VA Awards $710,550 to Support Transportation Access for Rural North Dakota Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awarded $710,550 to the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs through the Highly Rural Transportation Grants (HRTG) program. The funding provides free transportation for veterans traveling to VA and VA-authorized health care facilities in eligible counties. Roughly 2.7 million veterans reside in highly rural areas across the country.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee (SVAC), introduced the Supporting Rural Veterans Access to Healthcare Services Act to permanently reauthorize the HRTG program. Cramer’s legislation passed the SVAC on July 30 and would add Tribal Organizations and Veterans Service Organizations (VSO) as entities eligible to apply directly for the program and provide additional assistance for entities to purchase vehicles.

“I don’t think it’s any big surprise that many North Dakota veterans live hours from the care they need, and transportation should never be the reason they miss an appointment,” said Cramer. “This funding will help bridge that gap by getting veterans to VA and community care appointments, and then ensures they have reliable access to the care they’ve earned.”

Several organizations support the Supporting Rural Veterans Access to Healthcare Services Act, including the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs, the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. (VFW), and The American Legion (TAL).

The HRTG program serves the 35 North Dakota counties of Adams, Benson, Billings, Bottineau, Bowman, Burke, Cavalier, Dickey, Divide, Dunn, Eddy, Emmons, Foster, Golden Valley, Grant, Griggs, Hettinger, Kidder, Lamoure, Logan, McHenry, Mcintosh, McKenzie, McLean, Nelson, Oliver, Pierce, Renville, Sargent, Sheridan, Sioux, Slope, Steele, Towner, and Wells.


Crapo, Risch, Simpson Celebrate Idaho Nuclear Tech Hub Designation

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senators Mike Crapo and Jim Risch and U.S. Representative Mike Simpson (all R-Idaho) celebrated the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) announcement to award approximately $31 million to the Intermountain-West Nuclear Energy Corridor (INEC) Tech Hub, a regional initiative of more than 45 organizations across Idaho and Wyoming, led by the Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium (IAEC). The Tech Hub will help position the Idaho and Wyoming nuclear energy innovation corridor as global leaders in advanced small modular reactors. The EDA announced Monday, July 20, it would award approximately $169 million across six Tech Hubs.

The INEC Tech Hub aims to leverage the region’s existing nuclear manufacturing ecosystem to accelerate the deployment and commercialization of next-generation nuclear reactors, strengthen domestic nuclear supply chains and enhance U.S. energy security.

"This $31 million award is a significant investment in Idaho’s future and further establishes our state as a national leader in advanced nuclear energy,” said Crapo. “The INEC Tech Hub, led by the Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium, will build on Idaho’s unmatched expertise and innovation in small modular reactors and reinforce our nation’s technological leadership while reducing reliance on foreign adversaries for critical energy capabilities. I congratulate the many public and private partners whose collaboration has helped make this achievement possible.”

“The future of American nuclear energy is being developed in Idaho,” said Risch. “Today’s investment by the U.S. Department of Commerce in the Intermountain-West Nuclear Energy Consortium Tech Hub capitalizes on Idaho’s deep nuclear history and will expand opportunities for the West to maintain this strong reputation.”

“I’m thrilled to celebrate the Department of Commerce’s $31 million investment in the INEC Tech Hub,” said Simpson. “After my Idaho colleagues and I expressed our strong support for this application, it is exciting to see this investment become a reality. This funding will strengthen American nuclear energy while reinforcing Idaho’s leadership in nuclear innovation. Today’s announcement is an important step toward advancing American energy dominance and strengthening our energy security.”

“What we’re building here is bigger than any one organization, any one company, or any one community,” said Hope Morrow, IAEC Vice President and Workforce and Economic Development Manager at INL. “The INEC Tech Hub is what American innovation looks like when everyone brings their best — and the people of the Intermountain West are going to see the benefits in jobs, opportunity, and long-term energy security.”

“The demand for nuclear energy is on the rise, and the Trump Administration is providing the energy industry with the resources it needs to meet that demand, including more nuclear reactors,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. “This award will position Idaho and Wyoming as global leaders in advanced small modular reactors and leverage the region’s existing nuclear manufacturing capabilities to accelerate reactor deployment, speed commercialization of next-generation reactors, and enhance U.S. energy security.”

The Idaho Advanced Energy Consortium is expected to receive nearly $31 million to:

support advanced fuel fabrication, testing and transportation;

train workers in nuclear construction, manufacturing, fuel fabrication and operations; and

support firms to enter the nuclear supply chain.

The IAEC estimates its projects could create more than 900 high-paying jobs and generate approximately $190 million in regional economic impact over five years.

Background:

Congress enacted the Regional Technology and Innovation Hub (Tech Hubs) Program, administered by the U.S. Economic Development Administration, as part of the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act of 2022. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 National Defense Authorization Act made $220 million available to limited eligible Tech Hubs, including the INEC. The application was rigorous and applicants were required to submit project proposals that demonstrated ability to strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness and maximize taxpayer returns. Senator Crapo joined Senator Jim Risch and U.S. Representative Mike Simpson (all R-Idaho) in support of the IAEC’s application for the funding.

Tech Hubs seek to strengthen America’s economic competitiveness and national security by investing in regions with the talent and assets to become global leaders in the critical technologies of the future. Tech Hub investments accelerate technology commercialization, moving breakthroughs out of labs, through manufacturing lines, and into the marketplace faster, and at greater scale.

###


Ernst Names Small Business of the Week, Taylor’s Maid-Rite

RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business Committee, today announced her Small Business of the Week: Taylor's Maid-Rite of Marshall County. Throughout the 119th Congress, Chair Ernst plans to recognize a small business in each of Iowa's 99 counties.

"Taylor's Maid-Rite has truly maid their mark as a cornerstone of Marshalltown's business community," said Chair Ernst. "For nearly a century, this shop has served generations of Iowans with a signature burger made fresh every day. This 'Maid in Iowa' success story has proven that consistency, quality, and genuine customer care are the recipe for lasting success."

Founded in the heart of Marshalltown, Taylor's Maid-Rite has remained a family-owned business for nearly a century and is now entering its fourth generation of Taylor family ownership. Best known for its signature Maid-Rite sandwich, the restaurant also serves classic American diner favorites, including malts, pies, fries, and sodas. Throughout its history, Taylor's Maid-Rite has remained committed to fresh ingredients, personalized service, and strong community involvement.

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

###


Ernst Works to Hold Russian Oil Purchasers Accountable

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) joined her Senate colleagues and Senator Darline Graham Nordone (R-S.C.) to introduce the Senator Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 to hold major purchasers of Russian oil and gas accountable for supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The legislation would impose primary and secondary sanctions on Russia and those supporting its war in Ukraine, targeting Russian officials, oligarchs, their family members, foreign actors, financial institutions, and the Russian shadow fleet. It also directs the president to impose tariffs of up to 100% on imports from the five largest purchasers of Russian oil and gas that help sustain Russia's economy or facilitate sanctions evasion.

“As Russia continues its needless bloodshed of innocent people and drags out peace talks, I am proud to join my colleagues in enacting crippling sanctions against them,” said Senator Ernst. “This legislation carries forward the tireless work Senator Graham was doing until his final days and strengthens the fight I’ve led for years against Putin’s shadow fleet, shutting down the network of tankers and shell insurers keeping his oil money flowing and fueling this war.”

“Until the very day he passed, Lindsey remained focused on passing the Russia sanctions bill. Passing this legislation would honor my brother’s steadfast commitment to our national security and it would provide President Trump with additional leverage to bring this war to an end,” said Senator Nordone. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this legislation and send it to President Trump’s desk.”

“Ukraine is at a critical crossroads — and we must meet this pivotal moment with a powerful sanctions bill. As Ukraine turns the tide on the battlefield, our Russia sanctions bill would be historically impactful in stopping Russia’s murderous slaughter,” said Senator Blumenthal. “When Senator Graham and I last spoke, he was absolutely exultant, calling from Kyiv with news that President Trump would support this bill to impose scorching tariffs and sanctions on purchasers of Russian oil and stop them from fueling Putin’s war machine. Now is the time to push Russia toward peace. Ukraine is gaining net territory and reaching deep into Russia with its drones and missiles. Sanctions provide a path toward peace. Our bill is the product of lengthy, detailed, difficult bipartisan work, and now has broad bipartisan support. Passing this legislation right now would be a fitting tribute to Senator Graham’s fierce support for Ukraine’s freedom.”

“Putin’s invasion of Ukraine unleashed destruction, chaos and bloodshed in the largest land war in Europe since World War II,” said Senator Grassley. “Our legislation sends a clear message to Putin: your unprovoked, violent invasion comes at an enormous cost. The late-Senator Graham was a champion of this bipartisan legislation, and I’m proud to help move it forward as an original cosponsor.”

“Lindsey was a firm believer that the United States is a force for good around the world, and he worked tirelessly on this important effort,” said Senator Thune. “I’m proud to support this legislation that not only honors our friend and colleague, but will also promote peace by cutting off the funding fueling Russia’s war machine. I can’t think of a better way to honor his legacy.”

“Russia is losing ground, it is suffering tens of thousands of casualties each month and Ukraine continues to bring the consequences of the war to the Kremlin’s doorstep through its deep strike campaign,” said Senator Shaheen. “Putin is in an incredibly precarious position both at home and on the battlefield. This legislation would level tough new sanctions on Russia and choke off key export markets for the energy it sells to fund its war machine. We must seize on the opportunity before us to finally exert economic pressure on the Kremlin and bring this war to a close.”

