Grassley Questions Blanche at Attorney General Nomination Hearing

WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) questioned Department of Justice (DOJ) Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche while chairing Blanche’s nomination hearing to be U.S. Attorney General.

Blanche committed to prioritizing antitrust enforcement to ensure family farmers and consumers get a fair price. He told Grassley he’s working to provide transparency and accountability in light of the revelations Grassley has uncovered through his Arctic Frost investigation.

Blanche also detailed how the DOJ has worked to comply with the Epstein Transparency Act, including reviewing over six million pages of documents and providing unredacted versions to members of Congress. Blanche confirmed the DOJ is investigating the leads provided by Jeffrey Epstein’s victims and encouraged victims to meet with the DOJ and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Video and a transcript of Grassley and Blanche’s exchange follow.

VIDEO

Uncovering Arctic Frost and Special Counsel Jack Smith’s lawfare:

GRASSLEY: “Jack Smith and his team possessed and reviewed congressional information and other sensitive material when they shouldn’t have and they were advised not to. Describe the steps you’ve taken to impose accountability so that this egregious and partisan misconduct never happens again.”

BLANCHE: “The biggest thing we can do, Chairman, is [to] be transparent about what happened, and that requires us doing a check on ourselves and on the work that happened before us and being transparent with this body and providing records to you.

“I think when the American people understand and learn what happened, and the egregious abuses that happened, it will be a check on making sure it never happens again. We strive every day to not only move forward as a department doing the right thing, but to make sure that anything that happened in the past, whether it's releasing emails or admitting to things that the department did that we shouldn't have done, [we’re being] transparent with the American people about that.”

GRASSLEY: I made messages public between Jack Smith’s office that appear to relate to the Trump classified document case. Those messages showed government personnel left open a classified facility and potentially mishandled classified information, causing a security violation.

While defense counsel to Trump, did the government apprise you of these issues? And secondly, did the Biden Justice Department do any investigation into the misconduct?

BLANCHE: “We were never advised at that time when I was defense counsel to President Trump, and I'm not aware of any investigation that was started by that alleged conduct.”

Antitrust enforcement:

GRASSLEY: “I've long been concerned about concentration and anti-competitive conduct in healthcare, technology, but particularly in agriculture. Family farmers deserve fair prices. I held a hearing on anti-competitive activities in this committee last October on the subject of agriculture. As I recall, as a result of that hearing, the president issued an executive order, and an investigation was started in your department. I sense some pause in that right now.

“If confirmed, do you have a commitment that the Justice Department will make antitrust enforcement a priority?”

BLANCHE: “Chairman, absolutely, you're right. President Trump issued an executive order. I have worked closely with Secretary Rollins on this very issue. We recently held a press conference announcing some of the work that we're doing to not only deal with the anti-competitive behavior that we've seen, but also to help ease prices in the cattle market around the country. So yes, Chairman, I commit to that.”

Complying with the Epstein Transparency Act:

GRASSLEY: “This committee has also received outreach concerning the department’s handling of the investigation and release of the Epstein files, and your role in it. Some allegations include problematic redactions, insufficient efforts to follow investigative leads, a refusal to meet with victims and questions surrounding the transfer of [Ghislaine] Maxwell to a lower security prison.

“I want you to take the opportunity to respond to these allegations. What would you like this committee to know regarding these files?”

BLANCHE: “When President Trump signed the Epstein Transparency Act, the Department of Justice undertook a Herculean task to review millions and millions of potentially responsive files. We were required under the statute to do this expeditiously and very quickly. The Department of Justice did so.

“We reviewed over six million pages… The reviewers were qualified, experienced attorneys within the department and the FBI. They took pains to apply appropriate redactions.

“There were mistakes that were made, and so approximately 1% of the redactions had to be fixed after we released the Epstein files, Chairman. We had dozens of lawyers on call, 24/7. Whenever we learned that any victim's name had been improperly not redacted, we immediately took the document down and fixed it as soon as we could. That doesn't excuse the mistakes, of which I take responsibility, but it does mean that we tried to fix them.

“The other thing that we did, Chairman, is we made unredacted versions of the entire database available to everybody in this body, and we did that because of transparency. Remember, for four years there wasn't a peep about Jeffrey Epstein. The Biden administration did nothing to be transparent about the Epstein case.…

“We have spoken with over 30 representatives of dozens and dozens of victims since this process started. Any victim, if they're here today, I would encourage them, or their lawyers, to meet with the FBI. We will 100% investigate. There are no closed investigations. If we learn today, if we learn next week, if we learn next month that there's an individual that we can investigate, indict and prosecute out of the Epstein files, you better believe we will.”

Regulations governing mail-order abortion drugs:

GRASSLEY: “Our committee has received a lot of outreach about the department’s litigation position in Louisiana v. FDA. The plaintiffs in this case challenged the relaxed regulations governing mail-order abortion drugs. Can you tell the committee about this case and explain what the Department’s doing?”

BLANCHE: “President Trump is the most pro-life president in history, and the work that this Department’s doing in that space is something that hasn’t been done for 10 years… [I]t would be wrong for me to talk about any litigation strategy beyond what’s in our briefs. But suffice to say, Chairman, that, as we talk about in our briefs, we are not in any way defending what Biden and his administration did.”

Special Counsel Robert Mueller and the Russia Hoax:

GRASSLEY: “On March the 15th this year, I made public a signed and sworn statement from an FBI official. That statement says two important things: Special Counsel Mueller's team lacked a legal basis to pursue a FISA renewal on Walid Phares and investigate Tom Barrack, but did so anyway. What steps have you taken to investigate these very troubling criminal allegations? And if you haven't taken any action, why not?”

BLANCHE: “We are investigating that, Chairman, and it would be inappropriate in this setting to get into the details of that investigation. But the sworn affidavit that we reviewed that you provided does raise serious allegations.”


Senator Hassan Hosts Conversation in Manchester on New Hampshire’s Battle Against Addiction

MANCHESTER – This week, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan discussed with recovery community leaders what is working and what additional support is needed to continue to combat addiction in New Hampshire. After years of sustained effort at the federal, state, and local effort to combat fentanyl and other opioid addiction, in 2025, fatal overdoses declined by 14 percent nationally and 30 percent in Manchester.

“Thanks to the tireless work of local leaders who help Granite Staters battling addiction, we’re finally beginning to see a drop in overdose deaths in New Hampshire. This progress is a result of the advocacy of Granite Staters in the recovery community, and it’s critically important that we do not let up in this fight,” said Senator Hassan. “I appreciated the opportunity to hear from leaders of organizations that help combat addiction about what programs have been working and the ways in which we can continue to expand access to the treatment and support that saves lives.”

Senator Hassan continues working to combat the fentanyl crisis and expand access to evidence-based addiction treatment. At the end of last year, Senator Hassan played a key role in spearheading the passage of the bipartisan SUPPORT Act — legislation that expands the federal response to the fentanyl crisis and allows more training, equipment, and resources to flow to first responders as they support Americans battling addiction. Additionally, Senator Hassan helped introduce the Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act, bipartisan legislation to improve access to medication-assisted treatment by allowing more addiction specialists to prescribe methadone. In 2022, Senator Hassan successfully passed into law her bipartisan Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment (MAT) Act to increase the number of medical professionals authorized to prescribe medication-assisted treatment.

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Heinrich on MSNOW: “The Bar Was Low and He Managed to Go Under It”

VIDEO HERE

WASHINGTON — This evening, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) appeared on MSNOW’s The Weeknight with Symone Sanders, Michael Steele, and Luke Russert where he reacted to Jay Clayton’s nomination hearing to be Director of National Intelligence (DNI) — touching on Clayton’s refusal to answer whether he was aware of Tulsi Gabbard’s presence while a search warrant was served in Fulton County, Georgia; whether Clayton is qualified for the job of DNI; President Trump’s anticipated primetime address tomorrow where he is expected to set the groundwork for denying the results of the 2026 midterm elections; and the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) obstruction of New Mexico’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes at Zorro Ranch.

“The bar was so low and he managed to go under it,” said Heinrich, on Clayton’s testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Heinrich also warned that President Trump is expected to use tomorrow night's address to revive false claims about the 2020 election while laying the groundwork to challenge the legitimacy of the 2026 midterm elections, instead of answering for rising costs facing American families,“I think it's just worth taking a step back and realizing that the president isn't just doing this to create an atmosphere where he can create a false narrative and try to sway the outcome of the election. He also knows that every minute he's talking about some fake election denial scam, he's not having to answer for the cost of electricity, the cost of groceries, the cost of gasoline, the cost of diesel. All of the things that are going wrong in people's lives right now.”

VIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), a member of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, discusses Jay Clayton’s failed nomination hearing with MSNOW’s Symone Sanders, Michael Steele, and Luke Russert, July 15, 2026.

On Clayton commenting, “It was the first time that, in my recollection, I've thought about it recently,” when pressed by U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) on whether he was aware of former DNI Tulsi Gabbard’s presence while a search warrant was served in Fulton County, Georgia, tied to the 2020 election:

Heinrich: “I don't know what that means. I don't. Especially if you're going to be the next DNI. I mean, come on. And it was just one thing after another in his, in his hearing...It was just the contrast of coming in and trying to say, ‘I'm going to speak truth to power. I'm going to be honest and forthright.’ And then your next question, you can't be honest and forthright.

