A.I.-Driven Program Blocking WA Seniors From Pain Relief Will Continue After Republicans Vote to Maintain It

In floor speech after vote, Cantwell urges colleagues to “please get educated” after failure of resolution that could have halted WISeR, an A.I. pilot program blocking and delaying procedures for Medicare patients; WA seniors report going through multiple rounds of A.I.-driven denials while they suffer in pain waiting for treatment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, legislation that could have halted an A.I. pilot program that has both delayed and denied doctor-prescribed treatments for Medicare patients in Washington failed after Republicans voted to continue to block seniors’ access to health care.

At the start of the year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched the Wasteful and Inappropriate Services Reduction (WISeR) model across six states. In those states -- Arizona, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Ohio, Texas, and Washington – Medicare patients are subject to prior authorization requirements for 13 types of procedures or treatments. This means that a claim needs to run through an opaque A.I.-driven system that may deny it with no explanation – starting the whole process over again and setting the patient back weeks in the process. Moreover, although it is described as a pilot program, the Trump Administration plans to subject patients in these states to the WISeR model for six years.

In May, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) joint resolution to overturn WISeR and halt the pilot program.

Today, a vote to advance that joint resolution failed along party lines, 46-50. Sen. Cantwell delivered a speech on the Senate floor shortly after the vote concluded.

“This model inserts a black box computer algorithm into the decisions that should be being made by a physician and the patient,” Sen. Cantwell said. “It puts a layer of bureaucracy between seniors and the care their doctors have recommended.”

She continued: “I'm asking my colleagues to please get educated on how devastating this can be for individual lives and ask yourselves if you believe in traditional Medicare and the doctor-patient relationship. If you do, I guarantee you we will force this administration to stop using this A.I. tool to deny care for our seniors.”

Video of Sen. Cantwell’s floor speech today is HERE; a transcript of Sen. Cantwell’s remarks is HERE.

A snapshot report released in April by Sen. Cantwell’s office included data from the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) showing that patients forced to deal with WISeR are waiting two to four times longer to get the care recommended by their doctors – from a previous average of around two weeks to the current average of four to eight weeks.

In their survey of three hospital systems with 16 hospital locations spanning across the State of Washington, WSHA heard directly from its members how WISeR has impacted care for Medicare patients since Jan. 1:

Authorization times for many medically necessary procedures have gotten longer (from about 2 weeks to 4-8 weeks)

Delays mean patients are experiencing prolonged pain and reduced mobility, and some are turning to alternative treatment methods (For example: One of the most common procedures that now requires prior authorization under WISeR is an epidural steroid injection for back pain. Facing long approval delays and dealing with pain/limited mobility, some patients – who previously had no problem getting the procedure approved under Medicare – are now turning to opioids to help manage the pain)

Claims are being sequenced based on authorization timing rather than clinical need

Denials are often inconsistent with clinical criteria and lack clear reasoning

Before the vote, the Washington State Medical Association (WSMA) released a statement in favor of the resolution:

“The Washington State Medical Association strongly supports SJR 198 to overturn the CMS WISeR model. WISeR imposes a new layer of AI-driven prior authorization in traditional Medicare, creating unnecessary administrative burdens and delays that interfere with timely patient care. Medicare patients deserve access to medically necessary care without unnecessary barriers, and physicians should be able to focus on caring for their patients rather than navigating an unnecessary review process. We urge Congress to pass SJR 198 and protect access to care for Medicare beneficiaries.”

Sen. Cantwell grilled Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., about the WISeR rollout during a Finance Committee hearing in April. Video of their exchange isHERE; a transcript isHERE. Sen. Cantwell followed up the hearing with a letter to RFK Jr. demanding changes to the program. That letter can be read in full HERE.


At Roundtable Celebrating John Lewis’ Legacy, Cantwell Calls Out Trump Admin Attacks on Vote-By-Mail: “We Will Not Be Intimidated.”

Near anniversary of Rep. Lewis’ passing, faith leaders & voting rights advocates honor his legacy as a champion of free & fair elections; Forum held ahead of President Trump’s speech tonight, where he’s expected to once again challenge America’s free and fair elections

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, during a roundtable forum with religious leaders, voting rights advocates, and her Senate colleagues to honor the life and legacy of Congressman John Lewis before tomorrow’s 6th anniversary of his passing, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell hammered on the Trump Administration’s ongoing attacks on vote-by-mail in the United States.

“Who would have thought that at our 250th birthday, that is what we would have to deal with, but it is,” Sen. Cantwell said. “And there are people that don't want to move our country forward. They're trying to hold us back. I'm part of a task force with Senator Schumer, and many of you, to try to figure out how we're going to be ready to fight. Me personally, I am all in.”

She continued: “I'll be damned if I'm going to let them blow up ballot boxes in our state. When they blew up ballot boxes with bombs to discourage some of the most active Democratic areas from casting their vote, I went to Vancouver, Washington, and said, ‘We will not be intimidated.’ We have Republicans, and people who now are former Republicans, saying they will join the fight.”

Video of the full roundtable forum is HERE; a transcript and link to video of Sen. Cantwell’s remarks is HERE. Photos are HERE.

Sen. Cantwell has been a stalwart defender against overreach of the Trump administration into our elections, which has sought to impermissibly seize control of election administration from the states. Her other actions include:

On July 2, she sent a letter to the Postmaster General about the U.S. Postal Service’s (USPS) proposed illegal rule to implement President Trump’s March 31 executive order to interfere with vote-by-mail. Sen. Cantwell’s letter specifically noted the recent decisions of multiple federal courts that found Trump’s executive order unconstitutional and enjoined the USPS from implementing the proposed rule – including in a case brought by the NAACP – and demanded the USPS comply with those court orders.

On June 29, she celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling in Watson v. Republican National Committee against an effort to stop states from counting mail-in ballots that are received after Election Day, even if they’ve been postmarked in time. The case, brought by the Republican National Committee, threatened the election administration practices of states like Washington.

On June 24, Sen. Cantwell co-sponsored the Right To Vote Act, legislation to create the first-ever affirmative federal voting rights guarantee for all eligible citizens.

On June 24, she also denounced President Trump’s announcement that he would not sign the 21st Century Road to Housing Act – an overwhelmingly popular, bipartisan bill that passed both the House and Senate earlier in the week to increase housing supply and bring down housing costs – until Congress passes the SAVE America Act. That legislation, which Trump has repeatedly demanded, would eliminate vote-by-mail and impose onerous new restrictions on voting and registering to vote. It would disenfranchise millions of Americans in the name of a voter fraud “crisis” that, even by the standards of the right-wing Heritage Foundation, straightforwardly does not exist. President Trump again demanded Congress pass the restrictive bill following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Watson v. Republican National Committee. Despite President Trump’s refusal to sign the bipartisan housing bill, it became law on July 11, since he failed to act on the bill within the time period prescribed by the Constitution after Congress sent him the legislation.

On June 23, she joined the entire Democratic Caucus in sending a letter to the USPS demanding it abandon attempts to restrict voting by mail called for by President Trump in his illegal and unconstitutional March 31 executive order attacking mail and absentee ballots.

On June 23, she also delivered a speech on the Senate floor calling out the Trump Administration’s war on mail-in voting as the latest frontier in a long history of voter disenfranchisement in the United States.

On June 17, she joined several of her Senate Democratic colleagues for a spotlight forum highlighting President Donald Trump’s illegal overreach into our free and fair elections.

On June 8, she joined 23 of her Senate colleagues in demanding answers over the Trump Administration’s decision to remove the most recent version of the Federal Prosecution of Election Offenses manual from the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) website without explanation.

On April 29, she was tapped by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to join a task force of senators defending our elections from interference.

On April 23, she joined colleagues in introducing the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act to protect the right to vote by mail and block President Trump’s illegal and unconstitutional March 31 executive order attacking mail and absentee ballots.

On April 22, she sent a letter to the USPS warning the agency against complying with the executive order, which would undermine mail-in voting.

On April 1, after the executive order on mail-in voting was announced, she issued a statement in opposition.

On March 18, she convened a group of current and former elected officials and representatives of nonpartisan voter advocacy groups for a virtual press conference on defending voter access. Video of that entire virtual press conference is HERE; video of Sen. Cantwell’s statement is HERE; and a transcript of Sen. Cantwell’s statement is HERE.

On March 15, she issued a snapshot report showing that the SAVE America Act – the voter suppression bill President Trump has continued to demand Congress pass – would cost Washington state taxpayers more than $35 million this year alone.

On Feb. 24, Sen. Cantwell invited Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs as her guest to President Trump’s State of the Union address to draw attention to the issue.

On Feb. 20, she convened local leaders in Seattle for a press conference urging Washingtonians to fight back against these proposed new burdens to voting.

On Feb. 19, she gathered in Vancouver with the Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey and local chapter heads of the League of Women Voters and the NAACP for a press conference on how the SAVE America Act would disenfranchise voters.

Also on Feb. 19, she released a snapshot report showing who in Washington would face undue hurdles to voting if the SAVE America Act were signed into law. The report shows that certain populations – including people who live in rural areas, women who changed their name after marriage, and people who recently moved – would face additional, cumbersome burdens to prove their citizenship.

On Feb. 5, she appeared on MSNOW’s Morning Joe to push back against the Trump administration’s heightened efforts to interfere in state-run elections and collect private data on American voters. Video of Sen. Cantwell’s appearance is HERE; a transcript is HERE.