“One of the many pillars of Senator Graham’s exemplary career of public service was his dedication to putting America’s national security first and promoting liberty around the world,” said Senator Britt. “It is an honor to help champion one of his highest priorities: imposing crushing sanctions to cripple Russia’s war machine and hold those fueling it accountable. Putin’s war against Ukraine has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, and it must end. Lindsey believed that getting this legislation passed and signed into law would be the most consequential thing he achieved in his career. I am sincerely grateful to Senators Blumenthal, Shaheen, and Wicker for their continued leadership on this issue and, very importantly, for the support of President Trump and the White House—these sanctions will provide President Trump with a critical tool to hold Russia accountable and secure a lasting peace.”

“This bipartisan bill that Senator Graham worked so tirelessly to advance couldn’t be better timed. Momentum in the war has shifted toward Ukraine and tightening sanctions on Russia and those key purchasers of Russian oil should help add pressure for the Kremlin to finally negotiate,” said Senator Durbin. “Having just returned from the NATO Summit, I can share that we and our NATO allies are united in wanting to see Ukraine prevail in this bloody war started by Vladimir Putin. I am pleased to help co-lead this timely legislation.”

“We should enact this bipartisan measure to exert maximum economic pressure on Putin’s war machine and help bring this unjust war to an end,” said Senator Wicker.

“Today’s bill continues the work of the late Senator Graham, my dear friend and one of Ukraine’s most relentless advocates in the Senate,” said Senator Whitehouse. “This forceful, bipartisan measure will disrupt the Kremlin’s massive oil and gas economy, up the financial stakes, and help achieve victory for Ukraine.”

“I am proud to support the imposition of new, hard-hitting sanctions on key sectors of Russia’s war economy, including the shadow fleet, and penalties on bad actors like China who help fund the war,” said Senator Risch. “Russia is not winning this war against Ukraine, and applying additional pressure now will force Putin to shift his calculus and bring us closer to ending the war. In honor of our friend Lindsey Graham, I strongly encourage my colleagues to pass this legislation and send it to the President’s desk as soon as possible.”

“Ukraine is winning on the battlefield against Russian invaders, and there’s much more the United States can do to strangle Russia’s war machine without putting ourselves at risk,”said Senator Coons. “Curbing Russian revenue by sanctioning the foreign buyers of their oil that are keeping Russia’s economy and military afloat will strengthen Ukraine, weaken Moscow, and hasten a just and lasting end to this war.”

“For over four years, the Ukrainian people have shown us what it looks like to fight and die for democracy, for their country, and for the West. Their courage in the face of Vladimir Putin’s war offers the greatest example of how to fight back against authoritarian aggression. Amid Putin's intransigence at the negotiating table and daily attacks on civilians across Ukraine, Congress must make Russia pay a further price,” said Senator Bennet. “This bill will impose greater pressure on Putin to end his unprovoked war, especially as Ukraine makes progress on the battlefield and as the Russian economy struggles under the weight of U.S. and allied measures. Only by demonstrating our firm resolve can the United States and our allies support Ukraine's pursuit of a just and durable end to this war and successfully defend the principle of a Europe whole, free, and at peace. Backing Ukraine today will be our best deterrence against authoritarian ambitions tomorrow.”

“Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked war has dragged on for more than four years,” said Senator Cotton. “As Senator Graham knew well, raising the costs on Russia is the only solution. Our bill will further restrict their energy sales to strangle Putin’s war machine and bring him to the negotiating table. Congress should pass this bill immediately and help finish a war Lindsey fought so hard to end.”

“This measure is a tribute to Senator Graham’s tenacious, bipartisan work in support of Ukraine, and a necessary step to deprive Putin’s war machine of financial resources for its illegal invasion,” said Senator Reed.

“South Carolina lost a statesman, and I lost a friend. Lindsey Graham spent his time in the Senate reminding us that peace is protected by strength, and that America has a responsibility to stand up to dictators who threaten our allies, our interests, and the values we hold dear,” said Senator Scott. “This legislation is a fitting way to honor Lindsey’s legacy: tough, principled, and focused on keeping America safe. Lindsey would be proud to see Republicans and Democrats come together in support of his and the President’s goal to end Moscow’s senseless war in Ukraine.”

“Putin’s war of aggression against Ukraine has gone on long enough, and I believe this legislation is an important step on bringing this bloody, unprovoked conflict to an end,” said Senator King. “This war has already cost hundreds of thousands of lives on both sides unnecessarily, and we believe that this step will finally bring Putin face to face with the reality that he is not going to be successful in subjugating the Ukrainian people.”

“This is a pivotal moment in the Ukrainian people’s fight to protect their freedom. While Ukraine continues to demonstrate impressive resilience and patriotism and real expertise on the battlefield, Russians are becoming increasingly exhausted by Putin’s war, which his own finance officials are telling him he can’t afford,” said Senator Kaine. “This is the perfect time for the United States to bring down the full force of comprehensive sanctions on Russia, and I’m proud to join a bipartisan group of colleagues in putting forward a plan that would do that.”

“Vladimir Putin’s brutal, unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine must end. As Ukraine makes important gains on the battlefield, now is the time to increase the economic pressure on Russia and those who continue to finance Putin’s war machine,” said Senator Collins. “Senator Lindsey Graham understood the consequences of allowing Putin’s aggression to go unchecked and worked tirelessly to build bipartisan support for this consequential legislation. I am proud to join my colleagues in supporting this bill, which would both honor Lindsey’s legacy and help pressure Putin to bring an end to this horrific war.”

“The fastest way to end this illegal war is to cut off the money that Putin is using to fuel it,” said Senator Kelly. “Stronger sanctions will put pressure on Putin and those helping him. This is a crucial step toward achieving lasting peace that protects Ukraine's sovereignty and strengthens U.S. national security.”

“For more than four years, Vladimir Putin has conducted a brutal, unprovoked war against Ukraine in an attempt to take over a sovereign nation. The time is now for the U.S. to increase pressure and do all we can to end this war and send a clear message to Putin that he cannot act with impunity,”said Senator Rosen. “This is why I’m joining my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to bring forward this critical bipartisan bill to make those who enable Russia’s energy and defense sectors pay a heavy price.”

“Lindsey Graham was clear eyed on Putin and fought for years to build peace through strength,” said Senator Ricketts. “This bill is a small part of his legacy combatting a foreign adversary threatening peace and prosperity for Americans. Sanctioning Putin and his cronies is necessary for undermining their aggression around the world.”

“Senator Graham was unyielding in his support for the Ukrainian people as they fight to defend their sovereignty, and I can think of few ways more fitting to honor him than by finishing what he started and imposing strict sanctions on the bad actors who have supported Russia’s war against Ukraine,” said Senator Cornyn. “I’m proud to join with my colleagues on this bipartisan legislation, which will honor Lindsey’s legacy, help dismantle Putin’s war machine, and strengthen U.S. national security.”

“Standing with the Ukrainian people has been a bipartisan goal of our Congress for more than four years,” said Senator Schiff. “This bill reaffirms that commitment by enacting the sanctions needed to curtail Russia’s primary source of income and cripple its war effort — the single most important thing the U.S. government can do to end Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.”

“The surest way to bring about peace through strength and get Putin to the negotiating table is to cut off the money funding his war machine,” said Senator Sheehy. “This bipartisan legislation delivers real consequences for those keeping Russia’s economy afloat. Senator Lindsey Graham spent years leading this fight, and passing this bill will be a fitting tribute to his commitment to American strength and the cause of freedom.”

“Since I visited Ukraine with Lindsey Graham and John McCain in 2016, Lindsey and I worked together in support of Ukraine’s democracy, meeting with President Zelenskyy multiple times and advocating for the return of Ukrainian children kidnapped by Russia,” said Senator Klobuchar. “This legislation will add significant economic pressure on Russia, helping to move us closer to ending this war.”

“As long as Vladimir Putin’s war machine is funded by countries willing to buy Russian oil and gas, the war in Ukraine will continue,” said Senator Curtis. “This bipartisan legislation gives a powerful tool to increase pressure on Russia, hold its enablers accountable, and ensure Russia does not win this war.”

“We must hold Russia and its enablers accountable, and stand with Ukraine,” said Senator Fetterman. “This is just and important legislation. I know it will honor our late colleague Senator Lindsey Graham.”

“These strong sanctions, a top priority I shared with my friend and our late colleague Senator Graham, are critically important to weakening Putin’s grip in Ukraine, imposing severe costs on those supporting Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression, and undermining the energy-fueled Russian war machine that threatens our allies,” said Senator Sullivan.

“Ukraine is in the fight of their lives, and this bipartisan announcement is the boost they need to inflict maximum pain on Russia,” said Senator Duckworth. “Our bipartisan bill will rightfully hit foreign buyers of Russian oil with heavy sanctions, cutting Putin off from the money machine funding his unprovoked war of aggression against our ally. Senator Graham knew it and we do too: The United States must remain united with Ukraine, now and always.”

“Ukraine is standing strong against Russian aggression, but the United States must use every tool possible to help secure a lasting peace for the Ukrainian people and the entire region,” said Senator Peters. “Imposing strong sanctions on Russia would send a clear message that the American people will always stand alongside Ukraine against Putin’s invasion.”

“Putin is a murderous KGB thug, and the countries still buying Russian oil and natural gas know they are funding his war against Ukraine,” said Senator Lankford. If we cut off Russia’s oil money, we cut off the weapons murdering Ukrainians. Lindsey Graham was an outspoken advocate for the freedom-loving people of Ukraine. Let’s finish what he started and put the pressure on Russia and everyone who bankrolls them.”

