep working to bring more federal dollars home to support growth on Long Island.”

“We are deeply humbled and grateful to stand with Senator Gillibrand in transforming lives in Patchogue and surrounding communities. The Senator’s generous congressional grant of $3 million is not just an investment—it is a gesture of faith in our mission and the people we serve. Because of this support, countless children, seniors, families, and neighbors will find belonging, support, and opportunities they might not have had otherwise. With this gift, we can expand essential childcare and health and wellness programs, and continue making the YMCA a welcoming, community hub for everyone. Thank you, Senator, for your partnership with the YMCA of Long Island and for helping to shape a brighter future for all,” said the YMCA of Long Island.

“United Way of Long Island is grateful to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for her leadership and support of this transformative investment. The Construction Training Academy will create new opportunities for YouthBuild students, veterans, and other workforce training participants by providing in-demand skills, industry-recognized credentials, and a pathway to long-term self-sufficiency. This investment will not only change individual lives—it will strengthen our workforce, our economy, and our communities for generations,”said Theresa Regnante, President & CEO, United Way of Long Island.

“Thanks to Senator Gillibrand’s leadership, The Viscardi Center is able to create a Community Programming Hub, where people with cognitive and developmental disabilities are empowered to build the independent living skills necessary to live civically engaged lives, fully included in our communities. And while being empowered by the Hub’s programming, their families receive the respite needed to ensure that they are rested, refreshed, and poised to support their loved ones as they strive for inclusion and independence,” said Dr. Chris Rosa, President & CEO, the Viscardi Center.

A breakdown of the projects highlighted at today’s event is below:

$3 million for Renovation of the YMCA of Long Island’s Patchogue Facility:

This funding will facilitate the expansion, reimaging, and renovation of the YMCA’s Patchogue branch, maximizing square footage to incorporate a social wellness space for older adults, community education space for chronic disease prevention, and additional child care classrooms.

$750,000 for United Way of Long Island’s Construction Training Academy:

Since 2010, more than 1,000 graduates of United Way Long Island have gained hands-on construction skills while rehabilitating homes for previously unhoused families and veterans in their community. This funding will support a new Construction Training Academy developed in collaboration with Opportunities Long Island, the Building and Construction Trades Council of Nassau & Suffolk Counties, local unions, and employers to serve as a pipeline to high-quality careers in the construction and utility industries. This partnership ensures that students receive industry-aligned training and direct pathways to apprenticeships and employment with unionized contractors and other employers.

$400,000 for the Viscardi Center for Creation of a Community Program Hub:

The Viscardi Center is a leading nonprofit organization providing education and support services to individuals with disabilities on Long Island. This award will be used to renovate an existing house to serve as a Community Program Hub – an independent teaching lab to prepare students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be more self-sufficient, live independently, and become work ready.

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Senator Gillibrand Visits The Mt Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex, Reaffirms New York State’s Interest In Pursuing Olympic Bid

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand visited the Mt Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex and met with officials amidst New York State’s interest in pursuing the bid to host the 2042 Winter Games. The visit highlights growing statewide momentum to bring the global winter sports stage back to New York State, leveraging its world-class facilities and multimillion-dollar upgrades to regional infrastructure.

New York State has a long history of hosting the Winter Olympic Games, having last hosted the global event in Lake Placid in 1980. Lake Placid also hosted the 1932 Winter Olympics, making it one of the few places in the world with a permanent, deeply rooted Olympic identity. During her tour of the modernized Olympic Sports Complex, Gillibrand emphasized that a 2042 bid is not just about celebrating the past, but about driving economic growth, international tourism, and sustainable development for the next generation of New Yorkers.

“The legacy of the 1980 Winter Games still burns brightly here in Lake Placid and across New York State,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Today is about looking forward, as New York offers state-of-the-art facilities, an unmatched hosting experience, and a deep-seated passion for winter athletics. We are uniquely positioned to deliver a sustainable, thrilling, and world-class Winter Olympics in 2042. I look forward to helping kickstart this effort and showing the International Olympic Committee that New York is ready to welcome the world once again.”

“It was a pleasure to welcome Senator Gillibrand to Mt Van Hoevenberg. The Olympic Regional Development Authority thanks her for supporting our work in advancing regional economic progress and the development of sport for all. The recent upgrades by New York State have positioned all of our venues for an exciting and successful future,” saidAshley Walden, President & CEO, Olympic Regional Development Authority.

Managed by the Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA), the Mt Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex is a world-renowned multi-use sports complex. It serves as a training ground for Olympic hopefuls and a premier destination for international sports competitions, recreation, and tourism.