“Now you have Clayton, who sounds an awful lot like Bill Pulte, essentially just saying, ‘Yeah, I'm going to go along with whatever the President wants.’ The bar was so low. All he had to do was look like somebody who was more qualified and more honest than Pulte, and he couldn't do it.”

On whether Clayton is qualified for the job of Director of National Intelligence:

Heinrich: “[This is] the world my colleagues live in today. Sometimes you have to choose between somebody who is completely unqualified and a political hack who will do anything for the President, and somebody who is just unqualified. And that was where a lot of people went into this hearing, thinking, okay, we've got to get this guy in there because Pulte's in there now and he's firing people and, you know, it's a mess. The bar was low and he managed to go under it."

On President Trump’s anticipated primetime address tomorrow, where he is expected to undermine the results of the 2020 presidential election and set the groundwork for denying the results of the 2026 midterm elections:

Heinrich: “I think it's just worth taking a step back and realizing that the president isn't just doing this to create an atmosphere where he can create a false narrative and try to sway the outcome of the election. He also knows that every minute he's talking about some fake election denial scam, he's not having to answer for the cost of electricity, the cost of groceries, the cost of gasoline, the cost of diesel. All of the things that are going wrong in people's lives right now.”

On DOJ obstruction of New Mexico’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes at his Zorro Ranch:

Heinrich: “It is alleged, but highly credibly alleged, that terrible things happened at Zorro Ranch where, just like everywhere else, Jeffrey Epstein set up shop. And we have an Attorney General who's serious about actually having that investigation and trying to seek justice for survivors. So, in the absence of that having occurred at the federal level, and the way that we would all like it to, this is the path to actually being able to hold some people to account — at least in the state of New Mexico.”

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Heinrich Presses Jay Clayton on DOJ Obstruction of New Mexico Investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s Crimes at Zorro Ranch

VIDEO HERE

WASHINGTON — At a U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) pressed Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and nominee to be the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), on the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) refusal to provide evidence related to Jeffrey Epsein’s alleged crimes at Zorro Ranch in New Mexico to the New Mexico Attorney General. Heinrich also questioned Clayton about his role in the unconscionable, improper public release of sensitive information belonging to Epstein survivors and his comments about President Trump’s attempt to use a $1.8 billion slush fund to compensate violent criminals who beat up cops on January 6, 2021.

Heinrich’s questions follow a recent letter from New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez to Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche and Associate Deputy Attorney General Diego Pestana, demanding that DOJ immediately turn over unredacted Epstein records that the Department has held for years. In the letter, AG Torrez stated that “more than 130 days have now elapsed since the New Mexico Department of Justice’s initial request” for unredacted records and called the DOJ’s delay “unreasonable under any rule of reason.”

VIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) questions Jay Clayton on DOJ’s obstruction of investigation of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes at Zorro Ranch, July 15, 2026.

On Clayton responding to the New Mexico Attorney General’s request for evidence related to the Zorro Ranch investigation:

Senator Heinrich: “Mr. Clayton. It is alleged, and I would add quite credibly, that Jeffrey Epstein committed some very serious crimes at his Zoro Ranch property in my home state of New Mexico. Yet, there has never been a federal search of that property. And in fact, in 2019, the Department of Justice directed New Mexico to pause its own investigation. And has most recently refused to provide the unredacted evidence needed for our attorney general to effectively carry out his investigation — despite federal and state laws requiring disclosure. I understand that as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, you led the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Can you commit to providing any relevant information to the New Mexico Attorney General and the unredacted documents that he has requested?”

Jay Clayton: “Yeah, I spoke to my team about this last night. That request is for unredacted documents. Those documents are subject to several protections, for those redactions, including a protective order of the court. My folks, I think, as we speak, are seeking dialog with the attorney general to see if we can reach an accommodation that is consistent with those protective orders.”

Heinrich: “I would seriously encourage that cooperation and that spirit of working in cooperation between federal and state law enforcement. I think it is quite clear that it is likely that there are survivors, witnesses, and co-conspirators — whose names have been redacted — that are necessary for him to effectively complete that investigation. And, Mr. Chairman, I would also ask unanimous consent to enter into the record the letter from the New Mexico Attorney General to the Department of Justice.”

Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Tom Cotton: “Without objection, I guess.”

On Clayton personally approving the release of survivors’ highly sensitive personal information to the public:

Heinrich: “Mr. Clayton, in your role as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, you were tasked to personally certify that the unsealed grand jury material related to Jeffrey Epstein did not disclose victims’ personal information. The judge in that case stated that he added this protective order to ensure that an identifiable official within DOJ takes ownership of the sensitive and vitally important process of reviewing discovery. Due to what the Department of Justice later called technical or human error, the January 26 release of material included email addresses and even nude photos of potential Epstein victims. Lawyers for those victims said that this flawed process retraumatized the survivors and quote, ‘turned their lives upside down.’ You were in charge of this process during which highly sensitive personal data was made public. Did you personally certify the material as the judge ordered?”

Clayton: “The judge ordered certification of a subset of the materials. The materials that were in the Southern District.”

Heinrich: “So, who takes responsibility for what I think was an unconscionable release of — an unnecessary release of —personal information for these victims.”

Clayton: “I think the Department of Justice has addressed that from the overall perspective.”

Heinrich: “You know, Harry Truman used to have a sign on his desk that said, ‘The buck stops here.’ Who has a sign on their desk in this case?”

Clayton: “For the Southern District documents, it was me.”

On Clayton supporting President Trump’s $1.8 billon slush fund to compensate violent criminals who beat up cops on January 6, 2021:

Heinrich: “In a media interview a couple of months ago, you were asked your position on the president's $1.8 billion fund for victims of weaponization. And you replied, ‘When we are investigating people and bringing charges against them, criminal charges against people, from a financial point of view they can be absolutely devastating. If people have been pursued inappropriately, I'm supportive of there being relief for that financial cost. That's it.’ Do you believe that people convicted of violent crimes related to the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and on U.S. Capitol police were pursued inappropriately in any way?”

Clayton: “Let me say this: Any physical violence against law enforcement is completely objectionable.”

Heinrich: “Would it be appropriate for that fund to be used in cases where people were duly convicted of violent crimes in that case?”

Clayton: “Let me go back to my comment very quickly. I was not speaking of the fund. I was speaking generally. If you, I think this is a CNBC clip and I stand by what I said, which is if people have been inappropriately and intentionally subject to prosecution, they should have recourse.”

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Heinrich Slams Trump Admin’s Massive Logging Proposal as Latest Attack on America’s Public Lands

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, released the following statement on the U.S. Forest Service's (USFS) proposal to authorize an unprecedented emergency salvage logging project spanning more than five million acres across six national forests in Idaho and Montana.

“Time and again, this administration has put the interests of billionaires and powerful industries ahead of America's public lands and the people who own them.

“Active wildfire management requires targeted, science-based hazardous fuels treatments—not a blank check for sweeping clearcutting, new road construction, and fewer safeguards for the places that Americans hunt, fish, hike, camp, and enjoy with their families.

“If the Forest Service is going to invoke extraordinary emergency authorities, it owes the public transparency and accountability. Instead, it released an eight-page notice with no maps, no meaningful project details, and no explanation for why this massive proposal qualifies as an emergency, while giving Americans just seven days to weigh in.

“This is not part of a broader fire mitigation strategy. If it were, it wouldn’t sweep in areas where nearly 90 percent of the landscape falls outside high-risk firesheds, and it wouldn’t require a 25 percent increase in timber volume that incentivizes cutting larger, more fire-resilient trees instead of the smaller-diameter trees that pose the greatest fire hazard. Clearcutting and building roads won’t help prevent catastrophic wildfires, but they will benefit the timber industry at the expense of the lands that belong to the American people.

“As Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, I will continue holding the Forest Service accountable and demanding the transparency and public oversight Americans deserve as this process moves forward.”

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Heinrich Spotlights Legislation to Permanently Protect Caja del Rio, Criticizes Trump Admin Opposition to Caja del Rio Protection Act

WASHINGTON – Today, during a U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee Hearing on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining to receive testimony on pending legislation, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Committee, spotlighted his Caja del Rio Protection Act, emphasizing the plateau’s cultural significance in New Mexico and the importance of public lands protections.

Introduced in May, Heinrich's Caja del Rio Protection Act permanently protects the Caja del Rio Plateau for future generations by establishing two new areas near Santa Fe — the Caja del Rio Special Management Area (SMA) and National Conservation Area (NCA) — to conserve and steward local cultural, spiritual, scenic viewshed, ecological, wildlife habitat, natural, geological, historical, and traditional values of the area and to enhance opportunities for Tribes to engage in the preservation and management of the area.

VIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, spotlights his Caja del Rio Protection Act during the Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee hearing, July 15, 2026.

“The Caja del Rio Protection Act is an example of a home-grown legislative product and a representation of a partnership built from common ground,” began Heinrich. “The Caja del Rio is one of the Southwest’s most culturally significant landscapes that holds deep importance for land grants, acequia communities, for livestock permittees, and is vital to a number of Tribal communities.”

