Kelly, Gallego, Grijalva to Indian Health Service: Don’t Shut Down Tucson’s Tribal Health Office

Arizona lawmakers demand answers before the Trump administration eliminates the only health office serving 28,000 Native patients in Southern Arizona

Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), alongside Representative Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07), sent a letter to the Indian Health Service (IHS) demanding it halt plans to shut down the Tucson Area Office and halt any merger with the Phoenix office until tribal communities have been properly consulted.

The Tucson Area Office is the primary point of contact for health services serving nearly 28,000 patients from the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Tohono O’odham Nation. The Trump administration’s plan would fold it into the Phoenix Area Office, leaving patients and staff with a drive of up to two hours to reach the nearest office and putting specialized services like dedicated diabetes care at risk of disappearing entirely.

“We write to express our serious concerns regarding the recently announced proposal to eliminate the Tucson Area Office by merging it with the Phoenix Area as part of the Indian Health Service’s broader realignment initiative,” the lawmakers wrote. “We ask that you immediately suspend implementation of the merger until you have clarified any impact this consolidation will have on the tribal nations in Southern Arizona and have completed meaningful, formal tribal consultation.”

The lawmakers noted that the Tucson office is the only one being eliminated through this realignment and questioned whether IHS had fully thought through the consequences. “It remains unclear how the Tucson Area Office, the only office that would be consolidated through this initiative, was selected for consolidation and whether the repercussions of this decision have been fully considered,”they wrote.

The letter echoes concerns raised directly by the Tohono O’odham Nation in a February 2026 tribal consultation response and demands IHS explain by June 15th how it chose Tucson, what consultation it conducted with the affected tribes, and what steps it will take to protect patients’ access to care.

The lawmakers called on IHS todemonstrate “how your agency plans to ensure continued quality of care, support tribal self-determination and self-governance, and uphold its trust obligations to the tribes of Southern Arizona.”


Kelly, Schiff, Slotkin Introduce Bill to Block Trump’s Corrupt Payouts, Prevent Future Abuse of DOJ Settlement Fund

Earlier today, the Senators held a press conference to announce the legislation, the livestream can be viewed here.

Today, Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) introduced the Drain the Slush Fund Act, new legislation that would shutter President Donald Trump’s so-called Anti-Weaponization Fund and prevent taxpayer dollars from being paid to the President or his allies, including those convicted of crimes or those related to the insurrection on January 6, 2021.

“Americans are struggling to make ends meet and Trump wants to use taxpayer money to pay off his friends and allies. The president’s slush fund is a $1.7 billion theft in broad daylight to benefit people like the criminals who attacked Capitol police officers on January 6th,” said Kelly. “The administration’s corruption is hurting hardworking families, so we’re stopping it in its tracks.”

“Donald Trump’s slush fund is one of the most brazenly corrupt schemes we’ve ever seen from a U.S. President. As Republicans return to Washington to provide further funding for this and other mistaken priorities, we’re going to hold them accountable, and force a vote on this language to shut down the slush fund once and for all. Americans see the cost of this corruption coming out of their own pockets. And as Senators who have actually seen their government weaponized against them, we want to make it clear: we will not allow a single payout from this so-called weaponization fund to be paid,” said Schiff.

“From his ballroom, to his son’s crypto currency, to insider stock trading and selling pardons to the highest bidder — President Trump has used the federal government as a piggybank for himself and his allies. This so-called $1.7 billion anti-weaponization fund is an unprecedented misuse of taxpayer money, and it must be stopped. Our bill does just that. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents are crying out for the President to focus on the economy and lowering their costs. My colleagues should join us on this bill to prevent even more corruption, and re-assert themselves as co-equal branch of government,” said Slotkin.

Background:

The Drain the Slush Fund Act would shut down President Trump’s so-called Anti-Weaponization Fund and block taxpayer dollars from being paid out to the President, his allies, those convicted of crimes, or those involved in the January 6 insurrection.

The legislation would also prevent presidential future abuse of the Department of Justice’s Settlement Fund by banning any settlements or payments stemming from a claim or lawsuit filed by the President of the United States or the Vice President. This ban would be retroactive to January 20, 2025, and will block any additional corrupt settlements using this fund and prevent future abuse or graft.


Lankford Remembers 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre

WASHINGTON, DC — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK) released the following statement on the 105th anniversary of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre that took hundreds of lives and left almost all of North Tulsa in ashes:

“The 31st of May and the 1st of June mark a time of solemn remembrance in our state and nation. One hundred and five years ago, the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre left a community in ruins and a nation with a wound that still demands honest reckoning. The residents of Greenwood did not allow that event to define them, and their resilience continues to inspire. North Tulsa, our state, and our nation lost much during those fateful days, but the work of turning tragedy into triumph continues. I remain grateful to the community leaders, churches, and families who press forward every day to restore North Tulsa as a beacon of culture, opportunity, and prosperity. True reconciliation requires that we never stop remembering, never stop listening, and never stop working toward a brighter future together.”

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Luján, Padilla, Cantwell Lead Senate Colleagues in Urging Sec. Lutnick to Halt Implementation of Trump’s Illegal EO to Eliminate Vote-by-Mail

Senators Direct Dept. of Commerce to Explain its Involvement with USPS and Elections and Preserve Documents for Congressional Oversight

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, led 13 Senate Democrats in demanding Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick opposing the Department’s involvement in President Trump’s illegal Executive Order (EO) attacking vote-by-mail and interfering with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). They also demanded that the Commerce Department halt implementing the EO and preserve and prepare all records and documents related to Commerce’s involvement in its drafting and implementation for congressional oversight purposes.

The Senators’ letter to Lutnick follows his prominent public appearance in the Oval Office where he briefed President Trump on the contents of the EO prior to the President’s signing of the order, which requires states to submit voter data to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), orders the USPS to refuse to deliver lawful ballots unless states comply, and threatens penalties for election officials and mail carriers. Despite the Department of Commerce lacking any authority over USPS or elections, Section 4 of the EO states that DHS and USPS “shall coordinate with the Secretary of Commerce in effectuating all relevant aspects of the implementation of this order.”

“We were greatly alarmed by your central role in EO 14399, as evidenced by your presence and remarks at the White House when President Trump signed EO 14399,” wrote the Senators. “Despite the Department having no authority over the USPS or role in administering federal elections, EO 14399 directs USPS and several federal agencies to ‘coordinate with the Secretary of Commerce in effectuating all relevant aspects of the implementation of this order.’ In addition, we are aware of nonpublic reports that you and your office had a key role in drafting and internally advancing this illegal and unconstitutional order. It is deeply disturbing for the Secretary of Commerce to attempt to illegally interfere with lawful mail ballots in states that do not cooperate with President Trump’s unconstitutional attempt to ‘take over the voting.’”

The Senators also emphasized that tens of millions of Americans rely on USPS and vote-by-mail as a safe and trustworthy method to vote in federal and state elections. Nearly 1 in 3 American voters voted by mail in the 2024 general election cycle, and USPS securely delivered more than 99 million ballots to and from voters – including free mail delivery to rural and remote communities. The Senators flagged that Trump’s vote-by-mail EO would severely restrict the use of absentee and mail-in voting among American voters, and any actions from the Department of Commerce to implement the EO would be an unlawful attempt “to interfere with lawfully cast ballots in federal elections.” President Trump himself has voted by mail at least three times in recent elections, including in 2026.

“We demand that the Department follow the law and cease any effort to ‘coordinate’ or ‘implement’ this EO,” the Senators continued. “We also formally request that you and all Department employees involved in the drafting, legal analysis, or other preparation or consideration of EO 14399, or any other assertion of Department control over the USPS, take immediate steps to preserve and retain all Department records and documents related to those topics. In addition, we request that the Department begin organizing these materials to facilitate Congressional oversight into the extent of the Secretary’s and Department’s involvement in this attempt to interfere with mail and absentee ballots in the 2026 general election.”

In their letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the Senators also noted that the Secretary failed to respond to a previous Senate letter pushing back against Trump’s plans to privatize USPS services and any efforts to move USPS functions to the Department of Commerce.

In addition to Luján, Padilla, and Cantwell, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

In April, Luján joined Padilla and 35 Senate colleagues in urging USPS to uphold federal law over President Trump’s illegal executive order to restrict vote by mail. Luján also joined Padilla in introducing the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act, legislation to block President Trump’s illegal and unconstitutional executive order attacking mail and absentee ballots and protect the right to vote by mail. Last year, Luján and Padilla led six Senators in a letter to Lutnick expressing serious concerns about the harmful impacts to American voters of the Trump Administration’s plans to privatize USPS and move it under the control of the Department of Commerce.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Secretary Lutnick:

We write to demand you follow the law and refrain from taking any action to coordinate or implement President Trump’s Executive Order 14399 (EO 14399) “Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections,” issued on March 31, 2026. We also formally request that the Department of Commerce (Department) retain and preserve all records and documents related to EO 14399 and organize these materials in preparation for congressional oversight.