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Grassley in Washington Post Letter to the Editor: Here’s what coastal elites don’t get about California’s Prop 12

WASHINGTON – In a Washington Post Letter to the Editor, Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), a lifelong family farmer and a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, outlined his opposition to California’s Proposition 12, which oversteps constitutional boundaries and curtails pig producers’ ability to sell into 15% of the nation’s pork market.

Text of his Letter to the Editor follows:

Regarding Kathleen Parker’s May 31 column, “Congress has a cruelty problem”:

California’s Proposition 12 overstepped constitutional boundaries and blacklisted pig farmers from selling to 15 percent of the nation’s pork market. As a lifelong family farmer, it’s clear to me that coastal elites from Massachusetts to California don’t understand how to safely bring to market wholesome pork from farrow to finish, or how to efficiently produce enough eggs to feed a nation of 342 million people. Neither do Beltway pundits.

At the very least, even city slickers ought to recognize U.S. consumers pay more at the grocery store, including inflated prices for pork chops and bacon, because of costly government mandates.

Parker mentioned Justice Neil M. Gorsuch’s 5-4 majority opinion, but omitted that it also said Congress has the authority to legislate a statute “that might displace Proposition 12” and end the patchwork of regulations that interfere with interstate commerce and agricultural practices in another state.

Congress has bicameral legislation to do just that. By eliminating heavy-handed regulations that push up the price of high-quality protein, the bill would allow pork producers to determine their own farming practices while giving consumers the freedom to choose where they source their meat. It’s a commonsense free-market solution that boosts affordability for farmers and families nationwide.

Chuck Grassley, Washington

The writer, a Republican, represents Iowa in the U.S. Senate.


Grassley Votes to Fund Federal Law Enforcement and Border Security

Senate Republicans pass the Secure America Act while Democrats cling to open border, defund-the-police policies

WASHINGTON – Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) issued a statement following Senate Republicans’ passage of the Secure America Act by a vote of 52-47. The Secure America Act pays federal law enforcement officers, secures the border and protects American communities from violent criminals, illicit drugs and contraband. Grassley helped craft a significant portion of the legislation as Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which has jurisdiction over matters related to immigration and law enforcement.

“Iowans want to keep their families safe and put a stop to the drugs that cartels have flooded into rural communities. The Secure America Act helps achieve that end,” Grassley said. “For months, Democrats have blocked funding for immigration enforcement agencies at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It’s a sad commentary that my Democrat colleagues are in favor of defunding federal law enforcement officers who risk their lives for our country. Americans and our men and women in uniform deserve better. I voted to back the blue and secure a safer today and tomorrow for America.”

Specifically, the Secure America Act:

Fully funds Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through 2029, allowing the agency to continue securing the border and protecting Americans from illicit drugs and contraband.

Fully funds Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through 2029, supporting the brave officers who risk their lives to keep Americans safe from violent criminals and potential terrorists.

Provides additional funds to DHS through 2029 to assist immigration enforcement and law enforcement efforts.

By opposing the Secure America Act, Senate Democrats voted in favor of returning to the Biden era of open borders and defunding the police. Those failed Democrat policies resulted in the following:

Over 10 million illegal immigrants crossed the southern border from 2021 to 2024 – more than three times the population of the state of Iowa.

Over two million illegal immigrants were released into the United States from 2021 to 2024 – two-thirds the population of Iowa.

On average, over 10,000 illegal immigrants crossed the southern border per day in December of 2023.

Over 6,000 individuals flagged on the FBI’s terrorist watch list or with criminal records were paroled into the United States.

Nearly 64,000 pounds of fentanyl was seized at the southern border between 2021 to 2024, enough to kill 14 billion people – that’s nearly two times the global population.

Violent crime victimizations increased by 55.4% from 2020 to 2023, rape crimes increased by 42%, robberies by 63% and aggravated assaults by 55%, according to a 2023 National Crime Victimization Survey.

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Q&A: Investment Opportunity for Kids

Q: How do the new Trump Accounts work?

A: The Working Families Tax Cuts Act signed into law last July 4 included a new investment benefit for U.S. citizens under age 18. Moms and Dads work tirelessly to provide for their families and make ends meet. Putting food on the table, filling the gas tank, paying for child care and pinching pennies to take a summer vacation make it challenging to budget for their own retirement, let alone their kids’ long-term financial security.

The landmark tax law created tax-advantaged investment accounts to help build financial security for kids and foster financial literacy in the next generation. There’s also an added benefit for parents who welcome a new baby into the family. The U.S. Treasury will contribute $1,000 for every American child born between Jan. 1, 2025 and Dec. 31, 2028. The account is in the child’s name and parents serve as the custodian of the funds until the child turns 18. Parents, family members and friends may deposit up to $5,000 each year to a child’s account to maximize growth. Employers may choose to contribute up to $2,500, on a pre-tax basis which counts towards the $5,000 annual limit. Government and tax-exempt entities may also make contributions to a designated class of beneficiaries, and such contributions do not count against the contribution limit. Trump Accounts will launch on our nation’s 250th birthday, July 4, 2026. To participate, parents need to complete and submit IRS Form 4547 online at https://www.irs.gov/trumpaccounts. To create an account, a valid Social Security number for each child is required. A mobile app is also available for download to manage and keep tabs on the balance, contributions and investment activity. All funds are automatically invested in American companies.

