Senator Markey Applauds More Than $25 Million for Safer Roads in Massachusetts

Boston (July 6, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, today celebrated more than $25 million in Fiscal Year 2026 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) funds from the Department of Transportation (DOT) for Massachusetts. The funds will be used to improve road safety along high traffic corridors by building roundabouts, widening sidewalks, and adding traffic signals at dangerous intersections. Senator Markey was instrumental in advocating for the BUILD program which was authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“Massachusetts is leading the nation addressing the road safety crisis,” said Senator Markey. “These investments will make our roads safer and our communities more livable. I’m proud to have fought for this funding as a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

Yarmouth-Barnstable Route 28 Improvements

Town of Yarmouth

$25,000,000

This project will construct a new multilane roundabout and a new traffic signal installation, along with three other traffic signal upgrades along the Route 28 corridor.

City of Malden Broadway Reconstruction Project

City of Malden

$1,584,000

The project will advance the Broadway roadway reconstruction from 25 percent design to final design. The project will include a consistent two-lane roadway with appropriate turn lanes at intersections, upgraded sidewalks, a new signalized intersection at Taylor and Grover Streets, drainage improvements, stormwater control measures, updated signage, and a suite of safety countermeasures.

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Senator Marshall Urges Kansas Families to Enroll in New Trump Accounts

Great Bend – Today, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), celebrated the official launch of Trump Accounts, which were activated over the weekend and now allow parents, guardians, friends, and employers to begin contributing to these tax-advantaged savings accounts for eligible children. As part of the launch, children born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, will receive an initial $1,000 seed contribution from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Established under the Working Families Tax Cuts law, Trump Accounts provide a tax-advantaged way for families to save for a child’s future. Eligible children across Kansas can now begin building long-term financial security with support from family members, employers, and their communities. Through an initiative championed by First Lady Melania Trump, foster children in participating states may also have accounts opened on their behalf, helping expand financial opportunities for some of our nation’s most vulnerable children.

“President Trump is investing in America’s future by giving our nation’s children a financial head start,” said Senator Marshall. “Trump Accounts encourage a lifetime of saving, investing, and personal responsibility, helping young Americans prepare to achieve the American Dream—whether that’s a college degree, purchasing their first home, launching a business, or building financial independence. This is about creating more opportunities and ensuring every generation has the chance to build a better life than the one before it.”

How it works:

Parents or guardians create the accounts through the Trump Accounts website or app, or when filing their taxes

Eligible accounts receive $1,000 from the U.S. Treasury, plus any eligible philanthropic and other governmental contributions

Friends, families, and employers can contribute up to $5,000 per year, adjusted for inflation

The money is invested in low-cost index funds that typically grow year after year

When the child turns 18, they can continue saving for retirement or make withdrawals for eligible purposes, like furthering their education or purchasing a first home

Senator Marshall encourages Kansas families to visit the Trumpaccounts.gov today to learn more about the program, enroll eligible children, and start saving for their future.

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NEW REPORT: After Expiration of ACA Tax Credits, Georgians Are Delaying Necessary Care & Paying Thousands More for Insurance

Click here to read Sen. Ossoff’s new report on loss of ACA Tax Credits

Washington, D.C. — Georgians are delaying necessary care and paying thousands more for health insurance after ACA tax credits expired, a new report from U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff found.

Early this year, Sen. Ossoff launched an investigation into the impacts of rising health care costs and cuts to health care services after Republicans in Congress gutted Medicaid and failed to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits that millions of Georgians rely upon to afford health care.

Today, Sen. Ossoff released a new report with stories of Georgians who report they have been delaying necessary care and are paying thousands more for care after the loss of the ACA tax credits, with some saying they’ve lost insurance altogether because of the high costs.

Recent analysis from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found that after the ACA tax credits expired at the end of last year, roughly 350,000 Georgians have already lost health care.

“The failure of Republicans to extend ACA tax credits has inexplicably hurt Georgia families, leading to hundreds of thousands going without health care, and more seeing huge increases in their premiums. I will continue working to restore these tax credits and to lower health care costs for Georgia families,” Sen. Ossoff said.

Since the enhanced ACA tax credits expired at the end of 2025, Georgia patients on exchange plans are facing increased monthly premiums, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, and medication costs, forcing them to cut back on other items to keep their health insurance and to pay higher costs for less coverage. In some cases, Georgians have lost their insurance altogether. As detailed in the report:

Deborah Tolson, based in Alpharetta, reported that her monthly health insurance premium in 2025 was $63 for three people: herself, her husband, and her daughter. As of January 2026, that same plan’s monthly premium reportedly increased to $1200—a 1,804% increase—for only her and her daughter. Her husband disenrolled from the plan and has been uninsured since January, since covering all three family members would have reportedly increased their monthly premium to over $2,000. He became eligible for Medicare in March, but his coverage will not begin until June. “All this stress for a basic plan,” Mrs. Tolson reported, “which doesn’t even cover routine screenings, like colonoscopies or mammograms, with doctors in our area.” Mrs. Tolson and her husband have “indefinitely” delayed their retirement plans due to rising health care costs.

Georgia patients also reported that narrowing coverage and benefits on exchange plans has forced them to forgo medically necessary health care or has delayed their urgent tests, appointments, and treatments. For example:

Nicole Kelly, based in Atlanta, is diagnosed with lupus, Raynaud’s disease, and scleroderma. She reported that her physician referred her to a rheumatologist for urgent testing in December 2025 after she suddenly lost feeling in her left hand. However, her monthly premium under her exchange plan reportedly rose from $254 to $1,571 in January 2026, a 518.5% increase. Because she would be unable to afford this new premium, she disenrolled from her plan and switched to a cheaper, new plan. However, her physician was no longer covered under her new plan, and the earliest she would be able to see a rheumatologist would be five months later in May 2026. Additionally, she would need to travel to Jonesboro or Kennesaw to see a rheumatologist covered by her new plan. “I’d be paying just as much as the old plan premium for transportation, time spent in traffic, and the premium on the new plan,” she reported. Ms. Kelly tried to switch back to her old plan in mid-February, but the premium had shot up to $2,458.

Last year, Sen. Ossoff fought repeatedly to extend the ACA tax credits and protect Georgians’ health care.

In December 2025, Sen. Ossoff spoke on the U.S. Senate Floor urging Republicans in the U.S. Senate to put politics aside and extend ACA tax credits before they expire, but Republicans refused to extend the credits.

In August 2025, Sen. Ossoff sounded the alarm about the impact of losing the tax credits and urged for them to be extended.

In June 2025, Sen. Ossoff offered an amendment to the Trump budget bill to extend key Affordable Care Act tax credits, but Republicans blocked Sen. Ossoff’s amendment.

In February 2025, Sen. Ossoff introduced an amendment to protect children’s and maternal care through Medicaid that Senate Republicans blocked.

Click here to read Sen. Ossoff’s new report: Loss of ACA Tax Credits: Georgians Getting Sicker, Higher Costs, & Loss of Health Care.

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RI Lawmakers Blast Trump for Politicizing Disaster Aid & Denying RI’s Request for Blizzard Recovery Assistance

PROVIDENCE, RI -- Between February 22-23, 2026, Rhode Island was struck by a record-breaking blizzard that dumped 37.9 inches of snow in a 24-hour period and the state experienced wind gusts of 74 miles per hour. The winter storm hit Rhode Island with the intensity of a Category 2 hurricane, caused severe power outages for tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders, and tragically resulted in two fatalities and hundreds of emergency room visits. The storm created immense challenges for local businesses, which faced prolonged closures due to storm-related damage and disruptions to transportation, utilities, and public services and resulted in over $19 million worth of damage.

States hit by severe weather may request a federal declaration in order to activate federal technical and financial assistance to offset the cost of recovery, rebuilding, and reducing future risks. On February 22, Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation sent a letter requesting that the Trump Administration grant the state a disaster delegation if need be. The decision to issue a disaster declaration rests with the president.

After months of inaction, on July 2, President Trump denied Rhode Island’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration related to the record snowfall and cold temperatures on the same day that he approved more than $846 million in disaster relief funds for nine Republican-leaning states. In addition to rejecting Rhode Island, the Trump Administration also nixed a disaster declaration for New York for the same blizzard.

Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation believes the Trump Administration improperly rejected the Ocean State’s request, pointing out that President Trump has politicized disaster assistance for states over the last year and made it exponentially harder for so-called ‘blue states’ to get disaster funding under the highly partisan Trump Administration than it is for so-called ‘red states.’

According to the Urban Institute, roughly 84 percent of disaster requests from states that voted for Trump in 2024 have been approved by his administration, compared to just 42 percent from states that voted for Kamala Harris. And Politico reporting uncovered that Republican-led states have waited 39 days on average for a decision compared to the 80-day average for Democratic-led states.