“Threats such as desecration of petroglyphs, illegal dumping, and efforts to sell off public lands continue to endanger the plateau. These threats have united local governments, Tribes, Traditional Historic Communities, and community organizations to preserve the shared yet distinct heritages of the region... As a result, we have the Caja del Rio Protection Act,” continued Heinrich. “This bill also begins a new chapter in the stewardship of this land – one that includes opportunities for Tribes and Traditional Historic Communities to have a voice in land management plans. This bill recognizes that stewardship works best when it is shared."

Heinrich’s full remarks as delivered are below:

Thank you, Chairman Barrasso and Ranking Member Cortez Masto for organizing this legislative hearing.

I’m excited to have this opportunity to highlight a bill of mine that has been years in the making.

The Caja del Rio Protection Act is an example of a home-grown legislative product and a representation of a partnership built from common ground.

In this case, the common ground is permanent protection for the Caja del Rio Plateau.

The Caja del Rio is one of the Southwest’s most culturally significant landscapes that holds deep importance for land grants, acequia communities, for livestock permittees, and is vital to a number of Tribal communities.

I cannot emphasize enough the level of traditional and cultural value that is held within this landscape.

Yet, threats such as desecration of petroglyphs, illegal dumping, and efforts to sell off public lands continue to endanger the plateau.

These threats have united local governments, Tribes, Traditional Historic Communities, and community organizations to preserve the shared yet distinct heritages of the region.

And as a result, we have the Caja del Rio Protection Act.

This bill will create two new stewardship areas: a new Special Management Area on over 67,000 acres of U.S. Forest Service land; and a new National Conservation Area on over 17,000 acres of Bureau of Land Management land.

It will permit traditional uses, like herb and mineral gathering, hunting, and livestock grazing, and it will conserve an important wildlife corridor in New Mexico and preserve one of the most historically intact sections of El Camino Real.

It prevents new rights-of-way, giving the land an opportunity to heal in this brittle area, and taken together, these measures will protect the Caja for generations to come.

This bill also begins a new chapter in the stewardship of this land – one that includes opportunities for Tribes and Traditional Historic Communities to have a voice in land management plans.

This bill recognizes that stewardship works best when it is shared.

I’d like to thank everyone who worked with my office in developing this proposal.

And I’d also like to submit a number of letters and resolutions of support from Pueblos, counties, groups, elected officials, land grants, and others to show the immense coalition that is rallying behind this effort.

And I’d ask unanimous consent for that.

I’d like to end my statement today with a similar sentiment that I have shared in the past.

This hearing, and next week’s National Parks legislative hearing, will add to our growing list of land-based conservation bills ready for markup.

Many of these bills have the same level of community support and input as my bill on the agenda today – yet those voices of support are going unheard.

With only six months left in this Congress, it is my hope that we will see conservation bills considered in future business meetings so that we can get them marked up, passed, and signed into law.

I look forward to working with both of you, as well as Chairman Lee, in this effort.

Thank you.

Heinrich additionally questioned John Crockett, Deputy Chief of State, Private and Tribal Forestry of the United States Forest Service (USFS), on the Caja del Rio Act, and criticized Crockett’s opposition of the legislation and his lack of knowledge on the Caja del Rio Plateau.

On Heinrich’s Caja del Rio Protection Act:

Heinrich asked, “Mr. Crockett, in in your opposition to S. 4458, you cited timber production and mineral production in your opposition. Have you personally been to the Caja del Rio?”

Crockett responded, “I have not personally been to the Caja del Rio.”

Heinrich asked, “Do you know how much mineral potential or development there currently is?”

Crockett, “I've not done the analysis on that.”

Heinrich followed, “Actually, I think your staff has because it's in your written testimony. It says ‘mapping of the area does not show potential for mineral development, and there are no current operations in the area.’ In addition, it doesn't take more than a few minutes on the Caja del Rio to realize that the forest cover on the Forest Service lands is primarily one-seed juniper, Juniperus monosperma, which gets to be about nine feet tall and has no commercial production, and Pinus edulis, which is also a non-commercial species. I think probably the last time a ponderosa pine was actually harvested commercially on the plateau would have been before either of us were in our current positions. So I just think it's important that the facts line up here, and what we've heard today is a continual opposition to any level of conservation, but support for all the development pieces. And we don't have timber to develop here. We do have these other species, and they're important for firewood. We've protected that in this legislation. It’s also important to be able to do fire treatments on this plateau, and we have preserved the ability of the Forest Service to do that. I think it's important what Senator Cortez Masto said, which is that this is a balance. And if you look at the interests that came out to speak about these things at the local level, if you look at what the county said, if you consult with the Tribes, if you engage the agricultural interests, I think you would come to a very different conclusion about these pieces of legislation.”

A video of Heinrich's remarks and questioning can be found here.


VIDEO: Heinrich, Schatz, Senate Democrats Host Roundtable with Labor Leaders to Discuss the Future of the Energy Workforce

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i) convened a roundtable with labor leaders to discuss the future of America's energy workforce and the policies needed to create good-paying union jobs, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and build the energy infrastructure to power the nation.

During the roundtable, Heinrich highlighted his newly introduced Pre-Apprenticeships to Hardhats (PATH) Act legislation to strengthen the pipeline to high-quality careers by expanding access to registered pre-apprenticeship programs, addressing workforce shortages, and connecting more Americans with the skills needed to fill in-demand jobs across the energy, manufacturing, and construction sectors.

From 2021 through 2024, the United States experienced an unprecedented clean energy manufacturing boom, spurred by historic investments in domestic manufacturing and energy infrastructure. Those investments helped spur hundreds of billions of dollars in private-sector investment, supported new factories across the country, and created hundreds of thousands of jobs in battery manufacturing, solar, transmission, advanced manufacturing, and other energy industries.

But as Heinrich, Schatz, and a number of their Democratic colleagues pointed out, Republicans' repeal of key energy tax credits has already begun reversing that progress. Since January 2025, companies have canceled, delayed, or scaled back projects that would have created more than 100,000 anticipated clean energy jobs, creating uncertainty for workers, manufacturers, and communities that were counting on those investments.

VIDEO: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D- Hawai‘i), host a roundtable on the future of America’s energy workforce, July 14, 2026.

“My dad was an IBEW lineman, and he spent his career working on the grid that kept our community firm. Because he had a good union job, he could reliably provide for my family, buy a home, and give myself and my siblings opportunities that he never had — opportunities that neither of my parents had — and that's what good energy jobs have always meant. They power the American dream,” said Heinrich. “We need policies that make it easier to build big things in America again. That's why I'm introducing the Pre-Apprenticeships to Hardhats or PATH Act today. That legislation will strengthen the pipeline to careers by expanding access to quality pre-apprenticeship programs, helping to address the workforce shortages we're seeing, and growing our economy by connecting more people with the skills they need to succeed.”

Heinrich continued, “When we build here, we create jobs here — and when we create jobs here, we strengthen communities all across this great country.”

“The Trump administration’s attacks on clean energy are costing working people in lost jobs and higher bills all across the country. Clean energy is cheap energy, and we need durable policies that lower costs for Americans and provide certainty for the workers who power our energy infrastructure,” said Schatz.

Heinrich and Schatz’s roundtable was joined by U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y), Senate Democratic Leader, U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), along with President of AFL-CIO Liz Shuler, General President of LIUNA Brent Booker, President of IUE-CWA Carl Kennebrew, Maryland State Senator and IBEW Local 24 Vice President Cory McCray, Director of USW District 1 Donnie Blatt, and Executive Director of BlueGreen Alliance Jason Walsh.

“Investments in clean energy lower home energy bills, create good-paying union jobs, and strengthen American manufacturing—a win-win-win for workers, families, and communities,” said Leader Schumer. “Senate Democrats are fighting to lower costs and raise wages – that is the formula for making life more affordable – and when we take back the Senate, we will power the future with clean energy built and manufactured by union workers. Republicans can side with Big Oil and foreign supply chains, but we're with America’s working families.”

“We are now at a place where there is no remaining pathway to climate safety if the fossil fuel industry’s free-to-pollute business model continues. We’ve run by all those highway exits, so we absolutely have to look at price on pollution. Pollute-for-free is just a no go,” said Whitehouse.

“As the Trump administration attacks clean energy, blocking opportunities for good-paying jobs and raising Americans’ electric bills, we must push back. We need solutions that meet the moment and promote competitive U.S. clean energy technologies. I will continue fighting to tackle rising costs and support a cleaner, greener energy future,” said Van Hollen.

“Congress plays an important role in helping meet the needs of the American people and American workers. A big part of that must be investing in clean energy—not because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s the necessary thing to do. We need industrial policy that’s good for workers, good for America, and good for the economy,”said Welch. “We’ll keep fighting for good jobs for hardworking people.”

“Back at the start of the Biden administration, I was in discussions with some of the construction building trade leaders. The question was, how are we going to try to make sure that our investments in infrastructure in this country result in union jobs, particularly in the clean energy sector, so I came up with this idea of amplifying the tax credits and deductions... In 2022, when we passed the IRA, we got a structure, not with everything we had in the original bill, but prevailing wage and apprenticeships were really the key focus, and it amplified the tax credits fivefold if there was a project labor agreement related to prevailing wages and apprenticeships,” said Merkley.