At age 18, the money accrued in the investment account belongs to the child. After that, accounts are generally governed by the same rules as a traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA). The money can continue to grow and be distributed for any purpose penalty free after reaching age 59 ½. Prior to this, distributions may be made penalty free for certain purposes, including for qualified higher education expenses or to make a first-time home purchase. When the time comes, it’s a good idea to consult with tax professionals before making withdrawals to avoid penalties. Remember, the balance grows over time, with or without contributions. These investment accounts build upon the strength of the American economy to give kids a head start on the American Dream. Early saving and investing will help the next generation climb the ladder of economic mobility and achieve financial security.

Q: Which of the nation’s founders put his money where his mouth was for America’s future?

A: In more ways than one, Benjamin Franklin shaped America’s path to freedom, prosperity and opportunity. A key architect of the Declaration of Independence, Franklin was the oldest delegate and shrewd diplomat who helped shepherd our nation’s founding charter to its adoption on July 4, 1776. He was among 56 delegates to sign the historic parchment at the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia. In addition to enshrining the American experiment and “self-evident” truths into the Declaration of Independence, Franklin pursued a 200-year financial experiment to benefit young tradesmen and fund public works. He understood the power of compound interest. He famously said, “Money makes money. And the money that makes money, makes money.”

A man of many talents – civic leader, inventor, statesman and entrepreneur – he also was a philanthropist. As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, one of Franklin’s historic bequests to future Americans illustrates his optimism for America. In his will, he left 1,000 pounds sterling each for his birth city, Boston, as well as his adopted hometown of Philadelphia. Recognizing the power of education and investment for the public good, he required the endowment funds be invested to gather interest for 200 years before they could be disbursed without restriction. For the first 100 years after his death, one-quarter of the funds were to be used to make low-interest loans to young apprentices to help start their business. The interest was reinvested to grow the principal. After 100 years, the remaining three-quarters of the endowments would be used for public works in each city. By 1990, the Franklin trusts matured and his gift had grown to millions of dollars.

Likewise, the Trump Accounts deliver a dose of optimism and enterprise for young Americans. I encourage Iowans to take advantage of this opportunity to sow seeds of prosperity for the next generation.


Hagerty Calls for Border Patrol, ICE Funding and Border Security Amid Shutdown

Senate Democrats refused to give ICE, Border Patrol funding for 110 days

WASHINGTON— Yesterday, United States Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) spoke on the Senate floor imploring his Senate colleagues to secure funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Boder Patrol (CBP) during budget reconciliation, which had been shut down since January.

*Click the photo above or click here to watch*

Remarks as prepared for delivery:

“We have gone 110 days with border patrol and ICE being defunded by the Democrats. The question I ask is: what do they want? They want to see more deaths. In 2025 alone, in my home state, 41 Tennesseans died at the hands of illegal immigrants… I took a call from a father whose son didn’t wake up on Thanksgiving morning because he got Fentanyl into his system. I do not ever want to take a call like that again.

And [Senate Democrats] want more national security risks. Under the Biden administration, 1,500 Iranians were apprehended at the southern border. 700 of them were admitted into the United States. We don’t know where they are. 24,000 Chinese nationals in one year were encountered at the southern border under Joe Biden.

… [Senate Democrats] want to distract us from the fact that every Democrat is about vote to defund ICE, to defund law enforcement, and to keep our border unsecure. Therefore, Mr. President, the pending amendment contains matter not within the jurisdiction of the Judiciary Committee, and thus is extraneous. Therefore, I raise a point of order under Section three 13 B one C of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.”


Senator Hassan Statement on Senate Republican Vote to Keep Costs High & Advance Trump Slush Funds

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) released the following statement after Senate Republicans rejected efforts to lower costs for families in favor of expanding a slush fund for ICE; rejected restraints on the President’s ballroom project; and refused to prohibit the President’s proposed nearly $2 billion fund, paid for by taxpayers, for giveaways to insurrectionists, convicted criminals, and political allies:

“During a cost-of-living emergency for families and small businesses, Senate Republicans today — over bipartisan opposition — pushed through legislation that puts the interests of the President over the pocketbooks of the American people. This bill expands a partisan slush fund for ICE, allows the President to continue his extravagant golden ballroom project, and paves the way for the President to roll out his $1.8 billion taxpayer-funded giveaway to January 6 insurrectionists, convicted criminals, and other political allies. Granite Staters and Americans see the President’s failures every day on gas station signs, grocery store receipts, electric bills, and at the pharmacy counter. They’re exhausted and need relief now.”