“When extreme weather strikes, helping people stay safe and helping communities recover shouldn’t be a partisan issue. The President’s denial is part of a pattern of extreme partisanship as he tries to shift a heavier economic burden onto blue states. Disaster aid should be merit-based, not politicized. This is a petty move that hurts people across the political spectrum. We will fight it and work to reverse it,” said U.S. Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner and Gabe Amo in a joint statement.

The federal lawmakers are urging the state to appeal the decision, which must be done within 30 days of notification, and are calling on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to explain in detailed writing why the state’s request for assistance was denied.

The delegation sent a letter to President Trump stating: “We write to demand you immediately reverse the July 2, 2026 denial of the State of Rhode Island’s request for a major disaster declaration under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for its historic February 2026 blizzard. After months of waiting, on the same day you approved major disaster declarations for several Republican-led states, you chose to leave Rhode Islanders out in the cold. It is unacceptable to politicize the disaster declaration process when Rhode Islanders’ health, safety, and businesses were severely impacted by this historic storm.”

The July 3 letter notes that Rhode Island officials worked with FEMA to develop a joint Preliminary Damage Assessment, which was submitted with the state’s request on April 7, 2026. The extensive review found over $19 million in validated damages, an amount that greatly exceeds the threshold for a major disaster declaration.

Under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, snowstorms have historically been listed among the natural events that qualify for federal assistance. Earlier this year, Congressional appropriators from both parties affirmed in a report accompanying the 2026 Department of Homeland Security appropriations package, that the bill: “reaffirms Congress’ intent … that snowstorms shall be eligible for Federal relief.”

Full text of the delegation’s letter follows:

Dear President Trump:

We write to demand you immediately reverse the July 2, 2026 denial of the State of Rhode Island’s request for a major disaster declaration under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for its historic February 2026 blizzard. After months of waiting, on the same day you approved major disaster declarations for several Republican-led states, you chose to leave Rhode Islanders out in the cold. It is unacceptable to politicize the disaster declaration process when Rhode Islanders’ health, safety, and businesses were severely impacted by this historic storm.

Between February 22-23, 2026, Rhode Island was struck by a record-breaking blizzard that produced up to 37.9 inches of snow and up to 74-mile-per-hour winds. The storm hit the state with the intensity of a Category 2 hurricane, caused severe power outages for tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders, and tragically resulted in two fatalities and hundreds of emergency room visits. The storm created immense challenges for local businesses, which faced prolonged closures due to storm-related damage and disruptions to transportation, utilities, and public services.

The State of Rhode Island worked with FEMA to develop a joint Preliminary Damage Assessment, which was submitted with the state’s request on April 7, 2026. The extensive review found over $19 million in validated damages, an amount that greatly exceeds the threshold for a major disaster declaration. Given the impact this storm had on the local economy, public services, and infrastructure, you should immediately approve any appeal submitted by the State of Rhode Island to reverse the denial of its request. This will ensure that Rhode Island can access the funding it needs to fully recover from this historic storm.

Sincerely,


Rosen Joins Senate Colleagues in Protecting State and Tribal Rights to Regulate Prediction Markets

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined Senate colleagues in urging the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee to prohibit the use of federal funds to prevent states and Tribal nations from regulating online prediction markets. In the last few months, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) has sued several states for attempting to put proper safeguards on and regulating prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket. In March, the Nevada Gaming Control Board banned popular online prediction market sites Kalshi and Polymarket from operating in Nevada.

“Recent lawsuits filed by the CFTC against states regulating online prediction markets will only fuel a gambling public health crisis and interfere with states’ and Tribes’ longstanding prerogative to regulate or even restrict gambling,” wrote the Senators. “Online prediction markets, which have rapidly grown in popularity, are drastically different from the original intent of event contracts, which those companies claim to offer. Serving to hedge against financial risks, event contracts were largely limited to the agricultural sector and economic matters. Prediction markets, however, have distorted this purpose and infiltrated the world of sports, politics, and even foreign affairs.

“Further, as prediction markets have sought to circumvent state safeguards, their products have led to underage gambling, gambling addiction, and serious financial losses.” the Senators continued. “Through engaging in this campaign of litigation and intimidation, the CFTC risks becoming an instrument and enabler of online prediction markets’ efforts to bypass states’ consumer protections and oversight, creating a race-to-the-bottom in gambling.”

You can read the full letter HERE.

Senator Rosen has been vocal about the need for more regulation on online prediction markets at the federal level. In April, she joined senate colleagues in a letter urging the CFTC to crack down on insider trading and political event contracts on prediction markets. During a May hearing in the Senate Commerce Committee, Senator Rosen raised significant concerns about the risks of unregulated prediction markets circumventing consumer protection rules. Senator Rosen has also said on record that prediction markets “should not be allowed to continue offering prediction contracts that clearly violate state consumer protections and gaming laws.”

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NEWS: Sen. Schiff Pushes to End Québec Restrictions on California Wine, Restore American Imports

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, is fighting to end Québec’s current restrictions on the importation and sale of wines from California and other parts of the United States.

Schiff wrote to Québec Premier Christine Fréchette acknowledging the impacts of President Trump’s harmful trade policies but emphasizing Québec’s long-standing relationship built on mutual economic benefit and unrestricted trade.

“Québec consumers have historically enjoyed access to a wide variety of American wines, and their absence limits choice in the marketplace, while cutting off a $434 million market. Unfortunately, the restriction on American wine has had damaging consequences for regional consumers, businesses, and producers who have no influence over national policies. In fact, I have repeatedly voiced my opposition to and voted against the President’s harmful trade policies, including as they pertain to Canada,” the Senator wrote.

Senator Schiff also highlighted the significant impact of Québec’s restrictions on consumer choice and California wineries.

“Reopening the market to American wine would restore consumer choice and signal a commitment to restoring fair and balanced trade for Québecois consumers and American wineries who have no connection to the underlying trade disputes,” the Senator continued.

Background:

Schiff is the first senator from California to serve on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry in over 30 years.

To support California’s winemakers, he is also pushing USDA to provide emergency funding to address the invasive glassy-winged sharpshooter in California, which threatens wine grapes and table grapes.

Recently, Senator Schiff introduced two pieces of bipartisan legislation to strengthen resilience in our domestic food supply chains and expand markets for producers. He also introduced legislation to increase food banks’ access to fresh produce to provide nutritious food for families and support specialty crop farmers.

In June, the Senator introduced six new pieces of legislation aimed at expanding support and market access for specialty crop farmers and to level the playing field for California growers in the upcoming Farm Bill.

The full text of the letter can be found here and below:

Dear Premier Fréchette:

Thank you for your recent visit to Washington and your work to promote U.S.-Québec trade relations. I am writing today to express my strong support for lifting Québec’s current restrictions on the importation and sale of American wine.

The United States and Québec share a long-standing relationship grounded in trade, cultural exchange, and mutual economic benefit. As you know, the U.S. is the top export market for Québec and received 73.5 percent of Québec’s exports in 2024, worth $91.2 billion. The United States is also Québec’s largest supplier, accounting for 33.3 percent of total imports in past years.

Québec consumers have historically enjoyed access to a wide variety of American wines, and their absence limits choice in the marketplace, while cutting off a $434 million market. Unfortunately, the restriction on American wine has had damaging consequences for regional consumers, businesses, and producers who have no influence over national policies. In fact, I have repeatedly voiced my opposition to and voted against the President’s harmful trade policies, including as they pertain to Canada. As a U.S. Senator on the Senate Agriculture Committee, I have had the great fortune of spending time with and learning about the challenges and opportunities of California’s winegrowers. They take great pride in their work, are essential to the state and national economy, and have brought tremendous value – in culture and in taste – to Americans and Canadians alike.

Reopening the market to American wine would restore consumer choice and signal a commitment to restoring fair and balanced trade for Québecois consumers and American wineries who have no connection to the underlying trade disputes. I hope to visit with you and other Canadian leaders about this and other issues during an official visit to Canada in October of this year. I welcome the opportunity to engage in dialogue and work collaboratively toward a resolution.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

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PHOTOS: Sen. Schiff Tours San Diego Affordable Housing Complex, Urges Trump to Sign Landmark Legislation to Increase Housing Supply Across the Country, Lower Costs for Families

San Diego, CA – U.S. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) toured Harrington Heights, an affordable housing development in downtown San Diego, where he discussed his efforts in Congress to tackle the housing affordability crisis.

During the roundtable, Schiff emphasized the urgent need for President Trump to sign the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, the largest housing package in over 30 years designed to increase the supply of housing across the country and lower costs for families.

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes provisions which Senator Schiff has pushed for to authorize the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program to get housing-related disaster assistance to communities recovering from natural disasters – this funding will be essential to families rebuilding following last year’s devastating Los Angeles wildfires.

Last year, Schiff unveiled the Housing BOOM Act to spur a new boom in housing construction across the United States and help address the root causes of the housing affordability crisis. Earlier this month, the United States Conference of Mayors voted to endorse multiple housing bills written by Senator Schiff including the Housing BOOM Act and his bipartisan FIREWALL Act which would help lower disaster risks to homes. The endorsements were secured by the Conference’s new head, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria.