On April 21, 2025, 8 U.S. Senators contacted you with strong opposition to any action to bring the United States Postal Service (USPS) under the control of the Department and potentially privatize its services. Any attempt by the Department to seize control over USPS would be illegal, and there are many serious policy concerns as well. Political interference in USPS would harm Americans and businesses who rely on the USPS for services, including the tens of millions of citizens who vote by mail or absentee ballots in U.S. elections. To date, the Department has failed to respond to that letter.

We were greatly alarmed by your central role in EO 14399, as evidenced by your presence and remarks at the White House when President Trump signed EO 14399. Despite the Department having no authority over the USPS or role in administering federal elections, EO 14399 directs USPS and several federal agencies to “coordinate with the Secretary of Commerce in effectuating all relevant aspects of the implementation of this order.” In addition, we are aware of nonpublic reports that you and your office had a key role in drafting and internally advancing this illegal and unconstitutional order. It is deeply disturbing for the Secretary of Commerce to attempt to illegally interfere with lawful mail ballots in states that do not cooperate with President Trump’s unconstitutional attempt to “take over the voting.”

President Trump has repeatedly stated his desire to “ban” mail voting, and he signed EO 14399 in pursuit of that goal, despite the fact that nearly 1 in 3 American voters—roughly 48 million citizens—voted by mail in the 2024 general election. Vote-by-mail is safe, secure, and convenient, and it has been used successfully across the political spectrum over many election cycles. It is particularly popular in Florida, where President Trump himself recently voted by mail in a March 24, 2026, special election, casting a mail ballot for at least the third time in recent years.

For tens of millions of other American voters, however, EO 14399 would severely restrict their use of absentee and mail-in voting. It attempts to require the USPS to refuse to deliver mail-in or absentee ballots unless the recipient is on a new federally approved list, a directive without any basis in law or the Constitution. The process by which USPS and federal agencies “shall coordinate” with the Secretary of Commerce “in effectuating all relevant aspects of the implementation” of this EO has not been publicly explained, but the implications are grave for the future of free and fair elections. Given your past statements regarding USPS, the text of the order, your role at the EO signing, and reports about your involvement in drafting the order, there is a clear danger that you will abuse your position to try to interfere with lawful mail ballots in upcoming federal elections.

As a result, we demand that the Department follow the law and cease any effort to “coordinate” or “implement” this EO. We also formally request that you and all Department employees involved in the drafting, legal analysis, or other preparation or consideration of EO 14399, or any other assertion of Department control over the USPS, take immediate steps to preserve and retain all Department records and documents related to those topics. In addition, we request that the Department begin organizing these materials to facilitate Congressional oversight into the extent of the Secretary’s and Department’s involvement in this attempt to interfere with mail and absentee ballots in the 2026 general election.

To better understand the extent of the Department’s involvement in this EO, we request an initial response to this letter no later than June 15, 2026. That response should confirm that the Department will adhere to the record preservation request and has begun to organize the relevant materials in anticipation of future requests. To better inform future requests, the initial response should include:

A full explanation of the extent of the Secretary’s and the Department’s involvement in drafting and implementation of EO 14399;

A full explanation of the Department of Commerce’s legal authority to “coordinate” USPS and federal agency implementation of EO 14399;

A list of the Department of Commerce political appointees involved in the consideration, drafting, and implementation of the EO 14399;

A list of all steps that the Department has taken to implement EO 14399 to date, including any meetings or communications between the Secretary or other Department political appointees with USPS or federal agencies regarding implementation of EO 14399.

We urge you to be mindful that no EO can grant the Secretary of Commerce any authority to “coordinate” the “implementation” of an illegal and unconstitutional attempt to interfere with lawfully cast ballots in federal elections. You and the Department are also bound by the Federal Records Act and other federal records laws, which require notification of violations and carry potential criminal penalties for violations involving the willful removal or destruction of documents. We look forward to your response no later than June 15, 2026.

Sincerely,

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Senator Marshall Invites Kansas Veterans to Preserve Their Stories in the Library of Congress

Abilene – This D-Day, the Library of Congress Veterans History Project is partnering with Senator Roger Marshall and the Eisenhower Presidential Library to recognize Kansas veterans by preserving their stories for history in the Library of Congress archives.

Any U.S. veteran, regardless of where they served or if they saw combat, is welcome to share their story by participating in an oral history interview and/or bringing photographs, letters, journals, or diaries from their service for preservation. These firsthand accounts will be added to the archives at the Library of Congress, preserving the stories of service and sacrifice for future generations of Americans.

“This year marks 250 years of the greatest country on earth — a country that wouldn’t exist without the brave men and women who have defended it with their lives,” said Senator Marshall. “Remembering the stories of the veterans who have protected America’s freedom and sovereignty is more important now than ever, and I applaud this effort to preserve those stories permanently in the Library of Congress.”

Where: Eisenhower Presidential Library (200 S E 4th St., Abilene, KS 67410)

When: Saturday, June 6th, 2026,

Time: 9:30 AM – 5 PM

For more information, see the veteran signup link here or reach out to Andrew Huber: (202) 707-1819, ahub@loc.gov.

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VIDEO RELEASE: As Hurricane Season Begins, Senator Moody Urges Floridians to Be Prepared

WASHINGTON, D.C.—As Hurricane Season begins today, Senator Ashley Moody is urging Floridians to be prepared. Forecasters with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service project a total of eight-to-14 named storms, with three-to-six of those becoming hurricanes this year. While experts predict a below-normal season, just one storm can leave lasting damage. Senator Moody teamed up with Jim Cantore from The Weather Channel to issue a public service announcement reminding Floridians that the best time to prepare for a storm is before there is one in the forecast.

“Whether it’s your first hurricane season as a new Floridian or your 50th, it’s vital to be ready for any potential storm strike. Just one storm can cause a great deal of damage to counties and communities. Preparing now can help you stay safe all season long,” said Senator Ashley Moody.

BACKGROUND:

The Atlantic Hurricane Season begins June 1 and runs through November 30.

Senator Moody added a webpage on her site for Floridians looking for resources and tips for getting prepared for storms—visitMoody.Senate.gov/Storm-Preparation to learn more.

Senator Moody recently visited Bartow to tout the more than $1.5 billion secured for Florida in FEMA public assistance funding. Senator Moody worked to secure these funds to reimburse more than 500 projects around the state from hurricanes and other disasters dating back several years.

Senator Moody introduced the TRACK Act (Transparency in Recovery Assistance & Claims Knowledge Act) to bring more transparency to the FEMA disaster aid process and has now passed into law. The TRACK Act mandates a status tracker on the FEMA website, so victims of a disaster have easily available knowledge and insight of their claim’s progress.

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Murray, Klobuchar Raise Concerns About Food Safety and Inspection Service Reorganization

ICYMI: In Letter, Murray, Klobuchar Raise Concerns about Food and Nutrition Service Reorganization

ICYMI: Murray, Klobuchar Raise Concerns about the USDA Research, Education, and Economics Mission Area Reorganization

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, joined Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and 18 of their colleagues in sending a letter to Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Valden raising strong concerns about the plan to reorganize the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“We write with serious concern regarding the announced reorganization of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS),” wrote the Senators. “Rather than strengthening the agency’s effectiveness, this reorganization poses a risk to FSIS’s core mission of protecting public health and ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply.”

“Losses in staff and institutional expertise as a result of this relocation could delay the identification and containment of outbreaks involving pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, or Listeria, allowing contaminated products to remain in commerce longer and increasing illnesses nationwide,” the Senators continued. “Reduced coordination amongst FSIS and other food safety and public health agencies like the Food and Drug Administration, and state partners could also slow traceback investigations and public communication during multistate outbreaks, when rapid response is critical to prevent additional illnesses. Instead of moving its employees across the country, FSIS should be focused on maintaining food safety. Overall, this reorganization threatens to undermine FSIS’s effectiveness and weakens an agency that American consumers rely on every day.”

Along with Murray and Klobuchar, the letter was signed by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

The full letter is available HERE and below.

Dear Deputy Secretary Vaden:

We write with serious concern regarding the announced reorganization of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). Rather than strengthening the agency’s effectiveness, this reorganization poses a risk to FSIS’s core mission of protecting public health and ensuring the safety of our nation’s food supply.

FSIS plays a key role in safeguarding American consumers. Not only does FSIS provide critical frontline inspection of meat, poultry, egg, and some fish products, but the agency also plays an important role in informing the public through outreach and education and coordinating with the many international, federal, state, and local agencies that play a part in food safety. When outbreaks inevitably happen, FSIS provides a rapid response to contain illness before it spreads widely.

The Deferred Resignation Program implemented last year has already resulted in a loss of more than 500 FSIS employees, straining a key agency that operates under significant pressure. Now the Administration is asking two-thirds of the FSIS staff in the Washington, D.C. area to relocate to Iowa, Georgia, or Colorado within months, which could weaken interagency coordination and rapid response efforts during foodborne illness outbreaks, creating a greater risk to consumers and our food supply. Since FSIS was not explicitly included in the July 2025 Secretarial Memorandum on USDA’s proposed reorganization, FSIS stakeholders, employees, consumer advocates, and industry partners have not been able to provide meaningful comments on changes that could have significant implications for the nation’s food safety system.