During debate on the legislation, Senator Hassan put forward an amendment to refocus this bill on solving the housing crisis facing families in New Hampshire and nationwide. Senator Hassan’s amendment would have expanded the federal HOME Investment Partnerships Program and sent more money to all 50 states to help build seven million new, high-quality homes nationwide. Senate Republicans voted against the amendment, and it failed to advance.

Senator Hassan’s effort to refocus the legislation on the priorities of the American people followed a similar push that she made when this partisan bill was before the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. During the Committee markup, Senator Hassan put forward several amendments to put common-sense guardrails on ICE and redirect funding for the President’s lavish ballroom project to expanding health care and countering terrorism and child sex exploitation. Senate Republicans on the Committee sided with President Trump and rejected these common-sense amendments.

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Hawley Provision to Fight Child Trafficking Passes Senate

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley’s (R-Mo.) provision to combat child exploitation passed the Senate. The provision, as part of the broader reconciliation bill to fund the Department of Homeland Security, will provide DHS with $108.5 million to hire 200 new child exploitation investigators and analysts. DHS currently employs only 7 full-time specialists to identify these victims.

“The Senate just passed my legislation with Tim Tebow to rescue thousands of children trapped in sex trafficking. That’s two hundred new law enforcement officers to find and rescue kids trafficked by predators and a new initiative to coordinate local, state, and federal enforcement. This is the biggest surge against child trafficking ever by the federal government. Let’s go rescue these kids,” said Senator Hawley.

DHS’ Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) plays a critical role in combating child exploitation online, but currently lacks the resources to fully execute its mission. In a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing chaired by Senator Hawley in March, Tim Tebow—the Heisman Trophy winner who now leads the Tim Tebow Foundation and its work to end child exploitation—described how HSI’s lack of staff for these cases hampers its ability to identify and find the exploited children who appear in child abuse images. Tebow told the subcommittee that 338,000 unique IP addresses have downloaded, shared, or distributed child rape images in the United States in just a matter of months, and as many as 89,000 unidentified child victims appear in these horrific materials. However, DHS currently employs only 7 full-time specialists to identify these victims.

Senator Hawley’s provision, modeled on the Renewed Hope Act, will provide HSI with a generational investment to both identify and rescue these unidentified children. The provision would allow HSI to:

Hire 40 new forensic analysts at the Victim Identification Laboratory at the Child Exploitation Investigations Unit of HSI

Hire 30 new child exploitation investigators at the Victim Identification Laboratory of the Child Exploitation Investigations Unit of HSI.

Hire 130 additional forensic analysts and child exploitation investigators at the offices of the Special Agents in Charge

Establish a dedicated training program in victim identification for federal, state, and local law enforcement to better coordinate investigations

Read Senator Hawley’s op-ed on the provision here.


Heinrich Fights Republicans’ Efforts to Fund ICE’s Lawlessness & Protect Trump’s $1.8 Billion Slush Fund for Cop-Beating Insurrectionists

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) stood up for New Mexico families by voting against Senate Republicans’ budget bill that fails to address the skyrocketing price of gas, groceries, and everyday essentials — while giving away $70 billion in taxpayer dollars to a lawless U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Border Patrol. These agencies are already sitting on over $103 billion in unspent funds from the last Republican budget bill.

Despite Heinrich’s work to amend the legislation, Republicans blocked every effort to provide needed relief to working families and refused to prohibit President Trump from using taxpayer dollars to fund his billion-dollar ballroom and create a $1.8 billon slush fund for convicted criminals who beat up police officers during the January 6, 2021 insurrection.

“While you’re paying higher costs on everything from gas to groceries, Senate Republicans are once again using your taxpayer dollars to fund a lawless ICE and protect Trump’s $1.8 billion slush fund for cop-beating insurrectionists,” said Heinrich. “Throughout this budget process, I fought for amendments to support working families, ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly, and help lower everyday costs. Senate Republicans rejected those efforts at every turn, making clear that they would rather fight harder for Trump’s corrupt vanity projects than deliver relief for the American people.”

As Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Heinrich successfully led the effort to block Senate Republicans from using their budget bill to fund Trump’s ballroom with $1 billion in taxpayer dollars. The Senate Parliamentarian sided with Heinrich, who advised that funding for Trump’s gilded ballroom would be subject to a 60-vote Byrd Rule point of order, effectively forcing its elimination from the legislation.