“This bill honors Senator Lindsey Graham’s legacy by strengthening pressure on Russia and those who continue to finance Vladimir Putin’s illegal and brutal war against Ukraine, which threatens our own national security and economic interests,” said Senator Hyde-Smith. I am proud to cosponsor this bipartisan legislation to continue the work that our late friend and colleague fought so hard to advance.”

“By securing this agreement with the White House to impose sanctions on major purchasers of Russian oil and gas, Senator Graham delivered a powerful tool to hold those who are enabling Putin’s war accountable,” said Senator Blackburn. “This bill will help bring this war to an end.”

“Vladimir Putin’s illegal war in Ukraine has raged on for too long and cost countless innocent lives,” said Senator Alsobrooks. “This critical legislation will hold the enablers of Putin’s war machine accountable and represents one of the most consequential Congressional efforts to promote peace in Europe. Let’s get this done.”

“Senator Graham tirelessly worked to impose real consequences on Putin and end Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. This bipartisan and thoughtfully crafted legislation is a testament to his tremendous leadership,” said Senator Boozman. “I am proud to join my colleagues and send a clear message that Senator Graham’s work will not go unfinished and that Moscow must finally end its unprovoked attack on Ukrainian sovereignty.”

“The Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 will issue decisive consequences aimed at deterring Russian aggression,” said Senator Cramer. “This bill sends a clear message: bullies have a price to pay for their actions. Vladimir Putin and Russia must face serious consequences for their destructive and unprovoked war on Ukraine.”

“Russia’s war against Ukraine, which has killed far too many and upended global stability, must come to an end,” said Senator Capito. “This legislation empowers President Trump to cut off the financial flows that enable Putin’s deadly invasion and to impose serious consequences on the countries that are helping finance Russia’s war machine. I’m proud to join my colleagues in honoring Senator Graham’s life by advancing this effort to strengthen America’s national security and give President Trump the economic leverage to secure a lasting peace.”

“For years, Senator Lindsey Graham led the effort to hold Russia accountable for its aggression and support Ukraine’s fight for freedom,” said Senator Husted. “This bill honors his legacy by tightening sanctions on the energy exports and financial tools that sustain the Russian war machine. With support from the White House and a bipartisan group of senators, we are sending a clear message to Putin: America stands with Ukraine, and we will continue working to bring this unjust war to a durable end.”

“Russia relies on oil and gas revenue to fund its war against Ukraine, and those enabling this aggression should be held accountable,” said Senator Hoeven. “This bipartisan legislation strengthens sanctions to increase pressure on Russia, reduce the resources fueling Putin’s aggression, and help advance a lasting peace. Senator Lindsey Graham dedicated tremendous effort to moving this legislation forward, and Congress should act to pass it.”

“Senator Lindsey Graham was relentless in his quest to hold Vladimir Putin accountable for his unprovoked invasion of Ukraine,” said Senator Fischer. “Because of his extensive work over the years, we have an opportunity to help bleed Putin’s war machine dry. I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for taking this necessary action.”

“Senator Graham was one of the most formidable foes America’s enemies ever faced in the United States Senate. He was unapologetic and uncompromising in countering the threat the Russian regime poses to American national security and the safety and security of the American people,”said Senator Cruz. “I worked alongside my friend for years to counter those malign activities, including through sanctions legislation aimed at depriving Putin’s war machine of the resources it needs to threaten America and our allies. This bipartisan legislation honors Senator Graham’s legacy while advancing the badly needed policies for which he tirelessly advocated. I urge my colleagues to pass it without delay.”

“Lindsey Graham spent his final months fighting to make sure Putin knew America’s fuse hadn't burned out. Wyoming understands what it means to power the world responsibly, and it’s long past time Russia stopped profiting from war while claiming to seek peace,” said Senator Lummis. “This bill puts real teeth behind that demand by telling every nation still buying Russian oil that they're choosing a side, and it puts Putin on notice that the road to any lasting peace runs through economic ruin if he refuses to take it.”

“Russia’s unprovoked and illegal war against the people of Ukraine has left the nation scarred and battered over the last four years, but no less determined to defend its sovereignty,” said Senator Murkowski. “The bipartisan Sanctioning Russia Act honors Senator Graham’s longstanding leadership in foreign affairs by supporting Ukraine while reaffirming America’s commitment to stand with peaceful democracies against the authoritarian regimes that seek to destroy them.”

“The time to increase pressure on Moscow is now. Our overwhelmingly bipartisan sanctions package has the power to cripple Putin’s revenue streams by targeting the energy exports that bankroll Russia's unjust war machine,” said Senator Budd. “Our colleague and friend, Senator Lindsey Graham, worked tirelessly to stand up to Russian aggression, and now we have the opportunity to honor his leadership and cement his legacy.”

“This bipartisan legislation would make a difference against Russia’s unjust war in Ukraine and serves as a fitting tribute to the legacy of Senator Lindsey Graham,” said Senator Moran. “America’s continued involvement and leadership throughout the world are critical to deterring Vladimir Putin. This legislation sends a clear message to friends and foes alike: you can do business with Russia, or you can do business with the United States, but you can’t do both. I look forward to voting for the Sanctioning Russia Act and sending it to the President to be signed into law.”

“Imposing stronger sanctions on Russia will ensure America remains strong on the world stage and will help bring an end to Putin’s unjust war against Ukraine,”said Senator Daines. “I can think of no better way to cement the legacy of Lindsey Graham, who spent years of his life devoted to this cause and to fighting for freedom across the globe.”

Read the bill here and one pager here.

###


Fetterman Leads Pennsylvania Colleagues in America 250 Congressional Time Capsule Submission

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), in collaboration with U.S. Steel and the United Steelworkers, submitted a steel plaque on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be included in the America 250 Congressional time capsule. The inscription — Forged in steel from the birthplace of the United States of America — recognizes Pennsylvania’s important history in the foundation of the greatest country and its countless contributions for 250 years.

“I’m honored to contribute Pennsylvania’s story for all to reflect on and honor, and I’m grateful for my colleagues who joined me in this effort. I’m also deeply appreciative of the team of Pennsylvania steelworkers who worked quickly to make this plaque. At our country’s 500th birthday, when the capsule is reopened, I hope all those present will understand just how awesome Pennsylvania and our steelworkers have always been,” said Senator Fetterman.

In its efforts to celebrate our country’s 250th birthday, Congress passed the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act to direct the Architect of the Capitol to prepare a time capsule that will be sealed in the Capitol Visitor Center. Congressional delegations from each state and U.S. territory are allowed to submit one item that represents their history. The capsule will be opened during America’s 500th anniversary on July 4, 2276.

In addition to the steel plaque, a letter from the Pennsylvania Congressional delegation was submitted by Senator Fetterman. It was signed by U.S. Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA), and U.S. Representatives Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-5), Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA-15), and Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4).

“When this capsule is opened on our nation’s 500th anniversary on July 4, 2276, we hope the history of Pennsylvania and the legacy of its steelworkers serve as a generational reminder of the birthplace of the United States of America and those who helped build it,” wrote the Members of Congress.


Fischer, Thune, Fetterman Introduce Legislation to Improve Broadband Mapping

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), and Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) introduced the bipartisan Broadband Mapping Accurate Providers (MAP) Act of 2026 to improve the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) broadband mapping process.

“We need a better understanding of where internet connectivity falls short, especially in rural America,”Fischer said. “With broadband maps, we can accomplish this goal; however, they must be accurate. I’m joining Leader Thune to make sure these maps correctly identify unserved and underserved communities. This will safeguard taxpayer dollars while connecting more Americans to high-speed internet.”

“Broadband providers who are on the ground in South Dakota and across rural America have vital, firsthand knowledge of the communities they serve,” Thune said. “Ensuring the accuracy of the FCC’s broadband map and its corresponding challenge process is critical to build on our progress to make federal broadband investments as effective and efficient as possible. I thank Chairman Carr for supporting our efforts and for his continued commitment to connecting households across our country to the internet.”

“Broadband internet is a necessity, especially for our rural communities,”Fetterman said. “The first step we can take to ensure families have internet access across Pennsylvania and the country is figuring out who still doesn’t. I’m proud to join Senator Thune in introducing this bill to get us one step closer to bringing connectivity to every American. I look forward to working with the FCC when the maps are complete to continue to expand broadband.”

This legislation is supported by NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association and NCTA—The Internet and Television Association.

Mike Romano, CEO, NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association, said, “While we have seen improvements to the National Broadband Map over time, precisely because this is an iterative and evolving process, there is more to be done to make sure the map accurately captures where services are in fact available and the locations that could be served. The Broadband MAP Act of 2026 would help spur continuous improvement in the map through a renewed look at the standards and processes used to develop and refine it. I applaud Majority Leader Thune and Senators Fetterman and Fischer for their leadership in seeking to ensure that broadband policy and funding decisions are based upon the best possible real-world data.”

Cory Gardner, President and CEO, NCTA – The Internet and Television Association, said, “We appreciate Senators Thune, Fetterman, and Fischer’s leadership in introducing the Broadband MAP Act of 2026. This legislation is an important step toward streamlining broadband permitting and accelerating network deployment. We look forward to working with them on bipartisan solutions that comprehensively address permitting challenges and help ensure every American has access to reliable, high-speed broadband.”

Background

Since its launch in 2011, the FCC has made significant strides in enhancing the accuracy of its National Broadband Map.

However, providers have reported difficulties with the FCC’s challenge process, which allows providers to dispute the serviceability of certain locations.