View photos from the visit below:

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Sen. Tim Scott celebrates new designation cycle for Opportunity Zones

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) issued the following statement following the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s announcement that the agency is opening its next round of nominations for communities to be labeled as Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs). During this nomination period, governors can submit communities to be considered for designation as Opportunity Zones.

“I am proud of the work done to make Opportunity Zones a reality, but I am even prouder of the lives changed, communities strengthened, and small businesses revived as an outcome of this innovative tool,” said Sen. Scott. “I am confident that through the partnership with local and federal leaders, these new designations will continue to bring billions of dollars in private investment to overlooked communities in South Carolina and across the country. When we make sure no community is left behind, America wins, South Carolina wins, and the American Dream once again becomes a reality for millions of families.”

Sen. Scott created the Opportunity Zones program as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 with the goal of encouraging private investments in low-income and overlooked communities through targeted tax incentives. Under the Working Families Tax Cuts, Opportunity Zones were made permanent, supporting families, small businesses, and communities across the country.

Key facts about Opportunity Zones:

8,764 census tracts have been designated as Opportunity Zones.

31.5 million people currently live in Opportunity Zones; 57% of residents are non-white minorities.

The average poverty rate is nearly 28%, and the average median family income is around $47,000—nearly $27,000 below the national figure.

Nearly one in five zones face rising poverty along with declining median family income and home values.

Opportunity Zones include 2,225 food deserts, 47 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and 16 tribal colleges.

Read more about Opportunity Zones here.

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Sen. Tim Scott celebrates the release of Pastor Ezra Jin from prison in China

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) issued the following statement following the release of Pastor Ezra Jin from prison in China. Jin had been abducted and imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party in October of 2025 alongside other members of Zion Church, one of China’s largest underground congregations.

“The Chinese Communist Party attempted to thwart Zion Church’s God-given right to worship, but by the grace of God and strong diplomatic pressure, Pastor Jin is free,” said Sen. Scott. “America will always stand as a beacon for faith, freedom, and religious liberty. Every human has a right to praise his or her creator and no nation on God’s green Earth can take that away.”

Sen. Scott has been a staunch advocate for religious freedom, joining Sen. Risch (R-Idaho) this past January to introduce a resolution calling for America’s continued leadership on religious liberty and the right for all people to worship freely and without fear of retribution.

Background:

On Oct. 10, 2025, the Chinese Communist Party conducted the largest coordinated crackdown on a Christian urban house church in over four decades. At least 22 pastors and church members from Zion Church were arrested, which included Pastor “Ezra” Jin Mingri.

Sen.Scott, alongside his Senate colleagues, introduced a resolution condemning Jin’s abduction, calling for his release.

In March, Sen. Scott signed onto a bipartisan letter urging President Trump to advocate for Jin’s release during his meeting with China’s leader, Xi Jinping. President Trump later met with Xi Jinping and called for Jin’s release.

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Warner, Kaine Announce More Than $76 Million in Federal Funding for Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Projects

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $76,095,720 in federal grant funding for four transportation infrastructure projects that will expand passenger rail, reduce traffic congestion, and strengthen infrastructure across Virginia.

“From passenger rail services to roads and waterways, countless travelers and goods move through the Commonwealth every day, and Virginia commuters and businesses deserve infrastructure that can keep up,” said the senators. “We’re proud to have secured this funding that will modernize transportation, ease congestion, support economic growth, and create a stronger infrastructure system that can help Virginians move quickly and safely.”

This funding is awarded through the Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program, which is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that the senators helped negotiate and pass. This funding also follows Warner’s support for Middlesex County’s application for the Broad Creek-Chesapeake Bay Access Project and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s application for the Richmond Layover Facility.

The grant awards include:

$25,000,000 for the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission’s L’Enfant Station and Fourth Track Project to improve the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) L’Enfant rail station and add a fourth main track in the adjacent railroad corridor between the L’Enfant and Virginia interlockings, increasing capacity for commuter and intercity passenger rail services.

$25,000,000 for the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority to complete final design and construction of the Richmond Layover Facility, which will provide overnight storage and servicing space needed to support existing and future passenger rail service. The project includes three storage tracks, one maintenance platform, a service pit covered by a canopy, upgrades to the existing railroad signal system for entering and exiting the site, roadway improvements for access into the facility, a parking lot for staff, and a site building for equipment storage and staff facilities.

$24,500,000 for the city of Lynchburg’s US 501/US 221 Intersection Improvements Project to design and construct a split one-way pair intersection that would divide existing two-way traffic on US 501 on two separate roadways at the intersection with US 221, as well as additional through lanes and turn lanes on US 501 and US 221, sidewalks, ADA improvements, a shared-use path, pedestrian crossing signals, a new flyover bridge that will eliminate an existing signal to the north of the proposed split pair, landscaping, stormwater improvements, roadway lighting, and a new transit stop. The project will ease congestion while improving safety and accessibility for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users.

$1,595,720 for Middlesex County’s Broad Creek-Chesapeake Bay Access Project to complete construction-ready designs for the redevelopment of the Broad Creek working waterfront, strengthening critical connections between the Chesapeake Bay and Virginia’s freight network.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding for infrastructure improvements across the Commonwealth, many of the grants made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law – a transformative investment in American infrastructure needs. In June, the senators announced a $1 million investment in affordable, transit-accessible housing in Norfolk, more than $310 million to reduce traffic congestion in Hampton Roads, and more than $32 million to modernize eight airports across Virginia.

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* High-quality photographs of Sen. Mark R. Warner are available for download here *

Photos may be used online and in print, and can be attributed to ‘The Office of Sen. Mark R. Warner


Warner, Kaine, Colleagues Demand Trump-Vance Administration Release Affordable Housing Construction Funds

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) joined Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) and several colleagues in a letter urging the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to unlock community development tools and promptly release $750 million in federal housing construction funds.

Earlier this month, Congress passed the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to help build more housing, lower costs, streamline construction regulations, preserve affordable homes in rural areas, help reduce homelessness, and curb private equity’s ability to buy up single-family homes and drive up housing prices.

The bill incorporates provisions from several pieces of legislation that Warner and Kaine championed, including provisions to improve transparency of mortgage loans for veteran homebuyers, create a pilot grant program to support new housing and community development activities, create a down payment assistance fund for first-time homebuyers, end tax breaks for large institutional investors that buy single-family homes, create a program to help communities convert vacant buildings into affordable homes, implement reforms to help preserve affordable housing in rural areas, and make it easier for community and regional banks to lend money for housing projects.

Instead of signing the law, which passed with veto-proof majorities, President Donald Trump is sitting on it.

With housing prices near record highs, the Trump-Vance administration is also sitting on approximately $750 million in housing construction funds available under the Capital Magnet Fund (CMF), Housing Trust Fund (HTF), and Housing Production-Financial Assistance Awards (HP-FA) programs. These federal funds can be leveraged by state and local organizations to develop, preserve, rehabilitate, and increase the supply of affordable housing. Together, these programs strengthen communities, revitalize neighborhoods, create jobs, and ensure more Americans can afford a high-quality home at a decent price that fits their budget.

The housing affordability crisis is compounded by the fact that President Trump’s policies – including his tariffs and reckless war with Iran – have increased the cost of construction and slowed the pace of building new affordable housing units nationwide.

“We write to urge you to immediately direct the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of the Treasury to release approximately $750 million in housing construction funds available under the Capital Magnet Fund (CMF), Housing Trust Fund (HTF), and Housing Production-Financial Assistance Awards (HP-FA) programs,” the senators wrote.

“Today, Americans are suffering through a housing affordability crisis. Single-family home prices and the average age of first-time homebuyers hit record highs last year, while more households are paying unsustainable amounts of rent than ever before. This crisis is nationwide: home prices have surged 40% in Texas, 43% in Iowa, 54% in Georgia, and 65% in Maine over the past six years – far outpacing wages and overall inflation. You have the ability to increase our nation’s housing supply and help address this crisis. With that in mind, we urge you to direct the release of these funds without any further delay,” the senators concluded.

In addition to Warner and Kaine, the letter is signed by U.S. Sens. Jack Reed (D-RI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angus S. King, Jr. (I-ME), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE).

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Director Vought:

We write to urge you to immediately direct the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of the Treasury to release approximately $750 million in housing construction funds available under the Capital Magnet Fund (CMF), Housing Trust Fund (HTF), and Housing Production-Financial Assistance Awards (HP-FA) programs.

These funds, which are derived from the profits of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and revenue from the Emergency Capital Investment Program, could pay to build or rehabilitate over 63,000 homes at no cost to American taxpayers. OMB has never failed to ensure annual CMF and HTF funds are released, even during President Trump’s first term. Regrettably, the Trump Administration has now withheld some of these funds for over a year.