On Jan. 29, Sen. Cantwell joined Senate colleagues in a letter to then-Attorney General Pam Bondi, pushing DOJ to stop its unlawful pressure campaign to coerce dozens of states into providing the Trump Administration their voter rolls, which include voters’ personally identifiable information. DOJ has sued 24 states – including Washington state – and the District of Columbia demanding the personal information of their voters.

On Jan. 15, she joined Senate colleagues in a letter to USPS Postmaster General David Steiner raising concerns with recent developments affecting postmark practices. Right before the holiday season, USPS changed its postmark practices, which could have significant impacts on voters nationwide and in Washington state – including rural voters, military and overseas voters, and many others who rely on rely on the mail to safely and securely cast their ballot.

On Jan. 9, she joined 13 Senate colleagues in filing an amicus brief before the Supreme Court in the case Watson v. Republican National Committee. The case, brought by the Republican National Committee, threatened the election administration practices of states like Washington that permit mail ballots that are postmarked by Election Day to be counted when they are received within a certain number of days after Election Day.

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Cantwell Congratulates Bellevue Fentanyl Prevention Advocate on Receiving DEA Award

Agency recognized Washington mom as “one of America’s most effective voices in fentanyl prevention”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Administrator Terry Cole presented the Fentanyl Free America Prevention Award to Laura Lynch, a Bellevue mother who lost her teenage daughter, Brillion Lynch, to a fentanyl poisoning in April 2021, just days after her eighteenth birthday.

In the years since her daughter’s death, Laura Lynch has become an impactful advocate and delivered “One Pill Can Kill” presentations to more than 30,000 students in 20 schools across Washington state. Laura has also advocated for fentanyl prevention with youth organizations, parents, and civic leaders, and has visited multiple times with U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to work toward strong federal legislation to protect families from fentanyl.

“Congratulations to Laura Lynch for receiving DEA’s Fentanyl Free America award for Excellence in Prevention. Laura’s decision to transform personal grief into prevention education and policy advocacy will help countless families. Our work at the federal level including developing legislation is made possible by unwavering advocates like Laura,” Sen. Cantwell said.

Sen. Cantwell has collaborated with Laura Lynch to develop additional federal action, including how to crack down on local dealers using social media to sell dangerous and potentially deadly counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl to unsuspecting young people. In 2023 and 2024, Sen. Cantwell also traveled across the State of Washington to 10 communities -- Tacoma, Everett, Tri-Cities, Seattle, Spokane, Vancouver, Port Angeles, Walla Walla, Yakima, and Longview – hearing from people on the front lines of the fentanyl crisis, including first responders, law enforcement, health care providers, and people with firsthand experience of fentanyl addiction.

Sen. Cantwell has since used what she heard and learned from Laura Lynch and people across the state to craft and champion specific bipartisan legislative solutions, including bills to expand a Washington state-developed, low-barrier fentanyl treatment pilot program across the United States; provide tools and resources to help states, local governments, law enforcement, and tribes respond to the opioid crisis in communities that need them most; crack down on the trafficking of illicit synthetic drugs, like fentanyl, using the U.S. transportation network; fight money laundering that supports and enables traffickers; and direct actions to fight new and emerging threats as the opioid crisis evolves, like xylazine and others.


Cantwell Response to Trump’s Prime Time Speech Attacking Election Integrity

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This evening, President Donald Trump delivered a prime time speech from the White House during which he baselessly attacked the integrity of elections in the United States.

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) issued the following statement:

“The President is wrong. Washington State’s universal vote-by-mail system is safe and secure and so was the 2020 election. Ask Mike Pence.

“The question now is whether Congress continues to allow President Trump to undermine the Constitution, state law, and Americans’ right to cast their votes, or whether Congress will stand up and stop Homeland Security's unauthorized attempt to throw Americans off of the voting rolls.”


Cantwell Statement on Vote Against Annual Defense Policy Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) voted against advancing the FY27 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), an annual defense policy bill, on the grounds that it would give President Trump enormous leeway in pursuing his illegal war with Iran and fail to impose necessary guardrails on his willingness to send the military into U.S. cities.

She issued the following statement:


Cassidy Introduces Legislation to Provide Employment Assistance to Spouses of Veterans who Died by Suicide

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) today introduced the Veteran Suicide Spousal Career Services Act to ensure spouses of veterans who died by suicide because of a service-connected disability have access to career counseling and employment services.

“When a veteran dies by suicide, the surviving spouse is left to rebuild a life after unimaginable loss. A steady job provides purpose, stability, and a path forward. This bill creates that opportunity,” said Dr. Cassidy.

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Senator Collins Releases Letter on Biddeford Shooting

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins today responded to a letter from Governor Janet Mills about the Biddeford shooting involving ICE personnel. In the letter, Senator Collins reiterated her call for a thorough, full, and impartial investigation of the shooting by the independent Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), aided by the Department of Justice, which she has encouraged to work with local law enforcement in Maine.

Senator Collins also detailed the legislative reforms she ensured were enacted in this year’s DHS appropriations process, including $20 million for body-worn cameras, a 17 percent increase in funding for the DHS OIG, and $2 million for de-escalation training.

Read below or click here for the full letter text:

Dear Governor Mills:

Thank you for your July 15, 2026, letter in response to Monday’s fatal shooting in Biddeford involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel. I share your heartbreak for the people of Maine regarding this tragic shooting and agree that we need answers as to what transpired. This is why I, along with the entire Maine delegation, called for a thorough, full, and impartial investigation by the independent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) into the shooting. Senator King and I also wrote a letter to the Department of Justice requesting that it cooperate with state and local law enforcement to ensure that federal investigations into this shooting remain impartial and comprehensive.

As you may know, in January of this year the House and Senate Appropriations Committees reached a bipartisan agreement on a Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill. This bill included a number of accountability and transparency measures, such as additional funding for the DHS OIG, specific oversight of programs funded by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) that I voted against, new de-escalation training requirements for ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and Department-wide training for personnel on rights for the public to record encounters with ICE and CBP. After the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan negotiated bill, Democratic Senate Appropriations Vice Chair Patty Murray praised these reforms. In a stunning pivot, congressional Democrats walked away from their own negotiated reforms triggering a shutdown of DHS – the longest shutdown in federal government history.

Over the ensuing eight weeks, the White House engaged Senate Democrats to try to negotiate additional meaningful legislative reforms. The White House offered congressional Democrats the following measures:

Prohibiting DHS from using appropriated funds, including OBBBA funds, to block or stage detention facilities during congressional oversight visits;

Requiring the use of body-worn cameras for all DHS law enforcement personnel performing civil immigration enforcement duties and providing an additional $100 million to procure cameras (for a total of $120 million);

Prohibiting DHS from knowingly detaining and deporting U.S. citizens during civil immigration enforcement activities;

Prohibiting civil immigration enforcement operations within sensitive locations, including schools and hospitals;

Requiring visible numerical identification for officers conducting civil immigration enforcement activities or engaging within the public;

Requiring ICE to notify local law enforcement before conducting large-scale civil immigration enforcement operations;

Requiring de-escalation and use of force training of ICE officers and agents; and

Requiring detention standards of DHS facilities to revert to the previous Administration’s standards.

Your letter highlights reforms similar to many of those that the White House proposed. Inexplicably, congressional Democrats rejected these reforms and instead chose to excise funding for ICE and U.S. Border Patrol from the annual appropriations process.

Despite that decision, I worked hard to ensure that the final Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act retained many of the reforms that were negotiated in January. Included in the April law is $20 million for body-worn cameras, a seventeen percent increase in funding for the DHS OIG, and $2 million for de-escalation training. Unfortunately, the DHS shutdown delayed these reforms, and ICE is still waiting for the full deployment of the body-worn cameras and the completion of de-escalation training.

Nevertheless, the shootings this week, both in Maine and Texas, have raised serious questions and demand immediate action. This is why I have called for a halt in non-urgent traffic stops.

While it is clear that ICE needs to improve its performance, it is important to remember that the work ICE does to protect our country goes far beyond immigration enforcement. ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is tasked with combating cartels, human trafficking, drug smuggling, child exploitation, forced labor, and more. Eliminating ICE would make our country less safe and endanger the lives and welfare of countless individuals.

Sincerely,

Susan M. Collins

United States Senator

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Senator Coons statement on President Trump’s Oval Office address

WILMINGTON, Del. – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) put out the following statement in response to President Trump’s prime time speech:

“Tonight’s address from President Trump was a tantrum of sinister innuendo, conspiracy theories, and misdirection. Americans who tuned in tonight heard no new concrete or proven claims about foreign interference in our elections. There is unanimous agreement within the intelligence community that foreign adversaries did not succeed in interfering with the vote in the 2020 election. President Trump and his allies have filed dozens of lawsuits, launched countless investigations, and even sparked an insurrection to try to find voter fraud in the 2020 election. They have failed to do so every single time because none exists.

“Unfortunately, these lies are no longer about one election President Trump lost six years ago. Since retaking the White House, President Trump has moved National Guard troops into our cities, repeatedly floated the possibility of deploying ICE agents at polling locations, and said the Postal Service won’t deliver mail-in ballots in states that don’t turn over sensitive information to his administration. Tonight’s speech is his latest effort to exert partisan control over the 2026 elections because he knows Republicans can’t win on their own record.