“There is such an opportunity for us on climate, yes, but on jobs,” said Klobuchar. “My state, we just had a record 64,000 clean energy jobs — growing twice as fast as all sectors of our state’s economy.”

“There’s some new research out of Minnesota that shows that the Trump administration’s de facto freeze on wind energy has put 1,200 construction jobs, over 4,000 indirect and induced jobs, and $168 million dollars of economic impact all at risk because of their ideological attack on this one kind of energy, which is actually the most affordable kind of energy,” said Smith.

“[Trump] declared a war on Iran for energy. He declared war on Venezuela for energy. He wants to declare war on Greenland for energy. But he’s declared war on the East Coast and their energy plan, and those are almost all union jobs,” said Markey.

“We should be advocating for the fact that [Trump] curtailed this development of skilling and training for higher-wage jobs but now can’t even get an infrastructure bill out the door,” said Cantwell. “You’re not just constraining the worker, but the company, the community, [and] the competitive level of our nation.”

“There is this extraordinary opportunity to create incentives for what we want to do,” said Wyden. “Trump still is trying to figure out how to help some of his friends because they know that we’re right in terms of clean energy credits. And now the question is, we’ve got to make sure that we understand where we go from here.”

"The labor movement is united on our goals for the future of the energy sector. We want a world where union workers are building, operating, and maintaining an all-of-the-above approach, where we’re investing in an affordable clean energy economy, and we’re protecting our communities from climate change—all at the same time. But the Trump administration has rolled back the progress we made on energy, manufacturing, and construction jobs and technology through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. We know there's a better path forward—including restoring that transformative legislation—and labor is committed to partnering with pro-worker elected officials and candidates to get there," said Liz Shuler, President of AFL-CIO.

“The 540,000 members of the Laborers' International Union of North America are the backbone of our nation's infrastructure. Every single day, the highly-skilled men and women of LIUNA build the foundation of our nation’s economy. Nowhere is that impact felt more acutely than in the energy sector. For our members, an energy job isn't just a paycheck—it is a ticket to the middle class. When their livelihoods are under attack, it's up to us to stand up and fight because the path to energy security and economic prosperity runs directly through organized labor,” said Brent Booker, General President of LIUNA.

“We have seen what is possible from the investment resulting from the Inflation Reduction Act... Most importantly, our union secured a labor peace agreement, setting a new industry standard that protects workers' rights to organize without fear of retaliation. When the Trump administration moved to block and shut down offshore wind plants, it stopped the creation of manufacturing jobs that IUE-CWA had prepared to organize and delayed the ratification of our energy agreement. The IRA focused on subsidizing energy generation, but going forward, we also need stronger policies to ensure that the equipment is manufactured domestically and we can rely on made-in-America green energy,” said Carl Kennebrew, President of IUE-CWA.

“The apprenticeship is what shifted my trajectory... When I think about the apprenticeship experience, from lived experience as a member of the Maryland General Assembly, sitting in the Maryland State Senate, one of the only members that has graduated from a registered apprenticeship program, I tell folks about discipline, the opportunity to learn, and mentorship... As I think about 2026 and where we sit now, many people may think that workers are scared or concerned about change. Senator Heinrich, I think you said it right. I don't think workers are scared about change. I think they're scared about uncertainty,” said Cory McCray, Maryland State Senator and IBEW Local 24 Vice President.

“USW members proudly work in a wide variety of industries critical to supporting clean energy, including steel, aluminum, cement, glass, and more. As we look to secure a strong future for workers and their communities, we must continue investing in next-generation technologies, building an economy that supports good union jobs, while also keeping us competitive on the global stage. We thank Sens. Heinrich and Schatz and their colleagues for holding this important conversation to discuss policies that support both clean energy and a strong domestic manufacturing base,” said Donnie Blatt, USW District 1 Director.

“When Donald Trump stepped into the Oval Office in January 2025, we were on a path to a better future for working people and the planet, but Trump has put a torch to it,” said BlueGreen Alliance Executive Director Jason Walsh. “Serious damage has been done, but It’s not too late to start fixing what Trump and the GOP Congress have tried to destroy. We need leadership in Washington, D.C. who will focus on creating good-paying jobs generating clean energy and building the supply chains we need for America to achieve widespread prosperity, security, and equity.”


Hickenlooper, Bennet Celebrate Committee Passage of Colorado Priorities in Biennial Water Bill

Senators secured authorization for up to $27 million for Colorado water projects

Legislation heads to Senate floor for passage

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet celebrated the committee passage of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) and the Colorado projects included within. WRDAis passed every two years to authorize projects that address water management, flood control, ecosystem restoration, and long-term clean water priorities.

“We’re experiencing the worst drought in 1,200 years in the West,” said Hickenlooper. “Our new water future demands federal investment in Colorado communities that helps them create more resilient infrastructure, healthier ecosystems, and stronger waterways.”

“Access to clean, reliable drinking water is critical for every Coloradan. As the state faces a hotter, drier future, Congress must invest in the infrastructure needed to keep our water supplies safe and dependable,” said Bennet. “I’m grateful for the committee passage of this vital water infrastructure bill, and that support for many of Colorado’s drinking water priorities are included.”

The 2026 WRDA includes several Colorado priorities that Hickenlooper and Bennet fought for, including:

Adding Colorado to the list of states eligible for funding under Section 595, which provides technical, design, and construction assistance with critical infrastructure to small and rural communities. Colorado is currently the only Colorado River Basin state without eligibility for these funds.

Robust reauthorization of the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds through 2030. Both programs are updated to address PFAS and lead service line replacement projects.

Lowering the state cost share for aquatic nuisance species monitoring, rapid response, and planning projects from 50% to 35%.

Hickenlooper and Bennet also secured $27 million in new authorities under the 2026 WRDA for Colorado projects:

$10 million for Custer County to meet the water supply gap, mitigate water supply risks, optimize water resources, and provide benefits across the Arkansas River Basin.

$10 million for Aurora to reduce stormwater drainage issues, reducing the likelihood of flooding.

$7 million for Montezuma and La Plata Counties to continue efforts to replace Durango’s raw water pipeline. This funding also extends a Montezuma County water system to reach a largely elderly and retired community who have hauled water for decades.

WRDA now heads to the Senate floor for a final vote.

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New Report: Coloradans Have Spent Over$1 Billion More On Gas Since Iran War Began

As Iran War continues, the average Colorado family has spent $447 more on gas

WASHINGTON – As President Trump’s war with Iran continues to escalate, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper highlighted how Coloradans are paying more at the gas pump. According to a new report by the Joint Economic Committee Minority, Coloradans have collectively spent $1,005,829,767 more on gas since the Iran war began, amounting to $447 more per family.

“As President Trump’s war with Iran escalates, so do the costs for working Colorado families,” said Hickenlooper. “From farmers struggling to afford diesel to families paying more at the gas pump, this conflict — combined with the president’s illegal tariffs and massive health care cuts — has created a cost-of-living emergency. We’ve voted 11 times to end this illegal war. We’ll keep fighting to end it so we can get back to lowering costs and making life more affordable for Coloradans.”

Across the board, Coloradans are getting crushed by the ongoing cost-of-living emergency. A June report found that the average Colorado household has spent $3,300+ more on goods and services under President Trump, including:

Housing Costs: Colorado families have spent $416 more on housing costs such as rent and mortgage payments since President Trump took office.

Grocery Costs: Americans have paid $310 more for groceries in President Trump’s first year than in 2024. Grocery prices are up 4% since Trump took office, per the report.

Health Care: Monthly Affordable Care Act (ACA) premiums have risen over 50% on average in 2026 compared to last year while deductibles surged to record highs increasing by more than $1,000 on average.

Hickenlooper has been a vocal opponent of the president’s illegal war since day one. Hickenlooper has consistently voted to end Trump’s highly unpopular and illegal war with Iran. He’s called out skyrocketing gas prices and costly impacts on farmers’ bottom lines. Hickenlooper has spoken multiple times on the Senate floor condemning Trump for sidestepping Congress and dragging America into a war that’s driving Americans’ cost-of-living through the roof.

He has also traveled Colorado to meet with workers, ranchers, and farmers getting crushed by the increasing prices fueled by the war. This May, Hickenlooper met with truckers, construction and plumbing small businesses, labor unions, and rideshare drivers to discuss how the President’s tariffs, and his reckless war in Iran – and the resulting spike in gas prices – is squeezing workers and cutting into margins for transportation-dependent industries. He heard from a rideshare driver who was struggling to keep food on the table thanks to the increasing prices caused by the war.

A farmer on the Western Slope also told him the spiking costs of fertilizer and extreme drought make him wary of continuing to farm at all.

Hickenlooper is fighting to stop the president’s corrupt agenda that has rigged the system for the Epstein class while leaving working families behind. He fought against the president’s disastrous budget bill that gutted health care to pay for tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy. He’s doing a state-wide tour of local hospitals and clinics to meet with Coloradans and hear how they are grappling with the increasing costs of health care.

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Hirono Presses Attorney General Nominee Todd Blanche on DOJ Weaponization, Rule of Law

~ Watch Senator Hirono’s Questions Here ~

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, pressed Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche on his role in weaponizing the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) against President Trump’s perceived enemies during Mr. Blanche’s nomination hearing. During her question line, Senator Hirono also questioned Mr. Blanche on his failure to rescind the anti-weaponization slush fund and got Blanche to commit on the record to cooperating with the state of New Mexico’s investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’s Zorro Ranch.

“Mr. Blanche, you see nothing wrong with the President treating DOJ as his own personal law firm to use against his perceived enemies and as a way of helping his friends,” said Senator Hirono. “You oversaw the botched release of the Epstein files, denying justice once again to survivors who have been waiting so long for it. You have no business being the Attorney General of the United States.”

Earlier in the hearing, following a question by Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), Mr. Blanche asserted that he is “the President’s lawyer.” Senator Hirono raised alarms about Blanche’s role in enabling DOJ to serve as President Trump’s personal law firm. She cited a social media post from President Trump calling for George Soros to be criminally charged, and a DOJ investigation into Soros that was opened shortly after that post. Senator Hirono also highlighted DOJ’s lawsuits seeking full voter lists as part of a campaign to suppress the votes of American citizens, asking Blanche if any of the judges in the 14 resolved lawsuits have sided with DOJ.

“The answer is no,” said Senator Hirono. “These 14 federal judges, some of them were Trump appointees, disagreed with DOJ’s position.”

Senator Hirono asked Blanche about public statements he previously made declaring “war” on federal judges who were ruling against the administration. Blanche clarified that he did not believe federal judges should be impeached for ruling against the administration.

Senator Hirono concluded her line of questioning by pressing Blanche on his memo that effectively terminated DOJ’s cryptocurrency investigations and prosecutions. Senator Hirono led her colleagues in calling on DOJ to reconsider that memo. When the memo was issued, Blanche held significant cryptocurrency assets. Senator Hirono led her colleagues in a letter questioning Blanche’s cryptocurrency conflicts, but he has not responded. Since Blanche’s memo eviscerating cryptocurrency enforcement work, Americans have reported over $11 billion in crypto fraud losses to the FBI in the past year.

“It is clear to me your leadership will be a continuation of what we have seen so far at the Trump Department of Justice. You are more likely to be called the Department of Retribution and Corruption,” said Senator Hirono.

Since the beginning of President Trump’s second term, Senator Hirono has been fighting back against the Trump Administration’s flagrant attacks on the rule of law. In March, on the Senate Floor, Senator Hirono opposed the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act which, unlike its name suggests, would make it significantly harder for Americans to exercise their right to vote. Additionally, Senator Hirono has consistently raised alarms about the Administration’s failure to adequately address cryptocurrency related crimes. Senator Hirono has also consistently sought justice for sexual assault survivors, including those assaulted by Jeffrey Epstein and President Trump.

To see the full video of Senator Hirono’s questions click here.

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Hoeven Introduces Legislation to Expand Geothermal Energy Development

WASHINGTON – Senator John Hoeven this week introduced the Harnessing Energy At Thermal Sources (HEATS) Act, bicameral legislation to support the expanded development of geothermal energy. The bill, which follows the model of Hoeven’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Mineral Spacing Act, would eliminate duplicative federal permitting and ensure majority holders of a geothermal estate located on non-federal lands can exercise their property rights in developing these resources. Specifically, Hoeven’s legislation would remove the federal permitting requirement for geothermal operations in instances when:

Less than half of the subsurface geothermal estate is owned by the federal government.

Geothermal exploration and production activities are conducted on non-federal surface acres.

The operator has received a state permit.

“Burdensome, duplicative federal regulations create roadblocks to developing the energy our nation needs. Even when there are no federal surface acres and the federal government owns a small share of a subsurface estate, geothermal operations reviewed and permitted by states are subject to a redundant federal permitting regime. This approach, which affects oil and gas production as well, severely hampers U.S. energy development,” said Hoeven “Just like my BLM Mineral Spacing Act, the HEATS Act would correct this overreach by the federal government, enabling us to produce more geothermal energy on non-federal lands and strengthening the property rights of mineral and land owners.”

The HEATS Act is co-sponsored by Senator Steve Daines (R-Mont.). A companion to the bill has been introduced in the House by Representative Young Kim (R-Calif.). The full text of the legislation can be found here.

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Hoeven Joins Congressional Delegation Trip to United Kingdom to Strengthen Economic & Military Partnerships

LONDON, U.K. – Senator John Hoeven (R-N.D.) participated in a congressional delegation trip to the United Kingdom. Hoeven and the delegation met with:

U.S. officials stationed in the U.K., including Ambassador Warren Stephens.

American forces deployed to Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford, which hosts a U.S. B-52 mission among other operations.

Hoeven, who serves as a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, reviewed U.S. operations in Great Britain.

B-52s from Minot Air Force Base were stationed at Fairford from March until July 1.

The B-1s currently stationed at Fairford were previously reassigned to Grand Forks Air Force Base while Ellsworth Air Force Base underwent renovations.

The B-1 crews credited their time in Grand Forks with ensuring the unit’s readiness as the aircraft were deployed to the U.K.

The senator discussed with military commanders what further support is needed to ensure missions across Europe and the Middle East continue to be successful.

Government officials, including Members of Parliament and officials from British intelligence services.

Hoeven and the delegation stressed that Great Britain and NATO need to meet their defense spending obligations, as well as work with the U.S. to put pressure on the Iranian regime and help achieve their shared objectives in the region.

Industry leaders to help realize additional trade opportunities between the two nations and strengthen economic ties.

The purpose of the trip was to reinforce the economic and military partnership between the U.S. and U.K., while calling on Great Britain to increase investment in its military so the two nations can more effectively counter adversaries and protect their interests around the globe.

“Great Britain is a key strategic partner that hosts a range of U.S. missions, providing a forward deployment point to support our security interests in Europe and the Middle East,” said Hoeven. “This visit was an opportunity to strengthen our ties with the U.K. and ensure our warfighters are receiving the support they need. The B-52s from Minot were recently stationed at RAF Fairford, and the B-1s from Ellsworth, which were assigned to Grand Forks over the last year, are currently deployed to the U.K. as well. Importantly, we pressed for Britain and all of the NATO members to increase their military investment. We need our allies to step up to the plate, especially in the conflict with Iran, and work with us to protect our shared interests. We also discussed our shared economic interests, in addition to our strategic partnership, and met with industry leaders to help advance mutually beneficial trade opportunities.”

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Husted delivers speech on Senate floor honoring fallen Ohio police officer

“Sgt. Ries was a dedicated public servant who put his life on the line every day and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his community responding to a violent call.”

View Husted’s remarks here.

WASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) delivered a speech on the Senate floor today honoring Rittman Police Sgt. Scott Ries, who was killed in the line of duty on July 5, 2026.

Sgt. Ries was fatally shot while responding to a domestic violence call. He served with the Rittman Police Department for 10 years after nearly two decades with the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office. He also previously served with the Sugar Grove Police Department.

Key excerpts include:

“Every day, the men and women of law enforcement leave home, not knowing what they will encounter.

“They live life with the uncertainty of what the next hazard is that they might encounter during the call that they receive to go protect and serve.”

. . .

“Sgt. Scott Ries was shot and killed responding to one of those calls.

“And today, I rise to honor one of Ohio’s bravest sons.”

. . .

“Sgt. Ries served and protected his community until the very last moment when he was responding to one of those calls.”

. . .

“Today, I want to take a few moments to honor his life, his service and his legacy.”

. . .

“Sgt. Ries was 54 years old and a native of Doylestown. He was a 10-year veteran of the police department.”

. . .

“His colleagues remember him as someone who wanted people to know that when they called for his help, he’d be there for them.”

. . .

“Sgt. Ries was a devoted husband and father.

“I had a chance a few days ago to speak with his wonderful wife, Michelle.

“He’s remembered as someone who was deeply involved in his family’s life, especially supporting his daughter’s cheerleading activities.”

. . .

“Sgt. Ries was a dedicated public servant who put his life on the line every day and made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his community responding to a violent call.”

. . .

“His wife and children and loved ones and fellow officers remain in our prayers.”

. . .

“Mr. President, Sgt. Scott Ries gave his life protecting his community and his neighbors.

“I thank my colleagues for giving me a few moments to hear his story, and to join me in honoring his service and celebrating his life.”


Kaine Statement on Senate Passage of Bill to Reauthorize Older Americans Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, applauded Senate passage of legislation to reauthorize the Older Americans Act (OAA). The legislation authorizes and increases funding for a range of programs and services to help older Americans age in their homes and communities. It also includes key provisions secured by Kaine, including his bill to strengthen advocacy for residents of nursing homes and other long-term care (LTC) facilities.

“I’m glad that the Senate finally passed legislation I’ve been pushing for to reauthorize the Older Americans Act,” said Kaine. “This bill will help more Americans stay in their own homes and communities as they age and do so with the dignity they deserve. I was proud to champion several provisions, including one that will strengthen advocacy for residents of long-term care facilities. I urge the House to pass this bill and send it to the President’s desk.”

Kaine successfully secured the following provisions:

Strengthening Advocacy for Long-Term Care Residents Act: Includes his Strengthening Advocacy for Long-Term Care Residents Act to strengthen the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program by instructing the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to establish categories of duties for volunteers and appropriate training requirements for volunteers based on those categories, reaffirm Congress’ intent that the Ombudsman program should be led by a full-time National Director, and require a study and report with a recommendation for the number of ombudsmen per LTC facility bed.

Direct Care Workforce Training: Includes a provision of his Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act instructing ACL to create a technical assistance center to support the recruitment, training, and retention of direct care workers. In 2022, ACL established this center. This provision codifies the existence of this center in statute and expands its work to include supporting family caregivers.

Support for Area Agencies on Aging: Includes language to ensure proper implementation of a statute that allows Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) to contract with outside entities to bring in revenue that AAAs reinvest in their work to serve older Americans.

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Walkinshaw, Kaine Lead 51 Colleagues Demanding Answers After Trump Quietly Strips Protections from Career Federal Workers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman James Walkinshaw (VA-11) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) are leading a congressional effort demanding answers from President Trump over the implementation of Schedule Policy/Career (Schedule P/C), a sweeping policy that strips civil service protections from thousands of career federal employees and could reshape the federal workforce around political loyalty instead of merit.

In a letter to President Trump, Walkinshaw, Kaine, and their colleagues call on the Administration to disclose the full scope of Schedule P/C, explain how employees were selected for reclassification, and detail its impact on the federal workforce, whistleblower protections, and the delivery of critical government services.

“America’s career civil servants serve the Constitution and the American people, not any president or political party,” said Rep. Walkinshaw. “Schedule P/C threatens nearly 150 years of merit-based civil service protections by making it easier to fire dedicated public servants for political reasons. Congress and the American people deserve answers about how many employees have been affected, how these decisions were made, and what this means for the government’s ability to serve the public.”

“Our career civil servants keep our government running,” said Senator Kaine. “Federal employees deserve the freedom to do their jobs professionally and without fear of political retaliation. The Trump-Vance Administration must explain to Congress, the federal workforce, and the public about how the implementation of Schedule P/C will affect the government’s ability to protect Americans and provide critical services that we all rely on.”

The lawmakers warn that Schedule P/C undermines the merit-based civil service established by the Pendleton Civil Service Act of 1883, which ended the federal patronage system by requiring government jobs to be awarded based on merit instead of political connections. They argue the policy makes it easier to remove career employees without longstanding civil service protections and replace them with political loyalists.

The letter also warns that employees reclassified under Schedule P/C could lose critical whistleblower protections. Rather than reporting waste, fraud, or abuse through the independent Office of Special Counsel, affected employees could be forced to report misconduct within their own agencies, increasing the risk of retaliation and making it harder to expose wrongdoing.

The lawmakers are seeking answers to a series of questions, including:

• How many federal employees and positions have been reclassified under Schedule P/C.

• Which agencies, occupations, and grade levels have been affected.

• The criteria used to determine which positions were labeled “policy-determining, policymaking, or policy-advocating.”

• The total taxpayer cost of implementing Schedule P/C.

• Whether the Administration plans to reclassify additional federal employees.

• How the Administration will protect whistleblowers and comply with any court rulings concerning Schedule P/C.

In addition to Walkinshaw and Kaine, the letter is also signed by U.S. Senators Gary C. Peters (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angela D. Alsobrooks (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Cory A. Booker (D-NJ), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bernard Sanders (D-VT) as well as Representatives Robert Garcia (CA-42), Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Nikki Budzinski (CA-37), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Donald S. Beyer Jr. (VA-08), Judy Chu (CA-28), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Alma S. Adams Ph.D. (NC-12), John W. Mannion (NY-22), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Jennifer L. McClellan (VA-04), Eugene Simon Vindman (VA-07), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Johnny Olszewski, Jr. (MD-02), Timothy M. Kennedy (NY-26), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA-03), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Susie Lee (NV-03), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Greg Landsman (OH-01), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Dave Min (CA-47), and Janelle S. Bynum (OR-05).

The lawmakers requested that the Administration respond by July 31, 2026.

Read the full letter here.

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Warner, Kaine Announce Over $6 Million In Federal Funding To Boost Public Safety, Support Local Law Enforcement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $6,733,892 in federal grant funding for the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) to help state and local law enforcement agencies strengthen crisis intervention systems, expand evidence-based diversion strategies, and improve public safety across the Commonwealth. This funding comes from the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program and Byrne State Crisis Intervention Formula Program (SCIP). The SCIP program is made possible by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022, landmark legislation championed by Sens. Warner and Kaine that includes commonsense provisions similar to those outlined in the senators’ Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence.

“As former governors, we know firsthand that state and local law enforcement agencies are often asked to do more with fewer resources,” said the senators. “The safety of all Virginians – including those on the force – is dependent on law enforcement officers, behavioral health professionals, and community partners receiving the tools and training they need to respond effectively to public safety crises. We’re thrilled to announce these federal dollars that will strengthen crisis response, support evidence-based crime prevention, and make communities across Virginia safer.”

The grant awards include:

$4,149,031 through the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program to support state and local law enforcement agencies and criminal justice partners through evidence-based, coordinated, and data-driven initiatives. This funding will help improve law enforcement training equipment, technology, and intelligence-led policing programs; strengthen prosecution and court programs to enhance case processing and judicial effectiveness; expand prevention and education programs that promote partnerships and community-based crime reduction and public awareness; advance corrections programs, including reentry and supervision strategies and drug treatment and enforcement programs addressing opioid and fentanyl misuse; strengthen data systems and evidence-based decision-making; and bolster behavioral health response initiatives, including Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) and Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) programs.

$2,584,861 through the Byrne State Crisis Intervention Program (SCIP) to strengthen crisis intervention systems and expand evidence-based diversion strategies for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises, substance use disorders, and violence-related risk factors. This funding will serve local governments, courts, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, behavioral health providers, community supervision agencies, specialty dockets, victim service organizations, and community-based organizations – including those in rural and underserved communities. This investment is expected to increase diversion capacity, expand access to behavioral health treatment and stabilization services, improve coordination of crisis response, increase engagement and specialty docket completion by participants, reduce recidivism and violent reoffending, and strengthen statewide crisis intervention infrastructure.

Sens. Warner and Kaine have long supported efforts to protect law enforcement, strengthen public safety, and improve the criminal justice system. In April, they reintroduced the Virginia Plan to Reduce Gun Violence Act, legislation to enact a series of commonsense gun violence prevention measures that have been approved by Virginia’s elected officials. The senators also supported the bipartisan First Step Act, a historic criminal justice law that reduced sentences for nonviolent offenders and lower recidivism rates. In 2020, they joined 31 of their Senate colleagues in introducing the Justice in Policing Act to improve police accountability for misconduct, increase transparency through better data collection, and improve police practices and training.

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WATCH: In SASC Hearing, Kelly Questions Pentagon Official on Trump’s Wasteful Golden Dome Proposal

“We could spend more than $1 trillion and end up with a system that’s not going to work”

“Missile defense is too important to pursue just based on aspiration alone”

Today, during a Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing, Arizona Senator and Navy combat veteran Mark Kelly questioned Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules W. Hurst III on the cost and effectiveness of the Golden Dome missile defense system before Congress commits hundreds of billions of dollars to a program that won’t meaningfully improve America’s security.

Kelly raised concerns about the cost of the Golden Dome and pressed into the effectiveness of the space-based interceptor layer: “Before Congress commits taxpayers to what could become the most expensive defense program in our nation’s history, we need some confidence that the system is going to deliver the capability that’s being promised. And to me, right now, it’s clear that it won’t. The most ambitious element of Golden Dome is the space-based interceptor layer, and that is going to face significant technical challenges. The costs, the physics, the likely reliability, in my view, do not support a full-scale space-based intercept architecture. This means that we could spend more than $1 trillion and end up with a system that’s not going to work, and it’s not going to meaningfully improve our security.”

Kelly pointed out that defeating the system is cheaper than building it: “Do you understand that defeating a system with countermeasures and decoys is cheaper than interceptors? […] That becomes a math problem, like an economics math problem is that the adversary’s ability to defeat the system is less expensive than our cost to build the system.”

Kelly called on the Pentagon to prove that Golden Dome is worth the investment: “There are things in the program that makes sense; detecting launches, even some other approaches to this. The space-based interceptor part is really, really hard, and the physics clearly favors the offense. So, we could go down this road, spend hundreds of billions of dollars and not get any return on that investment. And missile defense is too important to pursue just based on aspiration alone.

“I want to make sure that we have a system that is technically achievable, strategically sound, and represents the best use of limited resources. So, the Department should be able to demonstrate not only what Golden Dome will cost, but that that it can realistically deliver on this promise of missile defense. And I have not seen any convincing evidence of that to date.”

Sen. Kelly questions Acting Pentagon Comptroller Jules W. Hurst III about the Golden Dome at a SASC hearing.

Click here to download a video of Kelly’s questions. See the transcript below:

Senator Kelly:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Hurst, the administration, I want to follow up on Senator King’s question about Golden Dome. So, it’s made it a priority. It is a significant investment in limited resources that we have. So, before Congress commits taxpayers to what could become the most expensive defense program in our nation’s history, we need some confidence that the system is going to deliver the capability that’s being promised. And to me, right now, it’s clear that it won’t. The most ambitious element of Golden Dome is the space-based interceptor layer, and that is going to face significant technical challenges. The costs, the physics, the likely reliability, in my view, do not support a full-scale space-based intercept architecture. This means that we could spend more than $1 trillion and end up with a system that’s not going to work, and it’s not going to improve, meaningfully, improve our security. So, Mr. Hurst, what analysis gives you confidence that Golden Dome is a responsible use of taxpayer dollars, rather than an extraordinarily expensive system that’s not going to achieve the stated objectives?

Mr. Jules W. Hurst III:

Senator Kelly, I appreciate your background in this area. I would say I have confidence in this because I trust the program manager, General Guetlein, to make these kinds of determinations and change course inside the program, if necessary, to achieve an outcome at the appropriate cost for the taxpayer. This is a better issue to be held in a classified session, but if you haven’t gotten a brief from him, sir, I’d recommend it. It’s compelling.

Kelly:

I’ve got gotten multiple briefs from him. Have you seen an analysis, a technical analysis that has convinced you that this is achievable? Or are you—just trust that he tells you we can do this?

Hurst:

I believe it’s possible to have a space-based interceptor capability.

Kelly:

Based on what?

Hurst:

I think the big determination there is, what will the cost per unit be, whether or not it’s a field of capability that produces the kind of result we want.

Kelly:

Do you understand that defeating a system with countermeasures and decoys is cheaper than interceptors?

Hurst:

I’m familiar with some of the dynamics of an engagement in a space environment.

Kelly:

So that becomes a math problem, like an economics math problem is that the adversary’s ability to defeat the system is less expensive than our cost to build the system.

Hurst:

It will depend on how the technology turns out, but I think there’s an opportunity to avoid that exact engagement scenario in a manner that makes the system more effective.

Kelly:

How do we do that?

Hurst:

I think, again, that’d be a better classified session.

Kelly:

But you know how we do that?

Hurst:

I have had a brief on that and if that’s still what General Guetlein of thinking is, I think it’s a possibility that we should be interested in investing in the research and development dollars to procure.

Kelly:

Let’s say if the Department cannot demonstrate that Golden Dome will provide the level of protection that the Administration publicly states it will. I mean, why would why would Congress be asked to commit more than $1 trillion over the lifecycle before these questions have all been answered? Because I’m not convinced, they’ve been answered.

Hurst:

Senator Kelly, I haven’t heard that cost estimate of $1 trillion.

Kelly:

From the CBO.

Hurst:

Is that what we’re saying? Well, I think the Department’s cost estimate at the time that I was comptroller is $185 billion for the entire system. And the most compelling parts of Golden Dome for me are the situation of awareness aspects, which will pay dividends for the Department outside of just missile defense.

Kelly:

I agree with that. So, there are things in the program that makes sense; detecting launches, even some other approaches to this. The space-based interceptor part is really, really hard, and the physics clearly favors the offense. So, we could go down this road, spend hundreds of billions of dollars and not get any return on that investment. And missile defense is too important to pursue this just based on aspiration alone. So, I want to make sure that we have a system that is technically achievable, strategically sound, and represents the best use of limited resources. So, the Department should be able to demonstrate not only what Golden Dome will cost, but that that it can realistically deliver on this promise of missile defense. And I have not seen any convincing evidence of that to date. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.


WATCH: Kelly Confronts DNI Nominee Jay Clayton on Whether He Can Disagree with Trump and Deliver Intelligence Honestly

Kelly: “This job is not about softening the edges when the truth is unpleasant. It’s about delivering information and making sure the president understands that information. And by the way, people risked their lives to get this information.”

Kelly: “If you can’t disagree with him when he’s not in the room, are you going to be able to disagree with him when you’re sitting across from him in the Oval Office or the Situation Room?”

Today, during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, Arizona Senator and Navy combat veteran Mark Kelly confronted the nominee for Director of National Intelligence, Jay Clayton, on his refusal to plainly state that former President Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, and if that unwillingness to disagree with President Trump disqualifies him from a job that demands delivering unvarnished analysis and information.

To Kelly’s question of why President Biden’s election had been certified, Clayton acknowledged that Biden had “the most electoral votes” and was “declared winner,” but repeatedly refused to plainly state that Biden won.

Kelly called out the pattern of Trump nominees who refuse to disagree with the president on the most basic facts: “The reason why we struggle with this, and I think it’s especially important in the job you’re nominated for, is because it seems that folks who are nominated for these positions just fundamentally refuse to disagree with something the president says. And the problem I have with this is he isn’t in the room today. You’re going to be in a room with him many times, and at times you should have a difference of opinion. And if you can’t disagree with him when he’s not in the room, are you going to be able to disagree with him when you’re sitting across from him in the Oval Office or the Situation Room? That’s what I struggle with because this job is different, this job, it’s not about softening the edges when the truth is unpleasant. It’s about delivering information and making sure the president understands that information. And by the way, people risked their lives to get this information. And if it’s not transmitted to the president, if he doesn’t understand it—I mean, there’s going to be disagreements. We expect that. But I really struggle with this, especially in your position, because you can’t disagree with them on this, because he doesn’t like the fact that he lost in 2020. As you said, Joe Biden was certified because he got the most electoral votes. That means he won. But you still refuse to say that.”

Sen. Kelly questions Director of National Intelligence Nominee Jay Clayton.

Click here to download a video of Kelly’s questions. See the transcript below:

Senator Kelly:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Clayton, thank you for being here. I’ve got a couple very basic questions, and then I want to get a little bit of your opinion on the threats we face if we have time. So, can you tell me why Joe Biden was certified as the winner of the 2020 election?

Director of National Intelligence Nominee Jay Clayton:

I’m going back to my constitutional law here, but I don’t want to continue to have a debate about this. But I believe he had the most electoral votes.

Kelly:

So, he won the election?

Clayton:

He followed our process, had the most electoral votes, was declared the winner—

Kelly:

Who has the most electoral votes? Is it the person that wins or the person that loses?

Clayton:

I think that’s your characterization. I really, I’m not going to continue—

Kelly:

The reason why we struggle with this, and I think it’s especially important in the job you’re nominated for, is because it seems that folks who are nominated for these positions just fundamentally refuse to disagree with something the President says. And the problem I have with this is he isn’t in the room, today. You’re going to be in a room with him, many times, and at times you should have a difference of opinion. And if you can’t disagree with him when he’s not in the room, are you going to be able to disagree with him when you’re sitting across from him in the Oval Office or the Situation Room? That’s what I struggle with because this job is different. This job, it’s not about softening the edges when the truth is unpleasant. It’s about delivering information and making sure the President understands that information—and by the way, people risk their lives to get this information. And if it’s not transmitted to the President, if he doesn’t understand it–I mean, there’s going to be disagreements. We expect that. But I really struggle with this, especially in your position, because you can’t disagree with him on this, because he doesn’t like the fact that he lost in 2020. As you said, Joe Biden was certified because he got the most electoral votes. That means he won. But you still refuse to say that.

Clayton:

And I was sitting at the SEC, when this occurred, and I can tell you that I, maybe people worked harder, but I don’t think anybody I know worked harder to make an effective transition to my successor at the SEC. And in terms of your question, I have every confidence that I will deliver on my job candidly, independently, and with my best judgment.

Kelly:

But just not in this room? Okay, let me move on. So, I want to just hear from you. What do you think our top threats are that we face as a nation today? Let’s just talk about the top three.

Clayton:

From where I sit today. Terrorism, from many sources. I believe that we have done a good job of reducing the threat, but drug trafficking and the deaths from fentanyl into the United States were an incredible threat. The combination, I’m not going to speak about any specific illuminating that I’m not going to see at any specific country, but the combination in certain countries of cartels, military, and business is very dangerous. But lastly, I would I would say our traditional adversaries, Senator Kelly, that we’ve talked about.

Kelly:

Terrorism, drugs, cartels and traditional, I assume you mean Russia, China.

Clayton:

Russia, China, and Iran.

Kelly:

With regards to Russia and China, I have about 40 seconds left. You know, what specifically would you do as DNI to help our country deal with those threats? Since we only have 30 seconds just talk to me about Russia and Ukraine.

Clayton:

Russia, Ukraine, China. One thing that I elaborated before that I think I can be extremely helpful on, is the economic strategies that are involved in our engagement with them across conflict and cooperation. You know, we still cooperate extensively with China on the world stage economically.

Kelly:

Do you think the economic issue with Russia outweighs the national security risk to our allies?

Clayton:

I think that they are very closely tied. How do a number of these threat actors fund themselves, its energy, other things. That’s extremely you know, I think you and I talked about this are some of our I would say, most formidable threat actors are the ones who are the most well-funded.

Kelly:

All right. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.


Senators Kim and Hirono Introduce Legislation to Permanently Make Federal Services Language Accessible

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Andy Kim (D-NJ) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Executive Board Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, introduced the Language Access for All Act to codify language access requirements for federal agencies and protect language access for the 25 million individuals in the United States with limited English proficiency. The legislation would prioritize customer service governance by reducing barriers to federal services and making sure federal agencies are equipped to meet diverse language needs.

“There’s nothing more basic to the purpose of government than to help people,” said Senator Kim. “From accessing veteran benefits to help filing taxes, no one in our country should be barred from accessing critical assistance or resources because of language barriers. As the Trump administration goes after long-standing translation and language accessibility services, this legislation would make sure no president can stand between the American people and the agencies there to serve them.”

“In limiting multilingual access to federal resources, the Trump regime’s extreme anti-diversity ideology is preventing millions of American citizens from accessing critical services including small business loans, Social Security benefits, and Medicare coverage,” said Senator Hirono. “By protecting interpreter and translation services, this legislation ensures that all Americans—no matter what language they speak— can get the services they need.”

The Language Access for All Act is being introduced as services come under threat from the Trump Administration. In March 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order (EO) 14224 that declared English as the official language of the United States and revoked EO 13166, a 25-year-old mandate that required agencies to provide critical language access to individuals with limited English proficiency (LEP). The Trump administration’s Department of Justice issued new guidance that minimizes multilingual services and redirects resources towards English language assimilation.

These policy changes threaten language access for the over 25 million people in the United States—eight percent of the U.S. population—with limited English proficiency. Asian Americans have among the highest language access needs of any racial group, with 32 percent having LEP. 12 percent of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders also have significant language access needs. And while Spanish language speakers make up the majority of those who speak another language in the United States, nearly 40 percent report speaking English “less than very well” in the most recent U.S. Census.

The Language Access for All Act of 2026 would modernize and strengthen the federal government’s language access services by formalizing EO 13166 and establishing a coordinated, accountable framework to ensure meaningful access to government services for individuals with limited English proficiency. Specifically, the legislation would:

Requires federal agencies to ensure that individuals with LEP can meaningfully access the federally conducted programs and activities of the agency, including through translation and interpretation.

Creates a public complaint system to track complaints regarding barriers to meaningful access at agencies.

Requires agencies to develop and maintain language access plans consistent with EO 13166, with public notice and comment, and to submit plans to Congress and publish them on LEP.gov.

Establishes language access technical standards that allow individuals with LEP to access agency content. This applies to all agency communications, including AI and automated language assistance services.

Ensures AI-assisted language services do not replace qualified translators and interpreters, comply with federal privacy requirements, and are continuously tested for bias, discrimination, and errors.

Creates an interagency language access working group to provide guidance, coordination, and technical assistance.

Requires each agency to designate a language access coordinator to lead implementation and serve as a point of contact.

The legislation is co-sponsored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and was introduced in January 2026 in the House of Representatives by fellow members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus: Representatives Judy Chu (CA-28), Grace Meng (NY-06), Juan Vargas (CA-51), and Dan Goldman (NY-10).

“For more than 25 years, both Democratic and Republican presidents have supported language accessibility across the federal government. Trump’s roll back of these protections is simply wrong. In my district, translation services are essential for parents applying for a home loan, seniors accessing Medicare, immigrants starting a small business, and disaster survivors accessing the FEMA’s resources. That is why I’m proud to co-lead the Language Access for All Act to ensure no one is denied health care, housing, or disaster assistance because English is not their first language. Language access is a civil right and rolling back these services is an attack on our immigrant communities,” said Representative Chu.

“Every American deserves equal access to federal services and programs in a language they can understand. Language access is essential to ensure individuals are able to access small business loans or receive the right medical care,” said Representative Meng, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. “I am proud to lead the Language Access for All Act in the House to safeguard translation services for individuals with limited English proficiency, including millions in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community. We will continue to fight against the Trump administration’s attacks on immigrants and the essential services that our communities rely on and deserve.”

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In Key Nomination Hearing, King Challenges Potential Intelligence Head on Ability to Avoid Political Pressure

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, during a key hearing before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) questioned the potential lead Intelligence official on his ability to resist political pressure. In his exchange with Office ofDirector of National Intelligence (ODNI) nominee Jay Clayton, King stressed the importance of analytical integrity and the obligation of intelligence officials to provide objective, fact-based assessments free from political influence.

Senator King began, “There's been some discussion earlier about the importance of analytical integrity. Telling truth to power. The Intelligence Community directive, which goes back to more than a decade, says this, ‘Any information from the Intelligence Community should be independent of political consideration. Analytic assessments must not be distorted by or shaped by advocacy of a particular audience or policy viewpoint. Analytic judgments must not be influenced by the force of preference for a particular policy.’ Do you concur with that?”

“Yes,” Mr. Clayton responded.

Senator King asked, “Who won the 2020 election?”

“I'm not going to get into that,” Mr. Clayton replied.

“Could you answer the question? Who won 2020 election? It’s a simple question,” Senator King repeated.

“My answer to the Chairman, he asked me if I was an election denier. I am not an election denier. Joe Biden was certified as the President. He went through his process. We went through our electoral process. I can tell you, I was in my seat at the SEC—,” said Mr. Clayton.

“I am asking a really simple question. Who won 2020 election?” Senator King repeated again.

“As I said, we went through our processes and Joe Biden became the President of the United States,” Mr. Clayton responded.

“That is not an answer to the question. I am asking one more time. Who won the 2020 election?” asked Senator King.

“I'm here to talk about my qualifications,” replied Mr. Clayton.

“One of your qualifications is to tell the truth to power and you will not answer reasonable questions,” said Senator King.

“I've answered it many times,” replied Mr. Clayton.

“You have not answered that. Saying that Joe Biden was certified is not an answer,” Senator King finished.

As a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), Senator King is recognized as an authoritative voice on national security and foreign policy issues. He has repeatedly questioned Obama, Biden, and Trump Administration officials on their willingness to speak truth to power – even when the truth is politically inconvenient. Most recently, Senator King questioned an administration nominee on his independence and integrity – stressing that the nation’s most significant national security mistakes occur when “biased” information is given to leaders.

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Lankford Questions DNI Nominee Jay Clayton on Iran Threats, Terror Financing, and ODNI Reform

WASHINGTON, DC — US Senator James Lankford (R-OK), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, today questioned Jay Clayton, President Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence, on the growing terror threat from Iran and how his experience prosecuting terrorists, spies, and money launderers in the Southern District of New York prepares him to lead the intelligence community.

You can watch Lankford’s full remarks at the hearing HERE. You can download it HERE.

Excerpts:

On Serving Policymakers with Clear Intelligence:

Lankford: “You have served the nation in multiple different roles, before and leading SEC, and did a very good job there, in the Southern District of New York in the US Attorney’s office. You’ve got a very unique experience and background walking in on intelligence. You’ve handled money laundering, drug kingpins. You’ve handled international terrorists, foreign terrorist organizations, counterespionage cases. You’ve handled a lot of things as a prosecutor in this. My question to you is, how does that experience, in knowing what is needed to actually prosecute individuals, affect how you approach this task in helping the intelligence community trying to be able to gather information?”

Clayton: “[…] The intelligence community is about providing information and analysis, not setting policy or making decisions. I look forward to playing that role as ODNI. I think that my experience as a consumer of that type of information will help me provide the information in the way that is best for the consumers I serve. […] The women and men of the intelligence community are incredible. I look forward to working with them, learning from them, and figuring out how to provide that best possible intelligence product.”

On Streamlining the Office of the Director of National Intelligence:

Lankford: “ODNI started out as a very small entity after the 9/11 attacks, as you know well. It has grown to a multi-thousand-person organization. […] We have a lot of people that are detailed from a lot of our intelligence agencies to the Director of National Intelligence office. […] You’ve led a lot of large organizations. Tell me, process wise, how you walk in to be able to look at, are we right size, right task? Do we have people here that need to actually be there? How do you make those decisions?”

Clayton: “[…] What is our mission? The safety and security of the American people. How do we deal with that every day? We provide decision makers with the best possible intelligence product. What is the structure over the intelligence community with the role that we have, which is supposed to be oversight and integration, not operations? What is the structure that best serves that? That’s how I intend to look at it. […] The analogy that is in my mind is a board of directors that oversees a number of subsidiaries. In most cases, that board of directors is fairly lean and relies on reporting from the subsidiaries. […] One thing you don’t want to do as a member of a board of directors, whether you’re in oversight or empowerment or both, is get into the day-to-day of management. You lose perspective.”

On the Threat from Iran:

Lankford: “You have handled terrorism cases coming straight out of Iran and threats that have come to us. For 47 years, the United States and American citizens all around the world have faced terrorism threats from Iran and the growth of the proxy terror organizations. What can you tell us at this point, based on your experience in the Southern District of New York and your prosecution side of things, and then also some of the work that you had done in the past just dealing with money laundering and the movement of money, the most effective way to be able to deal with the threats that we’re facing right now from Iran?”

Clayton: “The threat’s real. It’s not hypothetical. Look, all you need to do is look at the people who we have arrested in the last year and what they have done. They intend to do our citizens harm. They are well funded, and they are well funded through channels that we need to do a better job of monitoring. Our traditional banking channels I think are fairly well monitored. There are new channels, I would say digital asset platforms, other channels where funding takes place that we need to do a better job on.”

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