Today, Americans are suffering through a housing affordability crisis. Single-family home prices and the average age of first-time homebuyers hit record highs last year, while more households are paying unsustainable amounts of rent than ever before. This crisis is nationwide: home prices have surged 40% in Texas, 43% in Iowa, 54% in Georgia, and 65% in Maine over the past six years – far outpacing wages and overall inflation. You have the ability to increase our nation’s housing supply and help address this crisis. With that in mind, we urge you to direct the release of these funds without any further delay.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

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Vermont Delegation Secures More than $19 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Funding for U.S. Route 7 Reconstruction

BURLINGTON, VT–July 6, 2026–The Vermont Congressional Delegation, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), and U.S. Representative Becca Balint (D-Vt.) today announced $19,719,310 in federal funding to complete the reconstruction of U.S. Route 7 from Pittsford to Brandon, Vermont. The funding for the Vermont Agency of Transportation was awarded through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program and made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)—better known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

“We’re proud to announce more than $19 million in federal funds to support the State of Vermont’s work on the Ethan Allen Highway. This project will make one of the most traveled highways in our state safer and more reliable, from Pittsford to Brandon and beyond,” said Sanders, Welch, and Balint.

“Investments like these are critical to maintaining our infrastructure for years to come,” said Governor Phil Scott. “I’m appreciative of the Agency of Transportation’s work as well as the congressional delegation for their work in bringing this funding back home to Vermont.”

The project includes roadway reconstruction, widening, shoulder improvements, drainage and culvert replacement, bridge upgrades, safety enhancements, and wildlife crossing improvements. Senator Sanders is a senior member on the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, which oversees this funding.

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Welch Joins All Senate Democrats in Demanding Trump Halt Illegal Move to Undermine Special Ed, Civil Rights Enforcement

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) joined U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), Ranking Member on the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, and the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in demanding the Trump administration put students first, follow the law, and immediately reverse course on transferring special education programs and civil rights enforcement out of the Department of Education (ED).

On June 16, 2026, the Trump Administration announced four Interagency Agreements (IAA) that would illegally move the administration of special education programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and vocational rehabilitation programs authorized under the Rehabilitation Act from the ED to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These IAA also transfer fundamental civil rights enforcement responsibility away from ED to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and come as the Trump Administration has successfully worked to undermine core functions and statutory responsibilities of ED, following sweeping and unlawful firings, workforce reductions, and reorganization last year that have already undermined the very goals of the Education Department. At the same time, ED moved almost all programs supporting elementary and secondary education to multiple agencies with limited capacity and expertise administering similar programs.

In their letter to ED Secretary Linda McMahon, the Senators outline how the Trump Administration’s latest moves are part of the president’s explicit effort to dismantle ED, threatening key funding, support and services for students, schools, and families nationwide. The Senators also emphasize that wasting time and resources to scatter education programs all over the federal government does nothing to help children and families while only making it more complicated for states and school districts to administer important federal funding.

The Senators underscore that isolating special education programs away from all other federal K-12 programs risks isolating students with disabilities themselves: “The administration’s latest attempts to dismantle the Department of Education through the four Interagency Agreements (IAA) announced June 16, 2026, are outrageous and put the educational outcomes of students and their rights in the classroom at risk…The administration’s actions fly in the face of what Congress has required, directly undermine every child’s right to a quality public education in this country, and must be immediately reversed.”

Despite announcing this illegal transfer of programs, the Trump Administration has refused to provide information regarding what office within HHS will carry out special education programs, leaving teachers, students, and families with even greater uncertainty about where to turn to ensure their rights are protected. The Senators emphasize that burying special education programs in a sprawling HHS with significant other responsibilities, instead of at a Department of Education a fraction of the size solely focused on education, will jeopardize outcomes for students with disabilities.

“Special education and vocational rehabilitation are education programs. Any attempt to move these programs to HHS would fundamentally alter the purposes of these services, upending fifty years of work that took place at the federal, state, and local level to improve educational and employment outcomes for people with disabilities. It appears the administration values its backward goal of dismantling ED over the faithful execution of the law and improving opportunities and outcomes for children, youth, and students with disabilities,” the Senators continued. “This lack of forethought demonstrates how little concern it has for students with disabilities and their learning. The administration couldn’t possibly know that this will be in the best interest of children and families because it doesn’t even know where and how these programs will be administered in the future.”

The most recent reauthorization of IDEA passed by Congress reiterates that the responsibility for administering the law is clearly vested with ED, along with various duties vested in the Secretary of Education, including allotting funds to States and carrying out oversight among other activities. However, the law does not contain any provisions that would permit ED to offload its responsibilities for special education or vocational rehabilitation programs to another agency. Additionally, the annual bipartisan appropriation bills approved by Congress do not provide affirmative authority to ED to transfer special education funding or vocational rehabilitation services to HHS, nor ED’s civil rights enforcement responsibilities to DOJ CRT.

The Senators reiterated that Congress appropriates annual funding to ED to help States and local educational agencies carry out programs and ensure children, youth, students, and families are served in accordance with federal law: “We have a simple demand: follow our nation’s education and appropriations laws as Congress wrote them to protect students’ most basic right to a quality education. More than 80 education, disability, parent, and civil rights groups have vocally opposed the recent IAAs and other departmental changes. We call on this administration to immediately cease implementing these IAAs, fully implement IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act as Congressionally directed, and take immediate action to strengthen civil rights enforcement—instead of burying students’ cases behind more bureaucracy. Our students and their families deserve nothing less.”

Meanwhile, the transfer of the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) out of ED also comes as the Trump Administration has failed to uphold the federal government’s obligations to protect students from unlawful discrimination. In 2025, ED’s OCR reached the fewest resolution agreements in over 12 years and failed to reach a single resolution agreement related to sexual harassment, sexual violence, racial harassment, discriminatory school discipline, or the seclusion and restraint of children with disabilities, with over 12,000 pending cases that were under investigation by OCR at the start of this Administration.

Despite this backlog, the Trump Administration is attempting to illegally transfer OCR’s functions to the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division (CRT), which has lost an estimated 75% of its civil rights staff attorneys since January 2025, making it wholly unequipped to handle the over 23,000 complaints OCR receives and evaluates annually. The Senators also raised concerns that while OCR is currently required to evaluate every single complaint it receives, DOJ CRT can pick and choose the cases it takes to court. Under this IAA, students whose complaints are not prioritized by DOJ CRT may never see their rights vindicated.

In addition to Senators Welch, Baldwin, Murray, and Sanders, the letter is cosigned by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Angus King (I-Maine), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Chris Coons (D-Del.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.).

Read and download the Senators’ full letter to Secretary McMahon.

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Providence, R.I. — Between February 22-23, 2026, Rhode Island was struck by a record-breaking blizzard that dumped 37.9 inches of snow in a 24-hour period and the state experienced wind gusts of 74 miles per hour. The winter storm hit Rhode Island with the intensity of a Category 2 hurricane, caused severe power outages for tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders, and tragically resulted in two fatalities and hundreds of emergency room visits. The storm created immense challenges for local businesses, which faced prolonged closures due to storm-related damage and disruptions to transportation, utilities, and public services and resulted in over $19 million worth of damage.

States hit by severe weather may request a federal declaration in order to activate federal technical and financial assistance to offset the cost of recovery, rebuilding, and reducing future risks. On February 22, Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation sent a letter requesting that the Trump Administration grant the state a disaster delegation if need be. The decision to issue a disaster declaration rests with the president.

After months of inaction, on July 2, President Trump denied Rhode Island’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration related to the record snowfall and cold temperatures on the same day that he approved more than $846 million in disaster relief funds for nine Republican-leaning states. In addition to rejecting Rhode Island, the Trump Administration also nixed a disaster declaration for New York for the same blizzard.

Rhode Island’s Congressional delegation believes the Trump Administration improperly rejected the Ocean State’s request, pointing out that President Trump has politicized disaster assistance for states over the last year and made it exponentially harder for so-called ‘blue states’ to get disaster funding under the highly partisan Trump Administration than it is for so-called ‘red states.’

According to the Urban Institute, roughly 84 percent of disaster requests from states that voted for Trump in 2024 have been approved by his administration, compared to just 42 percent from states that voted for Kamala Harris. And Politico reporting uncovered that Republican-led states have waited 39 days on average for a decision compared to the 80-day average for Democratic-led states.

“When extreme weather strikes, helping people stay safe and helping communities recover shouldn’t be a partisan issue. The President’s denial is part of a pattern of extreme partisanship as he tries to shift a heavier economic burden onto blue states. Disaster aid should be merit-based, not politicized. This is a petty move that hurts people across the political spectrum. We will fight it and work to reverse it,” said U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jack Reed (D-RI) and and U.S. Representatives Seth Magaziner (D-RI) and Gabe Amo (D-RI) in a joint statement.

The federal lawmakers are urging the state to appeal the decision, which must be done within 30 days of notification, and are calling on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to explain in detailed writing why the state’s request for assistance was denied.