This legislation instructs the FCC to review and assess the mapping and challenge process to work better for providers who are working to get Americans connected.

Fischer has also worked to reform the Broadband Funding Map which she created in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Last month, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed Fischer’s bill to reform broadband funding reporting to the FCC, making sure federal dollars are being spent responsibility on broadband deployment.

See full bill text here.

###


Gillibrand Continues Statewide Tour Addressing The Rising Cost Of Groceries, Lagging Consumer Confidence

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand continued her series of statewide press conferences — including in Poughkeepsie and Rochester – to address the crushing impact of rising grocery and household goods prices on working families. The push follows a recent Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index report showing headline inflation surged to 4.2%, the sharpest 12-month increase since April 2023.

“Donald Trump’s policies are making basic necessities unaffordable for hardworking New Yorkers,” said Senator Gillibrand. “He promised to tackle rising costs, but instead he’s made everything worse. Prices on groceries, gas, and essentials have skyrocketed here at home, as he pours taxpayers dollars into a forever war abroad. I will continue to demand accountability and fight for all Americans being crushed by these unsustainable costs.”

The spike in costs is hitting New Yorkers directly at the checkout counter, with the prices of staple items like fruits and vegetables climbing 6.1%, and nonalcoholic beverages up 5.8%. With average wage growth lagging significantly behind, working families are experiencing a severe gap in purchasing power, driving consumer confidence down as basic monthly expenses outpace paychecks.

Gillibrand blamed the rising costs directly on Trump’s ongoing war in Iran. She reiterated her commitment to curbing military actions abroad to shift the focus back to Americans struggling at home.

###


Gillibrand Statement On Service Member Deaths In Iran War

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on President Trump’s war with Iran following the deaths of three more American troops over the weekend:

“This weekend, three more American service members lost their lives and one remains missing in action. Seventeen of our troops are now dead in a war with no clear objective, no exit strategy, and no end in sight.

“I sit on the Armed Services Committee. I have demanded a strategy. I have asked for benchmarks. I have asked what winning even looks like. The administration has been unable to answer. Silence and more strikes are not a strategy.

“Meanwhile, American families are paying more for gas and more for groceries, and they’re paying for a war they never asked for and do not support. Billions of taxpayer dollars are being poured into a conflict that has secured nothing, while the cost of living keeps climbing at home.

“Our troops deserve a president who can define their mission and outline when they’re coming home. Right now, they have neither. The families of the service members we lost this weekend deserve the truth, not more excuses.”

###


On Long Island: Gillibrand Pushes To Speed Up Benefit Delivery For Public Safety Officers

Gillibrand Advocates for Improvement of the Public Safety Officers’ Benefit Program

Today, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand held a press conference to push for the passage of her bipartisan Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act. The legislation would amend the existing Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Program to expedite benefit claims for injured and fallen public safety officers, especially 9/11 first responders. It would also implement accountability reforms to ensure disabled officers and the families of fallen officers receive their benefits without delay.

“Public safety officers serve on the front lines of our communities,” said Senator Gillibrand. “New Yorkers and our country have not forgotten 9/11, especially the brave men and women – many of whom were Long Islanders – who answered the call in our nation’s darkest hour. We must fight for our heroes, their health and their families so they receive the care and benefits they deserve.”

Congress established the Department of Justice’s PSOB Program in 1976 to provide death benefits to the survivors of officers killed in the line of duty. Despite improvements to the program over the years, applicants still often face lengthy delays in the adjudication of death and disability claims, which Gillibrand’s bill aims to correct.

Gillibrand has been fighting to bolster and expand PSOB for years. In 2021, she led the passage of the Protecting America’s First Responders Act, which expanded PSOB eligibility, increased benefit amounts, and ensured that families would not be financially penalized by lengthy processing delays. In a major victory for Gillibrand’s legislative push to reform the backlogged first responder benefits system and after she directly petitioned acting Attorney General Blanche, the Department of Justice announced last week that it had finalized more than triple the number of PSOB death claim determinations compared to the previous nine months. This progress is delivering over $96 million in critical funding to the families of fallen public safety officers.

###


Senator Hassan Highlights Decline in Affordable Care Act Enrollment During Conversation with Doctors and Health Care Leaders in Raymond

RAYMOND – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan hosted a conversation with health care leaders at Lamprey Health Care in Raymond to discuss the recent decline in Affordable Care Act (ACA) enrollment and the ways in which the Trump Administration’s actions are straining the health care system and increasing costs for Granite Staters.

Last year, President Trump and Congressional Republicans made massive cuts to Medicaid and allowed tax cuts for health insurance under the Affordable Care Act to expire, raising health insurance costs for all Americans. New data shows that since then, ACA health insurance enrollment has fallen by at least 13 percent nationwide and 7.8 percent in New Hampshire.

“President Trump and Congressional Republicans chose to make Americans’ health care premiums more expensive in order to give billionaires and corporate special interests a tax break. Now, we're seeing the consequences of that decision, with enrollment in Affordable Care Act health insurance already down by almost eight percent in New Hampshire and that number is likely to grow,” said Senator Hassan. “I was grateful to hear from the doctors and health care leaders at Lamprey Health Care about how these higher costs are affecting their patients, and I will continue to advocate for solutions that bring down the cost of health care for Granite Staters.”

During the conversation, doctors and other health care leaders at Lamprey Health Care highlighted how President Trump’s decision to take health care away from millions of Americans has caused patients to delay care, and it has raised health care costs for all Americans.

Senator Hassan continues to push for the full restoration of the Affordable Care Act’s tax cuts that helped make health insurance more affordable for families. At the end of last year, Senator Hassan sounded the alarm on the floor of the Senate about the impending expiration of these tax cuts, warning that millions of people would lose their health insurance and costs would go up for all Americans. Ultimately, Senate Republicans rejected a proposal to restore these tax cuts.

###


Hawley Refers Dark Money Abortion Pill Operation to DOJ for Criminal Investigation

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) wrote to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate and prosecute left-wing dark money operation Plan C. In the criminal referral, Senator Hawley explained how Plan C organized the shipping of chemical abortion pill mifepristone in the mail, in violation of both state and federal law. He requested the DOJ open a criminal investigation into Plan C, its relationship with potential co-conspirator manufacturers, and the network of suppliers it promotes.

Senator Hawley wrote, “I write to refer to the Department of Justice new information my office has received concerning an organized international effort to profit from the violation of state and federal law. I believe these activities warrant criminal investigation. At the center of the effort is an entity called Plan C, a left-wing dark-money operation that styles itself a ‘public health information campaign’ but functions, in practice, as the referral and logistics hub for shipping abortion drugs into states whose laws prohibit it.”

He continued, “Plan C does not operate alone. Danco Laboratories, a large and wildly profitable manufacturer of mifepristone, lists Plan C among the patient resources on its own website, steering prospective customers to an organization that instructs Americans on how to break the law. On information and belief, GenBioPro, the generic manufacturer, maintains a similar referral relationship with Plan C. The Department is well positioned to determine the full extent of these relationships, including any financial ties.”

Senator Hawley concluded, “I therefore respectfully refer this matter to the Department to open a criminal investigation into Plan C, its relationship with potential co-conspirator manufacturers, and the network of suppliers it promotes. That includes the foreign clinics and no-prescription vendors shipping drugs into the United States. I appreciated your recent comments before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the right of the states to enforce their duly enacted laws, as well as your promise that the Department will protect vulnerable women from criminals who would prey upon them. In that vein, this coordinated effort between Plan C and the abortion drug manufacturers to violate state law at the expense of women’s health deserves the closest scrutiny. I thank you for your prompt attention to this referral.”

Read the full letter here or below.

July 17, 2026

The Honorable Todd Blanche

Acting Attorney General

U.S. Department of Justice

950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20530

Dear Acting Attorney General Blanche:

I write to refer to the Department of Justice new information my office has received concerning an organized international effort to profit from the violation of state and federal law. I believe these activities warrant criminal investigation.

At the center of the effort is an entity called Plan C, a left-wing dark-money operation that styles itself a “public health information campaign” but functions, in practice, as the referral and logistics hub for shipping abortion drugs into states whose laws prohibit it.

Plan C does not operate alone. Danco Laboratories, a large and wildly profitable manufacturer of mifepristone, lists Plan C among the patient resources on its own website, steering prospective customers to an organization that instructs Americans on how to break the law. On information and belief, GenBioPro, the generic manufacturer, maintains a similar referral relationship with Plan C. The Department is well positioned to determine the full extent of these relationships, including any financial ties.

Consider what Plan C does, much of it in its own words:

• Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas each specifically prohibit providers from mailing abortion drugs to patients. Plan C nonetheless directs residents of all three states to obtain pills by mail, including from two foreign clinics, that ship mifepristone to U.S. addresses from abroad. Plan C warns that using these clinics carries “possible legal risk.”

• Plan C likewise directs residents of those states to e-commerce websites that sell and ship dangerous pills with no prescription, no identification, and no medical consultation of any kind. By Plan C’s own description, these websites “sell generic abortion pills that are not regulated or inspected by the US government,” and “Plan C tests these websites by buying pills from them.”

• Plan C coaches its users on how to evade the law. Its website instructs users to protect their “digital footprint” against investigations, recommending privacy-enabled browsers, virtual private networks, and encrypted email. Its own FAQ acknowledges that people face legal jeopardy for obtaining pills through the services it lists and tells readers it is “up to every individual to decide what level of legal risk they are willing to take.”