Losses in staff and institutional expertise as a result of this relocation could delay the identification and containment of outbreaks involving pathogens such as Salmonella, E. coli, or Listeria, allowing contaminated products to remain in commerce longer and increasing illnesses nationwide. Reduced coordination amongst FSIS and other food safety and public health agencies like the Food and Drug Administration, and state partners could also slow traceback investigations and public communication during multistate outbreaks, when rapid response is critical to prevent additional illnesses. Instead of moving its employees across the country, FSIS should be focused on maintaining food safety. Overall, this reorganization threatens to undermine FSIS’s effectiveness and weakens an agency that American consumers rely on every day.

We ask that you provide a detailed description of how you will ensure that FSIS will maintain full operational capacity during and after this transition. Specifically, we ask that you provide further details on what communication USDA has had with impacted FSIS employees, how the USDA will mitigate anticipated workforce losses, preserve critical expertise, and ensure that outbreak response, interagency coordination, and rulemaking activities are not compromised.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter, and we look forward to receiving your response within 30 days.

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Sen. Ossoff Announces Federal Funding Opportunity for Georgia Rural Hospitals

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff today announced a new Federal funding opportunity for Georgia’s rural hospitals.

As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Ossoff helped pass into law funding for a new Federal grant program to support rural hospitals as part of the bipartisan government funding bill that became law on February 3.

The new Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program (RHPAP) offers Federal funding to rural hospitals for the maintenance of health care providers with the goal of maintaining essential health care services and preventing closures.

According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), over a dozen rural hospitals across Georgia are eligible for the new Federal program.

Sen. Ossoff is encouraging Georgia’s rural hospitals to submit applications for the competitive grant program and to reach out to his office for any assistance.

Applications must be submitted by July 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET and must be submitted online here.

“Georgia’s rural hospitals have been under strain for years, made worse by recent cuts to Medicaid. Bringing Republicans and Democrats in Congress together, I helped pass into law this new Federal funding to help strengthen Georgia’s rural hospitals,” Sen. Ossoff said. “I encourage eligible Georgia rural hospitals to contact me and my office with any questions about this grant opportunity.”

Sen. Ossoff continues working to expand and improve health care for rural Georgians.

This year, Sens. Ossoff and Rev. Warnock brought Republicans and Democrats together to deliver healthcare upgrades for Southwest Georgia communities, including Federal funding to upgrade hospital infrastructure in Crisp County, deliver a new MRI machine to Irwin County, fund a new CT Scanner, mammogram machine, and ambulance in Clinch County, and purchase new medical equipment for maternal and neonatal care in Valdosta.

Sen. Ossoff brought Republicans and Democrats together to expand health care services for families in metro Atlanta and across North Georgia, including expanding health care transportation services in Rome, delivering a new Cardiac CT Scanner for a rural hospital in Union County, and delivering new equipment in Calhoun.

In 2024, Sen. Ossoff delivered Federal resources to Crisp Regional Hospital to help construct a new health clinic facility in Warwick, Georgia.

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Padilla, Cortez Masto, Goldman, Crow Denounce Trump Administration’s Nonpayment for Legal Services for Unaccompanied Minors, Demand Payment

Legal Services Providers Have Not Received Payment Owed Since 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) along with U.S. Representatives Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.-10), Jason Crow (D-Colo.-06), and 70 lawmakers demanded that the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) reimburse providers for work performed under their contract to furnish legal services to unaccompanied children. ORR has not issued reimbursements for services rendered since December 2025, despite Congress having appropriated funds for this purpose. The agency’s ongoing refusal to issue payments contravenes the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) requirements, appropriations directives, and the federal government’s contractual obligations.

“ORR’s plain breach of contract threatens the viability of the nationwide network of nonprofit legal service providers that serve vulnerable unaccompanied children. These providers deliver critical legal representation, legal screenings, and Know Your Rights presentations to thousands of children across the country,” wrote the lawmakers. “Their work is essential to ensuring that children are protected from trafficking, exploitation, and other harms, and that they appear for and are able to meaningfully participate in their immigration proceedings. Nonprofit providers do not have the reserves necessary to absorb prolonged nonpayment at this scale. As a result, organizations may be forced to lay off staff, stop accepting new cases, or cease operations altogether. These outcomes would jeopardize thousands of children’s access to legal representation mid-case.”

In their letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the lawmakers also expressed concern about reports that ORR is conditioning reimbursement on the provision of additional, case-specific information not required under the terms of the contract. These demands are an administrative stall tactic and reportedly include identifying information about child clients that may implicate attorney- client privilege and ethical obligations governing confidentiality.

The lawmakers demanded that ORR immediately fulfill all pending invoices; provide an explanation of the basis for the payment delays; and confirm that ORR will not condition payment on the provision of information not required under the contract.

Padilla is a leading voice in Congress opposing President Trump’s anti-immigrant actions and rhetoric. Last year, after a whistleblower disclosure alleged that the Trump Administration concealed information about the safety of dozens of unaccompanied Guatemalan children they tried to deport to danger without process, Padilla requested an oversight hearing on ORR’s mass child deportation efforts. Padilla also led seven Senators in sounding the alarm on troubling reports that ORR unlawfully granted expanded access to sensitive data on unaccompanied children and their sponsors to DHS’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The Senators raised serious concerns that ICE could misuse this confidential information to enact mass deportations and detain noncitizen families and demanded former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and HHS Secretary Kennedy immediately cease this misguided practice. In March of last year, Padilla blasted the Trump Administration’s stop work order to organizations that provide legal services for unaccompanied children and demanded restoration of Congressionally mandated legal representation for children in the immigration system.

The full text of the letter is available here or below:

Dear Secretary Kennedy:

We write with urgent concern regarding the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s (ORR) failure to reimburse providers for work performed under its contract to furnish legal services to unaccompanied children. Based on available information, ORR has not issued reimbursements for services rendered since December 2025, despite Congress having appropriated—and ORR having obligated—funds for this purpose. These non-payments violate numerous laws and imminently threaten the continued provision of essential legal services to vulnerable children.

As you know, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA) requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure that unaccompanied children have access to legal representation “to the greatest extent practicable.” For nearly two decades, ORR has fulfilled this mandate through a contract it administers that presently provides funding to nearly 100 legal services providers throughout the country. Successful implementation of that contract depends on timely reimbursement for services rendered. Indeed, bipartisan Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations measures mandate that ORR fund services performed under the contract. The agency’s ongoing refusal to issue payments contravenes the TVPRA, appropriations directives, and the federal government’s contractual obligations.

ORR’s plain breach of contract threatens the viability of the nationwide network of nonprofit legal service providers that serve vulnerable unaccompanied children. These providers deliver critical legal representation, legal screenings, and Know Your Rights presentations to thousands of children across the country. Their work is essential to ensuring that children are protected from trafficking, exploitation, and other harms, and that they appear for and are able to meaningfully participate in their immigration proceedings. Nonprofit providers do not have the reserves necessary to absorb prolonged nonpayment at this scale. As a result, organizations may be forced to lay off staff, stop accepting new cases, or cease operations altogether. These outcomes would jeopardize thousands of children’s access to legal representation mid-case.

We are particularly troubled by reports that ORR is conditioning reimbursement on the provision of additional, case-specific information not required under the terms of the contract. The additional demands appear to be an administrative stall tactic that is wholly unjustified and unacceptable. Moreover, these new demands reportedly include identifying information about child clients that may implicate attorney- client privilege and ethical obligations governing confidentiality. Such requirements are inconsistent with longstanding legal ethics rules and raise serious additional concerns, particularly given existing information-sharing arrangements between HHS and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which serves as opposing counsel in immigration proceedings. Legal services providers cannot—and must not—

be compelled to violate ethical obligations to their clients as a condition of receiving payment. Conditioning reimbursement on such disclosures would represent a unilateral and improper modification of the contract.

Ultimately, we are concerned that these payment delays may be an attempt to circumvent requirements that ORR continue funding legal services for unaccompanied children. However, the federal government must meet its obligations under the law. Accordingly, we request the following:

Immediately fulfill all pending invoices for legal services performed under the ORR contract;

Confirm that ORR will not condition payment on the provision of information not required under the contract, not least where such requirements would implicate attorney-client privilege or ethical obligations;

Provide a detailed explanation of the basis for the payment delays, including any internal directives or policy changes that led to this situation; and

Outline the steps HHS will take to ensure timely reimbursement going forward, consistent with contractual and statutory requirements.

Given the urgency of this matter and its impact on vulnerable children and nonprofit providers nationwide, we request a response no later than June 5th, 2026. We appreciate your prompt attention to this issue and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

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Padilla Leads Senate Colleagues in Urging Sec. Lutnick to Halt Implementation of Trump’s Illegal EO to Eliminate Vote-by-Mail

Senators Direct Dept. of Commerce to Explain its Involvement with USPS and Elections and Preserve Documents for Congressional Oversight

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and California’s former Secretary of State, along with Senators Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), led 13 Senate Democrats in demanding Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick opposing the Department’s involvement in President Trump’s illegal Executive Order (EO) attacking vote-by-mail and interfering with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). They also demanded that the Commerce Department halt implementing the EO and preserve and prepare all records and documents related to Commerce’s involvement in its drafting and implementation for congressional oversight purposes.

The Senators’ letter to Lutnick follows his prominent public appearance in the Oval Office where he briefed President Trump on the contents of the EO prior to the President’s signing of the order, which requires states to submit voter data to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), orders the USPS to refuse to deliver lawful ballots unless states comply, and threatens penalties for election officials and mail carriers. Despite the Department of Commerce lacking any authority over USPS or elections, Section 4 of the EO states that DHS and USPS “shall coordinate with the Secretary of Commerce in effectuating all relevant aspects of the implementation of this order.”

“We were greatly alarmed by your central role in EO 14399, as evidenced by your presence and remarks at the White House when President Trump signed EO 14399,” wrote the Senators. “Despite the Department having no authority over the USPS or role in administering federal elections, EO 14399 directs USPS and several federal agencies to ‘coordinate with the Secretary of Commerce in effectuating all relevant aspects of the implementation of this order.’ In addition, we are aware of nonpublic reports that you and your office had a key role in drafting and internally advancing this illegal and unconstitutional order. It is deeply disturbing for the Secretary of Commerce to attempt to illegally interfere with lawful mail ballots in states that do not cooperate with President Trump’s unconstitutional attempt to ‘take over the voting.’”

The Senators also emphasized that tens of millions of Americans rely on USPS and vote-by-mail as a safe and trustworthy method to vote in federal and state elections. Nearly 1 in 3 American voters voted by mail in the 2024 general election cycle, and USPS securely delivered more than 99 million ballots to and from voters – including free mail delivery to rural and remote communities. The Senators flagged that Trump’s vote-by-mail EO would severely restrict the use of absentee and mail-in voting among American voters, and any actions from the Department of Commerce to implement the EO would be an unlawful attempt “to interfere with lawfully cast ballots in federal elections.” President Trump himself has voted by mail at least three times in recent elections, including in 2026.

“We demand that the Department follow the law and cease any effort to ‘coordinate’ or ‘implement’ this EO,” the Senators continued. “We also formally request that you and all Department employees involved in the drafting, legal analysis, or other preparation or consideration of EO 14399, or any other assertion of Department control over the USPS, take immediate steps to preserve and retain all Department records and documents related to those topics. In addition, we request that the Department begin organizing these materials to facilitate Congressional oversight into the extent of the Secretary’s and Department’s involvement in this attempt to interfere with mail and absentee ballots in the 2026 general election.”

In their letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the Senators also noted that the Secretary failed to respond to a previous Senate letter pushing back against Trump’s plans to privatize USPS services and any efforts to move USPS functions to the Department of Commerce.

In addition to Padilla, Cantwell, and Luján, the letter was signed by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).

As Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee with oversight over federal elections, Padilla has led the charge in challenging Trump’s illegal attacks on Americans’ right to vote, especially through vote-by-mail. In response to Trump’s unlawful EO, Padilla introduced Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act, which would nullify Trump’s EO and place restrictions on the administration’s attempts to implement any unlawful voter restrictions. Padilla also took to the Senate floor four times as a leader in the Democratic opposition to the anti-voter SAVE Act. Last year, Padilla and Luján led six Senators in a letter to Lutnick expressing serious concerns about the harmful impacts to American voters of the Trump Administration’s plans to privatize USPS and move it under the control of the Department of Commerce.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Secretary Lutnick:

We write to demand you follow the law and refrain from taking any action to coordinate or implement President Trump’s Executive Order 14399 (EO 14399) “Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections,” issued on March 31, 2026. We also formally request that the Department of Commerce (Department) retain and preserve all records and documents related to EO 14399 and organize these materials in preparation for congressional oversight.

On April 21, 2025, 8 U.S. Senators contacted you with strong opposition to any action to bring the United States Postal Service (USPS) under the control of the Department and potentially privatize its services. Any attempt by the Department to seize control over USPS would be illegal, and there are many serious policy concerns as well. Political interference in USPS would harm Americans and businesses who rely on the USPS for services, including the tens of millions of citizens who vote by mail or absentee ballots in U.S. elections. To date, the Department has failed to respond to that letter.

We were greatly alarmed by your central role in EO 14399, as evidenced by your presence and remarks at the White House when President Trump signed EO 14399. Despite the Department having no authority over the USPS or role in administering federal elections, EO 14399 directs USPS and several federal agencies to “coordinate with the Secretary of Commerce in effectuating all relevant aspects of the implementation of this order.” In addition, we are aware of nonpublic reports that you and your office had a key role in drafting and internally advancing this illegal and unconstitutional order. It is deeply disturbing for the Secretary of Commerce to attempt to illegally interfere with lawful mail ballots in states that do not cooperate with President Trump’s unconstitutional attempt to “take over the voting.”

President Trump has repeatedly stated his desire to “ban” mail voting, and he signed EO 14399 in pursuit of that goal, despite the fact that nearly 1 in 3 American voters—roughly 48 million citizens—voted by mail in the 2024 general election. Vote-by-mail is safe, secure, and convenient, and it has been used successfully across the political spectrum over many election cycles. It is particularly popular in Florida, where President Trump himself recently voted by mail in a March 24, 2026, special election, casting a mail ballot for at least the third time in recent years.

For tens of millions of other American voters, however, EO 14399 would severely restrict their use of absentee and mail-in voting. It attempts to require the USPS to refuse to deliver mail-in or absentee ballots unless the recipient is on a new federally approved list, a directive without any basis in law or the Constitution. The process by which USPS and federal agencies “shall coordinate” with the Secretary of Commerce “in effectuating all relevant aspects of the implementation” of this EO has not been publicly explained, but the implications are grave for the future of free and fair elections. Given your past statements regarding USPS, the text of the order, your role at the EO signing, and reports about your involvement in drafting the order, there is a clear danger that you will abuse your position to try to interfere with lawful mail ballots in upcoming federal elections.

As a result, we demand that the Department follow the law and cease any effort to “coordinate” or “implement” this EO. We also formally request that you and all Department employees involved in the drafting, legal analysis, or other preparation or consideration of EO 14399, or any other assertion of Department control over the USPS, take immediate steps to preserve and retain all Department records and documents related to those topics. In addition, we request that the Department begin organizing these materials to facilitate Congressional oversight into the extent of the Secretary’s and Department’s involvement in this attempt to interfere with mail and absentee ballots in the 2026 general election.

To better understand the extent of the Department’s involvement in this EO, we request an initial response to this letter no later than June 15, 2026. That response should confirm that the Department will adhere to the record preservation request and has begun to organize the relevant materials in anticipation of future requests. To better inform future requests, the initial response should include:

A full explanation of the extent of the Secretary’s and the Department’s involvement in drafting and implementation of EO 14399;

A full explanation of the Department of Commerce’s legal authority to “coordinate” USPS and federal agency implementation of EO 14399;

A list of the Department of Commerce political appointees involved in the consideration, drafting, and implementation of the EO 14399;

A list of all steps that the Department has taken to implement EO 14399 to date, including any meetings or communications between the Secretary or other Department political appointees with USPS or federal agencies regarding implementation of EO 14399.

We urge you to be mindful that no EO can grant the Secretary of Commerce any authority to “coordinate” the “implementation” of an illegal and unconstitutional attempt to interfere with lawfully cast ballots in federal elections. You and the Department are also bound by the Federal Records Act and other federal records laws, which require notification of violations and carry potential criminal penalties for violations involving the willful removal or destruction of documents. We look forward to your response no later than June 15, 2026.

Sincerely,

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Padilla, Welch, Senate Judiciary Colleagues Demand Urgent and Thorough Investigation into Trump’s $1.8 billion DOJ Slush Fund

Demand to DOJ IG Comes After Republicans Blocked Padilla’s Bill to Stop Taxpayer-funded Rewards for January 6th Rioters

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and all Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats in demanding that the Department of Justice (DOJ) Inspector General (IG) launch an immediate, thorough, and quick investigation into President Trump’s creation of the nearly $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund.”

In their letter to DOJ Acting IG William Blier, the Senators emphasized how President Trump’s slush fund, created from a settlement agreement in Trump v. Internal Revenue Service (IRS), represents waste, fraud, and abuse of an unprecedented magnitude and must be subjected to independent scrutiny. The Senators slammed President Trump’s slush fund for drawing almost $1.8 billion from the Judgment Fund—a permanent, indefinite appropriation funded by American tax dollars to pay legitimate settlements and court judgments against the United States.

“Now these tax dollars are set to go to whomever President Trump pleases; there are no limitations on individuals affiliated with the President receiving payments from the Fund,” wrote the Senators. “Not only is the baseless partisan nature of the Fund egregious in and of itself, but the Fund has no limits on payouts to individuals convicted of violent crimes, including, for instance, the President’s supporters who were convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers on January 6th, 2021, at least one of whom has gone on to commit further horrendous crimes empowered by his belief in future monetary restitution from the Trump Administration.”

The Senators also highlighted how Trump and his appointees have virtually complete discretion over the slush fund’s structure and who gets payouts.

“According to DOJ, the Fund’s rules and procedures may be shielded from the public at the discretion of the Fund’s commissioners,” continued the Senators. “The only person who will receive information about who has received a payout is the Attorney General—provided in a confidential report that is shielded from public scrutiny. As part of this settlement, the President was also granted immunity from pending and future tax liability. This blanket immunity wipes away the potential for a $100 million tax penalty.”

The Senators further outlined how the Trump v. IRS settlement agreement, and its addendum, were signed by DOJ officials with clear conflicts of interest. They also demanded accountability and a full investigation from the Office of the Inspector General.

“Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who signed the addendum, served as President Trump’s lead criminal defense attorney in multiple matters prior to his current role,” wrote the Senators. “He was reportedly advised to recuse himself from any personal matters involving the President shortly after he was confirmed as Deputy Attorney General. Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, who signed the agreement, represented January 6th defendants and allies of the President in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith.”

“This settlement agreement and the fund it creates demand accountability,” concluded the Senators. “Congress mandated that inspectors general be established as ‘independent and objective units’ that ‘prevent and detect fraud and abuse.’ The Fund’s structure, secrecy, and lack of payout criteria, and general arbitrariness, fall well within your authority. We request that the Office of the Inspector General launch an immediate, thorough, and quick investigation. We also request that any matters deemed to fall outside of OIG’s jurisdiction be promptly referred to the Office of Professional Responsibility for appropriate review. Please also notify our offices by June 2, 2026, of your decision.”

In addition to Padilla and Welch, the letter was signed by Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Cory Booker (N.J.).

Last month, Padilla slammed the Administration’s $1.8 billion slush fund and highlighted that the slush fund could be used to compensate or financially reward convicted January 6 insurrectionists. Last month, Padilla asked for unanimous consent to pass his No Rewards for January 6 Rioters Act — introduced with Whitehouse on January 6 of this year, the fifth anniversary of the attack — which would prohibit federal funds from being used to compensate or refund January 6 insurrectionists. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) objected.

The full letter is available here and below:

Dear Acting Inspector General Blier:

We write to request that you immediately initiate an investigation into the creation of the nearly $1.8 billion “Anti-Weaponization Fund” announced by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on May 18, 2026, from a settlement agreement in Trump v. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This slush fund represents waste, fraud, and abuse of an unprecedented magnitude and must be subjected to independent scrutiny.

The dispute in Trump v. IRS involved questionably adverse parties—the President sued his own Administration, naming the personnel he directs as defendants. Reflecting this very concern, the judge presiding over the case scheduled a hearing for May 27, 2026, to consider whether there was sufficient adverseness between the parties involved for the case to proceed.

The Fund will draw almost $1.8 billion from the Judgment Fund, a permanent, indefinite appropriation funded by American tax dollars to pay legitimate settlements and court judgments against the United States. Now these tax dollars are set to go to whomever President Trump pleases; there are no limitations on individuals affiliated with the President receiving payments from the Fund. Not only is the baseless partisan nature of the Fund egregious in and of itself, but the Fund has no limits on payouts to individuals convicted of violent crimes, including, for instance, the President’s supporters who were convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers on January 6, 2021, at least one of whom has gone on to commit further horrendous crimes empowered by his belief in future monetary restitution from the Trump Administration.

President Trump and his appointees have virtually complete discretion over the Fund’s structure and who gets payouts. According to DOJ, the Fund’s rules and procedures may be shielded from the public at the discretion of the Fund’s commissioners. The only person who will receive information about who has received a payout is the Attorney General—provided in a confidential report that is shielded from public scrutiny.

As part of this settlement, the President was also granted immunity from pending and future tax liability. This blanket immunity wipes away the potential for a $100 million tax penalty.

The settlement agreement, and its addendum, were signed by DOJ officials with clear conflicts of interest. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who signed the addendum, served as President Trump’s lead criminal defense attorney in multiple matters prior to his current role. He was reportedly advised to recuse himself from any personal matters involving the President shortly after he was confirmed as Deputy Attorney General. Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, who signed the agreement, represented January 6th defendants and allies of the President in the Mar-a-Lago classified documents case brought by Special Counsel Jack Smith.

This settlement agreement and the fund it creates demand accountability.

Congress mandated that inspectors general be established as “independent and objective units” that “prevent and detect fraud and abuse.” The Fund’s structure, secrecy, and lack of payout criteria, and general arbitrariness, fall well within your authority.

We request that the Office of the Inspector General launch an immediate, thorough, and quick investigation. We also request that any matters deemed to fall outside of OIG’s jurisdiction be promptly referred to the Office of Professional Responsibility for appropriate review. Please also notify our offices by June 2, 2026 of your decision.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

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Reed Vows to Flush Trump’s $1.8B ‘MAGA Grievance Slush Fund’

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jack Reed is joining with Senate Democratic leaders in vowing to block President Trump’s proposed $1.8 billion ‘MAGA grievance slush fund’ and any similar self-dealing slush fund before any U.S. taxpayer money goes out the door.

Senate Democrats are united in opposing this corruption and are planning to use reconciliation, appropriations, floor action, and oversight to block any such taxpayer-funded, non-transparent Trump payoffs and force Republicans on the record: stand with taxpayers, or stand with Trump’s brazenly corrupt slush fund.

The controversial slush fund was announced last month as part of an illegitimate settlement of Donald Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), an agency the president controls through his appointees. Trump sued the IRS because during his first term, an IRS-contractor that his own Administration hired, leaked the tax returns of several wealthy individuals, including President Trump, showing that they paid little to no federal taxes from 2015 through 2020. The induvial who improperly accessed and released these tax returns was prosecuted and sentenced to jail. No other persons who had their tax information leaked received any such monetary damages from the federal government.

Today, Senator Reed stated:

“What President Trump is attempting to do here is abuse his power, create a corrupt partisan slush fund, and use it to further undermine the rule of law. This stunningly corrupt extrajudicial scheme must be halted. President Trump and his lawyers who thought they could pull an end run on the judicial system must now reckon with the U.S. Senate. Democrats are united and will do everything we can to protect tax payers and flush the Trump slush fund.”


Rosen Announces Package of Bills to Redirect Trump Slush Fund Money to Lower Costs, Support Law Enforcement

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced that she will be introducing a package of three bills to redirect the funding from Trump’s slush fund to lower costs and support law enforcement. The Trump Administration recently announced that it was creating a $1.8 billion slush fund to pay Trump allies and supporters who felt ‘victimized’ by the government, including January 6 rioters who assaulted and injured police officers. Senator Rosen’s bill package would repurpose the $1.8 billion to fund SNAP, Medicaid, and critical public safety programs, such as the COPS Hiring Program and the Public Safety Officers Benefits Program.

“At a time when hardworking families are struggling with rising costs, Donald Trump is trying to give himself a $1.8 billion slush fund to pay out his political allies and January 6 rioters who beat up police officers. These are taxpayer dollars that should be used to help lower costs for hardworking families and keep them safe,” said Senator Rosen. “That’s why I’ll be introducing three bills to put Washington Republicans on the record and redirect this funding to Medicaid, SNAP, and law enforcement programs instead of Trump’s slush fund.”

Senator Rosen has been fighting to protect Nevada’s taxpayer dollars from Trump’s reckless spending and vanity projects. Earlier this year, the Senator announced she would file amendments to redirect the proposed $1 billion that Republicans wanted to waste on Trump’s ballroom toward crucial law enforcement and public safety programs. Senator Rosen also released a report on how the $1 billion could be better used to address the housing crisis, fund Medicare and SNAP, and support child care in Nevada. Last year, Senator Rosen attempted to pass a resolution condemning President Trump’s plan to pay himself $230 million in taxpayer dollars. The resolution was then blocked by Senate Republicans.

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NEWS: Sen. Schiff Pushes to Level Playing Field for California’s Farmers in Senate Farm Bill with Six New Agriculture Bills

Schiff is introducing a new legislative package aimed at providing new market opportunities and improving federal assistance for California’s specialty crop growers

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Adam Schiff is introducing six new pieces of legislation aimed at expanding support and market access for specialty crop farmers and leveling the playing field for California growers in the upcoming Farm Bill.

Senator Schiff is the first Senator from California to serve on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry in over 30 years. These bills are inspired by trips Schiff made to farms across California over the past 18 months, where he heard about struggles related to tariffs and trade wars, input costs, and lack of parity in federal support compared to other states’ agricultural industries.

Schiff is introducing the legislative package ahead of the Senate Agriculture Committee’s consideration of the Farm Bill, expected to be released in the coming weeks.

“California continues to lead the way in specialty crops, growing nearly half of the nation’s vegetables and over three-quarters of the country’s fruits and nuts. As California’s first senator to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee in over 30 years, I’m fighting to address the needs of specialty crop farmers, which are very different than those of the commodity crops of the Midwest and the South. I’m proud to introduce these bills to expand federal funding and bolster programs to better serve farmers in the Golden State. These proposals were formed based on ongoing feedback I’ve gathered during my visits to farms up and down the state, speaking with farmers, farmworkers and other producers. I will continue to push for these policies as the Senate considers the Farm Bill,” said Senator Schiff.

Senator Schiff’s legislative package includes:

The Economic Relief for Specialty Crops Act would provide $5 billion in economic assistance for specialty crop producers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) recent distribution of disaster and economic relief for specialty crop farmers has been deeply disappointing and inadequate. Amidst natural disasters and the administration’s trade policy, high input costs, and the war in Iran, these growers need meaningful and timely relief. The bill text can be viewed here.

The Improving Pest and Disease Preparedness for Specialty Crops Act would enhance USDA’s pest and disease management. Specifically, the bill would boost funding for USDA’s Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program, ensure that USDA provides adequate resources for pest prevention in high-risk states, and increase funding for the National Clean Plant Network, which diagnoses and eliminates pathogens from specialty crop plants. From glassy-winged sharpshooter and red blotch in grapevines to citrus greening, the federal government must enhance California producers’ ability to prevent and fight pests and disease. The bill text can be viewed here.

The Increasing Insurance Access for Specialty Crops Act would establish a first-time ever Specialty Crop Advisory Committee for Crop Insurance at USDA. This Committee would improve existing policies available to specialty crops, conduct outreach, and facilitate the development of new insurance policies for specialty crops. The majority of U.S. specialty crop growers operate without crop insurance or any other form of a federal safety net. Specialty crop farmers deserve an affordable and effective safety net. This bill is co-led by Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) The bill text can be viewed here.

The Advancing Automation Research and Development in Agriculture Act would allocate $30 million per year from USDA research funding for the research and development of specialty crop mechanization and automation. Agricultural labor is an ongoing challenge for farmers, and this bill would improve their ability to grow, harvest, and handle what they grow while upskilling farmworkers in their ability to use such technology. The bill text can be viewed here.

The Ensuring Disaster Recovery and Resilience for Specialty Crops Act would establish a permanent disaster program tailored to specialty crops. USDA and Congress have repeatedly had to provide disaster relief to growers on an ad hoc basis. A permanent program would allow growers to receive relief on a timely and reliable basis. Farmers and ranchers across the country have long had access to a plethora of disaster programs; specialty crop farmers deserve a dedicated program that works well for them, as well. This bill is co-led by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) The bill text can be viewed here.

The Expanding Market Access Act would enhance American producers’ access to foreign markets to help meet international demand for California and U.S. products. Specifically, the bill would provide technical assistance for infrastructure in foreign markets for U.S. commodities, mandate a report on the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops, and increase funding for the Market Access Program, which funds overseas marketing and promotional activities of U.S. agricultural products. California farmers feed not just the state and the nation, but the world. We must invest in resources to ensure they can keep doing so. The bill text can be viewed here.

Background:

Earlier this month, Senator Schiff outlined his priorities for the next Farm Bill and his plans to push for a bill that reflects economic opportunity, health, sustainability, national security, and prosperity. During the first year and a half of the Senator’s term on the Senate Agriculture Committee, he has visited farms across the entirety of California, learning about the Golden State’s countless agricultural industries, including strawberries, almonds, broccoli, celery, and leafy greens.

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NEWS: Sens. Schiff, Kelly, Slotkin Introduce Drain the Slush Fund Act to Block Trump’s Corrupt Payouts, Prevent Future Abuse of DOJ Settlement Fund

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) introduced the Drain the Slush Fund Act, new legislation that would shutter President Donald Trump’s so-called Anti-Weaponization Fund and prevent taxpayer dollars from being paid to the President or his allies including those convicted of crimes or those related to the insurrection on January 6, 2021.

Earlier today, the Senators held a press conference to announce the legislation, the livestream can be viewed here.

“Donald Trump’s slush fund is one of the most brazenly corrupt schemes we’ve ever seen from a U.S. President. As Republicans return to Washington to provide further funding for this and other mistaken priorities, we’re going to hold them accountable, and force a vote on this language to shut down the slush fund once and for all. Americans see the cost of this corruption coming out of their own pockets. And as Senators who have actually seen their government weaponized against them, we want to make it clear: we will not allow a single payout from this so-called weaponization fund to be paid,” said Senator Schiff.

“Americans are struggling to make ends meet and Trump wants to use taxpayer money to pay off his friends and allies. The president’s slush fund is a $1.7 billion theft in broad daylight to benefit people like the criminals who attacked Capitol police officers on January 6th,” said Senator Kelly. “The administration’s corruption is hurting hardworking families, so we’re stopping it in its tracks.”

“From his ballroom, to his son’s crypto currency, to insider stock trading and selling pardons to the highest bidder — President Trump has used the federal government as a piggybank for himself and his allies. This so-called $1.7 billion anti-weaponization fund is an unprecedented misuse of taxpayer money, and it must be stopped. Our bill does just that. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents are crying out for the President to focus on the economy and lowering their costs. My colleagues should join us on this bill to prevent even more corruption, and re-assert themselves as co-equal branch of government,” said Senator Slotkin.

The Drain the Slush Fund Act would also prevent presidential future abuse of the Department of Justice’s Settlement Fund by banning any settlements or payments stemming from a claim or lawsuit filed by the President of the United States or the Vice President. This ban would be retroactive to January 20, 2025, and will block any additional corrupt settlements using this fund and prevent future abuse or graft.

The full text of the bill is available here.

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PHOTOS: At Reedley College, Sen. Schiff Attends FAME Apprenticeship Program Signing Day, Highlights Delivering Over $2 Million in Federal Funding

Reedley, CA – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) attended a Signing Day ceremony for the Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (FAME) program at Reedley College, where he met students participating in the program — a 2-year advanced-training initiative first established at Reedley in 2025.

In addition to the ceremony, Schiff toured Reedley College’s manufacturing department. Schiff recently secured over $2.3 million in federal funding to modernize the manufacturing equipment.

Schiff also visited a Reedley College classroom, where he met students from across the College’s programs, including firefighting and aviation students. As Senator for the state with the highest public school enrollment and the largest community college system in the nation, Schiff has been visiting community colleges across California. Most recently, he visited Long Beach City College, Barstow Community College, and San Bernardino Valley College.

“In our great state of California, manufacturing contributes so much including hundreds of billions of dollars of value to the state’s economy,” said Senator Adam Schiff. “This is not something we can take for granted. We have to make sure that we are intentional and working hard to attract manufacturing and make it easy again to manufacture things in California. That’s why I’m proud to bring back $2.3 million to help support programs to make sure that we have the workforce needed to bring manufacturing back to the United States.”

“This investment represents a significant step forward for workforce development in the Central Valley. The FAME program is helping connect students with meaningful, high-demand careers while providing manufacturers with the skilled talent they need to grow,” said Genelle Taylor Kumpe, CEO, San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance & Fresno Business Council. “We are grateful to Senator Schiff for recognizing the importance of employer-driven workforce solutions and for supporting a model that is creating real opportunities for both students and industry.”

“We appreciate Senator Schiff’s support of this important work and its long-term impact on our region. The FAME program exemplifies what is possible when education and industry work together to prepare students for high-quality careers,” said Dr. Carole Goldsmith, Chancellor, State Center Community College District. “This investment will allow us to expand opportunities for learners, strengthen partnerships with employers, and continue building a workforce that meets the evolving needs of advanced manufacturing in the Central Valley.”

View photos from the visit below:

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PHOTOS: Sen. Schiff Tours Caltech’s Quantum Research Laboratories

Pasadena, CA – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) toured California Institute of Technology’s quantum research laboratories, a center aimed at supporting the development of quantum computers and related technologies.

During the tour, Schiff learned how Caltech plans to tackle one of the biggest challenges in building quantum computers: how to scale them to be much larger. The Senator also heard from faculty on their ongoing efforts to tackle the hardest questions in quantum computing today.

View a video of Senator Schiff interviewing Caltech’s quantum experts here and photos from the visit below:

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WATCH: “A Tactical Retreat;” Sen. Schiff Casts Doubt on Claim That Trump is Abandoning Slush Fund on CNN

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) joined CNN’s OutFront with Erin Burnett to cast doubt on reports that President Trump and his administration are abandoning their $1.776 billion politically-directed slush fund, cautioning that the retreat was only ‘tactical’ and ‘temporary’.

Schiff also called out Senate Republicans for waiting until election season to seek more independence from President Trump, recognizing that their own voters and the American people are struggling under the president’s economy.

Earlier today, Schiff and Senators Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) introduced legislation that would shutter President Donald Trump’s so-called Anti-Weaponization Fund and prevent taxpayer dollars from being paid to the President or his allies, including those convicted of crimes or those related to the insurrection on January 6, 2021.

View the full interview here.

Key Excerpts:

On the Trump Admin’s claim that slush fund is over:

[…] I think this is a tactical retreat. He wanted this to be part of the reconciliation bill that we’re taking up this week, which is really supposed to be focused from the Republican point of view on more billions for ICE and CBP, but it was weighted down first by a billion for the ballroom and then by 1.8 billion for a slush fund. So, I think this is just Trump saying, ‘okay, I’m not going to include in this bill, but I’m not giving up on this idea.’ I think the courts also helped force his hand, at least temporarily. The courts putting a pause on this. But this is the most brazen act of self-dealing corruption we have seen yet. At a time when, as your last clip demonstrated, the economy is really struggling, people are struggling, the cost of living is way too high, and they want, the American people want the president, Congress to be focused on that, not enriching himself and his cronies.

On Republicans’ willingness to stand up to President Trump:

I do think as we get closer to the midterms and as Republicans start to fear their own voters more than they fear the president, you will see more independence. But I don’t think we’re seeing a seismic shift. I also wouldn’t overstate Speaker Johnson’s role in at least temporarily putting a pause on the slush fund. Johnson has been nothing but a rubber stamp for Donald Trump. I think hearing Senate Republicans speak out, and not just privately, which we’ve heard many times in the past, but publicly, and talk about what a shameful and stupid political exercise this is. I think that was far more responsible for this tactical retreat. I would like to think Republicans are at a sea change, but we have been disappointed so many times in the past. So, we’ll see. The time will tell.

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Sen. Tim Scott: 2026 Service Academy Nomination Applications Open

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Office of U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is accepting U.S. service academy nomination applications for the class of 2031.

Sen. Scott is able to nominate a limited number of students in South Carolina for attendance at the following U.S. service academies: the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (the U.S. Coast Guard Academy does not require a congressional nomination).

“The United States service academies shape the next generation of leaders dedicated to serving our great nation. I am honored to nominate these exceptional young men and women from South Carolina each year as they answer the call to service and take the next step in pursuing academic excellence and leadership.” said Sen. Scott.

Students who are interested in applying for a nomination should apply by 11:59 p.m. ET on Oct. 16, 2026. For more information, visit: www.scott.senate.gov/constituent-services/service-academy-nominations/

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TODAY: Slotkin, Schiff and Kelly Introduce Drain the Slush Fund Act to Block President Trump from Weaponizing DOJ Settlements

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the Drain the Slush Fund Act, legislation aimed at dismantling President Trump’s Anti-Weaponization Fund and barring the use of taxpayer money for payments to the President, his associates, individuals convicted of crimes, or those involved in the January 6, 2021 insurrection.

“From his ballroom to his son’s cryptocurrency, to insider stock trading and selling pardons to the highest bidder — President Trump has used the federal government as a piggybank for himself and his allies,” said Senator Slotkin. “This so-called $1.7 billion anti-weaponization fund is an unprecedented misuse of taxpayer money, and it must be stopped. Our bill does just that. Democrats, Republicans, and Independents are crying out for the President to focus on the economy and lowering their costs. My colleagues should join us on this bill to prevent even more corruption, and re-assert themselves as co-equal branch of government.”

“Donald Trump’s slush fund is one of the most brazenly corrupt schemes we’ve ever seen from a U.S. President,” said Senator Schiff. “As Republicans return to Washington to provide further funding for this and other mistaken priorities, we’re going to hold them accountable, and force a vote on this language to shut down the slush fund once and for all. Americans see the cost of this corruption coming out of their own pockets. And as Senators who have actually seen their government weaponized against them, we want to make it clear: we will not allow a single payout from this so-called weaponization fund to be paid.”

“Americans are struggling to make ends meet and Trump wants to use taxpayer money to pay off his friends and allies. The president’s slush fund is a $1.7 billion theft in broad daylight to benefit people like the criminals who attacked Capitol police officers on January 6th,” said Senator Kelly. “The administration’s corruption is hurting hardworking families, so we’re stopping it in its tracks.”

The bill would also place new restrictions on the Department of Justice’s Settlement Fund, prohibiting any settlements or payments arising from claims or lawsuits brought by a sitting President or Vice President. The restriction would be retroactive to January 20, 2025, cutting off any pending settlements and closing the door on future misuse of the fund.

The full text of the bill is available here.

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Thune to Democrats: Enforcing the Law Isn’t A Choice

Clickhereto watch the video.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) today delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor:

Thune’s remarks below (as delivered):

“Mr. President, enforcing our nation’s laws is not optional.

“Securing our borders isn’t optional.

“And supporting the men and women who do this important work – funding law enforcement – isn’t optional either.

“That should go without saying.

“But unfortunately, Mr. President, members of the Democrat Party have made it very clear that they disagree.

“Incredibly, Democrats have refused to provide a single penny for border security and immigration law enforcement for fiscal year 2026.

“That’s zero dollars for a physical presence at our nation’s border.

“Zero dollars to deport criminals who have made their way into our country illegally.

“If Democrats had their way, illegal immigrants would be allowed to flood across our nation’s southern border entirely unchecked.

“And I guess we really shouldn’t be surprised, Mr. President.

“After all, this is hardly the first time Democrats have demonstrated that border security and immigration enforcement are at the very bottom of their priority list.

“For decades now, Democrat-led cities and states have implemented sanctuary policies that prevent local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities.

“These policies have had deadly consequences, yet Democrats have defended them and continue to uphold them across the country.

“Then there was the crisis at the southern border.

“Four – four – straight years of record-breaking illegal immigration at our southern border under Democrats and President Biden.

“As the New York Times reported, and I quote: ‘After Mr. Biden became president, migrant encounters at the southern border quickly doubled, then kept rising. New arrivals overwhelmed border stations, then border towns, and eventually major cities like New York and Denver.’

“That from the New York Times, Mr. President.

“Now, contrast that with today.

“Illegal crossings have plummeted to a trickle.

“And as of the end of April, not a single illegal immigrant has been released at the border and into our country for an entire year.

“But, Mr. President, Democrats are apparently determined to bring back unchecked illegal immigration.

“And to do that, they are embracing the far-left ideologies of ‘defund law enforcement’ and ‘abolish ICE.’

“These were once considered fringe positions among Democrats.

“Today, they’re basically the official position of the Democrat Party.

“The junior senator from California said in January, and I quote, ‘I’m not giving ICE or Border Patrol another dime.’

“The junior senator from Massachusetts told a crowd in February, and I quote, ‘We know that we must defund and abolish ICE.’

“And one Democrat Senate candidate has even said, and I quote, ‘Dismantling ICE is the moderate position.’

“Mr. President, this is today’s Democrat Party – a party in thrall to its far-left base.

“And a party that has completely abandoned its national security responsibilities when it comes to enforcing immigration law and securing our borders.

“Mr. President, needless to say, as long as Republicans are in charge, we are not going to let Democrats defund border security and immigration law enforcement.

“So we’re moving forward with a bill to fund these important responsibilities for the remainder of the Trump administration, so that Democrats cannot again put our nation’s security and Americans’ safety in jeopardy.

“Mr. President, I don’t know who Democrats think benefits from blocking funding for Border Patrol and ICE.

“The American people certainly don’t benefit from there being no law enforcement at the border.

“They don’t benefit from human traffickers and drug smugglers being able to enter our country unchecked.

“Or from rapists, murderers, and other criminals being allowed to live freely in our country.

“And Democrats’ position puts illegal immigrants in danger as well.

“Border Patrol agents are the ones pulling illegal immigrants out of the Rio Grande and rescuing dehydrated migrants in the desert.

“But Democrats don’t support these agents’ work.

“If Democrats’ position helps anyone, it helps the cartels, the coyotes, and other criminals who prefer to act without risk of detection and apprehension.

“And I suspect that’s why we haven’t heard much from Democrats in recent weeks about the core of this legislation.

“Democrats haven’t exactly demonstrated an eagerness to come to the floor and defend open borders – and I strongly suspect that’s because at some level they know that their position is completely indefensible.

“Mr. President, President Trump and Republicans have cleaned up Democrats’ mess at the border.

“We’ve secured the southern border and put criminals on notice that they will no longer be living freely in our country.

“And we plan to keep it that way.”


Tuberville, Banks Call for Stronger Guardrails for American Automakers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) in sending a letter urging Ambassador Jamieson Greer, U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), to prioritize stronger protections against China’s efforts to undermine U.S. automakers as discussions surrounding the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) continue.

In April, Sen. Tuberville and his colleagues sent another letter to USTR Rep. Greer supporting the USMCA ahead of the joint review happening this summer.

“As the Trump Administration continues to negotiate an extension of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement with Mexican and Canadian officials, we urge you to prioritize strengthened guardrails that protect American automakers from China’s efforts to gain market share within the North American auto industry. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has launched a multi-pronged campaign to weaponize supply chains, flood U.S., Mexican, and Canadian markets with subsidized autos, and displace American workers in the process. A strong auto manufacturing sector is the beating heart of America’s industrial base, and it depends on a North American trading block that is free from market manipulation by foreign adversaries,” wrote the Senators.

Sens. Tuberville and Banks were joined by Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ted Budd (R-NC), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Rick Scott (R-FL) in signing the letter.

Read full text of the letter below or here.

“Dear Ambassador Greer:

As the Trump Administration continues to negotiate an extension of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) with Mexican and Canadian officials, we urge you to prioritize strengthened guardrails that protect American automakers from China’s efforts to gain market share within the North American auto industry. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has launched a multi-pronged campaign to weaponize supply chains, flood U.S., Mexican, and Canadian markets with subsidized autos, and displace American workers in the process. A strong auto manufacturing sector is the beating heart of America’s industrial base, and it depends on a North American trading block that is free from market manipulation by foreign adversaries. We are encouraged by your comments reaffirming the Administration’s strong commitment to American automakers, and we urge you to deploy strong leverage in USMCA negotiations to strengthen this trade deal’s guardrails and ensure Mexico and Canada adopt strong protections to prevent side doors for Chinese vehicles into the U.S. and malign greenfield investment by Chinese automakers.

The CCP’s ‘Made in China 2025’ strategy makes clear its intention to dominate global auto manufacturing. The CCP has made strides toward achieving its goal since this strategy was first announced in 2015. China is now the largest global exporter of automobiles—both electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The country’s vehicle exports have surged from just over 700,000 autos in 2019 to more than 7 million last year.

This dramatic export spike did not occur in a vacuum—it is the direct result of the CCP’s long record of anti-competitive practices. The ascendence of Chinese automakers has been built on sizeable state subsidies, routine trade violations, preferential financing and tax breaks, slave labor, rampant intellectual property theft, and preferential market access policies.

President Trump is singularly responsible for stopping the tide of Chinese state-sponsored autos from crossing the shores of the United States so far. He perceived the dire threat of heavily subsidized Chinese vehicles early, and he wisely imposed tariffs on Chinese vehicles in 2018. These tariffs, which have since been increased and strengthened, have built a strong protective wall against imports of vehicles directly from China to the United States, and they have stopped China from gaining any share of the U.S. auto market to date. Information and Communication Technologies and Services rulemaking barring the sale and import of vehicles with Chinese hardware and software has added an additional vital layer of protection.

But Chinese automakers are now attempting end-route around President Trump’s tariffs by building Chinese auto factories in countries that have favorable trade deals with the United States or negotiating direct shipments of Chinese autos to those countries. Mexico and Canada lie at the heart of this strategy.

The CCP has made alarming progress breaking into the Mexican auto market through direct investment. One in five cars sold in Mexico is now a Chinese auto. Chinese carmakers have built at least 12 new manufacturing facilities in Mexico since 2019, and even more auto component facilities. China’s direct investment in Mexico—largely concentrated on the country’s auto industry—doubled between 2021 and 2024, and it has grown further since. As you and other Administration officials negotiate with President Sheinbaum, adjusting USMCA’s rules of origin to exclude vehicles with significant Chinese-origin content and securing a commitment from Mexico to adopt investment screening processes that block new Chinese auto investments should be top priorities.

As President Trump’s America First Investment Policy Memorandum outlines ‘certain foreign adversaries, including the People’s Republic of China (PRC), systematically direct and facilitate investment in United States companies and assets to obtain cutting-edge technologies, intellectual property, and leverage in strategic industries.’ This same logic applies to the North American trading block, especially as it pertains to the American auto industry, and it is vital that America lead the way in blocking China from manipulating North America’s industrial base through malign direct investment

Across America’s northern border, the CCP has employed a different strategy. While Canada retains notable guardrails to block malicious direct investment from foreign adversaries, China has held hostage Canadian agriculture interests to negotiate direct shipments of Chinese EVs into Canada at lower tariffs, which were previously aligned with the U.S.. As announced by Prime Minister Carney in January 2026, the country now intends to allow 49,000 Chinese EVs to be imported into Canada each year at a heavily discounted tariff rate. This represents more than one quarter of annual EV sales in Canada and it will greatly damage American automakers’ market share in the country, harming their prospects to grow and invest in new technologies. Securing a commitment from Prime Minister Carney to restore Canada’s high trade protection against Chinese EVs should be a top priority.

For more than a century, a thriving auto manufacturing sector has fueled America’s dominance in both commercial and defense industrial endeavors. American automakers do not just deliver indispensable products to our families, they build and preserve ecosystems of technology innovation and a skilled manufacturing workforce that strengthens our nation and has cascading benefits through many corners of the U.S. economy. As the U.S. continues to negotiate improvements to USMCA with the Mexican and Canadian governments, we applaud you for prioritizing strong reforms that preserve the might of America’s auto industrial base and protect the North American trading block from malign Chinese investment during your April meeting with President Sheinbaum. We urge you to continue prioritizing such measures during the first official round of bilateral USMCA negotiations next week.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,”

MORE:

Tuberville, Hagerty Reintroduce Legislation to Punish Foreign Governments that Violate American Trade Agreements

ICYMI: Tuberville in the Washington Times: USTR’s Last-Minute Effort to Neuter Trump’s USMCA

Tuberville, Hagerty Introduce Legislation to Protect American Assets

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

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Tuberville Investigates Foreign-Imported Radioactive Shrimp

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) in raising concerns about the negative health impacts of importing foreign shrimp that often contains dangerous radioactive substances. The Senators sent letters to the Global Seafood Alliance, Marine Stewardship Council, and Aquaculture Stewardship Council raising concerns about the issue.

America’s increasing reliance on foreign imported food, specifically seafood, poses serious risks to American families’ health. Between August and October 2025, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued eight safety alerts related to imported shrimp potentially contaminated with Cesium-137, a radioactive substance that can cause serious health harms like cancer.

“We have experienced a serious increase in food safety incidents as a result of imported food products, specifically with regards to imported seafood,” wrote the Senators. “Ensuring that American families have access to safe, quality food is essential to empower consumers to live healthier lives and support local American businesses.”

Read the letter to the Global Seafood Alliance here.

Read the letter to the Marine Stewardship Council here.

Read the letter to the Aquaculture Stewardship Council here.

MORE:

Tuberville, Hyde-Smith Introduce Bill to Require Clear Seafood Labeling

Tuberville Introduces Bill to Put American Farmers and Producers First

Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs, HELP and Aging Committees.

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Warnock Championed Legislation that Extends Tax Deadline for South Georgia Wildfire Victims

Senator Reverend Warnock, along with Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) introduced the Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act back in April 2025, to help disaster victims receive their tax refund by extending the deadline to claim a credit or refund

Senator Warnock’s legislation was signed into law in December of 2025

The Internal Revenue Service announced last week that households that reside or have business in Clinch, Echols, and Brantley counties qualify for tax relief

Senator Warnock: “I’m proud my bill was signed into law and already in action supporting Georgia wildfire victims.”

Washington, D.C. – Legislation championed by U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), alongside Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), is providing some tax relief to those impacted by the South Georgia wildfires that have been ongoing since April 2026.

“Families who’ve just lost everything in a fire have a lot on their minds; the IRS shouldn’t be one of those things. That’s why I introduced bipartisan legislation to give victims of natural disasters some much-needed relief. I’m proud my bill was signed into law and already in action supporting Georgia wildfire victims,” said Senator Warnock. “I will continue to advocate for Georgians impacted by the South Georgia wildfires, Hurricane Helene, and other natural disasters.”

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that individuals and businesses in parts of Georgia impacted by wildfires and straight-line winds that began on April 18, 2026, now have until August 20, 2026 to file various federal individual and business tax returns, as well as make tax payments. Individuals and households that reside or have a business in Clinch, Echols and Brantley counties qualify for tax relief, with the same relief extended to any counties that are added later to the disaster area.

Taxpayers usually have three years to file a claim for credit or refund of any overpayments of tax. However, until this year, the three-year “lookback period” for paying refunds was not increased even if filing deadlines were postponed following a natural disaster. As a result, some taxpayers who take advantage of a postponed filing deadline will not be able to obtain a refund. Separately, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is required to demand payment within 60 days of an assessment, even if the payment deadline is postponed. Therefore, the IRS may send letters demanding payments that have been postponed. This creates unnecessary confusion and stress for disaster victims.

To ensure that taxpayers impacted by disasters are treated like every other taxpayer when claiming their refunds, the Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act:

Extends the three-year period for receiving a refund or credit when the IRS extends a filing deadline due to a natural disaster, ensuring that a deadline extension does not give disaster impacted taxpayers a shorter lookback period for claiming a refund;

Ensures that the automatic IRS payment deadline is extended to match any disaster-based filing deadline extension.

The legislation was signed into law on December 26, 2025. Since the South Georgia wildfires began in April, Senator Warnock has been in constant contact with state and local officials for information about containment and best way to assist those impacted. On April 28, 2026, Senator Warnock joined first responders in Brantley County, where he prayed with firefighters from around Georgia and met with first responders, elected officials, and volunteers. Senator Warnock has continued to secure millions of dollars in federal funding for outstanding payments owed to Georgia counties and entities in the wake of Hurricane Helene. In May, Senator Warnock announced nearly $90 million in new federal funding for outstanding Helene payments to Georgia.

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