During the budget vote, Heinrich and Senate Democrats attempted to amend the legislation and provide much needed relief for working families.

Senate Republicans blocked Senate Democrats’ efforts to:

Prohibit Trump from using taxpayer dollars to create a $1.8 billon slush fund for convicted criminals who attacked the U.S. Capitol and beat up police officers on January 6, 2021.

Prohibit taxpayer dollars from being used to fund Trump’s billion-dollar gilded ballroom.

Revoke Trump's unlawful tax audit immunities.

Build 7 million new homes for working families nationwide, including 42,000 new homes in New Mexico.

Provide funding for the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, which expands the supply of affordable housing and helps more New Mexicans afford to rent or achieve homeownership.

Fund early childhood education for working families.

Establish a task force to conduct investigations into troubling health insurer utilization management practices, including “prior authorizations,” that often restrict or delay patient access to medically necessary healthcare.

Force the public disclosure of the White House’s agreements with pharmaceutical manufacturers, which Trump has forced companies to keep confidential. Hire local law enforcement officers to address public safety in local communities.

Require U.S. Department of Homeland (DHS) officers to wear body cameras while engaging in immigration enforcement activities.

Prohibit an acting Director of National Intelligence who is simultaneously leading any other Federal department or agency.

Process Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal applications in a timely manner.

Provide behavioral healthcare, counseling, and substance use prevention services to youth at risk of involvement in the juvenile justice system.

Limit the influence of Super PACs in federal elections.

Ensure safe, humane conditions at DHS detention centers.

Below is a list of amendments that Heinrich filed to amend Republicans’ budget resolution to lower costs for New Mexico families:

Lowering Costs & Fiscal Responsibility

An amendment to fund the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice to combat rising prices caused by anticompetitive practices.

An amendment to block Trump’s efforts to use taxpayer dollars to create a $1.8 billon slush fund for convicted criminals who attacked the U.S. Capitol and beat up police officers on January 6, 2021.

An amendment to prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars from being used to fund Trump’s billion-dollar ballroom.

Public Safety

An amendment to fund the interdiction of firearms being illegally trafficked out of the United States.

An amendment to fund increased efforts to combat human trafficking.

An amendment to improve federal and state DNA collection and analysis systems and end the DNA processing backlog that prevents an untold number of crimes from being solved.

An amendment to monitor and investigate terrorist threats to places of worship and collaborate with law enforcement partners to deter extremist violence.

An amendment to investigate and address violence by white nationalist domestic terrorist groups.

An amendment to track coercive economic practices of the Chinese Communist Party in the U.S.

Immigration

An amendment to train U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in processing Tribal identification documents.

An amendment to reduce the backlog of applications at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and expedite processing.

An amendment to reunite veterans and separated family members, including minor children, being held by DHS.

An amendment to provide post-release services, legal services, and child advocates.

An amendment to fund the DHS’ Shelter and Services Program, which provides humanitarian services to migrants while their immigration proceedings are pending.

An amendment to train U.S. Border Patrol agents to be emergency medical technicians.

Public Health & Food Safety

An amendment to increase the interdiction of illicit vaping devices.

An amendment to hire and train personnel to identify diseases with a high chance of zoonotic spillover in shipments of wildlife and animal products, illegally trafficked and poached wildlife and wildlife products, and illegally transported invasive plant and wildlife species.

An amendment to help combat New World screwworm flies, which threaten the U.S. cattle industry.

An amendment to help monitor pests and pathogens affecting specialty crops.

Public Lands & Conservation

An amendment to prevent the sale of public lands.

An amendment to identify and establish border crossing infrastructure that reduces human-wildlife conflict and enables wildlife range expansion.

Election Security

An amendment to improve election security.

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Heinrich Raises Questions on Potential Ethics Violations by Senior Official at Department of the Interior

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, sent a letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Secretary Burgum requesting a briefing from the Department’s Designated Ethics Official (DAO) regarding actions of Karen Budd-Falen, the Department’s Associate Deputy Secretary, that raise serious concerns about her compliance with federal ethics laws and standards.

“I am writing to express deep concern regarding reports that a senior official at the Department of the Interior (DOI or Department) may be involved in matters that present a conflict of interest,” Heinrich began in a letter to Burgum. “On April 29, 2026, you testified before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources regarding the President’s 2027 Budget Request. Following the hearing, in questions for the record, I asked you about reports that Karen Budd-Falen, the Department’s Associate Deputy Secretary, failed to previously disclose critical information in her financial disclosure report and recently received a partial ethics waiver permitting her to work on matters that could benefit her family.”

According to The Washington Post, in an interview conducted with Senator Lummis in December 2025 as part of a Congressional Western Caucus event, Ms. Budd-Falen appears to suggest that she has been involved in working on policy matters related to grazing – benefiting her immediate family.