The delegation sent a letter to President Trump stating: “We write to demand you immediately reverse the July 2, 2026 denial of the State of Rhode Island’s request for a major disaster declaration under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for its historic February 2026 blizzard. After months of waiting, on the same day you approved major disaster declarations for several Republican-led states, you chose to leave Rhode Islanders out in the cold. It is unacceptable to politicize the disaster declaration process when Rhode Islanders’ health, safety, and businesses were severely impacted by this historic storm.”

The July 3 letter notes that Rhode Island officials worked with FEMA to develop a joint Preliminary Damage Assessment, which was submitted with the state’s request on April 7, 2026. The extensive review found over $19 million in validated damages, an amount that greatly exceeds the threshold for a major disaster declaration.

Under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, snowstorms have historically been listed among the natural events that qualify for federal assistance. Earlier this year, Congressional appropriators from both parties affirmed in a report accompanying the 2026 Department of Homeland Security appropriations package, that the bill: “reaffirms Congress’ intent … that snowstorms shall be eligible for Federal relief.”

Full text of the delegation’s letter follows:

Dear President Trump:

We write to demand you immediately reverse the July 2, 2026 denial of the State of Rhode Island’s request for a major disaster declaration under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act for its historic February 2026 blizzard. After months of waiting, on the same day you approved major disaster declarations for several Republican-led states, you chose to leave Rhode Islanders out in the cold. It is unacceptable to politicize the disaster declaration process when Rhode Islanders’ health, safety, and businesses were severely impacted by this historic storm.

Between February 22-23, 2026, Rhode Island was struck by a record-breaking blizzard that produced up to 37.9 inches of snow and up to 74-mile-per-hour winds. The storm hit the state with the intensity of a Category 2 hurricane, caused severe power outages for tens of thousands of Rhode Islanders, and tragically resulted in two fatalities and hundreds of emergency room visits. The storm created immense challenges for local businesses, which faced prolonged closures due to storm-related damage and disruptions to transportation, utilities, and public services.

The State of Rhode Island worked with FEMA to develop a joint Preliminary Damage Assessment, which was submitted with the state’s request on April 7, 2026. The extensive review found over $19 million in validated damages, an amount that greatly exceeds the threshold for a major disaster declaration. Given the impact this storm had on the local economy, public services, and infrastructure, you should immediately approve any appeal submitted by the State of Rhode Island to reverse the denial of its request. This will ensure that Rhode Island can access the funding it needs to fully recover from this historic storm.

Sincerely,


Smith Statement on Death of Doug Leafgreen

Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03) released the following statement after learning of the death of Doug Leafgreen, former Mayor of Gering and Nebraska Highway Commissioner.

“An avid outdoorsman and servant leader, Doug will be deeply missed by all who knew him. I am grateful to have called him a friend. He will be remembered for his strong faith, his leadership in local government, and his dedicated service as a Nebraska Highway Commissioner. Please join Andrea and I, in extending our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Melody, their children, grandchildren, and the entire Leafgreen family.”


Barrett, Secretary Duffy Announce More Than $12.5 Million In Funding For Real Infrastructure In Mid-Michigan

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) celebrated the announcement of more than $12.5 million in U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) funding for real infrastructure improvements in Ingham County and the City of Lansing through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program.

“I'm grateful to Secretary Duffy and the Trump administration for recognizing the need for these investments that will significantly improve the roads that mid-Michigan families and businesses rely on every day,” said Barrett. “These projects will make our communities safer, reduce congestion, and lay the groundwork for future economic growth. I look forward to seeing these investments move our transportation infrastructure forward.”

“America is fortunate to have a Builder in the White House who knows America is only as great as our infrastructure,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “That’s why this Department is investing in repairing critical roads and bridges that connect Americans to job opportunities, port infrastructure that bolsters our national security, and aviation and transit projects that move American families. The impact of these dollars will be felt in communities nationwide for years to come.”

The newly awarded funding includes:

$11,352,306 for Ingham County to reconstruct sections of Okemos Road, including turn lanes, sidewalks, stormwater and sewer infrastructure, traffic signal modernization, and more.

$1,200,000 for the City of Lansing to advance planning and preliminary engineering for roadway and intersection improvements, develop corridor-level concepts, evaluate alternatives, and more to create safer and more efficient streets.

The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant is a longstanding U.S. DOT program that supports investments in surface transportation projects with significant local or regional impact. Originally created in 2009 as the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program, BUILD grants help fund projects that improve safety, mobility, economic competitiveness, and quality of life in communities across the country.

Barrett supports extending funding for this critical program for local and regional infrastructure projects. The bipartisan BUILD America 250 Act, which Barrett and his colleagues approved this spring in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, would authorize the key program for another five years.


Baumgartner Announces $20.8 Million DOT Award for Spokane Valley’s Sullivan & Trent Interchange Project

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Michael Baumgartner (WA-05) announces that the City of Spokane Valley will receive $20,835,419 through the Fiscal Year 2026 BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) program for the Sullivan & Trent Interchange Project.

“This is a major win for Spokane Valley and for freight mobility across Eastern Washington,” said Congressman Baumgartner. “Congratulations to the City of Spokane Valley and its transportation team, whose responsible planning and hard work put this project in a strong position to compete for federal funding. Earlier this year, I supported Spokane Valley’s BUILD application and made the Sullivan and Trent Interchange project one of my FY26 transportation priorities. This $20.8 million reward will help replace aging infrastructure, improve safety, reduce congestion, and strengthen one of the region’s most important freight corridors,” he said.

Upgrades to this interchange are long overdue. State Route 290 (Trent Avenue) is over 60 years old, has been rated as “structurally deficient,” “high risk,” and in “poor” condition. Further, the low-clearance bridge over Trent Avenue has been struck at least six times in the last ten years.

This project will improve a critical regional connection linking the Bigelow Gulch Corridor, the North Spokane Corridor, Spokane Valley, and the Spokane Business & Industrial Park. It will support safer and more efficient movement for commuters, freight traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists throughout the corridor, while alleviating congestion getting to Interstate 90 and through Spokane’s downtown core.


ICYMI: President Donald J. Trump Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Michigan

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Michigan to supplement recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding from April 10-21, 2026.

The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Alcona, Allegan, Alpena, Antrim, Barry, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iosco, Kalamazoo, Kalkaska, Manistee, Mecosta, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Presque Isle, Roscommon, Saginaw, Washtenaw and Wexford counties.

Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and families recover from the effects of the disaster.

Federal funding is also available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities damaged by the severe storms, tornadoes and flooding in Alcona, Alpena, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Crawford, Eaton, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Iron, Kalkaska, Lake, Manistee, Marquette, Mecosta, Menominee, Missaukee, Montmorency, Newaygo, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Presque Isle, Tuscola and Wexford counties.

Brian F. Schiller has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal recovery operations in the affected areas. Additional designations may be made at a later date if warranted by the results of damage assessments.

Individuals and families who sustained losses in the designated areas should first file claims with their insurance providers and then apply for assistance online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, by calling 1-800-621-3362 or by using the FEMA App.

If you use a relay service, such as video relay service (VRS), captioned telephone service or others, provide FEMA the number for that service.


Congressman Biggs Celebrates the One-Year Anniversary of Working Families Tax Cuts Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – One year ago, on July 4, 2025, the Working Families Tax Cuts Act was signed into law, giving tens of millions of Americans more tax relief and economic breathing room to pay their bills and save for their children’s futures.

According to government data, more than 60 million filers claimed at least one new tax cut during the legislation's first year of operation. The average refund (approximately $3,300) put 11 percent more money back into the pockets of hardworking Americans than the previous year. The vast majority of filers receiving a tax cut (96%) reported yearly earnings of less than $200,000. Millions of filers claimed the new No Tax on Tips and No Tax on Overtime deductions.

Additionally, the bill made the 20% pass-through deduction permanent and renewed immediate expensing, giving entrepreneurs the certainty to invest, hire, and grow. Those reforms were projected to create over one million new Main Street jobs and generate $750 billion in economic growth. With more earnings in hand, business owners can raise wages, expand operations, and build stronger local economies.

Arizonans benefited greatly from the historic tax cuts bill. Thanks to this legislation, many Arizonans have seen a substantial wage increase, and 133,000 jobs have been protected. Well over a million Arizona seniors were eligible to benefit from the provision eliminating taxes on Social Security. Roughly two-thirds of workers across the state are employed in overtime-eligible occupations, allowing them to use the no-tax-on-overtime provision. Many Arizona laborers were eligible for the provision exempting tips from taxes.

“In the first filing deadline under the Working Families Tax Cuts era, tens of millions of Americans, including many across Arizona, celebrated higher wages and lower tax bills,” said Congressman Biggs. “President Trump and congressional Republicans were motivated to build on the successful 2017 tax cuts, giving more certainty to families and business owners – and we accomplished our mission with flying colors. As I travel around my district, I’m pleased to hear the positive stories of how this legislation improved lives and created opportunities for business growth. Americans deserve to keep more of their money, and this bill has done—and will continue to do—just that in the years to come."