“Should President Trump try to interfere in November’s election through illegal, un-American means, I believe he will fail. I will support every effort to defend our democracy, and I will not stop working to ensure every eligible vote will be counted.”


Senators Coons, Lankford introduce bill to help unemployed workers start small businesses

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), and Jon Husted (R-Ohio) introduced the New Opportunities for Business Ownership and Self-Sufficiency (NO BOSS) Act today, legislation that would modernize the Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) program so that laid off workers can more easily receive their normal unemployment insurance even while working full-time to start a new business.

Artificial intelligence will likely reshape America’s economy and disrupt or displace jobs across many sectors. However, even as AI is expected to contribute to job losses, it will also lower barriers to entrepreneurship, making it easier than ever for workers to start a small business. The NO BOSS Act would ensure that workers experiencing a job transition don’t have to sacrifice their unemployment insurance payments to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams.

Current law allows states to operate SEA programs, which allow eligible unemployment insurance beneficiaries to continue receiving benefits while working full-time to launch a business rather than searching for traditional employment. However, outdated federal rules unnecessarily limit who can participate, leaving fewer workers with a meaningful opportunity to choose business ownership over traditional employment.

“Every small business began with someone taking a chance on a new idea, and new AI tools will make it easier than ever to turn those ideas into business plans, sales, and storefronts,”said Senator Coons. “Americans shouldn’t have to choose between the safety net of unemployment benefits that they’ve paid into and the all-American opportunity to chase their entrepreneurial dream. As artificial intelligence reshapes the nature of work, this bill will help support American entrepreneurs, keep food on families’ tables, lift up small businesses, and keep our economy strong.”

“If you lose your job, the government shouldn’t tell you the only way forward is to go work for somebody else. Some folks have a business idea they’ve been dreaming about for years, and losing a job might be the push to finally chase it. Right now, an outdated federal rule forces people on unemployment to spend their time applying for jobs they don’t want instead of building the business they do want. Our bill fixes that. If you’re willing to put in the work to start a business, hire your neighbors, and build something in your community, we should cheer you on, not stand in your way,” said Senator Lankford.

The NO BOSS Act would update the SEA program by:

Creating new opportunities for unemployment insurance beneficiaries and encouraging small business formation

Eliminating the requirement that SEA beneficiaries must be “likely to exhaust benefits,” which implies the program can only be used by workers unlikely to find another job

Clarifying that developing a business plan and conducting market feasibility studies count as entrepreneurship work

Making it easier for more states to establish SEA programs modeled on the most successful state programs

The bill is endorsed by the Center for American Entrepreneurship, the Foundation for American Innovation, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, the R Street Institute, Shopify, Block, the Bipartisan Policy Center Action, and the Coalition to Protect America’s Small Sellers.

“More Americans want to build something of their own than ever before, but too many can’t get past the cost and red tape of just starting. That’s the real shame, because 90% of entrepreneurs say they’d do it again if given the choice. The NO BOSS Act would tear down the hurdles standing between people and their ideas, making entrepreneurship a real choice for anyone, not just the ones who already have a safety net,” said Alexandra Clark, Shopify vice president of public affairs.

“The American economy continues to evolve rapidly. According to our research on the Rise of the Modern Earner Economy, approximately a third of Americans – 117 million people – are now earning income from multiple sources, and a growing number of adults, especially younger, Gen Z workers, are seeking out opportunities to become independent entrepreneurs. At Block, we’re committed to understanding the needs of modern earners and creating tools to help underserved populations achieve success in today’s vibrant economy. We’re proud to support the bipartisan NO BOSS Act, as it’s a desperately needed step to help ensure federal policy keeps pace with changing realities for the American worker,” said Melissa Netram, US public policy and government affairs, Block.

“New business filings and interest remain healthy, but Congress can help turn more of these entrepreneurial intentions into business launches by advancing practical reforms and measures that provide support to individuals through the transition period and time it takes to get a business off the ground. The NO BOSS Act provides such support,” said Karen Kerrigan, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council president & CEO.

“Entrepreneurs and the new businesses they launch are disproportionately responsible for the innovations that drive economic growth and account for virtually all net new job creation,” said John Dearie, president of the Center for American Entrepreneurship. “The NO BOSS Act will improve and modernize UI by leveraging the power of entrepreneurship. The bill is a powerfully pro-innovation and pro-entrepreneurship reform to an important aspect of America’s employment policy apparatus. CAE thanks Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and James Lankford (R-OK) for their leadership and looks forward to working with them to ensure swift passage of the legislation.”

“The NO BOSS Act is a commonsense proposal that empowers workers, improves our social safety net, and creates new opportunities. While self-employment rates and business start up rates remain lower than they were 30 years ago, the post-pandemic period has seen a movement towards more people pursuing their dreams and starting new businesses. This proposal can help the nation continue this positive momentum. The R Street Institute is pleased to support it,” said Eli Lehrer, R Street Institute president.

“It has never been easier for one person with a good idea to start a business – but outdated restrictions still stand in the way. The NO BOSS Act removes these obstacles so more Americans can work for themselves,” said Luke Hogg, Foundation for American Innovation senior fellow.


Cornyn Praises Announcement of Saronic’s Port Alpha Project at the Port of Brownsville

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) released the following statement in response to Governor Abbott’s announcement that Saronic is investing more than $3 billion to build the Port Alpha Project at the Port of Brownsville:

“As threats from foreign adversaries continue to grow, I’m glad that Saronic has made a historic national security investment in our state by expanding their Texas presence to the Port of Brownsville,” said Sen. Cornyn. “The Port Alpha Project will create up to 10,000 jobs in the Rio Grande Valley, strengthen our critical shipbuilding workforce, and grow the maritime industrial base along the Texas Gulf Coast. There is no better place to innovate than the Lone Star State, and I look forward to welcoming Saronic’s new facility to the Port soon.”


Cortez Masto, Rosen Demand Thorough Investigation of USPS’s Failure to Deliver Mail Ballots from Lyon and Douglas Counties

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) sent a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner and United States Postal Service (USPS) Inspector General Tammy Hull demanding they thoroughly investigate a recent incident in which more than 30 mail ballots from Douglas and Lyon Counties were not counted after being inexplicably marked as undeliverable.

“On July 6, 2026, weeks after the conclusion of Nevada’s June Primary election, the Nevada Secretary of State’s Office received an envelope from USPS’s Mail Recovery Center containing 32 completed individual ballots intended for the Lyon County Clerk/Treasurers’ Office. Similarly, on July 15, 2026, our Secretary of State’s Office received two mail ballots intended to be delivered to the Douglas County Clerk-Treasurer’s Office. Each ballot was inexplicably marked by USPS as undeliverable and, therefore, unable to be counted—despite being correctly addressed to their respective county clerk’s office and postmarked in a timely manner,” the Senators began.

“Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy. Nevada’s universal mail ballots system makes voting more accessible and is popular across party lines in both rural and urban counties. Since 2022, over 80 percent of voters have used mail-in ballots in Nevada in a safe and secure way. Errors of this magnitude are incredibly rare, making USPS’s failure to deliver lawful and correctly addressed ballots even more disturbing,” they continued.

“To ensure mail ballots in the upcoming midterm elections and in all future elections reach their destination, as is required by federal law, USPS must expedite their review of these incidents and publicize the results of their investigation. Accordingly, we request USPS brief our offices by August 17, 2026, about the investigation and the solutions the agency will implement to prevent future errors in Nevada and across the country. We also request USPS OIG to report to our offices as to whether an independent OIG investigation is appropriate no later than August 1, 2026,” they concluded.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen have consistently worked to ensure that all Nevadans can vote in the manner that works best for them, including voting by mail. Both Senators successfully fought to prevent USPS from relocating outgoing mail processing operations from Reno, Nevada to Sacramento, California, which would have jeopardized the on-time delivery of mail ballots. They are committed to continuing to protect Reno’s local mail processing operations. Both Senators have urged USPS not to implement President Turmp’s illegal executive order that would restrict voting by mail and have joined legislation to protect mail voting against executive overreach. Senator Cortez Masto has introduced legislation to bolster protections for rural mail processing operations.

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Cortez Masto to Acting Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Vought: Stop Picking Winners and Losers

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) grilled Russ Vought, the Acting Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), during a Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs (BHUA) Committee hearing. The Senator asked him about protections for veterans and the politicization of federal agencies under President Trump.

Senator Cortez Masto began by asking Acting Director Vought about CFPB’s protections for veterans, including those in Las Vegas:

“I’m going to submit for the record [an 8 News Now Las Vegas story] where I have a military veteran who has a dispute with a mortgage lender. Unfortunately, he is not getting […] any response and support from the CFPB,” Senator Cortez Masto told Acting Director Vought.

“Happy to take a look at it, Senator,” Acting Director Vought responded.

“I want more than that. I want to know what you are actually doing for veterans. I want a [report] from the CFPB, your staff, what you are doing to help veterans,” Senator Cortez Masto insisted.

After stalling, Acting Director Vought eventually committed to providing Senator Cortez Masto a report on the CFPB’s work to help veterans.