Ms. Budd-Falen statements appears to have come months before she received a waiver from the Department. In late March, Politico reported that the Department issued Ms. Budd-Falen a section 208 waiver on March 11, 2026. Under the limited waiver, Ms. Budd-Falen is permitted to work on “certain particular matters of general applicability, including, but not limited to, particular matters of general applicability involving grazing leases or permits pending at the Department.”

This recent news comes on the heels of earlier reporting that Ms. Budd-Falen previously omitted disclosing critical information in her financial disclosure reports while serving in the first Trump Administration. In January 2026, The New York Times reported that Ms. Budd-Falen omitted disclosing her family’s financial interest associated with a lithium mine approved by DOI. “Ms. Budd-Falen’s statement and actions raise significant questions about her compliance with federal ethics laws and standards. Public officials have an obligation to put the public’s interest ahead of their own. Allegations of conflicts of interest should be handled with the extreme care and seriousness they deserve,” Heinrich continued, further requesting a briefing to the Committee from the Department’s Designated Ethics Official (DAO) to address his serious concerns.

Read the full letter here and below.

Secretary Burgum:

I am writing to express deep concern regarding reports that a senior official at the Department of the Interior (DOI or Department) may be involved in matters that present a conflict of interest.

On April 29, 2026, you testified before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources regarding the President’s 2027 Budget Request.1 Following the hearing, in questions for the record, I asked you about reports that Karen Budd-Falen, the Department’s Associate Deputy Secretary, failed to previously disclose critical information in her financial disclosure report and recently received a partial ethics waiver permitting her to work on matters that could benefit her family. Since submitting these questions, The Washington Post has reported that Ms. Budd-Falen has been involved in changes to policies that may benefit ranching businesses like her own family’s business.

According to The Washington Post, in an interview conducted with Senator Lummis in December 20253 as part of a Congressional Western Caucus event, Ms. Budd-Falen appears to suggest that she has been involved in working on policy matters related to grazing – benefiting her immediate family. At the event, Ms. Budd-Falen stated:

“We added some categorical exclusions so that if you have places like in northern Nevada where my father-in-law's place is, I mean, it's lots of cheat grass and you got to graze that cheat grass at the right time of year. And so when we added categorical exclusion so you can move cattle in there temporarily, get some of this grass grazed off, that'll also really help the wildfire situation.”

Ms. Budd-Falen statements at the event suggesting she worked on matters involving grazing policy appears to have come months before she received a waiver from the Department. In late March, Politico reported that the Department issued Ms. Budd-Falen a section 208 waiver on March 11, 2026. Under the limited waiver, Ms. Budd-Falen is permitted to work on “certain particular matters of general applicability, including, but not limited to, particular matters of general applicability involving grazing leases or permits pending at the Department.”

This recent news comes on the heels of earlier reporting that Ms. Budd-Falen previously omitted disclosing critical information in her financial disclosure reports while serving in the first Trump Administration. In January 2026, The New York Times reported that Ms. Budd-Falen omitted disclosing her family’s financial interest associated with a lithium mine approved by DOI. In 2018, Ms. Budd-Falen’s husband signed an agreement to sell water rights from a family ranch to Lithium Nevada Corporation, a subsidiary of Lithium Americas, for $3.5 million. Weeks prior to the sale, Ms. Budd-Falen received a waiver that allowed her family to retain a financial interest in the ranch. In November 2019, a year after her husband signed the water rights agreement, Ms. Budd-Falen met with Lithium America executives at DOI. At the time of this meeting, Lithium Nevada Corporation had pending business before DOI. Ms. Budd-Falen reportedly omitted reporting the sale on four successive financial disclosure reporting forms.

Ms. Budd-Falen’s statement and actions raise significant questions about her compliance with federal ethics laws and standards. Public officials have an obligation to put the public’s interest ahead of their own. Allegations of conflicts of interest should be handled with the extreme care and seriousness they deserve. For these reasons and to better understand Ms. Budd-Falen’s compliance with federal ethics laws and standards, I request that you make the Department’s Designated Ethics Official (DAO) available to brief the Committee by June 22, 2026.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Should you have any questions about this request, please contact my staff at (202) 224-4971.

Sincerely,


Hoeven: Senate Passes Secure America Act to Fund DHS Law Enforcement, Border Security

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement after the Senate approved the Secure America Act, reconciliation legislation that fully funds the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) border security and law enforcement operations for three years, ensuring funding through the rest of President Trump’s administration.

“The Secure America Act fully funds DHS law enforcement and border security operations, providing the resources DHS needs to secure the border and enforce our immigration laws through all of President Trump’s administration,” said Hoeven. “Border security is national security, and the Secure America Act will make our communities more safe and secure.”

