DOT Awards $24 Million to North Dakota for I-94 Project

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced an award of $24,000,000 to the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) for the I-94 State of Good Repair Project through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program.

This funding will support the replacement of an approximately 10-mile stretch of westbound I-94 with modern pavement, addressing buckling failures and improving the roadway’s long-term durability. High-tension cable guard rails will be installed in the median and asphalt overlays will be added at existing interchanges and ramps. The projects will also remove and replace all culverts within the project limits and perform subgrade repairs.

“For over 60 years, I-94 has been essential to getting around the state,” said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure. “The I-94 corridor is a central part of our state’s economy and our way of life in North Dakota. This grant will ensure efficient transportation for the thousands of people who use this vital transportation corridor each day.”

In 2021, Cramer helped craft the fully-paid-for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and shepherd it through Congress. The BUILD grant program, previously known as Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE), was reauthorized in the BIL. The program helps project sponsors at both the state and local levels, including municipalities, tribal governments, and counties, complete critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects.


FAA Awards Nearly $32 Million to North Dakota Airports

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced $31,968,035 in Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grants for airports across North Dakota. The funding will be distributed as follows:

$8,818,680 to the Bismarck Municipal Airport to rehabilitate Runway 3/21 and Taxiways D, D1, D2, and D3; reconstruct runway and taxiway lighting; construct runway safety area improvements and a blast pad; and complete associated airfield safety enhancements.

$8,619,121 to the Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport to construct a new terminal apron, new Taxiways H and I, and install new taxiway lighting.

$7,628,531 to the Minot International Airport to rehabilitate Runway 8/26, reconstruct and replace runway end identifier lights, reconstruct runway lighting, realign Taxiway B, and construct the southern portion of taxiway.

$4,000,000 to the Hector International Airport to complete reconstruction of the terminal apron.

$950,000 to the Beach Municipal Airport for lighting, airfield signage, precision approach path indicator, rotating beacon, and lighting vault reconstruction projects.

$519,840 to the Williston Basin International Airport to reseal pavement joints on taxilanes, taxiways, and the commercial apron.

$519,009 to the Mott Municipal Airport to reseal the apron, runway, taxiway, and taxilanes to extend the life of existing pavement.

$375,000 to the Glen Ullin Regional Airport to reseal the runway, taxiway, taxilanes, and general aviation apron.

$310,000 to the Garrison Airport Authority to reconstruct portions of the airport terminal.

$167,854 to the Adams County Airport Authority for design and installation of new taxiway lighting at Hettinger’s J.B. Lindquist Regional Airport.

$60,000 to the Tioga Municipal Airport Authority for design work associated with extending Taxiway A and expanding the airport’s holding bay.

The FAA AIP provides funding to airports nationwide for planning, capital, and safety enhancement projects.


Crapo Encourages Community Lenders to Apply for CDFI Funding Following OMB Release of Grant Applications

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) encourages Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) lenders in Idaho and across the country to apply promptly for federal funding after the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released long-awaited Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs) and application materials for the CDFI Fund's Bank Enterprise Award (BEA) and Small Dollar Loan (SDL) programs.

The OMB released application materials Tuesday following a June letter led by Senators Mike Crapo, Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Mississippi) and eight additional Senate colleagues urging the Office to make the funding opportunities available without further delay. The notices provide approximately one month for applications. CDFI lenders use BEA and SDL resources to expand access to capital and financial services in rural and underserved communities.

“CDFIs play a vital role in strengthening Idaho's rural communities by providing access to capital for small businesses, homeownership and other local investments that might not otherwise be available through the traditional finance sector,” said Crapo. “The release of these funding opportunities is an important step toward ensuring CDFI lenders can continue serving rural and underserved communities as intended. Eligible Idaho lenders should apply right away so these resources can help support local businesses, families and economic growth.”

Established in 1994, the CDFI Fund enables certified lenders to leverage federal dollars with private-sector investment to bring much-needed financial resources to low-income and rural regions. These lenders use public and private partnerships to finance small businesses, affordable housing and essential community services.

Crapo and Hyde-Smith led the June effort urging OMB Director Russell Vought to release BEA and SDL NOFAs. Ten Senators signed the letter noting 80 percent of BEA funds are distributed to rural banks and used to back billions in loans and investments to support small businesses, housing and economic development in underserved areas.

“We cannot express how strongly we believe the failure to immediately release the FY 2025 BEA and SDL NOFAs and application materials will result in the CDFI Fund having insufficient time to process applications and award funds. Such a situation risks preventable harm to the communities that the BEA and SDL were established by Congress to serve,” the Senators wrote.

Additional letter signatories included Senators Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-Louisiana), Steve Daines (R-Montana), Jim Justice (R-West Virginia), Jerry Moran (R-Kansas), Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama) and Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi).

Find 2026 funding opportunity information for the BEA Program here and the SDL Program here.

Background:

Senator Crapo is the co-chair of the Senate Community Development Finance Caucus. He is the co-lead of the Scaling Community Lenders Act, which would unlock more sources of liquidity and support for CDFIs. He is also a co-sponsor of the Access to Fair Financing for Opportunity and Resilient Development Act, which would strengthen the CDFI Fund and provide added transparency over its operations. Senator Crapo is also the co-sponsor of the CDFI Fund Transparency Act, which would require the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury to testify annually before the Senate Banking and House Financial Services Committees regarding operations of the CDFI Fund during the previous fiscal year.

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Idaho Delegation Submits Time Capsule Items for America’s 250th Anniversary

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Idaho’s U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch, and U.S. Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher, submitted a collection of historic items for the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule. As the United States marks 250 years of independence, the selected items reflect the unique ingenuity, productivity and pioneering spirit that shape the Gem State and continue to influence the future of the nation.

"Idaho is honored to contribute items that tell the story of our state’s rich past and forward-looking leadership," said Senator Crapo. "Together, these symbols represent the enduring efforts of Idahoans to lead our nation into the next 250 years through tribal cultural traditions, agricultural production, scientific research, energy innovation and advanced semiconductor manufacturing."

“For generations, Idahoans have embodied the values that make this country great: faith, hard work, grit, and self-reliance. From our potato farmers feeding the nation to our advancements in semiconductors and nuclear energy driving innovation, Idaho is leading the way to a stronger and more prosperous America,” said Senator Risch. “As we celebrate America 250, I’m proud to recognize a few of Idaho’s significant contributions to the United States through this time capsule. We live in the greatest state in the greatest nation in the world, and I am confident that will continue for another 250 years and beyond.”

"I am thrilled to join my Idaho colleagues in celebrating 250 years of American independence through the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule,” said Representative Fulcher. “From our rich agricultural roots to our leadership in energy innovation and advanced manufacturing, the items we contributed reflect the trailblazing spirit and hardworking communities that define the Gem State. It’s an honor to share them with future generations of Americans 250 years from now.”

“As we prepare to celebrate our nation's 250th birthday, I am honored to participate in the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule alongside my colleagues from Idaho,” said Representative Simpson. “Our contributions include some of the very best that the Gem State has to offer, and I am confident that future generations will appreciate Idaho's rich heritage. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I look forward to celebrating America’s 250th.”

“Participating in this time capsule allows the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes to leave a meaningful message for future generations,” said Shoshone-Bannock Chairwoman Donna Thompson. “The items we selected reflect our culture, history, and community in 2026, from our beadwork to stories preserved in our Tribal newspaper and historical publications. Each piece honors our ancestors and preserves our identity. We hope that when the capsule is opened, people will see a nation proud of its heritage, committed to its traditions, and dedicated to a strong future for our people.”

“The Nez Perce Tribe was honored to contribute a copy of the Nez Perce Treaty of 1855 and a patch featuring our Tribal logo alongside the U.S flag to the time capsule,” said Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee Chairman Samuel N. Penney. “Together, these items demonstrate and symbolize the enduring history, legacy, and the government-to-government relationship between the United States and the Nez Perce Tribe. We hope future generations who open this capsule will recognize and appreciate the significance of this lasting relationship.”

"The Idaho potato industry is honored that Spuddy Buddy, Idaho's beloved potato mascot, is included in the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule, representing Idaho’s most iconic crop and the rich agricultural heritage of our state," said Jamey Higham, CEO, Idaho Potato Commission.

"Two hundred and fifty years ago, America's founders could not have imagined the atom, let alone its power,” said John Wagner, Director of the Idaho National Laboratory. “The coin in this capsule comes from the high desert of Idaho, where the United States first proved that the atom could power a nation — and where, today, the next chapter of nuclear energy is being written. INL is proud to carry that legacy forward — testing, validating, and demonstrating the advanced reactors that will define the next era of American energy leadership.”

“For more than four decades, Micron has proudly called Idaho home, and our roots in Boise continue to shape who we are as a company,” said Sanjay Mehrotra, Chairman, President, and CEO of Micron Technology. “From this foundation, we are advancing cutting-edge memory and storage innovations that power the AI-driven future and strengthen U.S. technology leadership. It is an honor to contribute to this time capsule and celebrate Idaho’s enduring spirit of innovation as we help build the next 250 years of American ingenuity.”

The delegation submitted the following items to represent the foundational pillars of Idaho’s identity:

Nez Perce, Shoshone-Bannock and Coeur d’Alene Tribal Items: Recognizing that Idaho’s history and identity are inseparable from the Native American Tribes that have called the region home since long before statehood, these items honor the resilience, cultural legacy and continuing contributions of Idaho’s Tribal Nations.

"Spuddy Buddy" Plush: Idaho potatoes are synonymous with quality and American farming excellence. As the nation’s leading potato producer, this item symbolizes the hard work, resilience and stewardship of the land that defines Idaho’s vital agricultural sector. Generations of Idahoans work in the agriculture industry, and their work feeds our nation and the world.

Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Challenge Coin: The INL represents Idaho’s longstanding leadership in scientific discovery and energy innovation. The coin highlights a legacy that began with generating the world's first usable nuclear electricity in 1951 and continues today with the recent historic criticality milestone of the Antares microreactor.

Micron HBM4 Chip: As the most advanced memory chip in the world in 2026, this item represents Boise-based Micron Technology’s role in a strategically vital industry: semiconductor manufacturing and research and development. The chip underscores Idaho’s leadership in high-tech innovation, artificial intelligence and national security at a time Micron is making historic investments in its Boise campus.

Together, these items contribute to the story of Idaho. The Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule will be sealed as part of the nation's 250th-anniversary celebrations, preserving these symbols of Idaho’s past, present and future for generations of Americans to come. The time capsule is not expected to be opened until 2276.

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Duckworth, Durbin Join Senate Democrats in Demanding OMB Rescind Rule Giving President Sweeping Power to Politicize Federal Grants

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) along with the entire Senate Democratic caucus in demanding Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought immediately rescind OMB’s proposed regulation on federal financial assistance. The Senators warned the proposal exceeds OMB’s statutory authority, undermines Congress’s constitutional power of the purse and would allow the President to weaponize federal grants for political purposes.

“Your proposal exceeds OMB’s authority, will make it impossible for grant recipients to faithfully carry out the funding priorities that Congress establishes in statute, and would turn federal grants into a new cudgel for the President to unilaterally advance his partisan agenda and punish political rivals,” the Senators wrote. “Ultimately, these changes will make it harder for grant recipients to apply for and manage federal funds – undermining public safety, public health, economic competitiveness, and the government’s ability to address rising costs.”

The proposed rule would dramatically expand agencies’ authority to terminate or suspend federal grants at any time and without notice. It would also require political appointees to make funding decisions without deferring to expert peer review. The Senators warn this would inject partisan politics into grantmaking, threaten America’s leadership in scientific and medical innovation and create chaos for communities and organizations that rely on federal funding to deliver critical services.

“Rather than focusing on fulfilling the statutory purposes of a grant program, applicants and recipients will be forced to play an endless guessing game, trying to determine which of their activities may or may not run afoul of OMB’s ambiguous regulations or the president’s whims,” the Senators wrote.

The Senators also argue that OMB’s proposal would force grant recipients to comply with vague, undefined and political grant conditions that conflict with existing statutes. At the same time, it would weaken transparency and accountability requirements intended to safeguard taxpayer dollars. These changes could discourage qualified organizations from applying for federal grants and increase the risk of waste, fraud and abuse.

The Senators concluded: “Article I of the Constitution vests the power of the purse in Congress, which Congress has historically exercised by appropriating taxpayer dollars through federal grants to fund critical programs, including to protect public safety, advance scientific research, and support health and nutrition initiatives. OMB’s proposal unlawfully seeks to substitute Congress’s role in directing federal spending with the President’s preferred priorities, and in doing so, makes it harder for every community and organization in the United States to fairly access federal funding. We call on you to rescind this proposal.”

Along with Duckworth, Durbin, Peters, Schumer, Murray and Merkley the letter was co-signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

The full letter is available on the Senator’s Duckworth’s website.

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In Japan, Duckworth Continues Efforts to Bring More Agriculture, Quantum and Economic Investments to Illinois

[TOKYO, JAPAN] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)—arrived in Japan on a Congressional delegation (CODEL) she arranged to continue her efforts meeting with high-level business leaders and government officials and promoting Illinois abroad. During her official trip, Duckworth plans to meet with businesses and convened leaders in quantum and technology to shore up previous trade commitments and reassure the international leaders that Illinois’s economy is still strong, well-positioned and ready for greater further investments in agriculture and manufacturing.

“Thanks to the chaos and confusion from the Trump Administration, there’s a lot of uncertainty abroad in about investing in America’s economy right now—I’m traveling to Japan to provide another perspective,” Duckworth said. “With our existing investments and strong leadership at the state level, Illinois is as strong as ever and the perfect place for more investments and international business expansion from our partners in Asia. Not only is it a great business opportunity for our partners, but I’ve seen firsthand how these investments help create jobs, support farmers and grow our economy back home. I’m looking forward to building on my work meeting with business leaders in Japan to strengthen existing partnerships, attract new investment and continue promoting Illinois on a global stage.”

Duckworth plans to attend a series of business engagements in Japan, including a:

Meeting with Toshiba business leaders to highlight Illinois’s strength for future investment. Toshiba’s CEO Taro Shimada also leads Q-STAR, Quantum Strategic industry Alliance for Revolution, which is the leading quantum technology consortium that is looking to explore future opportunities in Illinois.

Meeting with Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) leaders to build upon significant agricultural and biofuels investments the Senator has secured on previous trips and highlight Illinois as a strong trade partner and producer of soy, corn, ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

Meeting with IBM leaders to show appreciation for their recent large investment in Illinois’s quantum ecosystem and learn more about their advanced quantum computer (IBM Quantum System One).

Meeting with Komazawa Housing Exhibition Park to connect with top Japanese modular housing manufacturers at Sekisui House and discuss future opportunities for collaboration and exchange on innovative modular housing investments in Illinois. These partnerships would help address housing shortages across our state by increasing the housing supply while expanding manufacturing and creating good-paying jobs for Illinois families.

Meeting with DMG MORI Inc. to recognize business leaders for their recent $40.5 million investment to expand the company’s operations in Illinois—establishing a new advanced manufacturing and R&D facility in the Chicagoland area and creating 74 new full-time jobs. The Senator will also tour their ITAR-compliant facility in Nara, Japan.

Meeting with Mayor Hideyuki Yokoyama of Osaka to discuss the sister city relationship between Chicago and Osaka as well as further investment opportunities between the two cities.

As a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Duckworth has extensively championed Illinois abroad. Following a previous official visit to Japan, Japan announced a regulatory change that will lead to an increase in imports from U.S. biofuel producers, supporting our farmers and growing Illinois’s economy. After a prior visit to Taiwan, she previously helped secure a commitment to purchase an estimated $2.6 billion of Illinois’s corn and soybeans.

Since becoming a member of SFRC, Duckworth has also traveled to Laos and Vietnam, Sweden and the Netherlands, Romania and the United Kingdom and the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand.

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Durbin Welcomes 60 New Citizens At Naturalization Ceremony

URBANA, IL – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today celebrated the naturalization of 60 new citizens from 25 countries at a ceremony presided over by the Honorable Eric I. Long, United States Magistrate Judge for the Central District of Illinois. Durbin was joined by Urbana Mayor DeShawn Williams.

“Today, 60 new Americans from 25 countries took an oath that binds us all—not by birth, but by shared belief in our country's promise. My own mother came to this country as a two-year-old refugee from Lithuania, and I keep her naturalization certificate framed in my office to this day. It reminds me that America has always been strengthened, not weakened like some want us to believe, by those who choose it. To our newest citizens: you now carry both the rights and the responsibilities of this democracy, and I'm counting on you to exercise and defend them. What an incredible way to begin the holiday weekend,” said Durbin.

Photos of the naturalization ceremony are available here.

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Senate Democrats Urge Justice Department To Reject Payouts For January 6 Rioters

Ahead of Todd Blanche’s nomination hearing, Durbin, Padilla, Klobuchar, and Whitehouse lead colleagues in demanding answers to previous letters urging DOJ to abandon any efforts to refund or financially reward convicted January 6 insurrectionists

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee; U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration; and U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) led fourteen of their colleagues in urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to halt any efforts to compensate January 6 rioters and commit to defending taxpayers in any January 6-related lawsuits.

In their letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, the Senators expressed concern over the DOJ’s ongoing efforts to reimburse January 6 insurrectionists with taxpayer funds and the reported 600 January 6-related claims filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act(FTCA). The Senators’ fourth letter to the DOJ comes after Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward agreed with Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) in a now-deleted social media post that the DOJ should create a weaponization fund based on the FTCA. This letter comes ahead of Blanche’s confirmation hearing for Attorney General, scheduled for July 15.

The Senators highlighted that since sending their three unanswered letters, the DOJ announced the $1.8 billion slush fund that was intended to pay out alleged victims of DOJ “weaponization,” including January 6 insurrectionists. Following bipartisan backlash and a temporary injunction by a federal court, the DOJ disavowed the slush fund and stated they would not move forward with it.

“Although a federal judge has enjoined the slush fund, there are other plans to undermine the American justice system to pay out January 6 rioters, including those convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers,” wrote the Senators. “According to reporting, approximately 600 January 6 rioters have filed claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), expecting to receive millions of dollars in compensation for alleged injuries they sustained because they were prosecuted for crimes they committed during the attack on the Capitol. Tellingly, one lawyer representing January 6 rioters expressed concern that the $1.8 billion slush fund would result in smaller per-person settlements than settling his clients’ FTCA claims out of the Judgment Fund. Another group of plaintiffs bringing FTCA claims, including a member of the Proud Boys who was charged with assault, has filed a class action in federal court, seeking more than $18 million.”

The Senators raised concerns over the DOJ’s apparent failure to reject these FTCA claims and over additional lawsuits filed by January 6 insurrectionists against the federal government. The Senators reiterated previously raised questions that had gone unanswered by former Attorney General Pam Bondi, requesting information about any FTCA claims related to the January 6 attack and whether the DOJ had addressed those claims.

“The Department of Justice must end this corrupt money grab by publicly committing that it will not pursue any other such compensation fund and that it will vigorously defend taxpayers in any January 6-related lawsuits,” concluded the Senators.“We request a written response to this letter making these commitments and responding to our questions by no later than July 14, 2026.”

In addition to Durbin, Padilla, Klobuchar, and Whitehouse, the letter was signed by Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Angus King (I-ME), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Gary Peters (D-MI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Peter Welch (D-VT).

Full text of the letter is available here.

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Gallego Holds Community Conversation with Native Veterans

TUBA CITY – This week, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) hosted a Tribal Veterans Community Conversation in Tuba City, Arizona, to hear directly from Native veterans in Northeastern Arizona.

ICYMI: Navajo Times: In Tuba City, Gallego says feds are failing Navajo veterans

Find more photos from the event HERE.

During the event, Senator Gallego met with Gold Star families and reflected on his own experience losing friends in war:

“Of the around 200 men to serve in my company, 23 died. About one third of us were either wounded or killed. The average age was probably around 20. And so especially right now when we’re in another war – a war that, by the way, I’ve been against from day one. The reason I was against is because, like the Iraq war, they were just going to send a lot of these young men and women into a war they weren’t ready for. They didn’t think about what was going to happen. They didn’t think about how to get out of this war. And then what happens, obviously, is they send us very quickly to war … but when we need something, when we get back, we need our VA services, we need our pay, we need our assistance, then they’re always very slow, right?”

Senator Gallego has consistently spoken out against and voted to end Trump’s illegal war.

When asked about the VA’s restructuring plan and hiring freeze and how it would impact Native American veterans, who already have to travel excessive distances for care:

“We’re trying to stop that, because I’m afraid what they’re going to do is keep firing people or keep letting people go, and then not replace them. And the places that usually get squeezed are the places that are like here, or other rural parts of America. Because it’s always easy to find a doctor who will go to Phoenix, right, or dentist, or anything else like that. Once you lose a doctor, dentist, or nurse from rural Arizona, from Indian country, it’s really hard to replace them.”

Senator Gallego has consistently pushed back on VA staffing cuts. Last year, the VAreversed course on plans to lay off more than 83,000 employees after Senator Gallego placed a blanket hold on all VA nominees in response to the initial plan.

Senator Gallego also spoke about how he’s fighting back against Republican attempts to cut veterans benefits:

“Right now, there’s a bill that’s very dangerous, that wants to go cut veteran benefits … There’s a lot of money in this country. We gave a lot of money to a lot of rich people. We’re going to war right now for big oil corporations. If he wants to expand services to veterans, you don’t need to rob other veterans to pay for that, right? And so, I’m standing against this bill.”


Q&A: Farm Bill Update

Q: How did the Working Families Tax Cut law boost the farm safety net?

A: Exactly one year ago on July 4th, President Trump signed into law the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. During my annual county meetings this week across Northwest Iowa, I heard from Iowans how the tax law put more money in their pockets thanks to tax cuts on tips, overtime and senior income. The Republican-led tax law delivered historic tax relief to the American people and unleashed the promise of prosperity, a founding pillar of the American economy as we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday.

The tax law also strengthened the farm safety net, boosting farm risk management programs by more than $65 billion over the next decade. Family farmers feeling the pinch of high input costs will get much-needed relief if market prices fall below federal baseline prices. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act set the minimum threshold at $4.10/bushel of corn and $10/bushel of soybeans. It also improved the formula used to calculate effective reference prices through the 2031 crop year. USDA also will expand eligibility for these risk management programs to 30 million new acres starting in the 2026 crop year, further strengthening the farm safety net for the 2% of Americans who feed and fuel America. The federal law also boosted the government’s share of crop insurance premiums to help improve affordability for beginning farmers, enabling more producers to qualify for assistance and secure savings on insurance premiums. On the one-year anniversary of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, I’m glad these agriculture policies are the law of the land to deliver peace of mind to Iowans whose livelihoods depend on a strong farm economy. Now, I’m pressing to get the five-year farm bill to the president’s desk.

Q: What policies are you pushing in the Senate Farm Bill?

A: As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I’m glad the chairman of the committee released a bipartisan discussion draft to keep the ball rolling on the overdue farm bill. The House of Representatives passed its five-year farm bill on April 30th. One of my legislative priorities on behalf of Iowa farmers is addressing the high cost of fertilizer. As a lifelong family farmer, I understand how variable costs of seed, fertilizer, fuel and chemicals impact profitability. High fertilizer costs are hammering farmers’ bottom lines across the country, adversely impacting their ability to manage risk and invest in future production. That’s why I’ve been so outspoken to take off the Biden administration’s countervailing duties on fertilizer imports from Morocco. I strongly opposed the Biden Commerce Department raising tariff rates from zero to 18% in 2021, costing farmers an estimated $7 billion in the first four years. On behalf of Iowa farmers, I thank President Trump for listening and eliminating these misguided duties to help lower costs. That’s a big step in the right direction to address affordability for America’s farmers and families, from the farm field to the grocery store.

As work continues on the farm bill in the Senate, I’m glad the discussion draft includes a number of my bipartisan bills that I’ve introduced or co-sponsored, including:

* Fertilizer Research Act would give farmers a clear-eyed look into market conditions that influence fertilizer costs;

* Farmland Security Act would improve transparency and compliance on reporting requirements of foreign ownership of U.S. farmland;

* Innovative FEED Act would clarify FDA regulation of animal feed substances to reduce foodborne pathogens;

* Farm to Fly Act would foster development of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and open a ramp to new markets for farmers and rural economic development;

* U.S. Swine Health Improvement Plan (U.S. SHIP) would standardize biosecurity, traceability and disease surveillance for pork producers.


The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act Protects Consumers and Businesses from Coast to Coast

BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – Organized retail crime is harming American consumers, businesses and employees nationwide. The Combating Organized Retail Crime Act, led by U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) would establish an integrated, commonsense response to this harmful criminal trend. The bill would establish new tools to recover stolen goods, while creating a centralized task force in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to share information and coordinate responses between federal, state and local law enforcement, as well as private industries.

This bipartisan proposal has garnered massive support from leaders at the national and local levels, including 38 state attorneys general, major law enforcement organizations and a coalition of over 260 impacted businesses. Further, it passed the U.S. House of Representatives by an overwhelming vote of 348-60 and was recently filed as an amendment to the Senate’s must-pass National Defense Authorization Act by Grassley and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.).

Read coverage from coast to coast exemplifying the urgent need for Congress to pass the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act:

MICHIGAN

Fox 2 Detroit | Former Ford employee ran criminal operation involving car parts stolen off the assembly line, police say

“A former employee of Ford Motor Company is accused of taking millions of dollars in new car parts right off the line. An investigation by Dearborn Police found the alleged thefts going on for more than two years, stretching from plants in Wayne, Dearborn, and Flat Rock.”

KENTUCKY

WKYC | Woman ordered to pay $266K after fraud scheme targeted Home Depot stores in Ohio, Kentucky

“A southern Ohio woman has been sentenced after Medina Township police say she carried out a yearslong organized retail fraud scheme that targeted multiple Home Depot stores across several states… Investigators said the scheme dated back to 2018 and involved more than 1,700 fraudulent transactions at multiple Home Depot stores in Ohio and Kentucky.”

PBS | Crime ring busted for stealing valuable Kentucky bourbon

“200 bottles of valuable Pappy Van Winkle bourbon whiskey were stolen from a locked and secure distillery in Kentucky. On Tuesday, authorities said they found a bourbon crime ring connected with the heist; nine people were indicted for taking more than $100,000 worth of whiskey…”

RHODE ISLAND

Fall River Reporter | Woman arrested concerning organized retail theft operation in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, other states after $30,000 in suspected stolen merchandise seized

“The Cranston Police Department is currently investigating a multi-jurisdictional organized retail theft operation involving a Cranston woman accused of stealing merchandise from retail stores across multiple New England states… Investigators estimate 227–250 pieces of clothing were recovered, valued between $10,000–$15,000.”

WPRI | 2 RI men charged in $12M organized retail theft scheme

“Cipriano and Vigneau are accused of raking in nearly $12.3 million by reselling goods stolen from various stores to other retailers and private citizens. The stores that were targeted include Walmart, Stop & Shop, CVS, and The Home Depot… This follows a seizure on Wednesday of approximately 60,000 stolen items.”

ILLINOIS

WIXY | Illinois retail workers confront rising violence as organized crime surges

“Illinois retail workers are facing increasing levels of in-store violence, driven in large part by repeat and organized offenders… The data shows that one in seven retail crime incidents in Illinois involve violence, weapons, or threatening behavior.”

Chicago Sun Times | Hundreds of thousands of dollars in protein powder, coffee and lobster stolen in Illinois-related thefts

“A string of at least three brazen, large-scale Illinois-related thefts have caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in protein powder, coffee products and lobster to disappear… including 25,000 pounds of Seeq brand protein powder, worth more than $500,000… Roughly 24,000 pounds of stolen coffee products, worth about $100,000… Last week, $400,000 worth of lobster bound for Costco locations in Illinois and Minnesota vanished.”

MISSISSIPPI

The Mississippi Link | Police: $500K in Nissan plant parts recovered

“A raid on a car restoration business Wednesday uncovered about $500,000 in parts that police believe were stolen from the Nissan North American plant in Canton, authorities said.”

WJTV | Pearl police arrest 3, recover stolen goods in retail theft ring case

“Pearl police announced three suspects were arrested after officers recovered $6,500 in stolen merchandize following an investigation into a retail theft ring that targeted businesses in the city.”

CALIFORNIA

CBS San Francisco | Multiple suspects arrested in CHP operation targeting Northern California organized retail theft ring

“A California Highway Patrol task force this month arrested 13 people and recovered over $800,000 in stolen merchandise in connection with an organized retail theft ring that operated across Northern California.”

NBC4 Los Angeles | 14 arrested in elaborate $10 million Home Depot theft operation

“Fourteen people were arrested in what authorities described as the country's largest organized retail theft case in the history of Home Depot… The highly organized criminal enterprise carried out about 600 heists over the years at Southern California Home Depot stores, including in Ventura, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties… Thefts over several years amounted to about $10 million in losses.”

TEXAS

NBC DFW | New data shows organized retail theft hitting North Texas harder than national average

“North Texas retailers experience repeat and organized retail crime at a higher rate than the national average. The company, which works with 265 retailers in North Texas, recorded more than 20,000 retail crime events annually across the region.”

The Daily News | League City case leads to arrests in $260K retail theft spree

“An investigation that began with the theft of several cameras from a League City Best Buy last summer has led to the arrests of seven Houston-area suspects accused of participating in a statewide organized retail theft ring responsible for more than $260,000 in losses.”

DELAWARE

NBC Philadelphia | Man accused of running organized retail theft operation in Delaware

“A man has been arrested and charged following a months-long organized retail theft investigation involving multiple businesses throughout New Castle County, Delaware… Detectives found around 4,317 items of suspected stolen merchandise with an estimated retail value of $70,292.36.”

WASHINGTON

Fox 13 Seattle | ‘Prolific’ Bellevue, WA retail theft suspect back in jail just months after release

“A woman Bellevue police describe as one of the region’s most prolific organized retail theft suspects is back behind bars just months after being released from prison… Authorities accused Downs and Wiley of stealing more than $500,000 worth of merchandise.”

Axios Seattle | King County cracks down on repeat retail theft

“King County prosecutors charged 640 felony economic and property crime cases in 2025, the highest total since 2019, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.”

NEW YORK

ABC 7 | Massive Home Depot theft ring busted in Queens, largest retail crew ever prosecuted

“Prosecutors say the crew stole more than $2.2 million worth of tools and construction equipment during 319 separate incidents at 128 Home Depot locations… The amount of merchandise stolen in a single day ranged from about $1,800 to nearly $35,000.”

WWD | Man Arrested for 2024 Chanel New York Store Burglary That Led to Estimated $1.7 Million Loss

“…an elaborate burglary at Chanel‘s East 57th Street store in New York City that amounted to an estimated $1.7 million loss in July 2024.”

NEBRASKA

WOWT | EXCLUSIVE: Brazen shoplifting crew hits Nebraska Crossing

“Four women and a male driver were arrested Dec. 11 after allegedly shoplifting an estimated $3,000 worth of clothing from outlet stores at Nebraska Crossing… The suspects are believed to be part of a larger shoplifting ring consisting of 15-20 females who target retailers across the metro area.”

NEVADA

KSNV | Las Vegas police recover $418K in goods, arrest suspect in months-long retail theft probe

“Police said detectives found more than 900 items, including stolen jewelry, watches, tools, handbags, purses, clothing and accessories, high-end sunglasses, fragrance, cosmetics, alcohol, and toys… which police said totaled over $418,000.”

FLORIDA

News4Jax | Duval, St. Johns among Florida counties targeted in major Home Depot theft ring, prosecutors say

“Investigators say the criminal enterprise centered around smoke detector thefts at Home Depot stores across 17 Florida counties, with investigators uncovering at least 44 smoke detector thefts statewide. The total estimated loss from this organized retail crime ring exceeds $800,000.”

CBS Miami | Florida authorities arrest 7 people in major retail theft ring, recovering over $900,000 in stolen goods

“The investigation revealed that shoplifters, known as "boosters," targeted major retailers like CVS, Walgreens, Publix, Burlington, Macy's and Ulta stores across 12 different counties… leading to more than $900,000 worth of stolen merchandise recovered.”

NORTH CAROLINA

Queen City News | $250K in stolen goods recovered from organized retail theft ring in Union County

“Detectives with the Union County Sheriff’s Office and agents with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation have investigated an organized retail theft ring operating within the county… Approximately $250,000 in stolen merchandise was recovered.”

ABC11 | Police: 2 suspects arrested in Bath & Body Works thefts across Raleigh, Durham

“The suspects are linked to 17 separate larceny incidents… Authorities said more than $8,300 worth of merchandise was stolen.”

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Lowell Sun | NYC man accused of stealing hundreds of OTC medications in NH spree

“He carried out a coordinated retail theft operation, stealing 455 containers of over-the-counter medications from Walmart and several Hannaford grocery stores before fleeing from officers.”

WMUR | 2 accused of stealing more than $33,000 worth of products from Ulta stores in New Hampshire, Massachusetts

“The pair were involved in 24 shoplifting incidents at stores in New Hampshire and Massachusetts and stole more than $33,000 in merchandise.”

MISSOURI

First Alert 4 | Police: Couple stole over $500K in goods from Home Depot in will-call order scheme

“Court documents said a St. Louis County couple stole $500,000 in merchandise from Home Depot over several years.”

KRGC | Two women charged in multi-state beauty supply thefts and Jefferson City attack

“Two women have been charged, accused of stealing from several beauty supply stores in Missouri and Illinois, and attacking an employee in Jefferson City… The documents state that one of the women then sprayed pepper-spray into the employee’s face.”


Hoeven: FAA Awards $32 Million to North Dakota Airport Projects

BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $32 million in funding for 11 airport infrastructure projects across North Dakota through the Fiscal Year 2026 Airport Improvement Program (AIP). As a member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Committee, Hoeven has secured funding to advance airport development projects and strong federal investments in transportation infrastructure to benefit communities across North Dakota.

The funding will support the following projects:

Bismarck Municipal Airport – $8.8 million – Rehabilitate runway, taxiways and lighting, and complete runway safety area improvements

Dickinson Theodore Roosevelt Regional Airport – $8.6 million – Construct terminal apron, new taxiways and taxiway lighting

Minot International Airport – $7.6 million – Rehabilitate runway, reconstruct runway lighting and runway end identifier lights, and realign and extend taxiway

Hector International Airport – $4 million – Reconstruct terminal apron

Beach Municipal Airport – $950,000 – Reconstruct runway lighting, taxiway lighting, airfield signage, lighting vault, precision approach path indicator system and rotating beacon

Williston Basin International Airport – $519,840 – Reseal commercial apron, taxiways and taxilane pavement joints

Mott Municipal Airport – $519,009 – Reseal runway, apron, taxiway and taxilane pavements

Glen Ullin Regional Airport – $375,000 – Reseal runway, apron and taxilane pavements

Garrison Municipal Airport – $310,000 – Reconstruct airport terminal

Hettinger J.B. Lindquist Regional Airport – $167,854 – Design for taxiway lighting improvements

Tioga Municipal Airport – $60,000 – Design for taxiway extension and holding bay expansion

“These investments in our airports are critical to improving safety, increasing efficiency and meeting the growing demand of communities across our state,” said Hoeven. “Reliable airport infrastructure is essential to keeping North Dakota connected, and these projects will help strengthen our transportation network for years to come.”

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Hoeven Helps Secure $24 Million For I-94 Reconstruction East of Bismarck

BISMARCK, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today announced the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded a $24 million grant to the North Dakota Department of Transportation for the I-94 State of Good Repair Project. As a member of the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Committee, Hoeven:

Worked to make the funding available under the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program.

Along with the North Dakota delegation, made the case to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy for supporting the project, which will reconstruct 10 miles of Interstate 94 east of Bismarck, improving the safe transportation of people and freight in the region.

“Interstate 94 is a critical corridor for North Dakota, supporting safe travel to communities across the state and helping to move the vast amount of ag and energy commodities our state produces. We worked to secure this $24 million award to enable the reconstruction of this important roadway near our capital city and support a better transportation system for the region,” said Hoeven.

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Husted celebrates America’s 250th birthday

“For 250 years, America has endured because ordinary people were willing to do extraordinary things for the common good. If we want this nation to remain strong for the next 250 years, we must reignite that spirit.”

View Husted’s remarks here.

WASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) is commemorating America’s 250th birthday with remarks and an op-ed reflecting on our nation’s legacy of service, sacrifice and freedom as the country celebrates this historic milestone.

Key excerpts of the op-ed include:

“As our nation marks its 250th anniversary this summer, it is worth reflecting on the principles that have defined American values and success over those two and a half centuries: freedom, liberty, opportunity, and sacrifice.”

. . .

“Of those, sacrifice may not be what first comes to mind when talking about what makes America prosperous, but it is among the key ingredients to what has made our republic great. Every generation of Americans has sacrificed so that the next generation would be better off.”

“My own life is evidence of that sacrifice.”

. . .

“What I saw growing up in rural Ohio was simple but powerful, and it reflected other communities across America, too. People worked long hours and put aside comfort and leisure so their children could enjoy greater security and prosperity than they had known themselves. It was a quiet but constant commitment to the future.”

. . .

“For nearly two centuries, Americans were focused less on indulgence and more on inheritance. Not inheritance measured in dollars, but inheritance measured in duty—the obligation to leave tomorrow better than today.”

. . .

“That is why it is so important that we teach our children to love this country—not because America is perfect, but because it is ours. It is a nation worthy of gratitude and sacrifice.”

. . .

“This country is still worth our sacrifice because our country is exceptional. It’s a country where a newborn like me can begin life in a foster home in Detroit, grow up in the rural Midwest, and have the honor of serving as a United States Senator.”

. . .

“For 250 years, America has endured because ordinary people were willing to do extraordinary things for the common good. If we want this nation to remain strong for the next 250 years, we must reignite that spirit.”

. . .

“We must once again embrace the values that built this nation: sacrifice, honor, duty, gratitude, and love of country.”


Warner, Kaine Announce More Than $32 Million in Federal Funding to Upgrade 8 Virginia Airports

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $32,463,128 in federal grant funding to modernize infrastructure at eight airports across Virginia. This funding comes from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airport Infrastructure Grant (AIG) program for Fiscal Year 2026, which is made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that the senators helped negotiate and pass.

“Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Virginia’s airports continue to receive the investments they need to improve safety, accommodate growing demand, and better serve the travelers that pass through them,” said the senators. “We’re proud to announce more than $32 million to modernize our Commonwealth’s airports, strengthen our transportation infrastructure, and support our economy.”

The grant awards include:

$22,121,621 for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to construct a new concourse at Washington Dulles International Airport to increase gate capacity and accommodate passenger growth;

$7,922,479 for the Norfolk Airport Authority to construct a new taxilane serving the airport’s cargo area and reconstruct an existing terminal entrance access road that has reached the end of its useful life at Norfolk International Airport;

$856,000 for the Dinwiddie County Airport and Industrial Authority to expand existing terminal apron at Tri Cities Executive/Dinwiddie County Airport;

$538,028 for the Mecklenburg-Brunswick Airport Commission to construct two new aircraft storage hangars at Mecklenburg-Brunswick Regional Airport;

$500,000 for the Cumberland Airport Commission to construct a new snow removal equipment building at Lonesome Pine Airport to bring the airport into conformity with current standards;

$376,000 for the town of Farmville to reconstruct the precision approach path indicator systems for a runway and at both runway thresholds that have reached the end of their useful lives at Farmville Regional Airport;

$114,000 for the county of Accomack to carry out design work to rehabilitate a taxilane that has reached the end of its useful life at Accomack County Airport;

$35,000 for the city of Franklin to carry out design work to reseal existing runway pavement and extend its useful life at Franklin Regional Airport.

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Kelly, Colleagues Demand Answers as Trump Further Delays Toxic Chemical Cleanups at Arizona Military Sites

Trump administration postponed cleanup of toxic PFAS chemicals by 15 years in Tucson, 7 years in Phoenix

PFAS exposure is linked to an array of health problems, including various cancers, reduced immune function, reproductive challenges, birth defects, thyroid issues, and more

Retired Navy captain and Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) joined Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Gary Peters (D-MI), and 21 other Senate Democrats in demanding that the Trump administration answer for its continued unexplained delays of toxic chemical cleanups at military installations nationwide, including decades’ long delays for several critical projects in Arizona. At least 700 military sites in the United States are known or suspected to have per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination from Department of Defense (DoD) activities.

“We remain greatly concerned by the staggering delays at some installations, which include over 170 installations with delays ranging from 1 year to over 20 years,” the senators wrote in a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. “Communities around these installations must not be left behind, and remediation work cannot wait.”

Recently, the DoD quietly updated its timetable for PFAS remediation at military sites across the country. Its new timeline—posted within the last several weeks but dated September 30, 2025—pushed cleanup efforts by over a decade at many installations and even as many as two decades in some cases.

In Tucson, the DoD now projects the remedial investigation for PFAS contamination at Morris Air National Guard Base—upstream of a water treatment plant that has been offline since 2021— won’t be complete until 2047, a 15-year delay from its previous 2032 estimate. Kelly has been pushing DoD to act on PFAS cleanup in Tucson since 2021, and he has secured additional funding to allow the plant to reopen in the absence of action by DoD.

In Phoenix, the DoD now projects the remedial investigation for PFAS contamination near Luke Air Force Base, which was previously scheduled to be completed last year, will not be completed until 2032, despite several prominent instances of off-base drinking water exceeding PFAS contamination limits, requiring the Air Force to distribute clean drinking water to West Valley families.

In total, over 170 sites, including sites in Phoenix, Tucson, Sierra Vista, Yuma, and Flagstaff, were affected by this newest round of delays.

This comes just months after DoD initially pushed the PFAS remediation timelines for roughly 150 bases late last year. In November, Kelly, Gillibrand, Peters, and 25 other Senate Democrats sent a letter to Secretary Hegseth demanding that he reverse those delays.

“Furthering our concern is the fact that this most recent set of delays is backdated to September 30, 2025, raising the question of whether the Department has further expanded the breadth and extent of its delays in the previous nine months,” the senators wrote in their most recently letter. “The longer DoD takes to complete such remediation efforts, the greater the risk to public health and the environment in impacted communities.”

In Arizona, groundwater is a primary or secondary source of drinking water for the entire state, and at a time of prolonged drought and the possibility of reductions in the availability of surface water in future years, PFAS contamination in groundwater can limit the options Arizona communities have to respond to long-term drought conditions.

Kelly, Gillibrand, and Peters were joined on the letter by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senators Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Angus King (I-ME), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Ed Markey (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Alex Padilla (D-CA).

Background:

Earlier this year, Kelly pressed DoD at a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing to stop dragging its feet on PFAS cleanup delays threatening Arizona’s water supply, including at Morris Air National Guard Base and Luke Air Force Base.

Kelly has worked for years to protect Tucson’s water supply from PFAS contamination. In 2022, he helped secure $13.5 million through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to address forever chemicals in drinking water across Arizona. He then secured an additional $33.5 million specifically for a new Tucson drinking water treatment facility to replace the one forced offline by PFAS. Earlier last year, Kelly also reintroduced bipartisan legislation to ensure states can use existing federal funding to address PFAS contamination in private wells in small and rural communities.


Kelly, Colleagues Demand OMB Rescind Rule Giving Trump Power to Politicize Federal Grants

Arizona Senator Mark Kelly joined the entire Senate Democratic caucus in demanding the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought immediately rescind OMB’s proposed regulation on federal financial assistance. The senators warned the proposal exceeds OMB’s statutory authority, undermines Congress’s constitutional power of the purse, and would allow the President to weaponize federal grants for political purposes.

“Your proposal exceeds OMB’s authority, will make it impossible for grant recipients to faithfully carry out the funding priorities that Congress establishes in statute, and would turn federal grants into a new cudgel for the President to unilaterally advance his partisan agenda and punish political rivals,” wrotethesenators. “Ultimately, these changes will make it harder for grant recipients to apply for and manage federal funds – undermining public safety, public health, economic competitiveness, and the government’s ability to address rising costs.”

The proposed rule would dramatically expand agencies’ authority to terminate or suspend federal grants at any time and without notice. It would also require political appointees to make funding decisions without deferring to expert peer review. The senators warn this would inject partisan politics into grantmaking, threaten America’s leadership in scientific and medical innovation, and create chaos for communities and organizations that rely on federal funding to deliver critical services.

“Rather than focusing on fulfilling the statutory purposes of a grant program, applicants and recipients will be forced to play an endless guessing game, trying to determine which of their activities may or may not run afoul of OMB’s ambiguous regulations or the president’s whims,” continuedthesenators.

The senators also argue that OMB’s proposal would force grant recipients to comply with vague, undefined, and political grant conditions that conflict with existing statutes. At the same time, it would weaken transparency and accountability requirements intended to safeguard taxpayer dollars. These changes could discourage qualified organizations from applying for federal grants and increase the risk of waste, fraud, and abuse.

“Article I of the Constitution vests the power of the purse in Congress, which Congress has historically exercised by appropriating taxpayer dollars through federal grants to fund critical programs, including to protect public safety, advance scientific research, and support health and nutrition initiatives. OMB’s proposal unlawfully seeks to substitute Congress’s role in directing federal spending with the President’s preferred priorities, and in doing so, makes it harder for every community and organization in the United States to fairly access federal funding. We call on you to rescind this proposal,” concluded the senators.


Kelly, Colleagues Demand Trump Halt Illegal Move to Undermine Special Education Civil Rights Enforcement

Arizona Senator Mark Kelly joined the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in demanding the Trump administration follow the law and immediately reverse course on transferring special education programs and civil rights enforcement out of the Department of Education (ED). These latest moves are part of the Trump administration’s explicit effort to dismantle ED, threatening key funding, support and services for students, schools, and families nationwide.

“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,” wrote thesenators in a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon.

On June 16th, 2026, the Trump administration announced four IAAs 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 ED to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). They also transfer fundamental civil rights enforcement responsibility away from ED to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Despite announcing this illegal transfer of programs, this 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.

“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,” wrote thesenators. “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.”

“Congress created a clear federal oversight role for ED because of our nation’s ugly history of denying children with disabilities a free appropriate public education. This critical federal enforcement has allowed ED to maintain accountability and find States in violation of IDEA, such as when Texas set an illegal cap on special education identification leading to a deliberate under-identification of children with disabilities and when New Mexico failed to maintain appropriate state special education funding. Clearly, federal oversight is a necessary component of our nation’s special education system. Without it, families and children with disabilities are left to fight alone to secure services they are entitled to when schools and states fail to meet their obligations,” continued the senators.

These transfers come as the 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.

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 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.

“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,” concluded thesenators.


Ahead of America’s 250th Birthday, Lankford Celebrates the American Experiment

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK) is marking America’s 250th birthday by telling the story of our founding, honoring the sacrifices that built the nation, and reminding Oklahomans that the American experiment in freedom is still alive today.

Ahead of the semiquincentennial, Lankford launched a video series from the halls of the US Capitol, sharing the moments and people behind the Declaration of Independence. Lankford told the story of June 11, 1776, the day Thomas Jefferson sat down to write the Declaration, the life of John Peter Muhlenberg, the pastor who carried his faith from the pulpit into battle, and June 28, 1776, when Jefferson and the Committee of Five presented their draft to the Continental Congress. The series continues through the Fourth of July weekend with the story of Benjamin Franklin.

Lankford also recorded a video tribute celebrating America’s freedom of faith, calling it a radical concept 250 years ago that no one thought would work, but one that Americans make work every day. Earlier this summer, he joined Americans from across the country at the Rededicate 250 prayer gathering on the National Mall. Last week, he penned a column in the Washington Examiner reflecting on 250 years of the Declaration’s promise that all men are created equal and calling on the nation to extend that promise to the unborn.

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ICYMI: Lankford Celebrates Launch of Prison Fellowship Academy at FCI El Reno, Marking Years of Work to Expand Faith-Based Rehabilitation in Federal Prisons

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK) recently celebrated the launch of the first federal Prison Fellowship Academy at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in El Reno, Oklahoma, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony held earlier this month. Prison Fellowship is the first nonprofit to have a program designated as an evidence-based recidivism reduction program under the First Step Act by the US Department of Justice’s Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). The designation marks a milestone in a decades-long effort by Lankford to ensure faith-based organizations have a seat at the table in federal rehabilitation efforts.

“This ribbon-cutting ceremony represents a breakthrough for religious liberty behind bars and a victory for all who affirm the principles of human dignity, accountability and fairness, both inside prison and upon reentry,” said Lankford.

“This partnership with the BOP not only represents major progress in bringing transformational programming to more people in federal prisons, but it also highlights the belief that no person is beyond redemption,” said Heather Rice-Minus, Prison Fellowship president and CEO. “The Prison Fellowship Academy is designed to help participants prepare for a successful future, both inside and outside prison walls. We are honored to work with the BOP to expand its impact nationwide.”

You can view Lankford’s remarks ahead of the ribbon-cutting ceremony HERE.

Background

For years, Senator Lankford has championed the role of faith-based organizations in federal prisons, fighting to ensure they have equal access to rehabilitation work and are not sidelined by federal bureaucracy. His efforts have been instrumental in building the legal and policy framework that made today’s announcement possible.

In 2018, Lankford voted in favor of the First Step Act, a landmark bipartisan legislation that expanded rehabilitative programming in federal prisons and created the framework for faith-based organizations like Prison Fellowship to partner with the BOP.

Lankford successfully amended the First Step Act to explicitly allow faith-based groups to provide job training, social development, and family programming on equal footing with non-faith-based organizations. Prior to this amendment, the Bureau of Prisons had largely shut faith-based groups out of recidivism reduction work in federal facilities. That change directly paved the way for Prison Fellowship’s historic designation as the first nonprofit evidence-based recidivism reduction program under the First Step Act.

Lankford co-authored the bipartisan MERCY Act with Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ), which was incorporated into the First Step Act and limits the use of solitary confinement for juveniles in federal custody, ensuring young people retain access to rehabilitative and educational programming while incarcerated.

Lankford is a cosponsor of the Safer Supervision Act, bipartisan legislation supported by Prison Fellowship that modernizes federal supervised release by tailoring conditions to individual circumstances and reducing barriers to successful reentry.

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Ahead of One-Year Anniversary, Chairman Graham Celebrates Passage of Historic Tax Cuts, Border Security Investments

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, today made this statement ahead of the one-year anniversary of the One Big Beautiful Bill being signed into law.

“One year ago, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill into law, delivering the largest tax cut for working and middle-class families in American history. As the Senate Budget Chairman, I was proud to lead this effort alongside my Senate and House Republican colleagues. By making the 2017 tax cuts permanent, we stopped a $2,300 tax increase on the average South Carolina family – all without a single Democrat vote. We also ended taxes on tips and overtime and delivered no taxes on Social Security benefits for over 35 million seniors.

“The One Big Beautiful Bill also codified core components of President Trump’s agenda. Through a generational investment in border security, we put an end to Joe Biden’s open border. We also allocated extensive resources for law enforcement, expanded access to school choice, phased out Green New Deal subsidies and delivered billions of dollars for rural hospitals.

“Twelve months later, we are now observing transformational results stemming from this legislation. Working families are keeping more of their hard-earned money, providing relief to the lingering inflation ignited under the Biden era. The border is at its most secure point in history with zero illegals released into the country over the past year. Crime is falling to a record low as police departments receive the tools they need to keep communities safe.

“As we celebrate the past 250 years of American independence, we also recognize the great strides toward a more prosperous and secure future unleashed by this landmark legislation.”

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Markey Joins Colleagues in Demanding OMB Rescind Rule Giving President Sweeping Power to Politicize Federal Grants

Washington (July 2, 2026) — Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) today joined Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Democratic Leader; Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, and the entire Senate Democratic caucus in demanding Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought immediately rescind OMB’s proposed regulation on federal financial assistance. The Senators warned the proposal exceeds OMB’s statutory authority, undermines Congress’s constitutional power of the purse, and would allow the President to weaponize federal grants for political purposes.

“Your proposal exceeds OMB’s authority, will make it impossible for grant recipients to faithfully carry out the funding priorities that Congress establishes in statute, and would turn federal grants into a new cudgel for the President to unilaterally advance his partisan agenda and punish political rivals,” the Senators wrote. “Ultimately, these changes will make it harder for grant recipients to apply for and manage federal funds – undermining public safety, public health, economic competitiveness, and the government’s ability to address rising costs.”

The proposed rule would dramatically expand agencies’ authority to terminate or suspend federal grants at any time and without notice. It would also require political appointees to make funding decisions without deferring to expert peer review. The Senators warn this would inject partisan politics into grantmaking, threaten America’s leadership in scientific and medical innovation, and create chaos for communities and organizations that rely on federal funding to deliver critical services.

“Rather than focusing on fulfilling the statutory purposes of a grant program, applicants and recipients will be forced to play an endless guessing game, trying to determine which of their activities may or may not run afoul of OMB’s ambiguous regulations or the president’s whims,” the Senators wrote.

The Senators also argue that OMB’s proposal would force grant recipients to comply with vague, undefined, and political grant conditions that conflict with existing statutes. At the same time, it would weaken transparency and accountability requirements intended to safeguard taxpayer dollars. These changes could discourage qualified organizations from applying for federal grants and increase the risk of waste, fraud, and abuse.

The Senators concluded: “Article I of the Constitution vests the power of the purse in Congress, which Congress has historically exercised by appropriating taxpayer dollars through federal grants to fund critical programs, including to protect public safety, advance scientific research, and support health and nutrition initiatives. OMB’s proposal unlawfully seeks to substitute Congress’s role in directing federal spending with the President’s preferred priorities, and in doing so, makes it harder for every community and organization in the United States to fairly access federal funding. We call on you to rescind this proposal.”

The letter was signed by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Text of the letter is available here.

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Senator Markey Statement on One Year Since Trump and Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill

Boston (July 2, 2026) – Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released the following statement ahead of the one-year anniversary of Donald Trump’s disastrous “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

“Trump and Republicans traded basic needs for billionaire greed,” said Senator Markey. “This was really One Big Ugly Bill to make life harder for working families while making life easier for billionaire CEOs and corporate special interests. Trump cut deals while making cuts to our energy supply. He’s brought in profits for himself, while looting the pockets of hard-working families. Trump has increased healthcare costs and gasoline prices, yet Americans are still having to foot the bill for Trump’s corruption. This fight is far from over. I won’t stop until we roll back all of the cuts to our social safety net and reverse the billionaire tax cuts.”

Since the Big Ugly Bill was enacted:

Five million people, including almost 40,000 in Massachusetts, have dropped their Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance coverage this year due to skyrocketing costs.

In Massachusetts, people who renewed their ACA health plans saw their annual premiums increase on average by $1,000 compared to 2025.

Since OBBBA went into effect, 175,000 Bay Staters, including almost 62,000 children, have lost their SNAP nutrition assistance.

Since January 2026, due to the OBBBA and other actions from the Trump administration, nearly 144,000 jobs have been lost or stalled in the clean energy sector and more than 34,000 megawatts of clean capacity were canceled or delayed, which could have powered 17 million American homes.

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Senators Markey and Warren Advocate for Federal Assistance Following Sewer Break Along Merrimack River

Letter (PDF)

Boston (July 2, 2026) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee and Ranking Member of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, today wrote with Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) to four federal agencies regarding the potential need for federal assistance following the sewer line break that released contaminants into the Merrimack River.

In their letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Senators raise the environmental, public health, and economic concerns for the Merrimack Valley and North Shore following last week’s sewer pipe break in Haverhill.

“Officials are continuously monitoring the contamination levels in the river and on the North Shore to determine when it is safe for people to fish, work, and recreate in the waters. As part of these efforts, the Commonwealth will determine whether federal assistance is necessary in responding to the environmental or economic impacts stemming from the discharge,” wrote Senators Markey and Warren. “Our offices and the Commonwealth have already been in touch with several of your agencies, and we are grateful for your engagement. Should Massachusetts officials determine that the concerns raised by residents, the shellfishing community, and other businesses along the river and the coast exceed the Commonwealth’s ability to respond and require emergency support from the federal government, we respectfully ask that you quickly review any request from Governor Maura Healey and expedite all appropriate federal relief.”

On June 26, 2026, a significant rainstorm in the Merrimack Valley caused two sewer pipe breaks in Haverhill, sending an estimated 8 million gallons of untreated wastewater a day into the Merrimack River. On July 1, the break was repaired, stopping new flows of wastewater. As a result of this breakage and concerns about the amount of wastewater that has discharged into the river and reached the coast, shellfish growing areas are temporarily closed in several North Shore communities and swimming has been temporarily suspended in some areas. With the ongoing severe heatwave and approaching Fourth of July weekend, Massachusetts officials are monitoring the potential impact the sewer break and associated closures could have on residents’ public health as well as on coastal and riverside communities’ economic vitality. The City of Haverhill is also assessing the short- and long-term costs associated with the emergency response and repairing and replacing the damaged infrastructure.

Senator Markey has also enabled the delivery of key water funding to Massachusetts through his legislative work, including:

$78,089,000 in funding for the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund in Fiscal Year 2026

$116,273,000 in funding for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund in Fiscal Year 2026

$2,927,000 in funding for the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grant Program for Fiscal Years 2025-2026

$254,000 in BEACH Act grants for Fiscal Year 2026

$27,366,500 in additional federal funding for key water infrastructure projects throughout Massachusetts in Fiscal Year 2026

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Senator Marshall Visits Northwest Kansas Communities

Selden – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), visited communities across northwest Kansas on Wednesday, meeting with small businesses, manufacturers, health care providers, educators, and local leaders to discuss how recent legislative wins are strengthening rural communities, supporting employers, and expanding opportunities for Kansas families.

Highlights from the visit include:

Selden Lumber Yard

In Selden, Senator Marshall visited Selden Lumber Yard, a locally owned business that has served northwest Kansas for nearly four decades. During the visit, he discussed challenges facing rural housing development, the importance of keeping building materials affordable, and ways federal policy can support local businesses that serve homeowners.

Click here for more photos.

Ward Drug Store

In Oberlin, Senator Marshall met with the owners of Ward Drug Store, an independent community pharmacy serving northwest Kansas. They discussed recent pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reforms, protecting independent pharmacies, and expanding access to health care in rural communities.

Click here for more photos.

Oberlin Community Summer Meal Program

Senator Marshall also visited the Oberlin Community Summer Meal Program at Decatur Community High School to learn more about the USDA Summer Food Service Program and the district’s efforts to provide nutritious meals for children throughout the summer months.

Click here for more photos.

Miltech Manufacturing

In Norton, Senator Marshall toured Miltech Manufacturing, a precision machining company producing components for the aerospace, defense, medical, and energy industries. He highlighted how the Working Families Tax Cuts support Kansas manufacturers through permanent bonus depreciation, full expensing for domestic R&D, and policies that encourage investment in American manufacturing.

Click here for more photos.

Phillipsburg Child Care Center

Senator Marshall visited the Phillipsburg Child Care Center to meet with staff and discuss efforts to expand childcare access in rural America, including the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act and provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts that increase employer-provided childcare tax credits and expand the Child Tax Credit for working families.

Click here for more photos.

Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge Tour

At Kirwin National Wildlife Refuge, Senator Marshall met with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials to tour the refuge and discuss ongoing conservation efforts, habitat management, and infrastructure improvements that support Kansas wildlife and outdoor recreation.

Click here for more photos.

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Merkley, Oregon Delegation Decry Sudden Loss of Columbia River Hatchery Funding

Dear Administrator Kavulla:

We write to express our significant concern with the Bonneville Power Administration’s (BPA) recent decision to end its participation in the Select Area Fisheries Management (SAFE) program. The SAFE program has been operational since 1993, providing reliable stocks of Spring chinook and coho salmon for Pacific Northwest commercial and recreational fisheries. We strongly urge BPA to reconsider its actions and commit to renewing its SAFE program contracts to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), and Clatsop County.

The loss of SAFE program funding from BPA puts the entire program at risk and is anticipated to have devastating, regional impacts on Columbia River native fish populations. Hatcheries are a critical regional resource. Estimates show that approximately 80% of the salmon and steelhead that return to the Columbia River Basin were hatched and reared in fish hatcheries.[1] The SAFE program produces millions of hatchery fish each year, providing relief for stocks of Endangered Species Act-listed fish while also supporting the region’s world class commercial fishing industries and recreational fishers alike.

When BPA shared its intent to terminate the SAFE program with its non-federal sponsors, the agency provided its partners with less than four months to accommodate for the loss of this critical stream of funding. However, work to produce next year’s stock of hatchery fish has already begun. BPA’s decision to no longer support the SAFE program will jeopardize seven million fish that are currently being raised to be released into rivers next spring and will no longer be able to be supported by current funding schemes. It is likely that the hatchery will have to be closed and fish may be culled.

Further, the Northwest Power & Conservation Council, the organization that provides advice to BPA on its activities to mitigate the loss of fish populations, has long supported the SAFE program. In its most recent recommendations to BPA, the Council recommended that BPA renew its contracts for the program to continue to address the loss of salmon populations in the Columbia Basin.[2] It is disappointing that BPA cannot heed the advice of the organization designed to work with partners on this regional issue.

We urge BPA to reconsider its decision to walk back on its partnership with regional stakeholders to support fish mitigation activities through the SAFE program. Without strong collective action, communication, and trust, the hardworking stakeholders in the region won’t be able to overcome challenges of diminishing salmon populations and energy security. Further, walking back on the SAFE program stands in opposition to the President’s Executive Order 14276 on Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness. We encourage BPA to fulfill its obligations, and renew its contracts with ODFW, WDFW, and Clatsop County to provide certainty in critical fish stocks in our region.

[1] National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). (2024, August 15). Federal Columbia River Power System Mitigation Actions. NOAA Fisheries. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/west-coast/endangered-species-conservation/federal-columbia-river-power-system-mitigation-actions


Peters, Schumer, Murray & Merkley Lead Senate Democrats in Demanding OMB Rescind Rule Giving President Sweeping Power to Politicize Federal Grants

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee; Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Democratic Leader; Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; and Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, led the entire Senate Democratic caucus in demanding Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought immediately rescind OMB’s proposed regulation on federal financial assistance. The Senators warned the proposal exceeds OMB’s statutory authority, undermines Congress’s constitutional power of the purse, and would allow the President to weaponize federal grants for political purposes.

“Your proposal exceeds OMB’s authority, will make it impossible for grant recipients to faithfully carry out the funding priorities that Congress establishes in statute, and would turn federal grants into a new cudgel for the President to unilaterally advance his partisan agenda and punish political rivals,” the Senators wrote. “Ultimately, these changes will make it harder for grant recipients to apply for and manage federal funds – undermining public safety, public health, economic competitiveness, and the government’s ability to address rising costs.”

The proposed rule would dramatically expand agencies’ authority to terminate or suspend federal grants at any time and without notice. It would also require political appointees to make funding decisions without deferring to expert peer review. The Senators warn this would inject partisan politics into grantmaking, threaten America’s leadership in scientific and medical innovation, and create chaos for communities and organizations that rely on federal funding to deliver critical services.

“Rather than focusing on fulfilling the statutory purposes of a grant program, applicants and recipients will be forced to play an endless guessing game, trying to determine which of their activities may or may not run afoul of OMB’s ambiguous regulations or the president’s whims,” the Senators wrote.

The Senators also argue that OMB’s proposal would force grant recipients to comply with vague, undefined, and political grant conditions that conflict with existing statutes. At the same time, it would weaken transparency and accountability requirements intended to safeguard taxpayer dollars. These changes could discourage qualified organizations from applying for federal grants and increase the risk of waste, fraud, and abuse.

The Senators concluded: “Article I of the Constitution vests the power of the purse in Congress, which Congress has historically exercised by appropriating taxpayer dollars through federal grants to fund critical programs, including to protect public safety, advance scientific research, and support health and nutrition initiatives. OMB’s proposal unlawfully seeks to substitute Congress’s role in directing federal spending with the President’s preferred priorities, and in doing so, makes it harder for every community and organization in the United States to fairly access federal funding. We call on you to rescind this proposal.”

Joining Senators Peters, Schumer, Murray, and Merkley in sending the letter were U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Text of the letter is available here.

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Wyden, Merkley Ask State Data Center Advisory Committee to Consider Multiple Issues Raised by Oregonians

Oregon senators: “Several issues have been raised by constituents regarding responsible data center development with our offices, ranging from local to state to federal jurisdiction.”

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today wrote Gov. Tina Kotek’s data center advisory committee to convey concerns both senators have heard from Oregonians as the state panel works on solutions that balance data centers’ economic benefits with their financial impacts on utility consumers and environmental impacts on entire communities.

“Thank you for coming together to tackle the challenges posed by the rapid expansion of data centers in Oregon,” Wyden and Merkley wrote committee members. While we acknowledge that data centers are critical to American national security, can help ensure technological advancement, and create good union jobs, your work to strike a balance between pursuing economic development opportunities in alignment with sustainable utility costs and environmental impacts is critical for Oregon and the Northwest. Several issues have been raised by constituents regarding responsible data center development with our offices, ranging from local to state to federal jurisdiction.”

The Oregon senators asked the state data center advisory committee to consider the following concerns that accompany the growth of data centers around the state:

Increasing energy demand to power and cool equipment.

Increasing electricity costs for consumers because of increased demand.

Water quality and quantity issues because of data centers’ use of large water volumes from surface, ground, municipal or reclaimed water sources to cool servers and prevent overheating.

Visibility issues from steam, and noise pollution from cooling systems and fans.

Land use decisions dealing with the rezoning of productive agricultural land.

Tribal rights and consultation that respect treaty rights, including rights to hunt, fish, and gather food and medicine.

Transparency and public accountability that reflect community concerns about environmental and infrastructure impacts that data centers can present for future energy and water needs, as well as impacts to utilities and municipal services.

“We are grateful for your work to embody the ‘Oregon way’ to hear from all perspectives and chart a path forward,” Wyden and Merkley wrote the data center advisory committee. “We stand ready to partner with you on data center policies best for Oregon.”

The entire letter is here.

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VIDEO: Senator Moody Celebrates No Tax on Social Security, Tips, and Overtime Ahead of Anniversary of Largest Tax Cut in U.S. History

BRANDON, Fla.—Senator Ashley Moody is touting wins for Floridians ahead of the first anniversary of the largest tax cut in U.S. history. After just a few months in the U.S. Senate, Senator Moody helped pass the Working Families Tax Cuts Act last year. The historic bill included no tax on Social Security, no tax on tips, and no tax on overtime, and was signed into law on the Fourth of July. Ahead of the anniversary of the tax cuts, Senator Moody joined Floridians who are benefiting from the massive tax relief package.

“It’s not the government’s money. It’s your money, and you should be allowed to keep as much of it as possible. That is why I supported no tax on Social Security, no tax on tips, and no tax on overtime. In the year since the tax cuts became law, it is clear that we delivered for real relief for Floridians, and as your U.S. Senator, I will continue to look for ways to cut taxes, eliminate waste and support economic growth here in the Sunshine State,” said Senator Ashley Moody.

BACKGROUND:

American families and workers have claimed $82 billion in individual relief directly from the Working Families Tax Cuts.

This past tax filing season, 97% of Americans received a tax cut.

More than 7.5 million have claimed No Tax on Tips.

More than 29 million have claimed No Tax on Overtime.

More than 35 million seniors have claimed the Enhanced Deduction for Seniors.

Floridians brought home the largest average federal tax refunds in the country—Florida filers brought home an average refund of nearly $4,500 compared to the national average refund of $3,300.

The WFTC package also created child-owned investment accounts. For every baby born from 2025 through 2028 whose parents open one of these accounts, the U.S. Treasury will invest $1,000.

More than 5.5 million child-owned investment accounts have been opened nationwide so far, with 1.4 million eligible for the $1,000 pilot program contribution.

40 million families have taken advantage of the enhanced Child Tax Credit that the WFTC doubled.

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