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VIDEO: Budzinski Helps IL-13 Constituent Recover $394,000 in Delayed Social Security Benefits

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski’s (IL-13) office helped an Illinois resident recover $394,000 in long-delayed Social Security benefits after years of navigating a complex and frustrating process with the Social Security Administration. To listen to the full story, click HERE.

After Lisa Ash lost her sister, she stepped up to become the legal guardian of her nephew. While her sister was terminally ill, Lisa was notified by the Social Security Administration (SSA) that a payment would be issued through a government debit card. Despite informing SSA of her sister’s condition, the payment was processed in a way that left Lisa unable to access the funds intended to support her nephew.

Lisa turned to Congresswoman Budzinski’s constituent services team, who worked directly with the SSA to advocate on Lisa’s behalf, and ensure that she and her nephew received the full amount of benefits they were owed. Ultimately, the Budzinski team helped Lisa recover more than $394,000 in overdue Social Security payments. To learn more about Lisa’s experience, click HERE.

Congresswoman Budzinski’s office assists constituents with issues involving federal agencies, including Social Security, veterans’ services, Medicare, passports, and other federal programs. Constituents in Illinois’ 13th Congressional District can contact her office for assistance.


Bynum Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Expand Federal Job Opportunities for Qualified Workers

Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (D-OR), Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA), and Congressman John McGuire (R-VA) introduced the bipartisan Federal Jobs for STARs Act yesterday, to modernize federal hiring by reducing unnecessary bachelor's degree requirements for many federal jobs and helping ensure qualified workers who are Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs) can compete for federal jobs based on their skills and experience.

Nearly two-thirds of American adults do not have a bachelor's degree, yet millions have developed valuable skills through military service, apprenticeships, community college, career and technical education, and on-the-job training. The Federal Jobs for STARs Act would help ensure the federal government recruits talent based on skills and experience while preserving bachelor's degree requirements for positions where they are genuinely necessary.

“Hiring practices that require traditional educational experience leave talent and opportunity on the table for employers and employees,” said Congresswoman Janelle Bynum. “Skilled workers can come from military service, technical education, apprenticeships, or certification programs – not just four-year degree programs.”

"Qualified Americans should not be denied a fair opportunity to compete for federal jobs simply because they don't have a bachelor's degree," said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. "For millions of Americans, that unnecessary barrier has become a 'paper ceiling' separating them from federal jobs they are fully qualified to perform. The federal government should lead by example by evaluating applicants based on whether they have the skills and experience to do the job—not simply whether they have a four-year degree. This bipartisan bill will help recruit the best talent into public service while expanding opportunity for qualified Americans."

“College degrees aren’t the only way that workers gain valuable skills and experience. Through apprenticeships, military service, and on-the-job experience, Americans are building the skills our federal workforce needs. Unfortunately, excessive degree requirements are preventing countless workers from putting that experience to work on behalf of taxpayers. That’s why the Federal Jobs for STARs Act opens the door for talented workers who built their skills outside the classroom — helping to ensure that federal hiring is based on merit, not just credentials," said Congressman Mackenzie.

"Our country is home to some of the best and brightest workers,” said Rep. John McGuire (VA-05). “Yet, too often, talented men and women are blocked from joining the federal workforce due to the lack of a college degree. There are many ways to gain relevant experience, including military service, on the job training, and apprenticeships. Qualified candidates should be able to apply for jobs, despite lacking educational degree attainment. This bill ensures the most qualified applicants are given a chance to play a role in our nation’s success and recognizes that education shouldn’t be a barrier for an otherwise qualified individual to join the federal workforce.”

“One of the core principles of our government is that hiring in the civil service is based on merit. The Federal Jobs for Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs) Act advances this principle by removing unnecessarily restrictive degree requirements, opening opportunities for qualified applicants and creating the largest hiring pool. By expanding the talent pipeline, this legislation ensures the federal government can address workforce shortages and hire the best candidates possible, while respecting educational or licensing requirements when necessary. Thank you to Representatives Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Mackenzie (R-PA), Bynum (D-OR), and McGuire (R-VA) for their leadership in supporting the federal workforce,” said Randy Erwin, National President of the National Federation of Federal Employees.

"The Federal Jobs for STARs Act is an important step toward ensuring that federal hiring reflects what matters most: the skills, experience, and ability to do the job," said Blair Corcoran de Castillo, Senior Vice President of Public Sector & Policy at Opportunity@Work. "More than 70 million Americans are Skilled Through Alternative Routes (STARs), having developed valuable skills through military service, apprenticeships, community college, workforce training, and years of experience. This bipartisan legislation will help ensure that all workers with the skills for the job can compete for federal careers."

The Federal Jobs for STARs Act would:

Reduce unnecessary bachelor's degree requirements for many federal jobs while preserving degree requirements where they are genuinely necessary.

Direct the Office of Personnel Management to establish skills-based qualifications that recognize military service, apprenticeships, community college, career training, and other alternative pathways.

Create a dedicated hiring pathway on USAJobs for STARs.

Require a government-wide study on additional training, education, and career development opportunities for STAR employees.

Original cosponsors include: Representatives Troy Downing (R-MT), Shomari Figures (D-AL), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), and James Walkinshaw (D-VA).


Congresswoman Kat Cammack Joins First Responders, AT&T to Launch New FirstNet Coverage Site in Horseshoe Beach

HORSESHOE BEACH, Fla. — Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) today joined AT&T, the FirstNet Authority, and local first responders to cut the ribbon on a new FirstNet coverage site in Horseshoe Beach, expanding dedicated public safety communications to a Dixie County community hit by three hurricanes in just over a year.

"When Helene hit, the men and women protecting Horseshoe Beach couldn't get a signal. In a storm, that's the difference between a rescue and a recovery. I took the problem to AT&T and FirstNet, and today this new site goes on the air," said Congresswoman Kat Cammack. "This town has rebuilt twice in three years. Nobody here quits, and neither will we. This site is the start, and we are going to keep building until every first responder on this coast can count on a signal."

Horseshoe Beach took direct hits from Hurricane Idalia in August 2023, Hurricane Debby in August 2024, and Hurricane Helene in September 2024. Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm with storm surge estimated at more than 15 feet across the Big Bend. Between Idalia and Helene alone, the town lost roughly 175 of its 365 homes, according to Mayor Jeff Williams.

Congresswoman Cammack worked directly with AT&T FirstNet and the town of Horseshoe Beach to bring the new coverage site to the community after emergency communications failures during those storms left first responders without reliable connectivity when they needed it most.

The new site connects Horseshoe Beach to FirstNet, America's public safety network, built by AT&T in partnership with the FirstNet Authority. FirstNet gives police, fire, and EMS priority and preemption on the network, meaning first responder traffic goes through even when commercial networks are overloaded during a disaster. Nearly 30,600 public safety agencies and organizations nationwide use FirstNet, according to AT&T's January 2026 congressional testimony.

The Horseshoe Beach site is part of a nationwide FirstNet expansion. In January 2026, the FirstNet Authority directed AT&T to deploy more than 135 new cell sites targeting rural coverage gaps identified by public safety agencies, a deployment backed by more than $2 billion in coverage enhancement investment.

Congresswoman Cammack serves on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, which holds jurisdiction over FirstNet. The subcommittee held a hearing on FirstNet performance and reauthorization in February 2026, and the House passed FirstNet Authority reauthorization legislation in April 2026 ahead of the program's February 2027 sunset.

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Congresswoman Kat Cammack proudly serves Florida's Third Congressional District, covering 12 counties in North Central Florida. She serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Committee on Agriculture.


Casten Urges EU President von der Leyen to Maintain EU Methane Regulation Standards

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Sean Casten led four House Democrats in urging European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to maintain the European Union Methane Regulation.

“As elected United States representatives committed to protecting our climate and maintaining strong transatlantic collaboration on environmental issues, we write to express our strong support for maintaining integrity and ambition of the European Union Methane Regulation (EUMR),” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to President von der Leyen. “...At a time when the EUMR is facing increasing pressure to be delayed or weakened by fossil fuel interests, maintaining clear, consistent rules for all suppliers is essential to strengthening Europe’s energy security, while also reducing highly potent greenhouse gas emissions.”

TheEuropean Union Methane Regulation is the EU’s first binding law focused on reducing methane emissions from oil, gas, and coal. This includes emissions from both EU-based producers and fossil fuel imports into the EU.

Rep. Casten recently returned from a Congressional delegation in Brussels and Strasbourg, where he met with Members of the European Parliament and heard first-hand about the Trump Administration’s increased efforts to derail the EUMR and demands that the U.S. be exempt from the regulation.

“Preserving the integrity of the EUMR will reinforce Europe’s leadership at a moment when climate ambition is increasingly inseparable from security, competitiveness, and geopolitical resilience,” the lawmakers concluded.

In addition to Rep. Casten, the letter was signed by Reps. Conaway, Dexter, Kamlager-Dove, and Ross, who also joined the Congressional delegation.