Senator Cortez Masto then pushed Acting Director Vought to commit to follow the recently-passed bipartisan housing law:

“Since you’ve been there as the Director of OMB, you have defunded programs and whole agencies. […] We have just passed a bipartisan, bicameral housing trust fund, housing fund to address the housing needs in this country. Your boss didn’t support it. Are you committed to sending the funds there when we appropriate those funds based on the bipartisan, bicameral law that we have passed?” Senator Cortez Masto asked.

“We have every intention of apportioning all funds that have been appropriated,” Acting Director Vought replied.

“Without any politics?” Senator Cortez Masto confirmed.

“We are going to make sure it’s spent based on the priorities of this Administration,” Acting Director Vought responded, refusing to commit to following the law.

Senator Cortez Masto discussed OMB’s delays in funding for the Hight Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) grant program as an example of his agency’s harmful and ineffective operations. Vought delayed the anti-drug trafficking program funding for so long that law enforcement faced cutting back their programs and staff, making communities across the country less safe.

Senator Cortez Masto concluded with a firm rebuke of Acting Director Vought’s pattern of playing politics with federal programs designed to help Americans get ahead. “And all I ask is stop playing the games. Stop playing the games. Stop picking winners and losers!”

Throughout President Trump’s second term in office, Senator Cortez Masto has used her position on key Senate committees to hold Administration officials accountable for their abuses of power. During Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearings, she has pressed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum about his plans to cut Bureau of Reclamation funding and conduct mass public lands selloffs. In Senate Finance Committee Hearings, she has grilled Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about health care price hikes and health care fraudsters being let off the hook. She has demanded that BHUA hold a hearing regarding Jeffrey Epstein’s use of the U.S. financial system to commit his heinous crimes.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hannah McCarthy (202) 465-5601

July 16, 2026

Cotton Introduces Bill to Expand Employment Opportunities for Disabled Arkansans

Washington, DC — Senator Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) yesterday introduced legislation to expand employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities aged 18 years or older. The Restoration of Employment Choice for Adults with Disabilities Act would enable anyone over the age of 18 to participate in a 14(c) program.

14(c) programs are meant to enable employment opportunities for disabled individuals who may not otherwise be hired at full wage. The current law, passed in 2014, creates a complicated, multi-step process that is often a significant barrier to entry.

“Hard-working Arkansans shouldn’t have to jump through hoops to get a job. My bill would remove obstacles for any disabled adult to participate in the 14(c) program,” said Senator Cotton.

Text of the bill can be found here.

The Restoration of Employment Choice for Adults with Disabilities Act would:

Permit individuals 18 years or older to participate in 14(c) programs.

Establish that 14(c) employers can employ individuals aged 18 years and older if they document that a state agency failed to provide counseling and referrals to potential workers.

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EPA Awards Nearly $9.5 Million to North Dakota for Drinking Water Programs

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $9,457,000 to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Emerging Contaminants in Small and Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program.

The funding will support North Dakota’s efforts to address per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and other emerging contaminants in drinking water.


Incoming Chief of Space Operations Solidifies Commitment to Grand Forks and UND

***Click hereto download video. Click here for audio.***

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) today considered the nomination of Lieutenant General Douglas Schiess to serve as the next Chief of Space Operations. If confirmed, Schiess, who previously served at Grand Forks Air Force Base from April 1993 to September 1995 in multiple missile operations roles, would become the third leader of U.S. Space Force, succeeding Gen. Chance Saltzman.

During the hearing, U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), chair of the SASC Airland Subcommittee and co-chair of the Senate Space Force Caucus, secured Schiess’ commitment to maintain the Space Force’s partnership with Grand Forks Air Force Base and the University of North Dakota (UND). They also discussed preserving the service’s rapid acquisition culture as the Space Development Agency (SDA) transitions to a new format under the Space Force.

This year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) authorizes $250 million for a new Space Force operations facility at Grand Forks Air Force Base, expanding the installation’s role in next-generation space missions. During the hearing, Cramer highlighted Grand Forks’ existing SDA operations center and airborne ISR mission, calling it a natural fit for the growing Space Force presence on the base. He explained how the move cements North Dakota’s strong partnership with the Space Force.

Asked by Cramer whether he would continue the Space Force’s partnership with Grand Forks, Schiess agreed he would.

The discussion then turned to the future of the SDA following its integration into the Space Force. Cramer said while it wasn’t his ideas to include a provision in the NDAA eliminating SDA, he supports ensuring the Space Force maintains the speed and innovation which made SDA successful, particularly as responsibility shifts to the new Portfolio Acquisition Executives (PAEs).

“I'm confident because of the Space Force's vision that the new Portfolio Acquisition Executives will operate and function much like the Space Development Agency director, particularly as it aims to get the [low Earth orbit] constellation, the transport layer, utilizing spiral development,” said Cramer.

Cramer stressed the importance of maintaining the pace of innovation as Schiess assumes leadership.

“Now you get to implement them, and I’d be interested in how you see that playing out,” Cramer said.

Schiess called SDA an “incredible organization” and said the Space Force intends to carry its successful acquisition practices into the new structure.

“What I would say in working with Secretary Meink and if confirmed, continuing to work with him, the Portfolio Acquisition Executives are trying to take all of the things that the SDA did correct and put those in all of the PAEs,” said Schiess. “Secretary Meink talks about giving 90% of contracting to them. What I would say to you, if confirmed, I promise you to continue to work that so that all of our PAEs take some of that capability to bring on fast systems.”

Cramer encouraged the Space Force to continue leading innovation across the joint force. Earlier in the hearing, U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) said he was a skeptic about the Space Force at first and noted how Cramer was the principal sponsor of its creation. King noted how the Space Force is providing an essential part of the deterrent and the defense of the nation.

Cramer pointed to Schiess’ exchange with King about the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), when King sought reassurance the Space Force wouldn’t be duplicating with NRO.


Sen. Cramer: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Awards $2 Million to North Dakota

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $2,027,850 through the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to support two North Dakota recipients. The funding will expand access to substance use disorder treatment, strengthen prevention efforts, and improve mental health services across the state.

The funding will be distributed to the following recipients:


Crapo Statement at Hearing on Treasury Nominees

Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) delivered the following remarks at hearing to consider nominees for the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

As prepared for delivery:

“Thank you to our nominees, Mr. Brooke, Ms. Browne, Dr. Kothari and Mr. McMaster for being here today.

“Congratulations on your nominations and thank you for your willingness to serve.

“This is an important and timely hearing for the Finance Committee. Less than two weeks ago, we marked the first anniversary of the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“Over the past year, the Treasury Department has worked expeditiously to implement the law’s signature policies and to provide historic tax relief for working-class Americans.

“While each of you have been nominated for distinct roles, if confirmed, you will all oversee important work at Treasury to implement these and other policies, with the shared goal to promote domestic investment and boost economic growth.

“We will first hear from Francis Brooke, who is nominated to be the Deputy Secretary of the Treasury.

“The Deputy Secretary of the Treasury assists in the development of policies in all aspects of the Treasury Department's activities.

“Mr. Brooke has an extensive record of public service, most recently as the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Trade and Development, as well as Policy Director to House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and as a senior White House official during the first Trump Administration.

“I am confident this extensive background in government service has prepared him to support Secretary Bessent in the execution of important Treasury priorities, including the ongoing implementation of the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“If confirmed, I look forward to working with him on promoting economic growth and delivering on historic tax relief for all Americans.

“Next, we will hear from Erin Browne, who is nominated to serve as Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs.

“If confirmed, Ms. Browne will manage a significant portfolio of international economic matters, including issues relating to global macroeconomic and financial developments, international financial regulation, and international trade and investment.

“In addition, she will oversee U.S. participation in international financial institutions and working groups.

“Given her background, she is well qualified to manage these issues.

“Most recently, Ms. Browne was a managing director and portfolio manager at PIMCO, a global asset management firm. She has also held senior positions at UBS and Citigroup, among other firms.

“If confirmed, I look forward to working with her to ensure American leadership in global markets.

“We will then hear from S.P. Kothari, who is nominated to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Economic Policy.

“The Assistant Secretary for Economic Policy is the Department of the Treasury’s principal economist and advises on the economic effects of tax and budget policy.

“Dr. Kothari’s robust experience in academia, government and industry has well prepared him to provide this critical advice.

“Prior to his current government service, Dr. Kothari was the Gordon Y. Billard Professor of Accounting and Finance at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, where he also served as Deputy Dean and head of the Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting.

“From 2019 to 2021, Dr. Kothari served as Chief Economist and Director of the Division of Economic and Risk Analysis at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

“Prior to his tenure at SEC, he also held several roles in the private sector. If confirmed, I am confident his expertise will serve him well at Treasury.

“Finally, we will hear from Hunter McMaster, who is nominated to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Markets.

“The Assistant Secretary oversees a complex portfolio relating to financial markets, including the federal debt, government credit, and lending policies.

“Mr. McMaster joins the government from the private sector, where he was previously Head of Trading at Key Square Group. He has also held positions at Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, where he focused on foreign exchange and interest rate markets.

“Since last year, he has also served as Counselor to the Secretary as well as Director of Policy and Planning.

“I look forward to working with him, if confirmed, on policies to preserve the integrity and stability of the U.S. financial system.

“I want to thank all of our nominees again for their time.”

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Daines Emphasizes Need for Crypto Tax Framework in Senate Finance Committee hearing

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke with Francis Brooke, nominee to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, and Sriprakash Kothari, nominee to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury in a Senate Finance committee hearing. They discussed the need for federal regulatory framework for digital assets.

Watch Daines’ full remarks HERE.

Daines discussed the need for crypto tax framework:

Daines: Congratulations to each of the nominees here today, and thank you for the willingness to jump back in the arena and serve. In partnership with the administration, this Congress has taken historic steps to advance American leadership in digital assets. In fact, we’ve established the first federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins through the Genius Act, and I remain hopeful that Congress will finish the work we started on digital asset market structure legislation. There’s a very important piece of the framework that is unfinished, and that’s the tax code. The current tax code forces taxpayers to apply rules written decades before blockchain technology even existed. Taxpayers deserve rules they can understand. The IRS deserves rules they can administer. And the American entrepreneurs deserve certainty that allows them to build their businesses here rather than overseas. My comprehensive digital asset tax framework that I’ve been developing over the past year would accomplish those goals. It is built around some commonsense principles. Reduce unnecessary complexity, increase compliance, protect the tax base, and keep digital asset jobs and the innovation here in the United States. This is not about giving digital assets special treatment. Where digital assets function like securities or commodities, my proposal applies familiar tax principles, including wash sale rules, constructive sale rules, and elective mark-to-market regime. Where blockchain technology creates genuinely different transactions, the proposal provides tailored rules for stablecoin payments, network fees, staking, lending, investment trusts, passive validation activity, and charitable contributions. Importantly, it pairs this commonsense relief with strong guardrails to prevent abuse. The administration has made clear that America should lead the digital asset economy. We need now, here in Congress, to finish the tax side of that ledger, of course, the jurisdiction here in the Finance Committee. Mr. Brooke, could you explain how a comprehensive framework that would reduce needless complexity apply traditional tax safeguards where appropriate and include strong anti-abuse rules could improve compliance while at the same time protecting the tax base?

Brooke: We need to make sure that the United States is the leader, that we’re the ones setting the standards.

Daines: Dr. Kothari, you’ve spent your career studying how government rules affect markets, affect capital formation, affect economic behavior. Could you tell us what the consequences might be for American competitiveness if Congress continues to leave digital asset taxpayers in businesses without clear and administrable tax rules?

Kothari: If the U.S. has to have maintained a leadership position in digital assets, digital currency, then we need a regime that is clear in terms of rules of engagement and also we have to enforce those laws.

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Daines in Senate Foreign Relations Committee: Confirm Chris Anderson as U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today spoke in a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, where urged his colleagues to swiftly confirm Christopher Anderson, President Trump’s nominee to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia. Anderson has served on Daines’ staff for more than four years.

Watch Daines’ full remarks HERE.

Daines’ opening remarks:

Today I have the honor of introducing Christopher Anderson, President Trump’s nominee for Ambassador to Cambodia. He hails from Barron, Wisconsin, a small town with a population of 3,000, where he tells me that there are more turkeys than people.

And Chris is a lot of things. He is the husband to Jen, sitting right behind him, and father of Charlotte, the 13-month-old beautiful little girl in that beautiful dress. But he’s also my national security advisor on my team. He has served in my office for over four years, where he’s led on all things related to foreign policy, defense, intelligence, cybersecurity, export control, sanctions, and veterans’ affairs.

Chris’s long career in national security began in February 2009, when following graduation from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a degree in economics, he decided to enlist in the Army. He was deployed to Afghanistan, where he conducted route clearance and led men in combat environment.

Following his service in uniform, Chris moved to Washington, D.C., where he got his first job here in the Senate, working for my colleague and his home state, Senator Ron Johnson. After two years with Senator Johnson, Chris moved over to Senator Bill Cassidy’s military legislative assistant, where he worked for three years.

Upon President Trump’s election in 2017, Chris once again answered the call to serve and took a job as senior advisor to the secretary of VA, where he was responsible for the department’s relationship with Congress.

Chris then pursued a master’s degree in project management from Penn State University. I said this specifically for the chairman’s benefit prior to joining my team. I know the chairman now understands you’re an intelligent man going to Penn State.

Chris has extensive experience dealing with foreign governments, negotiating agreements, advancing legislation, and managing personnel. He’s been one of my most trusted advisors during a tumultuous period in world history, providing steady, insightful advice that has informed much of the work I have done, including here on this committee. He’s traveled extensively across the Indo-Pacific, understands the core issues facing U.S. interests in the region.

He sits before us today as an Army veteran. a seasoned foreign relations expert who has a decade of experience working with foreign governments, a committed professional who has spent the last 17 years working in the front lines of U.S. national security. Chris embodies truly the best of American public service, answering the call time and time again, who will serve in this position with honor, with integrity, and determination.

His vast experience and dogged commitment to American interests make him uniquely qualified to serve in this ambassador post. I spent a number of hours with Secretary Rubio on Monday as we were traveling from Montana back to Washington, D.C.. I spoke about Chris to the secretary, and he specifically said the important role that he will play in Cambodia, a very strategic part of our geography at the moment with a lot of needs for the right kind of leader there on the ground. I’m certain our country will be safer, more secure, and more prosperous with him in Cambodia. And we’re going to miss having him in my office. But I know my team is incredibly proud as I am and excited about Chris’s next chapter.

Daines on U.S. relations in Southeast Asia:

Daines: Mr. Anderson, because of the Trump administration and ASEAN’s collaboration last year, we saw a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia that stopped a bloody border clash. You alluded to that in your testimony. Looking at the future, how do you see regional partnerships and forums as a platform for closer U.S. relations and regional stability across Southeast Asia?

Anderson: Thank you for that question, Senator, and thank you for the kind introduction. I think that’s a great question that honestly not only the U.S. but also our regional allies in the area are asking. Obviously, ASEAN is a significant regional partner, and I look forward to working with Ambassador Kim to really advance those priorities.

Daines on U.S.-Cambodia security cooperations:

Daines: Mr. Anderson, how do you foresee the future of U.S.-Cambodia security cooperation?

Anderson: Thank you, sir. And I can’t emphasize that this is, again, a question that our allies, specifically Five Eyes countries, are asking about the region… I think the first part of answering your question is engagement, how to lean forward into conversations with the government, and then looking forward at how to pursue those partnerships in an incremental, measured way as we match it with productivity on increasing the U.S. bilateral ties seeing things move forward together, not just pushing an investment and then hoping for change on the back end.

Daines on U.S. investments in Cambodia:

Daines: U.S. investment in Cambodia, frankly, has been limited, especially when compared to its neighbors in Vietnam and Thailand. Economic ties have been so important, such a part of driving U.S. relations in Southeast Asia, but really we haven’t quite found major success yet where you’re headed. If confirmed to Cambodia, Mr. Anderson, can you talk a little bit about why the investment climate in Cambodia has historically been difficult, as well as how you would work to bring more U.S. business investment into the country?

Anderson: Yes, thank you, sir. Top priorities for me, if confirmed, would be scam centers, economic and security cooperation, and regional frameworks.

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Duckworth Secures Key Priorities to Expand Clean Water for Illinois Families in Committee-Passed Water Resources Development Act

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), founding Co-Chair of the Senate’s first-ever Environmental Justice Caucus, successfully secured several key priorities that would expand access to clean, safe and reliable water for Illinois families in the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, which passed unanimously out of the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW). This bill builds upon multiple legacy programs from Senator Duckworth’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act (DWWIA) of 2021, which was signed into law as a part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) that provided the single largest investment in American history to help repair and modernize our crumbling and dangerous water infrastructure. WRDA 2026 will now go onto the full Senate for consideration.

“This bipartisan bill reaffirms the Senate’s commitment to a simple principle: safe, reliable drinking water is not a luxury—it’s a necessity that everyone deserves, no matter their zip code,” Duckworth said. “My Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Act in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law was the single largest federal investment in our water infrastructure in history, cleaning up our nation’s drinking water supply and replacing lead pipes that have poisoned our communities for too long. But our work to deliver clean water for all is not finished. There’s more work to be done, and I’m proud several key priorities that I fought for were included in this year’s legislation that passed the Environment and Public Works Committee. While I’m disappointed the funding levels fall short, I will continue pushing my colleagues across the aisle to join us in further strengthening job-creating investments in water infrastructure, especially replacing dangerous lead service lines and addressing emerging contaminants like PFAS. Our children’s health and safety are too important to shortchange.”

WRDA 2026 would reauthorize many of the critical funding programs under DWWIA, which will expire at the end of this year. These programs under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provide money to states and local governments for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and other water infrastructure projects. The bill would also authorize critical projects under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for flood risk management and mitigation, navigation, ecosystem restoration, emergency management, recreation and interagency support services.

Additionally, the bill would reauthorize numerous EPA programs championed by Duckworth that provide critical financing and funding tools to states—including Illinois—to upgrade water infrastructure, including grant programs, the State Revolving Funds (SRFs), lead reduction, technical assistance, wastewater treatment and stormwater management programs. It would also authorize projects and funding for USACE secured by Senators Duckworth and Durbin to continue the operation and construction of critical inland waterways, locks and dams, restoration projects and storm mitigation efforts across Illinois.

While the bill would provide much-needed continued funding to address our nation’s aging water infrastructure, it would fall short of the significant funding levels included in DWWIA for lead service line replacement and remediation of emerging contaminants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These pollutants pose serious health risks to communities and families across the country, making continued federal investment a top priority for Congress.

Key Duckworth priorities and Illinois provisions included in this year’s WRDA would:

Reauthorize the Clean Water and Drinking Water SRFs. This bill would reauthorize and increase funding for these two financing tools. The SRFs are the most significant investment the federal government provides on an annual basis to the states and is the most critical water infrastructure financing tool at EPA.

Codify the Lead Service Line Replacement & Emerging Contaminants State Revolving Fund Accounts. This bill would codify the two accounts created by DWWIA under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to help finance infrastructure projects for the removal and treatment of lead and emerging contaminants, like PFAS.

Reauthorize the Voluntary Schools and Child Care Facilities Lead Testing and Reduction Grant program. This bill would reauthorize this program, created by Duckworth to deliver funding and assistance to school and childcare facilities to test their drinking water for lead contamination and remediate it if detected, protecting our children from lead poisoning.

Reauthorize the Reducing Lead in Drinking Water Grant program. This bill would reauthorize this program that allows EPA to provide grants directly to states or municipalities for projects that remove lead contamination from drinking water, including through the replacement of lead service lines.

Reauthorize the Technical Assistance to Small Public Water Systems program. This bill would reauthorize this program that allows EPA to provide grants to non-profit organizations that provide critical technical assistance services to communities of fewer than 10,000 people.

Reauthorize the Assistance for Small and Disadvantaged Communities program. This bill would reauthorize this program for small, disadvantaged or underserved public water systems that need additional financial assistance from EPA to provide their residents access to clean, safe and reliable water.

Reauthorize the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants program. This bill would include reauthorization for this program that allows EPA to provide funding to states and municipalities for the planning, design or construction of sewer overflow or stormwater management projects.

Reauthorize the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. This bill would reauthorize WIFIA, which allows EPA to provide long-term, low- to no-interest loans to states and municipalities to cover up to 49 percent of a large water infrastructure projects or a bundle of multiple smaller projects.

Reauthorize the Emergency Grant program. This program reauthorization allows EPA to provide emergency funding to public water systems to alleviate threats to public health.

Require a Report on Project Partnership Agreements (PPAs). PPAs are a critical way in which non-federal partners can support the work of USACE and get projects done in their community. This provision would require the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate current regulations and identify ways that non-federal sponsor participation through PPAs can be more financially equitable for communities.

Support Nonstructural Flood Mitigation Projects. This provision would instruct the National Nonstructural Committee at USACE to work with stakeholders to enhance the use of nonstructural projects, like home elevations or voluntary buyouts, in flooding management projects to reduce the devastating impacts caused by flooding.

Increases Environmental Infrastructure Funding for Cook and Lake Counties. This bill would increase the project funding authority under Section 219 for Cook and Lake County from $149 million to $162 million.

Create New Environmental Infrastructure Funding for Rock Island County. This bill would create a new Section 219 authority for Rock Island County for $5 million.

Create New Environmental Infrastructure Funding for the City of Chicago. This bill would create a new Section 219 authority for the City of Chicago for $1 million.

Create New Environmental Infrastructure Funding for the City of Mattoon. This bill would create a new Section 219 authority for the City of Mattoon for $5 million.

Create New Environmental Infrastructure Funding for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago. This bill would create a new Section 219 authority for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago for $5 million

Transfer Land to America’s Central Port. This bill would provide the authority to transfer approximately 321 acres of USACE-owned land adjacent to America’s Central Port in Granite City to the Port.

Allow Rend Lake Water Supply Contract Modification. This bill would allow the State of Illinois to modify a previous USACE contract for the storage of the public water supply in Rend Lake in order to save the state between $600,000 and $2 million every year.

Exclude New Tolling, Lockage or Other Fees on the Inland Waterway System. Our inland waterway system is critical to Illinois’ economy and agricultural sector. New fees would have restricted the financial viability of using the river to transport grain and other goods, which is, by far, the most fuel-efficient way to move large quantities of goods and reduces congestion on Illinois’ highway system.

Expedite Chief’s Report for Flood Risk Management on the Upper Des Plaines River. The bill would instruct USACE to expedite the creation of a chief’s report, the first step in critical USACE infrastructure projects, for flood risk management projects on the Upper Des Plaines River in Cook, DuPage and Lake Counties.

Expedite Completion of the Ecosystem Restoration Project in Quincy Bay. The bill would instruct USACE to expedite the completion of this project which aims to reduce water volume loss from siltation by performing critical dredging and constructing sediment management infrastructure.

Expedite Dredged Material Management Plan for Calumet Harbor. The bill would instruct USACE to prioritize the completion of this plan that will help inform discussions regarding dredged material waste from the harbor.

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Durbin Delivers Opening Statement Ahead Of Outside Witness Panel For President Trump’s Nominee To Be Attorney General, Todd Blanche

Durbin also introduced the Democratic witnesses: Liz Oyer and Dani Bensky

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement ahead of the Senate Judiciary Committee’s outside witness panel for the nomination of Todd Blanche, President Trump’s pick to be Attorney General of the United States. Durbin also introduced the Democratic witnesses: Liz Oyer and Dani Bensky.

Ms. Oyer served as the Justice Department Pardon Attorney, a nonpolitical position, until she was fired in March 2025 by then-Deputy AG Blanche for refusing to rubberstamp restoring gun ownership rights to Mel Gibson, a convicted domestic abuser.

Ms. Bensky is a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse whose name and intimate details of her abuse were included in the released files, despite multiple attempts to have the Justice Department redact her information.

Key quotes from Durbin’s opening statement:

“Yesterday’s hearing I can’t easily forget in this room. Because I asked a question of Mr. Todd Blanche about the opportunity he had to meet with victims of Jeffrey Epstein. I asked him the same question the night before in my office. And he said, ‘Oh I’ll meet with anybody to talk about this.’ So I thought it was an easy question. Will you meet with those who are here today, the 10 or 12 survivors of Jeffrey Epstein? And he said no. He would not meet with them… That is incredible.”

“After the hearing, I met them. I will never forget that meeting… Try to imagine, if you will, one of these young women saying to me, ‘Jeffrey Epstein abused me when I was 13 years old’… 13 years old. Visualize in your own family a daughter or granddaughter 13 years of age who was a victim of this sexual predator. Should she at least have a moment with the Attorney General to tell her story? Is that too much to ask? Apparently it was.”

“I don’t believe a single member of the United States Senate would vote for this nominee after meeting with these survivors.”

“Secondly, let me tell you what. I guess I was born in a different era from this President and the people around him. But I kind of understood going into public life that if you wanted to get rich, this was the wrong job. You’re supposed to take this job to serve the public, make enough money to get by, but not get rich. How did the President do in the first year of his second term? $1.4 billion added to his income from… cryptocurrency.”

“Why is that even relevant to this conversation? Because the President opposed the cryptocurrency idea for years, switched his position, and then Mr. Blanche changed the federal [approach to prosecution] for cryptocurrency [enforcement]… To lessen the regulation of an industry which generates [a] $1.4 billion windfall for the President of the United States and money for the person who was Acting Attorney General is just plain wrong—just plain wrong. All the excuses in the world don’t make a difference.”

“And I’ll tell you, that one document that he signed [IRS immunity]… Imagine if you will if you’ve ever heard of this, the President, his family, and his businesses, because of the document signed by Todd Blanche, because of that have no liability for any tax crimes they ever committed before the date of that document. No criminal liability.”

“Every single one of us in this room has to obey the law, that is the basics in a democracy like ours. And when it comes to tax crimes, the same applies. Now there is an exception in the eyes of Todd Blanche and that exception is the President of the United States, his family, and his businesses. That is just plain wrong. This man should not be Attorney General.”

Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s opening statement is available here for TV Stations.

Key quotes from Durbin’s introduction of the Democratic witnesses:

“The first minority witness is Dani Bensky. I met her yesterday. Ms. Bensky is a choreographer and dance educator. She is also a survivor of abuse by convicted sex traffickers Jeffrey Epstein to whom she was trafficked when she was 17 years old.”

“Ms. Bensky will tell us how due to the carelessness of the Justice Department, graphic details of her abuse as well as her identity were released many times despite her efforts to redact her information. She says that, ‘she won’t stop fighting till the world is safer.’ I thank her for her courage.”

“My second witness is Elizabeth Oyer… She was the Justice Department Pardon Attorney until March 2025. She oversaw the pardon office now run by the failed nominee and MAGA extremist Ed Martin. Prior to her service in the Justice Department, Ms. Oyer was an assistant federal public defender in Maryland and a litigation partner at Mayer Brown. She is a graduate of Harvard Law School and the illustrious Georgetown University.”

“She will tell us how her former office has devolved into a pay-to-play operation with mega donors jumping ahead of legitimate pardon candidates often without proper vetting—the height of corruption.”

“How do we know this? Ms. Oyer was fired by Mr. Blanche just days after he took office for refusing to restore gun ownership rights to one of the President’s personal friends, convicted domestic abuser and actor Mel Gibson.”

Video of Durbin’s introduction of Ms. Oyer and Ms. Bensky is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s introduction of Ms. Oyer and Ms. Bensky is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s introduction of Ms. Oyer and Ms. Bensky is available here for TV Stations.

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Durbin Questions Outside Witness Panel For President Trump’s Nominee To Be Attorney General, Todd Blanche

WASHINGTON – During today’s Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned the outside witness panel for the nomination of Todd Blanche, President Trump’s pick to be Attorney General of the United States.

Durbin began by offering his condolences to witness Jennifer Bos, a mother from Illinois whose daughter, Megan, went missing and was found dead on the property of an undocumented immigrant.

“Ms. Bos, it breaks my heart to hear the story of you and the loss of your daughter. I just want to say my heart goes out to you and to your husband. Carrying on for her and for your granddaughter is the greatest tribute you can give her, I am sure,” Durbin said. “I am sorry you went through this terrible tragedy.”

Durbin then asked Ms. Dani Bensky, a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse, whose name and details of her abuse were included in the released files despite multiple attempts to have the Justice Department redact them, about her attempts to notify the Justice Department about this breach of privacy.

“Ms. Bensky, it is hard to imagine that this government kept publishing your personal information. Did anyone notify them of this breach of privacy?” Durbin asked.

Ms. Bensky said that they notified the Justice Department “immediately” and even before the document release happened. She noted that there were hundreds of victims that were exposed and outed by Blanche’s botched release of the Epstein files. She explained how survivors have lost their jobs, lost confidentiality, and lost privacy.

During yesterday’s hearing, Durbin pressed Blanche on whether he would personally meet with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse within the next 30 days. Following Durbin’s repeated questions, Blanche would not commit to doing so. However, Blanche met with Ghislaine Maxwell for nine hours of meetings over two days in July 2025.

“I don’t understand how this [Acting] Attorney General can find 48 hours to visit with Ghislane Maxwell, who has been prosecuted for sex trafficking, and can’t find 30 minutes to meet with the survivors of that sexual predator,” Durbin said.

Ms. Bensky said that it is “not for a lack of trying” and that “many of us in this room would be interested in meeting with him today, if we could.”

Durbin continued, “I don’t think his name should be called on the floor of the United States Senate until he meets with you. That is not too much to ask. Set aside two hours, four hours, whatever it takes. So that there is clearly an effort by this government to get all the information and make a judgment as to what to do with it. But to shun you and to snub you at this point, there is something else going on here. Someone told me once in politics there is always a good reason, and then there is always a real reason. What is the real reason why Todd Blanche does not want to meet with the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein?”

Ms. Bensky responded, “It appears from the outside reputational harm. That is what I think is at the core of this. He prioritizes the reputation of the administration over survivors of sexual abuse and of crime survivors in this country.” Ms. Bensky concluded by asking that members of the Committee put politics aside when it comes to this issue and cross party lines for something so important.

Video of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s questions in Committee is available here for TV Stations.

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Durbin Receives National Retail Federation’s 2026 Champion Of Main Street Award

Durbin receives award in honor of his leadership addressing the high cost of debit and credit card interchange fees & efforts to curb organized retail crime

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), author of the Durbin Amendment and the Credit Card Competition Act, received the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) 2026 Champion of Main Street Award in honor of his leadership to address the high cost of debit and credit card interchange fees and his efforts to curb organized retail crime.

“As Americans are struggling with the rising cost of everyday essentials, I’ve made it a priority in Congress to put money back in their pockets. One way we can start is by challenging outrageous interchange fees,” said Durbin. “Throughout these battles against the Big Banks, I have been fortunate to have organizations like the National Retail Federation in my corner. I’m honored to receive the 2026 Champion of Main Street Award and will continue to fight on behalf of merchants and consumers.”

A photo of Durbin receiving the award can be found here.

In Congress, Durbin has made it a priority to protect consumers. The Durbin Amendment, which passed in 2010, addressed debit card interchange fees. The Durbin Amendment sought to reduce the billions of dollars per year in excessive debit interchange fees that were being charged to merchants, and which were borne ultimately by consumers in the form of higher retail prices.

Durbin and U.S. Senator Roger Marshall’s (R-KS) Credit Card Competition Act would direct the Federal Reserve to ensure that the largest credit card-issuing banks offer a choice of at least two networks over which an electronic credit transaction may be processed. Today, Visa and Mastercard control about 85 percent of the credit card market and refuse to negotiate fair terms with Main Street merchants. Currently, the average American family pays nearly $1,200 per year in swipe fees, while banks profit $111.2 billion annually from swipe fees.

Durbin and U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy’s (R-LA) INFORM Consumers Act, which was signed into law in December 2022 and went into effect in June 2023, requires online marketplaces to collect, verify, and disclose certain information about high-volume third-party sellers who offer new or unused consumer products for sale on the platform. INFORM’s goal is to add more transparency to online transactions and deter criminals from acquiring stolen, counterfeit, or unsafe items and selling them through these marketplaces.

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Ernst Cuts Red Tape, Clears the Way for Disaster Recovery

WASHINGTON – After a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) rule change created barriers for Iowans trying to access natural disaster recovery tools, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) stepped in to ensure disaster victims can access key information on resources.

When Iowa was hit hard by tornadoes and flooding in 2024, Ernst pressed for answers on the staggering lack of coordination and competence federal agencies displayed in their response. A recently released report she requested found over 95% of Small Business Administration (SBA) information distributed in Iowa was not updated to reflect FEMA rule changes, directly impacting Iowans’ success in applying for federal disaster resources.

The report lays out additional measures to cut through the red tape and ensure outreach materials distributed by the SBA in the future are consistent, updated, and clear.

“Hardworking entrepreneurs who lose their livelihoods in a natural disaster have no time to spare when it comes to rebuilding and recovery. Timely and efficient access to federal resources can make the difference between a business that reopens its doors and one that has to close up shop,” said Senator Ernst. “Failing to provide disaster victims with updated information is yet another way Biden’s SBA left small business owners behind. I’m proud to be working with the Trump administration to correct this and ensure the next time disaster strikes, folks have the information they need.”

Background:

While in the Iowa National Guard, Ernst deployed multiple times to help Iowans recover from devastating floods and has long worked to cut government red tape so disaster victims can better access the tools they need. Most notably, she called for a one-stop shop that connects America’s rural communities to federal resources, now known as the Rural Partnership Network, a direct line of communication that helps coordinate hundreds of rural-focused federal support programs. In response to wide-spread, severe natural disasters in Iowa during 2024, Ernst called for full resources to support those impacted. She visited the Iowa communities affected and met directly with local leaders and emergency response officials to support recovery efforts. She also conducted oversight of FEMA to ensure recovery efforts remain free from politicization.

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Ernst Delivers Fraudsters’ Day of Reckoning to the Senate Floor

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate DOGE Caucus Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is forcing Washington to choose between fraudsters and taxpayers by bringing her Protecting American Taxpayers Act up for a vote.

While Uncle Sam loses up to $521 billion in fraud a year, Ernst is leading the effort to develop a comprehensive anti-fraud package with her colleagues. The legislation is projected to save taxpayers $240 billion by preventing fraud before it occurs, recovering stolen funds, and holding criminals accountable.

“The American taxpayer is not a piggy bank for fraudsters, and it’s time Washington started acting like it,” said Senator Ernst. “Criminals steal more than $1 billion from taxpayers every single day. My Protecting American Taxpayers Act cracks down on these schemes, stops fraud before it starts, and recovers stolen dollars. By putting this bill up for a vote, every senator will have the chance to prove whether they stand with taxpayers or criminals.”

“Iowans are fed up with billions of taxpayer dollars being lost every year to waste, fraud and abuse,” said Senator Grassley. “As a watchdog for those taxpayers, I’ve helped lead the charge to stop brazen criminals from stealing Americans’ hard-earned money. That’s why I’m proud to join Senator Ernst in introducing this comprehensive legislation to crack down on fraudsters, protect taxpayer dollars and curb wasteful spending. Our bill, which includes my Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act, shows how Republicans are standing up for the rule of law and protecting the pocketbooks of working families.”

"Making the government more efficient isn't a partisan issue, it's an American issue,” said Senator Lankford. “Loopholes in the law let fraudsters get away with billions in COVID recovery payouts while forcing taxpayers to foot the bill. The Protecting American Taxpayers Act closes those loopholes, by clawing back more than $65 billion in unspent COVID funds to make sure COVID criminals do not escape accountability simply because the clock ran out. I have spent years documenting Washington's Federal Fumbles, and I am proud my Recover Fraudulent COVID Funds Act is included in this package. The decades of government waste must come to an end."

“Congress must do more to protect innocent Americans who are being defrauded left and right while crooks and illegal migrants profit,” said Senator Cornyn. “I’m proud to join my colleagues on this package of legislation, which includes my VSAFE Act to protect veterans from scams, to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly, scammers are held accountable, and fraud is rooted out once and for all.”

“Fraudsters are always looking for the next weak spot, and for years Washington has made their job far too easy,” said Senator Marshall. “President Trump has brought a renewed focus to rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse, and Congress should seize this opportunity to make those reforms permanent. I'm proud to work with Senator Ernst on this legislation and pleased that my WALZ Act is included in the package. Together, these reforms close the loopholes that have cost taxpayers billions and better protect the hard-earned dollars of Kansas families.”

“Nebraskans are honest, trusting people. We expect others to behave the same way,” said Senator Ricketts. “However, too many fraudsters are stealing taxpayer money. Our bill will combat this fraud, waste, and abuse. It will protect American taxpayer dollars and ensure our programs serve only Americans who need them.”

“Scammers are using deep fakes to impersonate victims’ family members to steal their money with the elderly being the most vulnerable. As fraudsters continue to scheme, we need to use every tool we have to stay ahead of scams and better protect innocent Americans,” said Senator Husted. “My bill—the Protecting Deep Fake Scams Act—would protect Ohio’s seniors, families and small business owners from malicious actors who take advantage of their compassion. I’m grateful for Senator Ernst’s leadership in cracking down on fraud and look forward to getting this package across the finish line.”

“Thanks to the Trump Administration, we’ve learned in recent months just how rampant fraud is across our federal government,” said Senator Britt. “This legislation takes important steps not only to crack down on this fraud once and for all and hold fraudsters accountable, but also to protect hardworking taxpayer dollars. I’m thankful to Senator Ernst for her tireless leadership, and I’m proud to join her and many of my colleagues in our continued efforts to crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse.”

“Hard-working Americans expect their tax dollars to be used responsibly,” said Senator Young. “Senator Ernst's Protecting American Taxpayers Act takes important steps to prevent waste, strengthen oversight, and hold bad actors accountable. I'm proud this package includes my Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act, which helps ensure fraudsters cannot exploit programs intended to support legitimate small businesses. I look forward to working with my colleagues to get this package across the finish line.”

“TANF is an important program that is unfortunately susceptible to fraud, which takes resources away from needy families who depend on the program,” said Senator Daines. “I am proud to work with Senator Ernst to strengthen this critical program and ensure that the tax dollars that help fund it help those most in need.”

“The American people expect accountability when the government spends their hard-earned tax dollars," said Senator Cramer. "Grifters have been defrauding Americans and taking advantage of lax oversight for far too long. Our Protecting American Taxpayers Act roots out waste, fraud, and abuse throughout the government and saves taxpayers billions.”

“For decades, Washington’s failed welfare programs allowed fraudsters to rig the system and waste taxpayers’ hard earned money,” said Senator Moreno. “It is time for our DC Democrat colleagues to decide whether they stand with hardworking Americans or with the criminals who have exploited the system for far too long.”

“When hardworking moms and dads lie down to sleep at night, they’re worried about the cost of living. Fraudsters worry about finding new ways to steal from taxpayers. I’m sick of watching these crooks game the system and so are the American people,” said Senator Kennedy. “I’m proud to support the Protecting American Taxpayers Actwhich will help stop the outrageous theft, protect taxpayer dollars and hold these criminals accountable.”

"The notion that American tax dollars have been used to bankroll the very terrorists who want to destroy our country is an insult to the warfighters who have put their lives on the line in defense of Western civilization and our way of life,” said Senator Sheehy. “My No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act ensures not a single tax dollar ends up in the hands of America's enemies, and I’m proud to see it included in this package.”

“Democrats and the Biden regime let fraud run rampant, allowing criminal illegal aliens and fraudsters to take advantage of our systems and steal billions of dollars from law-abiding Americans. We are pulling the curtain back. The fraudsters and bad actors exploiting hardworking Americans will be held accountable,” said Senator Schmitt. “I am proud to cosponsor Senator Ernst’s anti-fraud package. This is a start, and the Senate Anti-Fraud Task Force looks forward to building off this work to take down organized fraud rings across the country.”

This legislation is endorsed by Americans for Prosperity (AFP), National Taxpayers Union (NTU), and Council for Citizens Against Government Waste (CCAGW):

“American taxpayers should be able to count on the federal government being careful with their hard-earned dollars instead of losing them to waste and theft. Congress can and must do better. Senator Ernst’s Protecting American Taxpayers Act pulls together a variety of her and colleagues’ proposals to start cleaning up the mess. We commend their commitment to cutting government waste and urge Congress to enact this package soon,” said Kurt Couchman, Senior Fellow in Fiscal Policy at Americans for Prosperity.

“NTU is proud to support the Protecting American Taxpayers Act, sponsored by Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA). This well crafted bundle of reforms is projected to save taxpayers $240 billion over 10 years by stopping fraud before it happens, requiring stronger tracking of federal spending, and tracking down past fraudulent Covid spending. We applaud Senator Ernst and the twelve original cosponsors of this bill, and urge all Senators to support its passage,” said David Timmons, Senior Policy Manager at the National Taxpayers Union.

"The Protecting American Taxpayers Act, S. 4378, combines 15 separate bills into a single piece of legislation that should be supported by every senator who believes taxpayer dollars should not be subject to waste, fraud, abuse and mismanagement. S. 4378 would make it harder to steal the taxpayer’s money and easier to recover those funds after they are pilfered. It would extend the statute of limitations to recover funds stolen during Covid and increase the recovery and prevention of improper payments. The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste supports S. 4378 and encourages senators to vote for this comprehensive, sensible bill when it is considered by the Senate,” said Tom Schatz, President of the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste.

Ernst’s Protecting American Taxpayers Act includes 16 initiatives supported by both Democratic and Republican senators:

To recover wasteful funds:

Senator Ernst’s Stop Fraud Before Payment Act and Senator Marshall’s WALZ Act require payments be made as reimbursements only after a service has been provided;

Senator Young’s Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act prevents criminals convicted of defrauding the Small Business Administration from receiving future assistance;

Senator Ernst’s Returning Unspent COVID Funds Act claws back unused COVID funds, which has totaled more than $65 billion;

Senator Paul’s Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act allows Inspectors General to pay out bonuses to employees who uncover fraud in government programs; and

Senator Ricketts’ Improper Payments Transparency Act requires data on improper payments in the president’s annual budget request.

To protect taxpayer dollars:

Senator Daines’ JOBS for Success Act increases accountability for employment outcomes through updates to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program;

Senator Banks’ No Funding for Foreign Agents Act prohibits funds from going to countries under travel bans or arms embargos; and

Senator Sheehy’s No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act discloses cash assistance in Afghanistan to prevent Taliban access.

To stop fraudsters and hold them accountable:

Senator Husted’s Preventing Deep Fake Scams Act establishes a task force to combat deep fake scams;

Senator Ernst’s SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act and Senator Lankford’s Recover Fraudulent COVID Funds Act extend the statutes of limitations to ensure criminals are caught and held accountable;

Senator Ernst’s Fraud Alert Systems Act requires the U.S. Treasury to have a description of every payment and crosscheck it;

Senator Moreno’s Stopping Transfers of Public Funds Abroad Act requires individuals who want to conduct international wire transfers to certify that they do not receive public assistance;

Senator Cornyn’s VSAFE Act of 2025 provides consistent scam prevention guidance for veterans; and

Senator Grassley’s Expanding Whistleblower Protection for Contractors Act of 2025 closes loopholes in whistleblower protection laws.

Read the bill here and one pager here.

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Gallego at NALEO Conference: When Latinos are strong, the country is strong.

LOS ANGELES – Today U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) addressed attendees at the NALEO 43rd Annual Conference.

“This has been a very tough year for our community without a doubt. We have been targeted. They’re racially profiling us. They’re hunting Latino working class men in the streets of our country right now. But we know one thing: Latinos are tough. We have dealt with the hardest. We will deal with the hardest. And we will always come up on top because we are not afraid to push back. We’re not afraid to defend our community and our families,” said Senator Gallego. “And we as Latinos show dedication to this country each and every day. From the young men on military bases to the single moms starting a business, these are everyday forms of patriotism and resistance that we push back. And we as leaders know that standing up for our dignity, demanding economic fairness, and protecting our families is not in opposition to America. It is the most American thing we could be doing.”

This past year, Senator Gallego has also spoken at LULAC’s 2026 National Convention, UnidosUS’ Prosperity Forward Convening, and the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals’ 2026 Homeownership & Housing Policy Conference.

See below for excerpts from today’s speech.

On Latinos in the military: “When the right-wing extremists go out and say that Latinos are not Americans, they could not understand how further from the truth they are. I invite them to go to any military base in this country right now. Walk onto any base. Walk onto any Marine Corps base because what you’ll hear are Latinos speaking English, Spanish, English, English, dancing, working together, and stepping up to protect our freedoms.”

On recent ICE shootings: “Two men just working hard and living their lives and speaking Spanish. Think about that. Two men that were killed for being Latino men, for doing what Latino men do: waking up, going to work to fight for their family, to fight for their country, to fight for the American dream. And because of that, they were targeted.”

On racial profiling: “Justice Kavanaaugh wrote that it’s okay to racially profile if you speak Spanish. If speaking English with an accent is also okay, or working on a construction site, landscaping or agriculture. All according to our Supreme Court are reasonable suspicions that you do not belong here. If you had met Rubén Gallego 30 years ago, I would have met all those reasons to be racially profiled and many of you too. He called it common sense. Was it common sense to racially profile these working-class Latino men and kill them? I don’t think so. Was it common sense Joan Sebastian got killed in Maine? I don’t think so. Is it common sense for ICE agents to stop my nephews and my family in Chicago and Phoenix because they decided to speak Spanish once in a while? Because that is the world that we have right now. And it’s all because of this administration. They want us to live in fear. They want us to feel like we’re not Americans.”

On Latinos and the economy: “We are the hardest workers in this country. Our grit and our perseverance are what makes the American spirit all about. We make the American spirit. You can just look at the numbers. Latina women establish the most amount of small businesses at six times the national rate right now in this economy. Just imagine that we are the youngest, fastest growing population in this country, which means that an investment in our community is literally an investment in the United States. When Latinos are rich, the country is rich. When Latinos are strong, the country is strong. “