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Husted votes to fund federal law enforcement

“Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe, and they deserve to be fully equipped and paid for their service.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) released the following statement after the Senate voted to pass the Secure America Act, a reconciliation bill to fund certain federal law enforcement agencies.

“Under the Biden administration, millions of criminal illegal immigrants flooded our borders and entered our country completely unchecked. Ohioans expect their government to enforce the rule of law, deport criminals, secure the border and keep their communities safe, and that’s exactly what this bill will do. I have consistently voted to fully fund federal law enforcement because it is critical they have the tools and resources needed to do their jobs safely. The lapse in funding, which also created a partial government shutdown, was unnecessary and hurtful. Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe, and they deserve to be fully equipped and paid for their service,” said Husted.

The bill includes funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) through 2029.

Background:

The Department of Homeland (DHS) faced a partial funding lapse for 76 days, resulting in the longest shutdown in U.S. history, because Senate Democrats would not support the final FY26 appropriations bill that funded DHS.

President Donald Trump signed the DHS appropriations bill into law to reopen the government. This version excluded funding for ICE and CBP.


Kaine & Booker Request Update Regarding United Nations Gang Suppression Force in Haiti

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC), led a letter to U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio regarding the Administration’s current policy toward Haiti. In the letter, the senators request information from the Administration about the United Nations Gang Suppression Force (GSF) to ensure that U.S. taxpayer dollars are used effectively and in alignment with international human rights law. They also urge the Administration to ensure GSF is part of a larger strategy that addresses the collapse of institutions and significant security, humanitarian, and economic challenges in Haiti.

“Since 2020, Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince has been plunged into crises at the hands of gangs, who now control 90 percent of the capital and perpetrate ruthless violence, including pervasive sexual violence, with abandon, driving the country into protracted humanitarian and public health crises,” wrote the senators. “The Administration’s focus on maximum lethality while transitioning U.S. resources away from a U.S. backed Multinational Security Support Mission for Haiti (MSS) and absent a broader strategy to address converging development and humanitarian challenges which fuel gangs’ reach and legitimacy, risks plunging Haiti into a fresh cycle of horrific violence and further collapse.”

“We urge the Administration to consider developing an integrated, holistic strategy to address these interrelated priorities. Haitian-led solutions guided by the people of Haiti are vital to the country’s future. U.S. diplomatic and programmatic support—including by forging partnerships with the international community, Haitian civil society, Haitian Diaspora and the private sector—is essential to addressing Haiti's myriad needs,” the senators continued. “Further, a holistic strategy avoids repeating the mistakes of past decades of interventionism in Haiti and ensures that U.S. taxpayer dollars are used effectively and in alignment with international human rights law.”

“We remain committed to working with you, including to ensure that U.S. backed and funded efforts do not risk exacerbating an already horrific and untenable situation,” the senators wrote.

Kaine is the Ranking Member of the SFRC Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women's Issues. Booker is the Ranking Member of the SFRC Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy.

In addition to Kaine and Booker, the letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Michael F. Bennet (D-CO), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA).

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Secretary Rubio,

We write with strong interest in working with the Administration to address the converging security, economic, and humanitarian crises affecting Haiti.

While the Administration’s success in coalescing international support for a United Nations Gang Suppression Force (GSF) represents a significant step forward in responding to Haiti’s request for security assistance, the impact of this effort may be eroded absent consideration of addressing the myriad competing challenges in Haiti.

Since 2020, Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince has been plunged into crises at the hands of gangs, who now control 90 percent of the capital and perpetrate ruthless violence, including pervasive sexual violence, with abandon, driving the country into protracted humanitarian and public health crises. The Administration’s focus on maximum lethality while transitioning U.S. resources away from a U.S. backed Multinational Security Support Mission for Haiti (MSS) and absent a broader strategy to address converging development and humanitarian challenges which fuel gangs’ reach and legitimacy, risks plunging Haiti into a fresh cycle of horrific violence and further collapse.

The intersecting crises are immense: the end of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council’s mandate has left an unelected interim leader to plan elections by the end of this year; widespread corruption and abuse of power persist; the beleaguered Haitian National Police face an asymmetric threat from gangs with access to an unrelenting flow of illicit firearms and ammunition, including from the United States; and counter gang-operations must contend with the reality that children make up half of all gang members in Haiti. A lack of development and economic opportunity, widespread poverty, food insecurity and malnutrition, a public health crisis, and the near collapse of the democratic process and all public institutions in Haiti compound the difficulties facing the Haitian people while further strengthening gangs’ legitimacy and power.

We urge the Administration to consider developing an integrated, holistic strategy to address these interrelated priorities. Haitian-led solutions guided by the people of Haiti are vital to the country’s future. U.S. diplomatic and programmatic support—including by forging partnerships with the international community, Haitian civil society, Haitian Diaspora and the private sector—is essential to addressing Haiti's myriad needs. Further, a holistic strategy avoids repeating the mistakes of past decades of interventionism in Haiti and ensures that U.S. taxpayer dollars are used effectively and in alignment with international human rights law. Reports that the United Nations received four, now substantiated, allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse perpetrated by members of the U.S. backed MSS underscore the complexity of deploying the GSF to Haiti and the need for independent review of these and similar allegations. Three of the victims of rape were children, and the fourth, who allegedly survived sexual violence, is just 18. The fact that the MSS was deployed in a bid to end horrific crimes undermines the future legitimacy of the GSF. These incidents occur against the historical backdrop of the Haitian people being victimized by those promising to forge a better future for the country. They also underscore the need for pre-deployment training of GSF personnel and swift accountability for any crimes committed.

Effective deployment of the GSF also requires a coherent plan to address the complexity of confronting child combatants, who make up a large share of Haiti’s gang members, in compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law. The Administration’s focus on lethality as GSF’s primary mission leaves open questions about its strategy for managing child recruits and combatants. This includes questions on how it will disarm, demobilize, and reintegrate (DDR) former child gang members into Haitian society as well as the role U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance have played and should play in addressing this critical priority.

Adding to our concerns are reports that the Haitian Government is funding a private security firm, Vectus Global, whose activities are not coordinated with the GSF but could easily be conflated with GSF operations on the ground, thereby undermining the GSF’s legitimacy.

We remain committed to working with you, including to ensure that U.S. backed and funded efforts do not risk exacerbating an already horrific and untenable situation. To address our questions and concerns, we request a briefing on the status of the GSF’s deployment no later than June 19, 2026, alongside a response to the following questions and requests for information.

We request you provide the following documents and information:

Provide the curriculum for GSF training.

Provide the GSF Concept of Operations.

List foreign assistance accounts, funding levels, funding fiscal year, and program descriptions for efforts funded by the State Department in Haiti following January 20, 2025.

Share any correspondence between the State Department, Erik Prince and/or Vectus Global regarding the private security firm’s work in Haiti.

Provide the status (contractor, PSC, Full Time Employee and/or Foreign Service Officer), and government service level, and bureau of gender, humanitarian, and human rights experts informing the Administration’s strategy on Haiti.

We request you provide answers to the following questions:

What funding has the Department of Defense obligated, expended, or planned to obligate or expend in support of the Multinational Security Support mission (MSS) or the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) since January 20, 2025?

How will the administration work with Haiti’s interim government and Haitian civil society to ensure transparency in decision-making around the financing, deployment, and oversight of the GSF?

What civilian harm mitigation measures will be implemented to prevent and minimize civilian casualties and injuries during GSF operations, particularly in dense urban areas?

What steps is the Administration taking to ensure that DDR programs are incorporated into GSF’s mission, and that these programs include specific plans for responding to children in gangs?

What independent investigative accountability frameworks and/or mechanisms are in place for the GSF and other armed actors to address instances when civilians are harmed through GSF operations? Or to address human rights violations and other crimes perpetrated by the GSF? What training has the GSF received regarding the accountability mechanism?

What steps is the Administration taking to ensure that the GSF fits within a broader U.S. strategy toward Haiti that addresses not only security, but also governance, judicial accountability and impunity, humanitarian needs, long-term stabilization, and sustainable economic development, including through trade preference programs for Haiti?

We look forward to receiving your response and to working together to support the Haitian people restore peace, security, and stability in their country.

Sincerely,

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Warner and Kaine Slam Partisan Spending Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), both members of the Senate Budget Committee, issued the following statement after Senate Republicans passed a partisan megabill that abandons the regular-order funding process and provides $70 billion in taxpayer funds for the Trump-Vance Administration’s draconian immigration agenda:

“At a time when millions of Americans are struggling to deal with rising costs generated by Donald Trump’s disastrous Iran war and his chaotic tariff taxes, what do Republican Senators do? They pass a bill giving $70 billion to immigration agencies sitting on $100 billion in unspent funds from last year. The bill passed today does nothing to bring down costs for everyday American families, nothing to reform the Administration’s out-of-control immigration agenda that has led to the harassment and murder of American citizens, nothing to keep the President from funneling money to political cronies or vanity projects like his ballroom, and nothing to end an unpopular and illegal war that is costing Americans tens of billions at the gas pump. Democratic efforts to redirect the $70 billion to reduce housing and health care costs were blocked by the GOP majority, and efforts to include basic immigration reforms were blocked as well. It’s shocking that the Trump-Vance agenda is so out of touch with the needs of American citizens.”

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