Text of the letter can be found below. A copy of the letter can be foundhere.

Dear President von der Leyen,

As elected United States representatives committed to protecting our climate and maintaining strong transatlantic collaboration on environmental issues, we write to express our strong support for maintaining integrity and ambition of the European Union Methane Regulation (EUMR). As such, we urge the European Commission to ensure timely implementation and, above all, to preserve its ambition. We offer our support to work together with the Trump Administration, the European Union, industry, and relevant experts to ensure robust implementation.

At a time when the EUMR is facing increasing pressure to be delayed or weakened by fossil fuel interests, maintaining clear, consistent rules for all suppliers is essential to strengthening Europe’s energy security, while also reducing highly potent greenhouse gas emissions. According to new analysis from Rystad Energy, there is “no credible evidence that the EUMR is contributing to current oil and gas price increases or supply pressures affecting Europe.”1 Rather, the EUMR has established the European Union as a global leader in methane mitigation, and its continued robust implementation will reinforce regulatory certainty, encourage investment in proven methane reduction technologies, and demonstrate that market-based environmental standards can advance both economic and strategic interests.

Methane is the primary constituent of natural gas. Today, and for the immediate future, natural gas will be a vital national security and economic resource for the EU. The EUMR is therefore fundamentally a waste prevention measure in that it prevents the waste of this vital resource. The International Energy Agency estimates “that nearly 100 billion cubic metres (bcm) of natural gas could be made available annually through a global effort to cut methane from oil and gas operations, with a further 100 bcm unlocked through the elimination of nonemergency flaring worldwide,”2 which is roughly twice the volume lost due to disruptions linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.3 Because methane is also a global warming pollutant with more than 80 times the potency of carbon dioxide, LNG can be worse for the climate than even the coal it replaces – let alone the zero-emission energy sources which must replace it in the coming years. The EUMR is therefore additionally a critical climate protection measure, beyond its energy security benefits.

Our recent meetings as a congressional delegation in Strasbourg and Brussels reinforced these convictions. During meetings with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera, Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra, and Members of the European Parliament responsible for energy, environment, and trade policy, we heard a remarkably consistent message: the EUMR has become a defining test of Europe’s ability to maintain ambitious climate and energy policies in the face of mounting geopolitical and commercial pressure. Across nearly every engagement, climate policy was discussed not as a standalone environmental issue, but as a matter of industrial competitiveness, energy security, economic resilience, and democratic cooperation.

We share this perspective because the EUMR represents far more than a single environmental policy. Alongside initiatives such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the Clean Industrial Deal, it reflects a broader strategy that recognizes climate policy as industrial policy and national security policy. Together, these frameworks reward innovation, strengthen resilient supply chains, and create durable incentives for cleaner production and greater transparency across global markets.

Decisions regarding EUMR will therefore be viewed beyond methane policy itself – they will signal whether the European Union intends to maintain predictable long-term market rules that encourage investment in emissions measurement, monitoring, and reporting, as well as other low-emission innovations. Just as the CBAM is encouraging governments and industries to improve emissions performance, the EUMR is creating incentives for producers to invest in transparent practices. We believe this approach will continue to encourage technological investment and reinforce Europe’s leadership in a more secure and sustainable economy.

For these reasons, we respectfully encourage the European Commission to stay the course and are committed to working with key partners to support implementation. Preserving the integrity of the EUMR will reinforce Europe’s leadership at a moment when climate ambition is increasingly inseparable from security, competitiveness, and geopolitical resilience. We appreciate the Commission’s continued leadership and stand ready to support continued US-EU cooperation to ensure that implementation is both technically robust and strategically durable. By maintaining the EUMR’s core requirements and ambition, the European Union can continue demonstrating that a principled climate policy strengthens our shared prosperity and transatlantic partnership.

Sincerely,

###


Reps. Chu and Morrison Lead Democratic Women’s Caucus to Demand Trump Admin Reinstate Terminated Funds for Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program Grants

WASHINGTON, D.C. —On Thursday, July 2, Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28) and Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Reproductive Healthcare Task Force Co-Chairs, led 79 members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) and the Democratic Caucus in sending a letter to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, demanding the immediate reversal of the administration’s cancellation of 53 active Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program (TPP) grants, totaling to $68 million in funding. In addition to reversing the cancellation of funds, the letter calls on HHS to provide the rationale behind each cancellation, justifications for canceling the grants, and explanations for redirecting the funding to programs not previously authorized by Congress.

TPP grants authorized by Congress are used to lead evidence-based programs that reduce teen pregnancy, STIs, and other health risks for young people and have long been appropriated in a bipartisan manner. Since the enactment of TPP, millions of women and girls across the country have positively benefited from increased health-education and support programs.

In their letter, the Members explain that TPP is critical to helping young people make health decisions that lead to reduced sexual risk:

“In fact, the contributions of the TPP Program were also acknowledged in a September 2017 unanimously-agreed-to-report from the Bipartisan Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking, who highlighted the TPP Program as an example of a federal program developing increasingly rigorous portfolios of evidence. Rigorous evaluation and evidence-based practices are essential to the continued success of teen pregnancy prevention efforts for which millions of dollars have already been invested.”

The Members highlight the impact TPP’s resources and education has had on reducing teen birth rates in the U.S. and helping young people thrive:

“The teen birth rate has fallen 81% since 1991 and 72% since 2007. The outcomes of this program save lives as teenage pregnancies are at high risk for health complications. Specifically, teenagers 16-19 years old face increased risk of preterm birth, and teens 15 years old and younger are even more vulnerable to health complications. Overall, the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program has an established history of investing in community-driven strategies, identifying new curricula that work through rigorous evaluation, and supporting their implementation with fidelity.”

The Members also emphasize the harm of removing and redirecting funds from TPP programs, which will undermine the program's ability to help young people and disrupt critical research:

“Redirecting funding from the TPP program jeopardizes access to the high-quality health education, support, and resources that Congress intended. Abrupt and arbitrary disruptions on grounds unrelated to the core aims of the TPP program undermine the ability of the program to serve its congressionally intended purpose of giving young people the knowledge and tools needed to improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes and promote positive experiences, relationships, and environments that help our nation’s youth thrive.”

Read the full letter HERE.

In addition to letter leads, the letter was signed by Reps. Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), Gabe Amo (RI-01), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), J. Luis Correa (CA-46), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), April McClain Delaney (MC-06), Suzan K. DelBene (WA-01), Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Shomari Figures (AL-02), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Valerie P. Foushee (NC-04), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Laura Friedman (CA-30), Jesús G. "Chuy" García (IL-04), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Julie Johnson (TX-32), William R. Keating (MA-09), Mike Levin (CA-49), Sam T. Liccardo (CA-16), Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Lucy McBath (GA-06), Jennifer L. McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Dave Min (CA-47), Gwen S. Moore (WI-04), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Chris Pappas (NH-01), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Emily Randall (WA-06), Deborah K. Ross (NC-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Haley M. Stevens (MI-11) Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Mike Thompson (MS-02), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul D. Tonko (NY-20), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Marc A. Veasey (TX-33), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24).


Davids Highlights Olathe Manufacturer’s Role in Historic Artemis II Mission to the Moon

OLATHE, KS — Today, Representative Sharice Davids visited Mid-State Aerospace in Olathe, a small Kansas manufacturer whose components helped make NASA’s Artemis II mission possible — the first crewed flight to travel around the Moon in more than 50 years.

During the visit, Davids highlighted her successful efforts earlier this year to push the Trump Administration to reverse funding cuts to a manufacturing program that provides critical technical assistance to Kansas manufacturers.

“Mid-State Aerospace is exactly what Kansas manufacturing looks like — skilled workers, a small team doing big things, and products that end up supporting some of the most complex missions our country undertakes,” said Davids. “When I visited this company a few years ago, I saw firsthand the kind of precision and pride that goes into their work. I’m glad I got to come back and see how that same work helped power a mission around the Moon. It’s a reminder that Kansas manufacturing is part of America’s story.”

"At Mid-State Aerospace, we believe that the next giant leap for mankind begins with precision manufacturing right here at home,” said Robert Somers, Vice President of Operations, Mid-State Aerospace. “By serving as a Tier 1 and Tier 2 supplier for the Artemis mission, our local team is proving that the road to the Moon runs directly through our community's hard work and dedication. We aren't just building aerospace components; we are manufacturing the future of space exploration."

Davids first visited Mid-State Aerospace in 2022 with former U.S. Small Business Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman. Today, Davids once again met with company leadership and employees to tour the facility and highlight the role Kansas manufacturers play in advanced aerospace supply chains and national space exploration efforts.

Artemis II marks a major milestone in NASA’s efforts to return humans to deep space exploration, and Kansas companies like Mid-State Aerospace played a role in building key components used in both the rocket and spacecraft systems that supported the mission.