• Plan C steers women to providers willing to mail pills as late as fourteen weeks into pregnancy. That is a month beyond the ten-week limit in FDA’s own approved labeling and risk-mitigation program, and far beyond the limits enacted by states such as Florida and Iowa.

This conduct squarely implicates federal criminal law. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act prohibits introducing unapproved and misbranded drugs into interstate commerce and dispensing prescription drugs without a valid prescription.[6] Criminal anti-smuggling statutes likewise cover the importation of these unregulated foreign pills.[7] And an organization implicates federal conspiracy statutes and aiding-and-abetting provisions when it openly announces its intent to deliver drugs into states whose laws forbid it, coordinating the suppliers, vendors, and carriers needed to accomplish that end.

I therefore respectfully refer this matter to the Department to open a criminal investigation into Plan C, its relationship with potential co-conspirator manufacturers, and the network of suppliers it promotes. That includes the foreign clinics and no-prescription vendors shipping drugs into the United States.

I appreciated your recent comments before the Senate Judiciary Committee regarding the right of the states to enforce their duly enacted laws, as well as your promise that the Department will protect vulnerable women from criminals who would prey upon them. In that vein, this coordinated effort between Plan C and the abortion drug manufacturers to violate state law at the expense of women’s health deserves the closest scrutiny. I thank you for your prompt attention to this referral.

Sincerely,


Ranking Members Heinrich and Huffman Demand Answers on Trump Administration’s Fast-Track of Pro-Oil Rule for Alaska’s Western Arctic

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, sent a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum demanding answers about the Department of the Interior’s effort to fast-track an oil industry-backed rule that would weaken environmental protections and expedite oil and gas permitting across the Western Arctic. The lawmakers raised conflict-of-interest concerns after Interior moved to implement the industry-written proposal just days after receiving the petition.

The lawmakers are seeking documents and communications related to the Department's proposed rule, Production Site Development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, after the Alaska Oil and Gas Association (AOGA) submitted a petition requesting the rule on May 12, 2026. Just three days later, the Department initiated the rulemaking process.

“This proposal, which would rubber-stamp future drilling operations in the Western Arctic, guts key environmental protections and opportunities for tribal consultation in a blatant giveaway of public lands to the oil and gas industry. This would open the door for hundreds of permits to not sufficiently balance wildlife and habitat, subsistence uses, or cultural resources across 23 million acres of public lands,” the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers continue, “The short timeline combined with AOGA’s involvement in this proposal raises serious concerns about not only the Department’s lack of environmental review and public input process, but its clear partiality to the oil industry’s interest in managing the largest tract of public land in the country.”

The letter also raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest involving current and former AOGA officials serving in senior positions at the Department. AOGA's current CEO, Steve Wackowski, served as the Department's Senior Advisor for Alaska Affairs during the first Trump administration, and the Department's current Senior Advisor for Alaska Affairs, Kara Moriarty, led AOGA as its President and CEO for more than a decade before joining the administration.

Ranking Members Heinrich and Huffman demanded documents and information related to the development of the proposed rule, including communications between Interior and AOGA, ethics safeguards governing current and former AOGA officials, calendars of senior officials, and records showing when the Department first began developing the proposal.

Read the full text of the letter here and below:

Dear Secretary Burgum,

As Ranking Members of the House Natural Resources and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committees, we write to express our deep concern regarding the proposed rule titled “Production Site Development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.”

On May 12, 2026, the Alaska Oil and Gas Association (AOGA) filed a petition for a new rule to expedite oil and gas permitting in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (Western Arctic). Just three days later, the Department of the Interior (Department) initiated the first steps toward implementing the rule. Your remarks, as well as the statement from the Department, indicate that implementing all or most of the AOGA-drafted rule, despite an upcoming public comment period, may be a foregone conclusion.

This proposal, which would rubber-stamp future drilling operations in the Western Arctic, guts key environmental protections and opportunities for tribal consultation in a blatant giveaway of public lands to the oil and gas industry. This would open the door for hundreds of permits to not sufficiently balance wildlife and habitat, subsistence uses, or cultural resources across 23 million acres of public lands.

The short timeline combined with the AOGA’s involvement in this proposal raise serious questions about not only the Department’s lack of environmental review and public input process, but its clear partiality to the oil industry’s interest in managing the largest tract of public land in the country.

This potentially record-setting adoption of an industry-proposed rule by the Department also raises serious conflict of interest concerns. AOGA’s current chief executive officer, Steve Wackowski, served as the Senior Advisor for Alaska Affairs at the Department during the first Trump administration. Kara Moriarty, the Department’s current Senior Advisor for Alaska Affairs, previously served as President and CEO of AOGA for over a decade, and worked at AOGA up until her time in the administration.

We therefore respectfully request that you provide answers to the following questions:

1. When did the Department first decide to pursue this rulemaking?

2. What roles did Kara Moriarty and Steve Wackowski play in the decision to pursue the rulemaking, and in any subsequent steps related to its development, review, or implementation?

3. What ethics safeguards were implemented to avoid conflicts of interest between current and former employees of AOGA and the Department?

4. Please provide a list of petitions for rulemakings that have been submitted to the Department of the Interior, or any of its bureaus or offices, since January 20, 2025, and the accompanying agency/departmental response time;

5. Please provide any and all communications between officials at the Department of the Interior and its agencies, bureaus, or offices and the Alaska Oil and Gas Association regarding permitting in the NPR-A dated on or after January 20, 2025;

6. Please provide all entries in Doug Burgum’s calendar relating to AOGA or any representative of AOGA between January 20, 2025, and June 15, 2026;

7. Please provide all entries in Kara Moriarty’s calendar relating to AOGA or any representative of AOGA between January 20, 2025, and June 15, 2026;

8. Please any and all draft rulemaking documents, briefing papers, or decision documents created before May 12, 2026, related to the proposed rule; and

9. Please provide all ethics documents associated with Kara Moriarty, including all ethics agreements, certificates of divestiture, recusal statements, screening arrangements, OGE Form 278e Public Financial Disclosure Reports, OGE Form 278-T Periodic Transaction Reports, and any waivers issued pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 208.

We look forward to your prompt and comprehensive response to these requests.


Hirono Statement on Death of First Lieutenant Tyler J. Feehan

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement on the death of First Lieutenant Tyler J. Feehan, of Ewa Beach, who was killed in action on July 18, 2026 in an attack on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan:

“I join people across Hawaii and throughout our nation in mourning the tragic loss of First Lieutenant Tyler J. Feehan of Ewa Beach. Today, my thoughts and aloha are with 1st Lt Feehan’s family, and the families of all the brave servicemembers killed and injured in this war. As we honor their service and sacrifice, I remain committed to doing everything in my power to bring an end to this war.”

###


Husted leads bill to protect Americans from footing the bill for new data centers

“The Ratepayer Protection Act would keep America globally competitive while protecting Ohioans and Americans from higher electricity bills.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) introduced the Ratepayer Protection Act to ensure American families and small businesses aren’t left paying for the energy infrastructure needed to support new data centers.

“If America wants to lead the world in AI and strengthen our national security, we have to build the energy infrastructure to support it. But we must do that without passing the costs on to working families and small businesses. The Ratepayer Protection Act would keep America globally competitive while protecting Ohioans and Americans from higher electricity bills,” said Husted.

The Ratepayer Protection Act would require states to consider establishing standards for states and Public Utility Commissions when connecting large electricity users—such as data centers—to the grid. It ensures those customers, not families or small businesses, pay for the power generation, transmission lines and other infrastructure needed to serve their facilities. Without those protections, utilities can shift those costs onto ratepayers through higher monthly electricity bills.

Reps. Gabe Evans (R-Colo.) and Kathy Castor (D-Fla.) introduced the companion bill to the Ratepayer Protection Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“As America races to lead the world in AI, we must build the energy infrastructure needed to support this innovation, and stay ahead of competitors like Communist China. But Colorado families, farmers, and small businesses should not be forced to cover the costs of new power generation driven by these developments. The Ratepayer Protection Act is a bipartisan, commonsense solution that protects everyday Americans and ensures our nation can continue to win the AI race,” said Evans.

“My neighbors across Florida are grappling with skyrocketing electric bills. Ratepayers should not have to subsidize wealthy corporations’ growing energy demands, especially from AI data centers. The Ratepayer Protection Act safeguards consumers by ensuring these data centers pay for the energy and grid upgrades they need so hardworking families and local businesses are not stuck paying more,” said Castor.

In March 2026, Husted joined President Donald Trump at the White House for a roundtable focused on lowering energy costs near new data centers. During the event, President Trump signed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge, with major technology companies committing to cover the full cost of the energy and infrastructure needed for new data centers instead of shifting those costs onto consumers. The Ratepayer Protection Act would codify key elements of that pledge.

Background:

If enacted, the bill would propose standards that state regulators could enforce when considering integrating new large-load customers with a demand of 100 megawatts or more onto the grid. Those recommendations include:

Recovery of full, incremental cost of upgrades by the large-load customer over a long period of time through a special rate charge or other agreements. This protects utilities and their ratepayers from being left responsible for upgrade costs associated with a large-load customer, even if that customer later reduces operations or leaves the system entirely.

Financial assurances requiring the large load customer to pay for any generation, transmission or other infrastructure necessary to serve their load, protecting utilities and ratepayers from that financial burden. This ensures large-load customers are responsible for the fixed costs associated with serving their demand rather than passing those costs on to families and businesses through higher monthly electricity bills.


Warner, Kaine, and McClellan Celebrate $16 Million in Federal Funding for Richmond-Petersburg Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Hub

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and U.S. Representative Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04) celebrated $16 million in federal funding for the Virginia Advanced Pharma Manufacturing (APM) and R&D Cluster in the Richmond-Petersburg region. The cluster is led by the Virginia Biotechnology Research Partnership Authority. The funding, awarded through the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs Program, will help the cluster fully establish a domestic manufacturing pathway for essential medicines and advance U.S. national security and economic competitiveness. The members wrote letters in support of the funding.

“For years, Virginia and the Virginia Advanced Pharma Manufacturing Cluster have been leading the charge in establishing our country’s dominance in the production of critical medicines,” said Warner. “These federal dollars will help cement the Commonwealth’s position as a national leader in advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing while creating good-paying jobs in the Petersburg region, strengthening our economy, reducing our reliance on foreign supply chains, and protecting our national security.”

“I’m thrilled that $16 million is headed to the Virginia Advanced Pharma Manufacturing Cluster to support the domestic manufacturing of critical medicines, boost our supply chains, and grow our regional economy,” said Kaine. “When I was on the Richmond City Council, I helped form the Virginia Biotechnology Research Partnership Authority, and I’m immensely proud of what we’ve done together to turn it into a thriving domestic manufacturing hub and economic engine in the region. I look forward to the continued partnership.”

“To remain competitive on the global stage, we must continue to invest in domestic manufacturing for life-saving medicines that create jobs, support regional growth and offer reliable access to medications for patients in need,” said McClellan. “This grant funding will do all that and more by supporting the Virginia Advanced Pharma Manufacturing Cluster in its core mission to create a sustainable and cutting-edge manufacturing hub in the Richmond-Petersburg region. I thank Senators Warner and Kaine for their partnership and look forward to the developments this will bring to Virginia’s Fourth District.”

Warner, Kaine, and McClellan have long supported the APM cluster in Richmond-Petersburg and have supported policies to strengthen domestic manufacturing of critical medicines. In 2023, the APM cluster was designated as a Tech Hub under the CHIPS and Science Act for its innovative work in advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing. In September 2022, the senators helped secure $52.9 million from the American Rescue Plan Act for the cluster. In January 2025, the senators announced $3.9 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to expand regional workforce training programs that support the APM cluster.

In August 2024, Kaine toured Phlow Corp., a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in the Virginia APM cluster. In April 2022, Kaine visited the cluster to learn more about its efforts to streamline prescription drug manufacturing. Kaine helped form and grow the Virginia Biotechnology Research Partnership Authority while he was on Richmond City Council, served on the Authority’s board as Mayor of Richmond, and appointed its board members as Governor of Virginia.

###


ICYMI: Kelly Sits Down with Rev. Al Sharpton to Highlight Legislative Push to Get More Men into Teaching and Mentorship

Kelly also discussed the consequences of Trump’s Iran war and Hegseth’s continuing incompetence

In case you missed it, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly joined MS NOW’s PoliticsNation with Reverand Al Sharpton to discuss his push to get more men into teaching and mentorship. Earlier this month, Kelly introduced a two-bill package—the Educators for America Act and the Building Community in America Act—to expand pathways for Americans to serve as teachers, mentors, and volunteers, with a focus on increasing the number of men participating.

The two also discussed how President Trump’s war with Iran and Secretary Hegseth’s unserious leadership are making Americans less safe.

Sen. Kelly speaks to Reverend Al Sharpton.

Watch the full conversation here. See key excepts below:

On his legislation to get more men into teaching and mentorship…

“When I was in elementary school, I had a male teacher in the fifth and sixth grade, something that young men often need. Another male role model, somebody to look up to… So, one piece of legislation is focused on getting more male teachers into the classroom, giving them the training, by the way, and paying them while they’re being trained for these positions. And then another effort to get more male mentors. There’s a long list of young men and boys that have signed up, and they want some mentorship from men and men, especially young men right now, are often very isolated. Sometimes they can’t find a job, and they don’t have that mentorship that they need. AmeriCorps is a good example of this, and we want to encourage mentorship programs like that.”

On Trump starting a war while Americans struggle to afford groceries and rent…

“This president doesn’t think strategically, and I’ve made this point before. We often talk about people playing checkers and people playing chess. This guy is moving a couple red solo—those beer cups—around on the table. He has no clue what he’s doing and doesn’t think strategically. He doesn’t think about the consequences.

“I worry about what he’s going to do next because he’s often irrational. He doesn’t spend a lot of time on the issues that he campaigned on either. He got us into this war when he said he was going to bring down costs for the American people. People are struggling. Half of Americans are having a hard time affording food. Young people can’t buy homes, can’t afford rent. He kicked millions of people off of their health care coverage. They can’t afford to go to a doctor. That’s what he said he was going to focus on. And he focuses on—he starts a war with Iran, and then he spends an enormous amount of time on things like the reflecting pool and the ballroom and an arch. We’ve never seen this in our history. A president without priorities that matter to the American people.”

On Hegseth firingBlackleaders and women from the military…

“Right from the beginning of this administration, as soon as Pete Hegseth got the reins of the Department of Defense, started firing Black people and women. They don’t want Black people and women in leadership positions. He’s made that perfectly clear. And by the way, he doesn’t even try to make an excuse. Doesn’t talk about their competence for these jobs. We’re losing multiple generations of leadership from the military. Valued leadership.

“Pete Hegseth is by far the most incompetent person we have ever seen in this job, bar none. Nobody close. Nothing against the Saturday morning guy and people that serve cable news in the morning, but he did not have the background for this. And he got all kinds of personal problems. And now he spends his time dealing with things that don’t matter. Testosterone! I mean, we don’t need more testosterone in the U.S. military. We need better leadership. And it starts with him.”


Senator Kim Hears from Veterans, Visits Coast Guard and Small Businesses in Tour of Cape May County

CAPE MAY COUNTY, NJ – This weekend, Senator Kim (D-NJ) traveled down the shore to Cape May. He heard from small business owners and veterans, discussed upgrading historic Cape May infrastructure and museums, and toured the Cape May Coast Guard Training Center, the 5th largest Coast Guard base in the country and the basic training site of all its enlisted Guardsmen.

“Our shore has so much to offer, from local businesses serving great food, to beaches and historic sites, to our Coast Guard Training Center,” said Senator Andy Kim. “From Avalon to Cape May, this visit highlighted why we must invest in every corner of the state and support those who make these shore communities run year-round.”

Senator Kim started his morning with a special edition of his Diner Talk series, where he spoke with veterans on healthcare, the reality of their daily life as veterans living in Cape May, and the federal government support they need and deserve. He then traveled to Avalon to speak with small business owners from Uncle Bill’s Pancake House, Ferguson Dechert Real Estate, and Avalon Coffee and Bagel. Joined by Mayor John McCorristin, Avalon Borough Council President, Greg “Chet” Johnson, and Avalon Borough’s Business Administrator Scott Wahl, Senator Kim heard about the impacts of tariffs and inflation on these businesses and the importance of the tourist season for their year-round success.

After, Senator Kim toured the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center (CGTC), a pillar of the Cape May community, and the first stop for all recruits looking to join the Coast Guard. Throughout the tour, Senator Kim spoke with leadership about how they will utilize the $400 million in funding the CGTC recently received and heard from recruits and Cadets about their experience and commitment to serving this country.

He then hopped on a trolley with Cape May Museum, Arts, and Culture (Cape May MAC) staff to visit key cultural and historic sites including the Cape May Light House, a guiding beacon along the East Coast which Senator Kim has requested $500,000 for needed upgrades and repairs in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) for the upcoming year. During the trolley ride, they discussed the importance of maintaining vital infrastructure and preserving historical sites.

“The importance of our government officials on all levels working together and recognizing the cultural and economic importance of Cape May – specifically the significant way that Cape May MAC has contributed to that for 56 years – is always a welcomed sign,” said Jody Alessandrine, Executive Director, Cape May MAC. “Cape May consistently attracts visitors year-round, enabling there to be a 12-month economy. That is not only because we’re our nation’s first seaside resort and the only National Historic Landmark City, but because, collectively, we’ve figured out how to make government work for the good of both residents and visitors.”

Senator Kim finished his day by visiting the Harriet Tubman Museum to see their 250th Anniversary programming, which was made possible in-part by $1 million in funding that Senator Kim secured for them in 2026’s federal funding requests.

###


King, Colleagues Renew Demands to DHS for Civilian Protections, Greater Transparency

WASHINGTON, D.C. —U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) is leading dozens of his Senate colleagues in calling for stronger accountability measures for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. In a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the thirty-nine Senators urge DHS to fulfill its previous commitments to deploy and expand the usage of body-worn cameras, strengthen officer identification requirements, and review enforcement protocols.

The measures suggested by the Senators are intended to help prevent future deadly encounters involving ICE enforcement officers – and comes after two fatal shootings during immigration enforcement operations in Biddeford, Maine, and Houston, Texas.

“The recent fatal shootings involving U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers, specifically within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in Biddeford, Maine, and Houston, Texas, coupled with similar incidents elsewhere in the country, are completely unacceptable,” the Senators wrote. “Rather than making our communities safer, these actions endanger our citizens and seriously undermine confidence in law enforcement generally.”

“The tragic deaths of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Joan Sebastian Durán Guerrero occurred less than a week apart and carry startling similarities. In both incidents, the individuals were killed in enforcement actions in which they were not the intendedtargets. Furthermore, both individuals were shot by DHS officials while inside a vehicle. The unnecessary loss of life in these incidents demands immediate, thorough, independent, and transparent investigations (including the full involvement of local and state law enforcement personnel) along with a comprehensive examination of enforcement protocols, training, and operational approaches necessary to prevent such tragedies. These recent events have further compromised the credibility of DHS and fractured public trust within communities across our country. In each case, DHS quickly issued statements asserting that officers were acting in self-defense, even before evidence of the facts surrounding the incidents had been gathered. Compounding this failure, no DHS officials involved in these fatal shootings wore body-worn cameras that could be reviewed by investigators or members of the public,” the Senators continued.

“We remain supportive of removing dangerous convicted criminals from our communities, but this goal can and must be achieved without endangering these very communities in the process. By no stretch could either of the victims in Texas and Maine be characterized as “the worst of the worst,” making these tragic deaths even more egregious. The American people deserve clarity and accountability. We urge you to honor your Department’s earlier commitments and take immediate action to implement these necessary reforms. We also stand ready to work with you to codify reforms into law,” the Senators finished.

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

Senator King has been outspoken and proactive in his efforts to negotiate necessary guardrails for ICE and CBP in the wake of unprofessional and unconstitutional behavior among those agencies. In January, King appeared on Face the Nation where he explained his Constitutional concerns over how ICE was operating in Maine, as well as possible paths forward for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding package. In February, he released a statement on congressional efforts to curtail ICE’s activities in Maine and across the country—again calling for the implementation of guardrails. Most recently, King called for a comprehensive, transparent, and expedited investigation into the fatal shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel in Biddeford. Additionally, when given the chance to vote for a DHS budget that funded TSA, FEMA, CISA and the Coast Guard – holding ICE and CBP funding for bipartisan negotiations to include additional civilian protections – Senator King voted in favor of this approach all eleven times it was considered on the Senate floor.

The full letter can be found here and below.

+++

Dear Secretary Mullin:

The recent fatal shootings involving U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers, specifically within U.S. Immigrationand Customs Enforcement (ICE), in Biddeford, Maine, and Houston, Texas, coupled with fatalities during similar incidents elsewhere in the country, are completely unacceptable. Rather than making our communities safer, these actions endanger our citizens and seriously undermine confidence in law enforcement generally.

The tragic deaths of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Joan Sebastian Durán Guerrero occurred less than a week apart and carry startlingsimilarities. In both incidents, the individuals were killed in enforcement actions in which they were not the intended targets. Furthermore, both individuals were shot by DHS officials while inside a vehicle. The unnecessary loss of life in these incidents demands immediate, thorough, independent, and transparent investigations (including the full involvement of local and state law enforcement personnel), along with a comprehensive examination of enforcement protocols, training, and operational approachesnecessary to prevent such tragedies.

These recent events have further compromised the credibility of DHS and fractured public trust within communities across our country. In each case, DHS quickly issued statements asserting that officers were acting in self-defense, even before evidence of the facts surrounding the incidents had been gathered. Compounding this failure, no DHS officials involved in these fatal shootings wore body-worn cameras that could be reviewed by investigators or members of the public.

While DHS has previously acknowledged that body-worn cameras promote public trust and increase officer and public safety, accountability, and transparency, the Department has clearly not prioritized acquiring cameras. Recent statements from DHS andthe White House assert that DHS could not acquire cameras due to the government shutdown. However, since July 2025, DHS received nearly $40 billion in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) that could have been used to swiftly acquire and deploy body-worn cameras for both existing ICE law enforcement officers and the reported 10,000 additional officers hired since enactment of OBBBA. Contrary to recent statements made by the Department and the White House, DHS has had more than sufficient time and funding to procure and deploy a body-worn camera for every officer before the end of 2025.

Following public outrage in the aftermath of the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, the former Secretary announced in February of this year that DHS law enforcement officers would be required to wear body-worn cameras across the country, and ICE issued a directive reinforcing its policy to activate body-worn cameras during enforcement activities wherever cameras areavailable. Then-Secretary Noem stated that “[a]s funding is available, the body-worn camera program will be expanded nationwide.” In March of this year, the White House border czar, Tom Homan, stated that the administration would expand the use of body-worn cameras by DHS officers undertaking immigration enforcements and require footage, in addition to ending roving patrols. The recent tragedies confirm that neither of these commitments were honored.

As we underscored during the subsequent funding negotiations earlier this year, implementing comprehensive accountability and oversight reforms for ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is necessary both to protect the public and restore trust in the work of your agency. Our reform proposals are based upon the standards applicable to virtually every law enforcement agency inthe country (except immigration enforcement officers), including visibly displayed identification, no masks, and body-worn cameras.

In recent weeks, federal agents have aggressively ramped up enforcement operations, reportedly arresting thousands of immigrantsin a matter of days. Following the public backlash from these most recent fatal shootings, your Department has once again committed to distributing body-worn cameras, stating that every ICE arrest team will have at least one law enforcement officer equipped with a camera going forward and promising that all field offices will receive them within the next 60 days. Acting ICE Director Venturella also went on the record promising members of Congress that all field agents would be outfitted by the end of July. We view this timeline not as a projection, but as a firm, binding commitment to which we will hold the Department accountable.

Furthermore, to strengthen public safety and minimize dangerous operational confusion, we urge an immediate policy change regarding agency branding. To help ensure clear accountability and avoid misleading the public, ICE personnel engaged in interior enforcement must immediately cease wearing tactical gear, vests, or uniforms labeled with the generic term “POLICE” or “POLICEICE.” All operational uniforms should explicitly and exclusively identify personnel as “ICE.” In addition, agents should be required to identify themselves as “ICE” when making arrests and uniforms must clearly be identified as “ICE.”

Finally, given the immediate need for administrative accountability following these tragedies, we request detailed information in response to the following questions:

1. What is DHS’s specific plan to respond to the public’s interest in timely, transparent, and independently verified investigations into these incidents?

2. What are the vetting procedures with respect to new ICE recruits? Does ICE consider records of domestic violence and abuse from family courts in its vetting?

3. What immediate updates or reviews are being made to ICE vehicle pursuit and traffic stop policies, including enhancedtraining specifically applicable to traffic stops to ensure they prioritize public and officer safety?

4. Beyond the deployment of body-worn cameras, what additional oversight, reporting requirements, or public safety measures is the agency implementing?

We remain supportive of removing dangerous convicted criminals from our communities, but this goal can and must be achieved without endangering these very communities in the process. By no stretch could either of the victims in Texas and Maine be characterized as “the worst of the worst,” making these tragic deaths even more egregious. The American people deserve clarity and accountability. We urge you to honor your Department’s earlier commitments and take immediate action to implement these necessary reforms. We also stand ready to work with you to codify reforms into law.

We look forward to hearing from you at the earliest possible date.

Sincerely,

###


Senator Marshall: I Want the Next Generation to Have the Same Shot at the American Dream I Had

Senator Marshall Joins 13th & Park Podcast

Washington – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Adam Goodman on the 13th & Park Podcast to discuss his 10th statewide tour of Kansas and what he is doing to address the issues Kansans are facing, what bipartisanship looks like in Washington, the Rural Health Transformation Fund and finding a solution to the challenges of rural healthcare, President Trump’s support for American farmers, and how he hopes to give the next generation of Kansans the same chance at the American Dream that he had.

Click HERE for the full interview.

Highlights from the interview include:

On what he learned from his 10th tour of every Kansas county:

“Well, I think the number one thing I hear is the cost of gas, the cost of groceries. We had four years of cumulative inflation under Joe Biden, so housing went up 50%, healthcare, childcare. So, people are still feeling the brunt of that in so many ways. On the one hand, you have the strong economy — we can talk about that more — but there is a group of folks out there, typically under the age of 40, and I call this a slow-lane economy. They graduated from college with a lot of debt, their credit cards are maxed, they didn’t buy their home. They chose to do other things than buy their home, and now homes are unaffordable. If you’re under the age of 40 and you’re a person in middle-income America, you cannot afford to get into a house unless mom and dad help. And then your property insurance and your property taxes are so high and a high interest rate — you know, it’s really hard right now.”

“I always figure prosperity and security are my goals. I want your family to be safe and secure, and I want you to be prosperous as well. So certainly, a focus on what’s going on with the economy — sitting down very specifically with people in manufacturing, agriculture, ranching and targeting those types of people. I figure if economically you’re in good shape, your family’s safe and sound, then those are good starters. So, trying to target housing — housing’s a top three issue back home, so every community that I go to, ‘How’s housing? What’s working? What’s not working?’ And even part of it is spreading the good word. Salina, Kansas is knocking it out of the park right now on housing. Well, how come? They’ve got, first of all, a young lady that’s doing a great job — she understands the grant systems inside and out, and she’s out hustling. And so, when I go to the next community, and they say, ‘We just can’t figure it out,’ I say, ‘Hey, why don’t you pick up the phone and call Lucy over in Salina and say How is she doing it? Matter of fact, invite her to have a cup of coffee and come over and talk to your city commissioners or whatever it is as well.’ So, I’m kind of out there identifying best practices. Gosh, childcare: when I was in Congress nine years ago, we started doing roundtables on childcare. Fentanyl poisoning: I was one of the first people in the country saying, ‘My gosh, this fentanyl poisoning is going to be really, really, really bad.’ Mental health in farmers, suicide in farmers, we started doing roundtables with that, and trying to push people together and say, ‘How are we going to solve this? One community at a time — your community’s way, not Washington D.C.’s way.’ And then, you bring those concepts back to D.C. and put loose guardrails around it and say let’s empower each one of their communities to figure out housing, or childcare, whatever, to help them figure out how to do it their way.”

On passing Whole Milk for Healthy Kids and bipartisanship in Washington, D.C.:

“Whole milk is a very simple example: whole milk was taken out of our school systems by the Obama administration — typical Washington, D.C. telling Kansans what we should eat or drink. And really there wasn’t enough science to say why we should take it away from children, and then because of that, we have several generations of children that didn’t drink any milk. Have you ever drunk 1% milk? It’s horrible. I was raised on whole milk. So, we found a partner — the senator from Vermont, Peter Welch. He and I have a real relationship; we work out in the gym together. Not that we try to, but we’re kind of on that same timetable between four and six o’clock. We sneak into the gym; we don’t tell our staff where we’re hiding — they can’t walk in there because it’s off limits to staff. So, it took leadership on his part. Amy Klobuchar, the ranking member of Ag, did a great job blessing it and getting it across the finish line as well, and of course, John Boozman, the chairman of the Ag Committee on our side. So, it takes leadership, and that’s how we get it done. But the problem up here now, if it’s anything on the front page — if you’re a Democrat supporting anything that the Republicans or administration are doing, you’re going to get crucified in the nightly media. And vice versa is true as well. So, on the major issues, it’s going to remain a challenge. Like funding the government.”

On the Rural Health Transformation Fund and solution to rural healthcare:

“So, I’m so proud of what we’re doing with these monies. If you think about rural America right now, first of all, we have a chronic illness problem — and that’s true wherever we live. And then number two is: what do we need in rural America for healthcare? Well, what you really want is an A+ emergency room and then outpatient services: a pharmacist, physical therapy. These hospitals in rural America, in rural Kansas, average 1.6 inpatients per night — a 25-bed hospital, they’re averaging 1.6 inpatients. So, if I gave you a 25-bed hotel, and you averaged 1, you would say, ‘No, I can’t afford the taxes on it and the upkeep on it,’ right? So, we need a different model. And what we’re hoping with this funding is that there’s a transition to this next model. And we have something out there: we developed a prototype called a Rural Emergency Hospital. By the way, on average these hospitals are losing $600,000 a year — that is what the average loss is on these Critical Access Hospitals. So, every one of those that we’ve done, that have flipped from this traditional Critical Access Hospital to this Rural Emergency Hospital model, has gone from losing money to making a little bit of money. And then we’ve got to talk about primary care just for a second. 90% of Americans have a chronic disease. So, what are we going to do to address this chronic disease problem? And the solution in rural Kansas may be different than it is in suburbia or urban America.”

On agriculture in Kansas and President Trump’s support for American farmers:

“People in agriculture are the salt of the earth — there’s no doubt about it. Point at the cattle industry — most farmers also have some cattle, and that cattle industry is so important to Kansas. If you put all of our commodities together, we’re the largest grower in the world of wheat and typically lots of soybeans, corn, and sorghum — but our cattle industry is worth maybe 5 or 10 times more in dollars and cents than all those others put together. When we turn that corn into beef, or we turn soybeans into bacon, or we turn sorghum into ethanol, that’s when the American farmer is making money. We have taught Brazil how to grow — they can grow two crops a year to our one crop. So, we’re never going to be able to outproduce other countries like we used to — we can’t make it up just on volume. So, you know, my message to them is focus on value-added products. And that would take us to 45Z, which is a tax credit that I worked on with President Trump. A week before the election, I took four farmers to Mar-a-Lago and sat down with the President and said, ‘Mr. President, I got one request — and that’s that you support this 45Z tax credit, because that’s going to beef up our ethanol industry as well as the jet fuel. And farmers and ranchers are going to get 40-60 cents a bushel more if they practice regenerative agriculture.’ So, this is the win-win. This is where I put my medical mind with my agriculture mind, put all the pieces together, and then address their chronic illnesses. If they’re doing environmentally friendly practices, if they’re growing more with less, if we’re putting more nutrients back in the soil and having healthier food, we’re going to reward the farmer to do that. And the mechanism to get it done was through this 45Z tax credit for ethanol, and then biologically derived jet fuel.”

On what he wants to leave for the next generation of Kansans:

“Yeah, I want them to have the same shot at the American dream that I had. I’m a fifth-generation farm kid, a first-generation college student. My American dream was to go to med school and go back and practice medicine in rural Kansas, raise a family in safety, security, and freedom. So, I want to protect their future, and I hope they have the same shot at the American dream that I have, and they maintain the same values that we had. And I think those go hand in hand.”

###


Senator Marshall: Reconciliation 3.0 Doesn’t Go Far Enough on Election Security

Senator Marshall Joins Mornings with Maria on Fox Business

Kansas City – U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business’s Mornings with Maria to discuss Reconciliation 3.0 and securing voter ID requirements, the Democrats’ plan to shut the government down, Republicans’ midterm message, and Senator Marshall’s call for a special counsel investigation into Dr. Fauci.

Click HERE to download the full video.

On passing Reconciliation 3.0:

“Yeah, Maria, well, good morning. I think we have to pass it. Look, this is a small bite at the apple; this is basically the President’s supplemental bill. Since the Democrats are not going to do anything to help Donald Trump, this is the only way we can get some aid to farmers, fund the military, and then take a small bite as far as the SAVE Act goes. We’ll be funding any state that wants to do voter ID — this will fund it. But I’m not satisfied, Maria — I think we need to go much, much further on this, I think we need to get Democrats on the record. Let’s put a bill on the floor asking just for voter ID and see if we can get one Democrat, let alone 10, across the finish line. 80 to 90% of Americans want voter ID, but we’ll pass this little bill in the Senate too, I think, with the 50 votes we need.”

On passing portions of the SAVE Act to require voter ID:

“Well, certainly, in the SAVE Act, it has the proof of citizenship; it has guardrails around the mail-in ballots. But if they’re objecting to different pieces of all the SAVE Act, then let’s just do it one piece at a time. You cannot get a Democrat to commit to voter ID, so I want Americans to see that. And then the next week, I want to get them on the record on proof of citizenship — don’t give them any wiggle room; let’s just make it really simple for them.”

“Well, Maria, I couldn’t agree with you more. But I think if we can’t get them on the record for voter ID, how are we ever going to get them on the record for proof of citizenship? I would love to pass the whole thing. I’m trying to find a path to show America that Democrats don’t even believe in voter ID, let alone proof of citizenship. And this is so important to our faith in our democracy. This voting election integrity is so important to our faith in our own government.”

On the Democrats’ plan to cause another government shutdown:

“Well, not as much as the price of gasoline. I think what people are going to be seeing September 30th, though, is that once again the Democrats are going to shut the government down. Just like they will not vote for this supplemental bill — call it a reconciliation bill — now they won’t vote for voter ID. They voted against ICE funding, they voted against funding for the military just two weeks ago as well, so I think September 30th, what the voters are going to see up front and personal, is the Democrats shutting the government down. And that’s why it’s so important that we as Republicans continue to focus on the price of gasoline and groceries, and that’s certainly my intention.”

On supporting the President’s defense budget:

“Yeah, well, Maria, maybe I’m not quite comfortable with the $1.5 trillion. I’m comfortable with the $1.1 trillion dollars, which was in the NDAA, the National Defense Authorization Act, that the Democrats voted against. I’m supporting what President Trump is doing right now. I’m mourning the loss of more soldiers — as you know, I served, my dad served, my brother served, my son is serving. I hate war as only a soldier who’s lived it can. But the doctor in me says the benefits of us being there outweigh the risk — we cannot let Iran have a nuclear weapon. At the same time, I don’t want boots on the ground; I don’t want a forever war. And yet, we got to pay attention to these gas and groceries. Look, I want this war to be over very quickly, but we cannot ever let Iran have nuclear weapons.”

On Republican wins message heading into the midterms:

“Right. Well, the Republicans are the party of prosperity and security. Your borders are secure, and murder rates are at a 100-year low as well. In Kansas, I think it’s the best economy I’ve ever seen, thanks to the Working Family Tax Cuts Bill — manufacturing is booming, great cattle markets, oil and gas industry is very stable as well. We have work to do in agriculture, but no one’s done more for agriculture than this president and the Republican Party as well. So, we’re going to continue to message what we’ve done. But we are the party of prosperity and security; the Democrats remain defund the police, defund the military, raise your taxes. And we’re the party that gave you the largest tax cut and the largest spending cut in American history. And we’re starting to see the benefits from that — I’m especially excited about what I’m seeing in manufacturing across the state of Kansas.”

On Senator Marshall’s call for a special counsel investigation into Dr. Fauci:

“Yeah, Maria. And you know this is of course, one of the autopen pardons — and that’s one of our requests for this special investigation that we’re asking the Justice Department to do. Look, why is this important? A million people — a million Americans — died; 20 million Americans still have long COVID; loved ones suffered; our children suffered from not getting to go to school. You know all the things that affected us from COVID — and there was no accountability. Thanks to Tulsi Gabbard — she unleashed a treasure trove of documents right as she was leaving that really confirm everything that my informants have told me. Anthony Fauci not only funded the research in Wuhan, he led the charge for covering it up. Look, this makes Watergate look like a situation where some kids broke a window at recess, and they’re trying to hide that from their teacher. This cover up was exponential in so many ways as well. And then he covered up whistleblowers — somehow, he was able to suppress whistleblowers as well. And that’s why we need a special investigation. Rand Paul will do everything he can here; he’s brilliant, and he knows this inside and out as well, but Fauci is going to take the fifth. That’s probably what he’ll do because he should go to jail, and we should certainly be stopping all of his government pensions as well.”

###