Last year, the Trump Administration cut off Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) funding, forcing Kansas Manufacturing Solutions (KMS) to lay off nearly half its staff and putting local jobs and economic growth at risk. In response, Davids introduced the Defend American Manufacturing Act, legislation to restore and protect critical funding for MEP programs — the primary source of support for KMS. Following Davids’ advocacy and bipartisan pressure from Congress, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) restored funding to the MEP program.


Dingell, Colleagues Lead Legislation to Ban PFAS in Cosmetics

U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), and Laura Friedman (D-CA-30), introduced the bipartisan No PFAS in Cosmetics Act, which would ban the use of harmful forever chemicals known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cosmetics. The legislation would require the Food and Drug Administration to ban the use of PFAS in cosmetic products within 270 days of the bill’s enactment.

“PFAS chemicals are in products that we use every single day, including cosmetics and personal care products. Too often these dangerous chemicals are not disclosed on packaging and labels, meaning most Americans don’t even know they’re using them,” Congresswoman Dingell said. “Studies have linked PFAS chemicals to a variety of health hazards, and we need a strong, bipartisan effort to address this crisis. The No PFAS in Cosmetics Act takes important steps to protect consumers and prevent the continued proliferation of forever chemicals.”

“We know the risks posed by PFAS, and we have a responsibility to act wherever exposure can be prevented. Real progress means not only cleaning up contamination after the fact, but stopping unnecessary exposure before it happens. Americans deserve confidence in the products they bring into their homes and use every day. The No PFAS in Cosmetics Act is a practical, bipartisan step to protect consumers and continue moving these toxic forever chemicals out of our products and our communities,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan PFAS Task Force.

"Americans shouldn't need a chemistry degree to know if their shampoo and makeup are safe, yet toxic forever chemicals are hiding in products in nearly every bathroom in the country, often with no label to warn us," said Congresswoman Laura Friedman. "In the Assembly, I wrote California's law banning PFAS from cosmetics, but every American deserves that same peace of mind. I'm proud to work with Rep. Dingell, a leader on forever chemicals, to take that fight nationwide with this commonsense, bipartisan bill."

The No PFAS in Cosmetics Act is endorsed by Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Buen Vecino, CleanEarth4Kids.org, ENVmedicine, Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance, Center for Environmental Health, Beyond Pesticides, Plastic Free Future, California Black Health Network, LA Water Keeper, The Oregon Environmental Council, Breast Cancer Over Time, Mamavation.com, Innersense Beauty, Green America, Credo Beauty, California Healthy Nail Salons, Environmental Defense Action Fund.

"The science is clear: PFAS chemicals are linked to breast and other cancers, birth defects, hormone disruption, and organ damage — yet they're still hiding in the products we use every single day,” said Suzanne Price, CEO at Breast Cancer Prevention Partners. "We applaud Representatives Dingell, Fitzpatrick, and Friedman for stepping up where industry hasn't. The No PFAS in Cosmetics Act builds on the bipartisan momentum states have already built to phase PFAS out of consumer goods — protecting people from health harms no matter where they live, shop, or work."

“Using the science-based definition of PFAS, these bills would ban the entire class of PFAS in food packaging and personal care products. Despite industry claims that not all PFAS are the same, there are no 'safer' PFAS. All PFAS are persistent and toxic, and we must eliminate all non-essential uses as soon as possible. There is no reason to allow the continued use of PFAS in packaging that can leach into our food or in personal care products that we put directly on our bodies,” said Shakoora Azimi-Gaylon, Senior Director, Toxic Exposures and Pollution Prevention, Center for Environmental Health.

PFAS chemicals are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic—and can be found at some level in 98% of Americans today. These chemicals have been linked to harmful human health effects, increased cholesterol levels, changes in liver enzymes, decreases in infant birth weights, and increased risk of certain cancers.


Dingell, Fitzpatrick Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Ban PFAS in Food Containers

U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), co-chairs of the Congressional PFAS Task Force, reintroduced the bipartisan Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act, which would prohibit intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – hazardous forever chemicals – in food packaging.

These harmful substances are frequently used to greaseproof, waterproof, and give nonstick properties to food containers, cookware, and consumer products. And it has been proven that the PFAS in those containers can contaminate the food, causing liver disease, thyroid dysfunction, and several forms of cancer. The Environmental Working Group found that as many as 40 percent of fast-food wrappers and paper products tested positive for fluorine chemicals.

“You shouldn’t have to worry about chemicals seeping from containers into your food,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “PFAS chemicals are in products that we use every single day, and most Americans don’t even know the risks or daily exposure they face. Several states have already passed laws banning PFAS in food packaging, now we need strong federal legislation to ensure hazardous chemicals are not allowed near the food we eat.”

“Every day, Americans bring home takeout containers, wrappers, and food packaging that can contain intentionally added PFAS—putting toxic forever chemicals far too close to the food we eat. That is an unnecessary risk, and it is one we have the responsibility to eliminate. The Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act takes these chemicals out of the equation by setting a clear national standard and stopping avoidable exposure at the source. We know enough about the dangers of PFAS to act with urgency, and protecting the health of the American people must come first,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan PFAS Task Force.

The bill is supported by Buen Vecino, CleanEarth4Kids.org, ENVmedicine, Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance, Center for Environmental Health, Beyond Pesticides, Plastic Free Future, California Black Health Network, The Oregon Environmental Council, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Breast Cancer Over Time, Mamavation.com, Innersense Beauty, Green America, and Environmental Defense Action Fund.

“Families should not have to worry about PFAS entering our food supply via food packaging,” said Thomas Galligan, Principal Scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “Congress should support the Keep Food Containers Safe from PFAS Act to stop companies from intentionally adding these harmful substances to food packaging.”

"The science is clear: PFAS chemicals are linked to breast and other cancers, birth defects, hormone disruption, and organ damage — yet they're still hiding in the products we use every single day,” said Suzanne Price, CEO at Breast Cancer Prevention Partners. "We applaud Representatives Dingell and Fitzpatrick for stepping up where industry hasn't. The No PFAS in Food Packaging Act builds on the bipartisan momentum states have already built to phase PFAS out of consumer goods — protecting people from health harms no matter where they live, shop, or work."

“Using the science-based definition of PFAS, these bills would ban the entire class of PFAS in food packaging and personal care products. Despite industry claims that not all PFAS are the same, there are no ‘safer’ PFAS. All PFAS are persistent and toxic, and we must eliminate all non-essential uses as soon as possible. There is no reason to allow the continued use of PFAS in packaging that can leach into our food or in personal care products that we put directly on our bodies,” said Shakoora Azimi-Gaylon, Senior Director, Toxic Exposures and Pollution Prevention, Center for Environmental Health.

Scientific studies have linked PFAS chemicals to a variety of health hazards, including various cancers, increases in cholesterol levels, reproductive problems, as well as low birth weight and weakened childhood immunity. People are at higher risk for these health impacts when repeatedly exposed to PFAS, given that they bioaccumulate and do not degrade in the environment.


Finstad Announces 2026 Service Academy Nominees

NEW ULM, MN – Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) announced that he has nominated four southern Minnesota students to the nation’s service academies, all of whom have accepted appointments to their respective institutions. Individuals nominated by Rep. Finstad include:

Brady Arneson, Minnesota Connections Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy

Aidan Moeller, Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial Secondary School, U.S. Air Force Academy

Evan Jenkins, Rochester Century High School, U.S. Air Force Academy

Dayton Clobes, Mankato East High School, U.S. Military Academy

“It is a privilege to nominate this group of outstanding students from Minnesota’s First District to attend our great service academies,” said Rep. Finstad. “We live in the greatest country in the world because of young leaders like these who are willing to put service before self to support and defend our freedom. I know Brady, Aidan, Evan, and Dayton will represent southern Minnesota with pride and will go on to serve our nation well.”

Students accepted into U.S. service academies will earn a four-year university education with the commitment of serving in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation. Congressman Finstad recently met with three of the 2026 nominees and their families to congratulate them on their achievements.


Rep. Fischbach Introduces the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act to Deliver Long-Overdue Relief to Western Minnesota Farmers

WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (MN-07) joined House Agriculture Committee Chairman Glenn "GT" Thompson last week as an original cosponsor of the Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act. This legislation modernizes the H-2A agricultural worker program, delivering labor flexibility and financial predictability to agricultural producers.

"Our hard-working farmers should not have to fight through mountains of federal red tape just to feed and fuel our country," said Rep. Fischbach. "Rigid and outdated H-2A program requirements have ignored the realities of modern farming, leaving our local ag economy without a strong workforce. This producer-backed bill answers the calls of our farmers by cutting compliance costs and establishing a stable, predictable framework so our agricultural community can thrive."

“There is no greater national security threat than disruptions to our food supply,” Rep. Thompson said. “The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act of 2026 makes the practical, commonsense reforms required to prevent these disruptions by providing a workforce that meets agriculture’s needs—now and in the future.”

The Securing Agriculture’s Workforce Act includes several reforms specifically designed to alleviate the agriculture workforce constraints by: