Rep. Subramanyam Bipartisan Small Business Bill Unanimously Passes the House

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10)’s bipartisan bill, the Federal Improvement in Technology (FIT) Procurement Act (H.R. 4123), has unanimously passed the House of Representatives. It now heads to the U.S. Senate.

“In the fight for government efficiency, we have long needed modernized federal systems. By allowing federal agencies to move faster to purchase innovative technologies and not be delayed by outdated cost thresholds, we can encourage small businesses to contract with the government and save the government money. This is commonsense legislation, and I’m glad it unanimously passed the House,” said Congressman Subramanyam.

The bill, introduced with Congressman Eric Burlison (R-MO), will streamline federal procurement of technology, make it easier for small businesses to participate in federal contracting, and save millions in taxpayer dollars annually.


Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Launches Discharge Petition to Force Vote on American Dream and Promise Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29), with the support of House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and House Democratic Leadership, officially announced and signed her discharge petition to force an up-or-down vote on the bipartisan American Dream and Promise Act (H.R. 1589).

The American Dream and Promise Act would provide eligible Dreamers, undocumented individuals who were brought into the U.S. as children, with an earned pathway to citizenship and allow eligible recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to obtain lawful permanent resident status.

A discharge petition allows a majority of House members to go around Republican leadership when it refuses to bring a bill to the floor. If 218 members sign the petition, they can force the House to vote on the American Dream and Promise Act.

“This is not a warning about what might happen. Dreamers are losing their jobs, being detained, and being deported right now. Temporary Protected Status holders who have lived here for decades are being told to prepare to leave. Congress has the power to stop this, and there is no excuse for hiding behind Speaker Johnson while families are torn apart,” said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia. “The overwhelming majority of Americans support a path to citizenship for Dreamers. So I am calling on my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to listen to their constituents. Sign the petition. Force the vote. Put these protections into law.”

“Donald Trump's hateful policies are creating a climate of fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities. Holders of Temporary Protected Status and Deferred Enforced Departure are some of our most vulnerable neighbors who have fled natural disasters and political violence. It is inhumane and economically disruptive to force these immigrants who have built lives in the U.S. to abruptly leave," said Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez. "I'm proud my legislation, the Promise Act, is included in H.R. 1589 as it will provide these individuals with protection from deportation and a path to citizenship. TPS holders have endured tremendous pain and uncertainty under this Administration, and I ask my colleagues to join us in discharging this bill to provide a glimmer of hope to our migrant communities”

"For decades, Dreamers, TPS holders, and DED beneficiaries have only given to this nation. They bind our communities together, contribute to our economy, and embody everything that each American should strive to be, all while asking nothing in return but their opportunity to reach the American Dream. While America has changed much over the years, they have remained among the best it has to offer. They will always be our neighbors, and not just numbers to cruelly fuel Donald Trump’s deportation machine," said Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke. "I urge my colleagues to sign the discharge petition and put Congress on the path towards passing the bipartisan American Dream and Promise Act, because these true Americans deserve permanent protection from the country they have shown only love, and not ceaseless threats from those who know only hate."

"Dreamers didn't choose how they got here, but they chose what to do once they arrived. They studied, they worked, they served, they built. America is the only home they've ever known. Yet for years, they’ve had to live with a suitcase by the door, waiting for the next court ruling or the next president to decide their future," said Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar. "I signed the discharge petition because Congress needs to act. As a co-lead of the American Dream and Promise Act, I am proud to support legislation that gives these young men and women the dignity they have earned: certainty to build their future in the only country they've ever called home.”

"For a quarter century, the United States Congress has been debating how to do right by Dreamers. For a quarter century, justice has been blocked, delayed and swept under the rug. Congress has the power to end this unnecessary and cruel wait. Dream and Promise is as just as it is popular – this is what our morality demands and what voters want," said Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Rep. Adriano Espaillat. "There is no excuse. I call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to represent the will of the American people and sign on in support of the Dream and Promise Act."

“I am proud today and every day to stand with our Dreamers and TPS holders. For far too long, Dreamers had to live in the shadows – and have now become a target of Trump and Stephen Miller’s mass deportation campaign – despite many having lived and worked in the United States for nearly their entire lives," said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. "As the courts deal blow after blow to DACA and TPS, it has never been more urgent that we pass the Dream and Promise Act to provide a roadmap to citizenship to keep families together and protect Dreamers and TPS holders.”

"Dreamers, TPS holders, and DED beneficiaries are vital members of our communities. They are our students, teachers, workers, and neighbors who contribute to our country every day,” said Congresswoman Judy Chu. “For many, the United States is the only home they have truly known. To Trump, none of that matters. His mass deportation regime continues to put them in danger. A pathway to citizenship must be established for these individuals so they continue to contribute and thrive here in the United States. That is why I will be signing a discharge petition to ensure our bill, the American Dream and Promise Act, can pass the House immediately.”

"Dreamers are an essential part of our economy. They are our nurses, police officers, and soldiers. They follow the law, pay taxes, and have built their lives in this country—graduating from American schools, growing in their careers, and starting their families here in America," said Congressman Lou Correa. "They’re deeply embedded in the fabric of our communities. They’re our neighbors and friends, and are a part of the economic fabric of this great country. They have earned the opportunity to be Americans. It’s past time that Congress passed the American Dream and Promise Act and deliver an earned pathway to citizenship for Dreamers—to keep their families together and keep our economy alive."

“For decades, Dreamers and TPS holders, many here since the age of two, have been waiting for stability. They have grown up here, taken care of us and given so much to our communities, yet they're living in constant fear of being ripped away from the only home they know. The growing attacks of the Trump administration and the Supreme Court on Dreamers and immigrants make it clear how urgent it is for Congress to finally act. That is why I am proud to join Congresswoman Garcia and advocates in filing a discharge petition to bring the Dream and Promise Act for a vote," said Congresswoman Delia Ramirez. "Democrats and Republicans alike need to prove to every Dreamer and immigrant that we know they are part of the fabric of our nation and finally create their pathway to citizenship. Let's pass the Dream and Promise Act."

“Dreamers and TPS holders are our neighbors, essential workers, and community leaders. They help power key industries including construction, health care, agriculture, and child care. They are the parents of hundreds of thousands of U.S. citizen children, working to provide for their families and integral members of communities across the country,” said Todd Schulte, President of FWD.us. “The Supreme Court’s decision allowing the termination of TPS along with the administration's quiet, ongoing attacks on Dreamers – with and without DACA – means all of them are now at greater risk of deportation. We’re grateful for Congresswoman Garcia’s leadership on the Discharge Petition for the Dream and Promise Act to ensure Dreamers and TPS holders are able to keep living, working, and contributing to our country. Every Member who says they support Dreamers and TPS holders should sign the Discharge Petition.”

“The discharge petition exists for moments like the one we face today. In the span of just one week, our communities witnessed the devastating shootings of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Johan Sebastian Guerrero. Two fathers whose lives ended in fear and whose deaths are a reminder of the 32 immigrants who have died at the hands of ICE and CBP this year alone. Congress cannot continue offering condolences in one breath, while shoveling billions of taxpayer dollars to fuel these horrors in another," said Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, Deputy Director of Advocacy and Campaigns at United We Dream. "As immigration enforcement intensifies across the country and millions who live under temporary programs like DACA and TPS are pushed out of status and out of work, the American people know citizenship is the only solution to this chaos and pain. Every member has a clear responsibility: sign the discharge petition and bring the Dream & Promise Act to a vote."

Since President Trump returned to office, hundreds of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients have been detained, and at least 85 recipients without a criminal conviction and pending criminal charge have been deported, according to information provided by the Department of Homeland Security.

DACA recipients have also faced months-long delays in receiving renewals and work permits. Recipients who submitted their applications on time and followed every rule have lost their jobs, their income, and their ability to support their families while waiting for the government to act.

At the same time, the administration is terminating TPS protections for people from multiple countries, placing longtime residents at risk of losing their work authorization, separating families, and deporting them to countries facing humanitarian crises.

The American Dream and Promise Act would:

Allow eligible Dreamers who came to the United States as children to earn permanent legal status by meeting education, employment, or military service requirements.

Provide lawful permanent resident status to eligible TPS and DED recipients who have established their lives in the United States.

Require applicants to complete criminal and national security background checks.

Protect eligible applications from deportation while their cases are being considered.

Allow eligible Dreamers to pursue citizenship through the existing naturalization process.


Rep. Tokuda Issues Statement on the Passing of U.S. Army First Lieutenant Tyler Feehan

Washington D.C. – U.S. Representative Jill N. Tokuda (HI-02) issued the following statement honoring United States Army First Lieutenant Tyler Feehan of ʻEwa Beach, who passed away while serving in Jordan.

"This tragedy strikes especially close to home because Tyler was one of Hawaiʻi's own, from ʻEwa Beach. Today, our ʻohana and the entire nation mourn Tyler and Isabella, two young Americans taken far too soon while serving our country. We hold their families, friends, and fellow servicemembers close in our hearts. Every life lost is one too many, and we must keep fighting to end this war and bring our troops home safely."

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Walberg Honors Hillsdale County Veteran

On Friday, Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-05) recognized Patrick Knight of Hillsdale as the Veteran of the Month for July. The Congressman presented Patrick with the Congressional Record containing his remarks honoring Patrick's service and dedication to our country.

Patrick Knight served in the United States Navy as a Search and Rescue Helicopter Crewman from 1966 to 1970. During his time in active duty, Patrick served with Helicopter Combat Support Squadron One (HC-1) at NAS Imperial Beach in California and overseas with Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Seven (HC-7), the Navy’s premier Combat Search and Rescue unit that is also known as the “Sea Devils.” While with HC-7, he assisted in rescuing pilots that had been shot down in Vietnam and the surrounding waters, helping his squadron to rescue approximately 150 pilots.

Patrick was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Citation, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Combat Search and Rescue Air Wings. In 1971, the Sea Devils were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation by President Richard Nixon for their extraordinary heroism while performing rescue operations under adverse conditions.

Following his time in the military, Patrick spent 32 years as a member of the Riverview Police Force and recently retired as Chief of Police. Patrick is also a member of the VFW Post 1136 in Wyandotte and serves on the Board for the Emergency Telephone Services for Hillsdale County and the Board of the Hillsdale Senior Center.

"I am honored to recognize Patrick Knight whose life of service reflects the very best of our nation as the Veteran of the Month for July," said Rep. Walberg. "From his courageous work as a Sea Devil helping to save the lives of downed pilots, to his decades of service protecting his community in the Riverview Police Force, Patrick has demonstrated unwavering dedication, courage, and sacrifice. Patrick serves as an inspiration to us all."

You can access pictures of the presentation here.

Background

Congressman Walberg's office is accepting submissions for the Veteran of the Month program, an initiative to honor the exemplary contributions of veterans in Michigan's 5th Congressional District. Each month, Congressman Walberg will recognize one outstanding veteran, celebrating their commitment to serving our community and their exceptional service in the military.


Walkinshaw, Scholten Introduce the CAP Act to Limit the Number of Non-Confirmed Political Appointees across the Federal Government

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) and Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03) introduced the Capping Appointed Positions (CAP) Act, which would place a reasonable limit on the number of political staff a president can place throughout the federal government without Senate approval. This legislation would help prevent the increasing politicization of federal agencies and provide a commonsense check on the president’s power while preserving a robust civil service. Congressman Walkinshaw and Congresswoman Scholten were joined by Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).

“President Trump is attempting to replace our professional, nonpartisan civil service with political loyalists and sycophants,” said Congressman James R. Walkinshaw. “The CAP Act puts necessary guardrails in place to stop this dangerous politicization of the federal government. I’m proud to join Congresswoman Scholten and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton in ensuring federal agencies are staffed by qualified professionals who put the American people, not political loyalty, first.”

“President Trump has placed more political appointees in government positions without Senate approval than under any other administration in our nation’s history. That is not how a democratic government is supposed to work, and my CAP Act checks that power by limiting those positions to 1,600 appointments,” said Congresswoman Scholten. “This is a commonsense way Congress can help ensure the people who make some of the most important decisions in our federal government go through an oversight process that holds them accountable.”

"The growing politicization of federal agencies and the simultaneous hollowing out of career leadership is a direct threat to the nonpartisan, professional civil service that Americans depend on. The number of non-Senate-confirmed political appointees has now eclipsed 1,900, a record high that exceeds historical norms by hundreds of positions. The CAP Act would place a reasonable ceiling on these appointments and provide meaningful guardrails to ensure government remains both responsive to a president's agenda and capable of delivering consistent, reliable services to the public. I commend Representative Scholten for her leadership in drafting this legislation and urge Congress to act," said Max Stier, President and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service.

This legislation would place a limit on Schedule C and Schedule G positions, which are political appointments, not career civil service positions. These employees serve at the pleasure of the administration and can be hired or fired without the standard civil service procedure and without Senate oversight. Prior to the Trump administration, the record high number of these appointees serving at any point in time was 1,783 under the George H.W. Bush Administration. The current total is up to 1,926.

The CAP Act reflects Congresswoman Scholten's ongoing work to promote accountability and oversight in the federal government. Congresswoman Scholten previously introduced the Integrity in Government (IG) Act, which would strengthen checks and balances by installing new oversight measures for the White House and its top offices and protecting independent watchdogs from political retaliation.

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Neguse, Wasserman Schultz Lead Entire Democratic Caucus in Demanding CMS Reverse Course on Rule Threatening Medicaid Access for Cancer Patients

Washington, D.C. — Today, Representatives Joe Neguse and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz led the entire House Democratic Caucus in a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), urging the agency reverse course on a new rule requiring certain Medicaid applicants and enrollees to meet conditions of eligibility in order to access critical healthcare services. The framework implements work requirements mandated by the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), and has the potential to lock American families facing some of the most dire health conditions out of lifesaving care.

Neguse and Wasserman-Schultz, who have each been impacted by cancer as a caregiver and patient, respectively, also called on CMS to establish, at a minimum, automatic exemptions for patients with cancer and other aggressive illnesses.

“We write to express our profound concern regarding the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) interim final rule titled ‘Medicaid Community Engagement Requirement for Certain Individuals.’ This interim rule will create an undue burden for beneficiaries with serious health care needs and put people at risk of losing coverage, while also creating significant implementation challenges for states. Therefore, we urge CMS to revise this rule, and until such changes are made, call on CMS to authorize states to delay implementation,” wrote the lawmakers.

More specifically, CMS’s new rule makes it harder for cancer patients and survivors to qualify for Medicaid’s “medical frailty” exemption—stating that a medical condition must significantly impair a person’s ability to comply with the 80-hour per month work requirement. In their letter, the lawmakers argue this framework does not adequately consider the complex nature of illnesses like cancer, which can exhibit periodic or intermittent symptoms often relating to side effects of treatment or the disease itself.

The requirement also forces individuals to prove they can’t work, in an exhaustive process that increases barriers between struggling Americans and access to basic healthcare.

“Forcing vulnerable patients to exhaustively document their symptoms simply to maintain access to basic healthcare is both imprudent and inconsistent with Federal law. Diagnoses such as an aggressive cancer require patients to receive care as soon as possible, and as you know, any delays to treatment put patients at heightened risk. These and other rapidly progressing conditions become significantly less amenable to treatment in their later stages, meaning a patient's current capacity to work does not reflect the urgency of their medical needs.”

The House Democratic Caucus, led by Neguse and Wasserman-Schultz, also called attention to the fact that this rule will create significant administrative and financial burdens for states. It departs from a previous definition and requires a rushed change in implementation plans.

They closed by stating that the rule goes even further than Congressional Republicans intended in their disastrous One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which already strips health care coverage from at least 17 million Americans while driving up health care costs for millions more.

The letter concluded: “While there is no way to prevent some eligible people from losing coverage due to the flawed nature of the underlying policy, which in and of itself exacts draconian cuts to healthcare programs and strips access to affordable care for millions of Americans, CMS has an obligation to implement the law in question as written. And, as noted, the new rule appears to be inconsistent with the plain language of H.R. 1, adding a new, restrictive standard that will add to the number of people losing coverage. Indeed, the evidence clearly demonstrates that creating more documentation requirements and adding complexity to the enrollment process will have a devastating effect. Therefore, in sum, we urge CMS to reconsider its interim rule to protect people with serious medical needs. CMS should also delay implementation of the new work requirements pending these changes.”

Read the full letter HERE.

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Wasserman Schultz’s EARLY Act Passed by House

Washington, D.C. – Today, legislation led by U.S. Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) Debbie Dingell (MI-06), and Diana Harshbarger (TN-01) to reauthorize and continue funding for the Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Requires Learning Young Act (EARLY) Act and the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program passed the House of Representatives in a 394 to 6 vote.

In the United States, the most common cancer diagnosed among women is breast cancer, where the average risk for developing it sometime in her life is about 1 in 8. More than 316,000 new diagnoses and over 42,000 deaths are expected from breast cancer in 2026. And with cases rising in younger women each year, the earlier it’s caught, the better the chance to survive and overcome this devastating health challenge.

Key to early detection and treatment starts with education and awareness. This especially is true for younger women, and those at higher risk of death, like ethnic and racial populations who too often face an aggressive form of breast or cervical cancer and are not able to catch it until later.

“I know firsthand that early detection is our most powerful tool to beat cancer. It can be the difference between life and death, especially in combatting breast cancer, especially for those with inherited mutations,” said Wasserman Schultz, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and the BRCA2 gene mutation at age 41 and after 15 months of surgery, has been cancer free for 18 years. “Reauthorizing the EARLY Act saves women’s lives, and I’m proud to team up with Representatives Miller-Meeks, Castor, Fitzpatrick, Dingell, and Harshbarger, and Senators Klobuchar and Crapo to make sure those resources are out there.”

The EARLY Act became law in 2010. Its success centers around authorizing three programs administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), designed to empower young and high-risk women to better focus their attention on this deadly disease.

This includes the Bring Your Brave effort, which amplifies stories of real women to raise awareness of breast cancer in young women between the ages 18-44, and encourages them to understand their risk and the signs and symptoms. It also funds the Young Breast Cancer Survivors Program, which provides grants to several non-profit organizations aimed at delivering supportive services and resources to increase patients' survival and improve their quality of life. And it offers continuing medical education (CME) courses for health care providers about breast cancer.

The bill also reauthorizes funding for the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program (NBCCEDP), which provides free or low-cost breast and cervical cancer screenings to uninsured and underinsured women. Since its inception, NBCCEDP has served over 6.6 million women, provided more than 17 million breast and cervical cancer screenings, and caught over 88,000 cases of invasive breast and cervical cancer.

Click here to read the full bill.


Womack Tours Francis Scott Key Bridge Rebuild Site

BALTIMORE, MD— July 20, 2026… Today, House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman Steve Womack (AR-3) toured the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuild site in Baltimore, Maryland, with Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Senators Shelley Moore Capito (WV) and Angela Alsobrooks (MD), as well as Representatives Steny Hoyer (MD-5), Johnny Olszewski (MD-2), Glenn Ivey (MD-4), and Kweisi Mfume (MD-7).

Chairman Womack said, “Proper oversight of the American taxpayer dollars being used to rebuild the Francis Scott Key Bridge is a responsibility I do not take lightly. This bridge is a vital artery for the movement of people and goods, and its success unlocks the full potential of commerce along our Eastern seaboard. As Chair of the House Appropriations Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee, I am committed to working with President Trump, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore to ensure this project receives the necessary resources for a safe and efficient rebuild that will prevent a future catastrophe.”

Governor Moore said, “The Francis Scott Key Bridge was a vital economic engine and our commitment to rebuilding it is crucial to the continued prosperity of our nation. Together with our federal and regional partners, we will rebuild this bridge as quickly, safely, and cost efficiently as possible to ensure that this vital corridor bounces back stronger for generations to come.”

Background:

On March 26, 2024, the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland, collapsed after a container ship lost power and struck one of the bridge’s supporting piers. The incident disrupted a major freight corridor and access to the Port of Baltimore—one of the nation's largest ports for automobiles, farm equipment, and construction machinery.

As THUD Chairman, Congressman Womack plays a key role in providing funding for the Department of Transportation, including the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief (ER) Program. This account provides federal funding for the repair or reconstruction of highways and roads damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic failures. The rebuild of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which carries the I-695 Baltimore Beltway, is one of the projects that receives funding through the ER Program.

During the tour, Chairman Womack observed the site's transition from critical demolition clean-up to early construction work, including the installation of vessel protection piles—with piling materials supplied by AFCO Steel of Arkansas. These piles are a key structural element designed to protect the new bridge's piers from future vessel strikes.

Photo highlights:

Congressman Steve Womack (AR-3) has represented Arkansas’s Third Congressional District since 2011. He is a member of the House Appropriations Committee.

womack.house.gov


Baldwin, Colleagues Demand Investigation, Accountability from Trump Admin Following Two More ICE Shootings

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and her colleagues are demanding investigations and accountability for the two fatal shootings by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in recent days in Maine and Texas. The Senators call on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin to make reforms to ICE to increase transparency and fulfill its previous commitments to deploy and expand the usage of body-worn cameras.

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

“The unnecessary loss of life in these incidents demands immediate, thorough, independent, and transparent investigations (including the full involvement of local and state law enforcement personnel) along with a comprehensive examination of enforcement protocols, training, and operational approaches necessary to prevent such tragedies,” the Senators continued.

“By no stretch could either of the victims in Texas and Maine be characterized as ‘the worst of the worst,’ making these tragic deaths even more egregious. The American people deserve clarity and accountability,” concluded the Senators.

The two shootings bring the tally of immigration enforcement involved shootings to 23 since President Trump came back into office. Senator Baldwin has been an outspoken critic of ICE under the Trump administration and refused to fund the agency without increased transparency, accountability, and stronger guardrails.

Two-thirds of Americans say ICE and Border Patrol have gone “too far” with their tactics. A Marquette Law School poll found 6 in 10 Americans disapprove of the job ICE is doing, while 3 in 4 Americans support making changes at ICE.

The letter was led by Senator Angus King (I-ME) and co-signed by 37 other Senate colleagues.

A full version of this letter is available here and below.

Dear Secretary Mullin:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely,

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Baldwin Leads Bipartisan Group of Colleagues in Calling on Trump Admin to Crack Down on Mislabeling of Dairy Imitation Products

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) led a bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives in calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to crack down on the misuse of dairy terms for plant-based products, which unfairly impacts dairy farmers, processors, and consumers. The demands are in line with Senator Baldwin’s DAIRY PRIDE Act that would prevent dairy imitation products, such as calling non-dairy imitation products “milk” or “yogurt” that do not contain dairy and are instead from a plant, nut, or grain, from using dairy names. The letter to FDA Acting Commissioner Kyle Dimantas was signed by all original sponsors of the DAIRY PRIDE Act, including Senator Jim Risch (R-ID) and Representatives John Joyce (R-PA-13) and Josh Riley (D-NY-19).

“The blatant misuse of dairy terms for plant-based products unfairly impacts dairy farmers and processors and harms consumers due to inaccurate labeling information,” wrote the Senators and Members of Congress in a letter to FDA Acting Commissioner Kyle Dimantas.

“We recommend you do what your predecessors have not done. As you step into your new role, carrying with you your background at FDA Human Foods Program, we urge you to enforce dairy standards of identity and stop imitation products from usurping dairy terms. Rescinding the current FDA guidance and enforcing existing dairy standards of identity is in best interest of our nation’s consumers, dairy farmers and broader public health,” the Senators and Members of Congress concluded.

Senator Baldwin leads the bipartisan Defending Against Imitations and Replacements of Yogurt, milk, and cheese to Promote Regular Intake of Dairy Everyday Act, known as the DAIRY PRIDE Act, to crack down on the unfair practice of mislabeling non-dairy products using dairy names. The DAIRY Pride Act has support from National Milk Producers Federation, American Farm Bureau Federation, EDGE Dairy Farmer Cooperative, Midwest Dairy Coalition, Farmfirst Dairy Cooperative, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Cheese Makers Association, and Wisconsin Farmers Union.

Current FDA regulations define dairy products as being from animals, however, the most recent FDA guidance on fluid dairy products allows plant-based alternatives to continue to use dairy terms despite not containing dairy, nor having the nutritional value of dairy products. The American Academy of Pediatrics has raised concerns about the nutritional inadequacy of plant-based alternatives (aside from fortified soy products). Improperly-labeled imitation products suggest a false nutritional equivalency to dairy milk, which carries the high risk of nutritional deficiencies in children.

In addition to leading the bipartisan DAIRY PRIDE Act, Senator Baldwin has repeatedly called on the FDA to take administrative action to enforce standards of identity for dairy products.

Full text of the letter is available here and below.

Dear Acting Commissioner Dimantas,

We write to voice our concerns over the Food and Drug Administration’s lack of enforcement of dairy standards of identity given the proliferation of nutritionally-deficient and poorly-labeled plant-based imitation products on the market. As you step into your new role as Acting Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, we urge you to prioritize our shared goal by enforcing existing dairy standards of identity, which are in the best interest of American consumers and dairy farmers.

Standards of identity for food products protect consumers by ensuring that the nutrition information, ingredients and production processes of specific foods are consistent with consumer expectations. Americans rely on FDA for marketplace safety and transparency, guiding informed decision-making for families across the United States. Unfortunately, FDA has continuously allowed non-dairy products to freely use dairy terms like “milk,” “cheese,” “yogurt” and “butter” on their product labels. The FDA guidance issued in February 2023 demonstrated a weak, nearly absent approach to enforcing dairy standards of identity by allowing plant-based alternatives to use dairy terms while only recommending voluntary labeling statements. As the market has evolved, even products not covered under the enforcement discretion have followed suit, and today many synthetic products sold at national retailers also employ non-compliant nomenclature such as “animal-free dairy milk.” Continuing with this overly lenient guidance is unacceptable, and stricter enforcement must be prioritized.

Dairy foods like milk contribute key dietary nutrients like protein, vitamins A, B-12 and D, calcium and potassium, and dairy products are well-understood by consumers to provide a meaningful source of these nutrients. In its own 2023 guidance, FDA recognized the wide variability and nutritional inferiority of most plant-based alternative products, stating that “while consumers appear to understand that plant-based milk alternatives are distinct products from milk, several consumer studies submitted in response to the notice indicate that consumers, including consumers who purchase plant-based milk alternatives, do not understand the nutritional differences between milk and plant-based milk alternatives.”

The blatant misuse of dairy terms for plant-based products unfairly impacts dairy farmers and processors and harms consumers due to inaccurate labeling information. The American Academy of Pediatrics has raised concerns about the nutritional inadequacy of plant-based alternatives (aside from fortified soy products). Improperly-labeled imitation products suggest a false nutritional equivalency to dairy milk, which carries the high risk of nutritional deficiencies in children. The North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology expressed a similar concern that non-standardized plant-based beverages used inappropriately in lieu of standardized milk products “places children at risk of slowed growth, protein-calorie malnutrition, failure to thrive and specific nutrient deficiencies, such as vitamin D, compromising current and future health and development.” The ongoing misbranding of non-dairy products using established dairy standards of identity perpetuates consumer confusion about the nutritional profile of such products, ultimately posing a public health risk to American consumers – including children.

We lead a robust bipartisan effort through the DAIRY PRIDE Act, which would require non-dairy products made from nuts, seeds, plants or algae to no longer be mislabeled with dairy terms such as “milk,” “yogurt,” “cheese” or “butter.” It requires FDA enforcement of imitation and misbranded food under section 403 of the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act in addition to enforcement if a product does not meet the dairy standards of identity. As original co-sponsors of the, we urge your support of legislative efforts that bring alignment to stricter enforcement of dairy standards of identity.

Our intention is not to block the sale of dairy substitutes, which consumers may turn to for a variety of reasons, including dietary need and preference. However, such decisions should be based on clear consumer understanding that does not borrow from dairy’s known nutritional benefit. We recommend you do what your predecessors have not done. As you step into your new role, carrying with you your background at FDA Human Foods Program, we urge you to enforce dairy standards of identity and stop imitation products from usurping dairy terms. Rescinding the current FDA guidance and enforcing existing dairy standards of identity is in best interest of our nation’s consumers, dairy farmers and broader public health.

Sincerely,

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ICYMI: Fox News Digital: Rubio’s call to combat global funders of far-left terrorism could put Singham in crosshairs

The Marxist nonprofit financier has funneled $278M into groups that organize anti-ICE and anti-Isreal protests

Click here to read the full story from Fox News Digital or read below.

FIRST ON FOX: Secretary Marco Rubio’s call for global cooperation to combat far-left political terrorism could implicate Neville Roy Singham, a Marxist nonprofit financier who is currently facing a federal grand jury probe in New York.

Singham, a 72-year-old American who sold his tech company for $785 million in 2017 and now lives in Shanghai, is known to fund pro-Chinese Communist Party groups that operate in the U.S. He has funneled $278 million into the broad network of nonprofits since 2017, according to a Fox News Digital investigation. These groups regularly organize and participate in anti-ICE, anti-Israel and pro-Iran demonstrations.

At a State Department summit held in Washington, D.C., Thursday, Rubio urged more than 60 countries to treat far-left global terrorism as a counterterrorism priority.

“For far too long, however, our counterterrorism doctrine has had a blind spot – a blind spot when it comes to extremist violence from the political left, Rubio said. “Even today, the very idea that far-left terrorism could be a serious threat is treated as a right-wing fever dream, or worse, as a dangerous fascist conspiracy.”

Rubio noted that networks are coordinating across multiple countries, providing training instructions and using encrypted communication to facilitate unrest. He said that international cooperation is critical to disrupting the financing of dangerous organizations, and that some are working with hostile foreign states.

Rubio did not mention Singham by name and State Department officials did not respond to a request for comment.

Singham’s web of nonprofits are known to promote communist and Marxist ideals on social media platforms and on the ground at demonstrations across the country. Code Pink, which was co-founded by Singham’s wife, Jodie Evans, regularly protests in the U.S. Capitol, confronting lawmakers and openly admits that “China is Not Our Enemy.”

Rubio mentioned the dangerous influence Marxist beliefs can have when tied to acts of terrorism. He said the left often seems to excuse violence carried out by its own extremists.

“A bomb planted by a neo-Nazi group was a nefarious and murderous act of evil,” Rubio said. “But a bomb planted by a Marxist revolutionary – well, that’s just merely a tragic excess of idealism. Perhaps its means were misplaced or overzealous, but its ends were virtuous and just. That’s the implication of how they treat it.”

Congress has also taken note of Singham’s activities. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., launched an investigation into the Singham nonprofit network last year, and members in the upper chamber are also sounding the alarm on Singham’s ties to China.

“Chinese-funded, anti-American billionaires like Neville Roy Singham are instigating far-left chaos across our country,” Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., told Fox News Digital. “This needs to stop, and Secretary Rubio is rightly taking action to confront this transnational scourge head-on.”

Last month, Fox News Digital reported that the Department of Justice has launched a grand jury investigation into alleged financial crimes. Singham hasn’t responded to repeated requests for comment from Fox News Digital.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the grand jury in Manhattan has issued subpoenas as part of a probe launched by U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York, one of the country’s most powerful districts for federal prosecutions. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche authorized the investigation as the Trump administration seeks to crack down on fraud, money laundering and other financial crimes in the multibillion-dollar nonprofit industry.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met privately with Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO David Solomon in New York earlier this year, where, according to sources familiar with the discussion, he warned that the firm could come under scrutiny over its alleged role in the movement of funds tied to Singham.

During the meeting, Bessent encouraged Solomon to fully cooperate with the Justice Department’s investigation, telling him that Goldman Sachs’ handling of the Singham-linked funds could become part of the federal probe should they choose not to cooperate.

A source with knowledge of the conversation told Fox News Digital that the exchange was cordial, and that Solomon indicated Goldman Sachs would aid investigators.

“All distributions from Mr. Singham’s donor-advised fund were made to legal nonprofits, as determined by the IRS,” a Treasury spokesperson said. “There have been no distributions from the account since August 2023, and it was closed in early 2024.”

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ICYMI: Sen. Banks Joins My View with Lara Trump on Fox News Channel

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) joined My View with Lara Trump on Fox News Channel to discuss the debate over immigration, birthright citizenship, and his Citizenship Act of 2026.

Click the image above for the full discussion.

Key Excerpts:

Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “Yes, these incidents are tragic; they deserve to be investigated but let the investigations work through themselves and gather the facts to find out what happened before you demonize the tens of thousands of federal law enforcement officers who are trying to keep us safe. The American people elected Donald Trump specifically to deport violent illegal criminals off our streets so that we never have another Laken Riley, so that we never have those violent incidents that have occurred way too many times in America. Our ICE officers, the men and women who are our ICE officers, are overwhelmingly American heroes. And every elected official, Republican or Democrat, should be supporting them, not demonizing them, and turning them into enemies of the people.”

“Every generation has a Supreme Court decision that’s so bad. You hear about it, you read about it, and you think, how could the Supreme Court rule in the way that they did? And that recent decision that just came down that struck down President Trump’s decision on birthright citizenship is one of those decisions. I had so many of my friends, so many Hoosiers reach out to me asking how this could be the case.”

“All nine Supreme Court Justices agree that the children of invaders are not eligible for birthright citizenship. And by the way, the Supreme Court doesn’t get to determine who an invader is; Congress and the President determine that. So, my bill is simple: it says that there is an invasion of illegals in our country. That’s a fact. And that those invaders’ babies cannot become anchor babies. They do not warrant birthright citizenship. Justice Kavanaugh told us, even though he was on the wrong side of the decision. That is the case. That would pass Constitutional muster. We don’t need a Constitutional amendment to repair this. We need Congress to step up and act.”

“We had one Chinese billionaire who says he fathered 100 babies through surrogacy in our country to create anchor babies…I would love to hear Democrats explain how they can support that concept, that illegals and their babies should be granted the same American citizenship that legal Americans are granted. That’s a political loser for the Democrats.”

“Let’s pass my bill, it’s Constitutional, it would block babies of illegals from becoming citizens, and it will protect the sovereignty of this country for generations to come.”

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Sen. Banks, Booker Introduce Form 5500 Filing Simplification Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Form 5500 Filing Simplification Act. This bipartisan legislation establishes a single, uniform filing deadline for Form 5500 and reduces unnecessary administrative burdens, while maintaining oversight and transparency for retirement plans.

Under current law, employers often need to file an extension request with the IRS using Form 5558 just to submit their annual Form 5500 on time. The Form 5500 Filing Simplification Act eliminates unnecessary and duplicative filings by aligning the statutory deadline with existing filing requirements. The bill also modernizes the filing process by allowing electronic signatures on required forms and reports.

The legislation is endorsed by the American Retirement Association, the ERISA Industry Committee, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the CHRO Association, and the American Benefits Council.

Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “Employers shouldn’t have to jump through unnecessary bureaucratic hoops just to comply with federal employee plan reporting requirements. This bipartisan bill cuts red tape, simplifies the filing process, and lets businesses spend more time serving their employees.”

Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ): “Our commonsense bill simplifies and modernizes the reporting process for employer sponsored retirement plans reducing paperwork and eliminating outdated or unnecessary administrative hurdles. By cutting red tape, these changes would reduce the compliance burdens on small and mid-size businesses offering retirement plans to their hardworking employees.”

Key Provision of the Form 5500 Filing Simplification Act:

Establishes a single, uniform statutory filing deadline for Form 5500 annual reports.

Eliminates the need for most plan sponsors to file a separate IRS Form 5558 extension request.

Permits Form 5500 filings and related reports to be signed electronically.

Directs the Department of Treasury, Department of Labor, and Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to modernize filing requirements and conform regulations accordingly.

Maintains existing oversight and transparency requirements for employee benefit plans.

Background:

Form 5500 is the annual reporting form used by employee benefit plans to satisfy reporting and disclosure requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Under current law, the statutory filing deadline often does not leave employers enough time to complete the information needed to file their reports, forcing many to plan sponsors to submit a separate extension request to the IRS before filing Form 5500.

The Form 5500 Filing Simplification Act streamlines this process by creating a single deadline that eliminates unnecessary paperwork while preserving federal oversight of retirement plans. This legislation also modernizes the filing system by allowing required reports to be signed electronically and directs federal agencies to update their regulations accordingly.

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VIDEO: Blackburn Leads Colleagues in Urging Senate to Pass SAVE America Act Following President Trump’s Address to the Nation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) led her Republican colleagues, including Senators Mike Lee (R-Utah), John Husted (R-Ohio), and Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), in urging the Senate to pass the SAVE America Act following President Trump’s address to the nation last week on election integrity:

Click here to download Senator Blackburn’s remarks.

EXCERPTS OF REMARKS

“Having voter ID is something the vast majority of Americans support whether they're Democrats or Republicans or Independents or Libertarians.”

“It's incredible that we're on the floor having to make the case for this legislation.”

“The legislation that is before us would really accomplish three major objections in securing our elections.”

“It would require voters to present an ID to cast a ballot.”

“Our legislation would require people to be a U.S. citizen in order to vote in our elections.”

“It would require the states to remove non-citizens who have somehow ended up on their voter rolls.”

“Every one of them, common sense. There is nothing objectionable about these measures.”

“Many Republican states already enforce these safeguards.”

“If every state was like Tennessee, there would be no need for the SAVE America Act. But for years, we have seen blue states practically invite fraud into their elections. 14 states, including California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, do not require any form of ID to vote. Many more states accept ID that is non-photo.”

“States that do this have found thousands of individuals.”

“There is no other, no other developed nation that leaves their election so vulnerable to fraud and manipulation.”

“To defend themselves, Democrats claim that voter fraud is very rare.”

“President Trump's Thursday night address on election integrity showed just how much voter fraud we have.”

“According to a DHS review of state voter rolls, there are approximately 278,000 non-citizens registered to vote in our elections. The last three presidential elections were decided by fewer… votes. The President noted that this figure is likely an undercount because Democrat states refuse to share their voter files with the administration.”


Senators Demand Justification for Medically Unnecessary Testosterone Screening Policy for Servicemembers

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Following Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s bizarre video announcing mandatory annual testosterone screening for millions of servicemembers, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Gary Peters (D-MI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) wrote Hegseth raising concerns about the new policy and seeking information about its medical justification. Fewer than six percent of men between 30 and 79 have testosterone deficiency.

“The Department has provided no evidence that this sweeping new policy will improve force readiness or health, nor has it explained the scientific basis, costs, or risks associated with implementing it across the force,” the senators wrote.

The senators wrote that the proposed policy “risks undermining years of work to ensure that women servicemembers are evaluated and valued based solely on their ability to perform the mission.” The senators also noted that health programs that primarily impact women – like perimenopause and menopause – remain chronically underfunded and under resourced, emphasizing, “this stark disparity suggests that the Department’s priorities are being shaped less by an equitable assessment of force health than by the Secretary’s preferred cultural narrative.”

The full text of the senators’ letter is available here and copied below.

Secretary Hegseth,

We write to express serious concerns regarding the Department of Defense’s announcement that it will begin annual testosterone screening for millions of servicemembers despite longstanding medical guidance recommending against routine population-wide screening. The Department has provided no evidence that this sweeping new policy will improve force readiness or health, nor has it explained the scientific basis, costs, or risks associated with implementing it across the force.

Routine population-wide screening for testosterone deficiency is not recommended by many major medical organizations because the benefits of screening asymptomatic individuals have not been established.[1] Currently, less than six percent of men between 30 and 79 have testosterone deficiency.[2] While testosterone replacement therapy is appropriate for certain patients with clinically confirmed hypogonadism, treatment carries known risks and requires careful diagnosis and long-term medical monitoring.[3]

Coupled with the Department’s recent repeated efforts to redefine military culture around an exaggerated conception of masculinity, this initiative risks undermining years of work to ensure that women servicemembers are evaluated and valued based solely on their ability to perform the mission. While the Department rushes to institute automatic testosterone testing for men, the Military Health System remains inadequately prepared to meet the needs of servicewomen experiencing perimenopause and menopause, and Congress has had to press DoD merely to study persistent gaps in their care. This stark disparity suggests that the Department’s priorities are being shaped less by an equitable assessment of force health than by the Secretary’s preferred cultural narrative.

We recognize that testosterone deficiency may be a legitimate medical concern for some servicemembers, particularly those serving in high-stress operational environments. Indeed, the Department has spent years studying this issue and, as recently as 2025, reaffirmed that routine screening is not recommended and that evaluation should be based on symptoms and established clinical guidelines. Against that backdrop, the Department's decision to implement annual screening for a much broader population represents a significant departure from its previous approach and warrants a clear explanation of the evidence supporting that change.

To better understand the rationale for these decisions and their consequences, we request responses to the following questions no later than August 5, 2026:

Please describe in detail the process by which the Department of Defense developed this policy to screen service members for testosterone deficiency. What specific data, analysis, or expert medical guidance informed your decision to screen and for and recommend testosterone for servicemembers?

What evidence does the Department have that testosterone screening or treatment improves military readiness, performance, or lethality?

Did the Department conduct a cost analysis of its proposed testosterone deficiency screening program? Provide a comprehensive breakdown of the new program budget and associated expenses (including screening, treatment, and program administration).

Following investigations into the 2022 death of a Navy SEAL candidate, the Department increased its focus on detecting unauthorized use of testosterone and other performance-enhancing substances within portions of the force. How does this initiative align with those efforts, and what safeguards will the Department implement to ensure it does not inadvertently encourage misuse of testosterone or other performance-enhancing drugs?

Given the Department's previous concerns regarding the use of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing substances, how does the Department intend to ensure that this initiative does not inadvertently encourage servicemembers to seek testosterone or other hormone supplements outside appropriate medical supervision?

What specific testing protocols will be used (e.g., timing of tests, number of confirmatory tests, diagnostic thresholds)? Will the Department screen all servicemembers for testosterone levels?

What quality control measures will the Department implement to prevent overdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment, or non-medically indicated requests for testosterone therapy, particularly among servicemembers under age 30 who may be influenced by social media or other messaging promoting testosterone as a means to improve physical performance or masculinity?

Will service members who decline testosterone therapy face any adverse administrative, medical readiness, or career consequences?

How will the Department ensure that participation in testing or treatment does not become coercive in practice, particularly in operational units where readiness pressures are high?

Is the Department currently considering the approval or administration of other performance-enhancing substances?

Evidence suggests that testosterone replacement therapy may affect mood and behavior in some patients and requires ongoing clinical monitoring. Does the Department have sufficient medical and behavioral health resources to safely support servicemembers receiving testosterone replacement therapy, including access to appropriate follow-up care, behavioral health services, and specialist consultation?[4]

Will the Department implement this program by procuring or engaging with external contractors or vendors? How will the Department ensure servicemembers’ private medical information will not be misused or accessed by unauthorized third-parties, especially from foreign adversaries?

The health and readiness of our armed forces depend on clear, consistent, and science-driven leadership. Thank you for your earnest attention to this matter, we look forward to your response.

-30-


U.S. Senator Katie Britt Highlights Increased Capital Investment, Urges Tailoring Framework Modernization During Banking Committee Hearing with Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) questioned Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh at a Senate Banking Committee hearing where he delivered the Fed’s Semiannual Monetary Policy Report. She discussed the promising increase in business investment seen in Alabama and around the country, as well as the need for the Federal Reserve to prioritize updating key tailoring frameworks to provide for regulatory certainty.

In her first line of questioning, Senator Britt discussed how increased capital investment across Alabama and the country is encouraging for long-term economic growth and greater American competitiveness: “In this year’s Monetary Policy Report, one of the most encouraging themes is the increase in business investment that we’re seeing across the country. In Alabama and many places, we’re seeing companies expand, manufacturers grow, and communities are benefiting from that investment. I believe that these are good signs and that they’re also important for the future, because they help us determine whether America remains the most competitive economy in the world. My question for you is as you look at the economy, what data tells you that today’s investments are laying the groundwork and the foundation for a stronger long-term growth and greater American competitiveness?”

Chair Warsh responded, expressing optimism about the capital investment boom and resulting GDP growth: “This is what most countries are searching for. This is the seed core of the next group of job creation and productivity …. The trend is our friend here, and this business capital investment is contributing massively to the GDP we’ve seen in the last 12 months. My colleagues know I’m not big for forward guidance, but I would guess that that trend continues. What gives me optimism about it? Well, when the private sector deploys this amount of capital, they must see something shiny at the other end of that rainbow. They must see a very good return on investment. That’s why they’re taking this capital and they’re putting it to work…”

The Senator then shifted to highlighting the need to modernize outdated regulatory thresholds that have not kept pace with the growth of our economy and banking system: “Some banks are already approaching and crossing into new tailoring categories, and they’re making staffing and compliance and long-term business decisions based on thresholds that haven’t been updated since 2019 … [H]ow are you thinking about updating these tailoring frameworks when it comes to what banks can expect to see in proposals in the future?”

Chair Warsh began by saying, “Vice Chair (Miki) Bowman has been working on these initiatives … [M]odernizing our banking systems, streamlining regulations so that the rules that apply to the systemically important financial institutions are not one-size-fits-all for every other. The secret to the American economy is we have a few thousand banks and other providers of credit who know their smaller markets bigger. I’d rather have that system than what most of our G20 peers have, where they have half a dozen institutions implicitly backed by their government.”

He continued, agreeing with Senator Britt, saying, “I think reform is coming to supervision and regulation … I think the sooner we can get to the bottom of it, the better … [T]he reforms we’ve been putting in place over the last 15 years coming out of Dodd-Frank—as we learned in the Silicon Valley Bank example and the First Republic example—they didn’t work perfectly. My predecessors had very little choice but then to do another overall bailout—we don’t want that to happen again. So, we want to tailor the rules and the capital so they serve the best interests of the U.S. economy, which I describe as a system that is safe, sound, and competitive.”

Senator Britt responded, saying, “I just hope, given what you’ve said, we double down on reviewing the framework. We know how important tailoring is and also just the need for regulatory certainty, so thank you for that.”

She concluded by thanking Chair Warsh for his commitment to serving the at Federal Reserve: “[I] just want to say thank you for your commitment in the first seven weeks … to performance, to accountability, to responsibility, and to integrity. (I) appreciate what you’re doing and look forward to continuing to work with you.”

You can watch the Senator’s full remarks here.

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Budd Joins 60+ Senate Colleagues in Leading Sanctions Package Holding Russia Accountable, Honoring Senator Lindsey Graham

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) joined U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Darline Graham (R-S.C.), and 59 of his Senate colleagues in introducing the bipartisan Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026. The legislation aims to hold major purchasers of Russian oil and gas accountable for supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine.

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

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

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

The legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) as well as U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Katie Britt (R-AL), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Angus King (I-Maine), John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), John Curtis (R-Utah), John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), James Lankford (R-Okla.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Jim Justice (R-W.Va.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), John Kennedy (R-La.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), Alan Armstrong (R-Okla.) and Steve Daines (R-Mont.).

Read the full bill text HERE.

BACKGROUND

Before his death, U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) secured an agreement with the White House on new text to bring sweeping sanctions against the enablers of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026 would impose primary and secondary sanctions against Russia and actors supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. The sanctions target Russian officials, oligarchs, their family members, foreign persons, Russian banks and financial institutions, and the Russian Shadow Fleet.

The legislation also directs the President to impose up to 100 percent tariffs on imported goods from countries that buy the majority of Russian oil and gas and enable Russian sanctions evasion. The new text limits these tariffs to the five largest importers of Russian crude oil and gas.

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Budd Returns from Leading European CODEL to Examine Regional Security Challenges Tied to Russian Threats

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, returned earlier this month from leading a bipartisan Congressional Delegation (CODEL) to Belgium, Moldova, Ukraine, Sweden, and Austria. CODEL Budd, which occurred prior to the 2026 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit, met with Heads of State and senior defense leaders in each country to discuss the continent’s regional security challenges, reiterate the importance of the NATO Alliance, and to examine how the United States and Europe can partner to counter threats posed by the Russian Federation.

Senator Budd was joined by his colleagues, U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Alan Armstrong (R-Okla.) on the CODEL.

“The security of the United States and Europe is inseparable. As Russia continues its campaign of aggression in Ukraine and threatens the security of Eastern Europe and the Baltics, our partnership with our European allies remains indispensable to deterring adversarial aggression and maintaining Europe’s strength to defend itself. By leading this CODEL ahead of the NATO Summit, my colleagues and I sought to reaffirm the strength of the NATO Alliance and express our unwavering support for the U.S.-European partnership to promote security, prosperity, and freedom for our citizens,” said Senator Budd.

BELGIUM

CODEL Budd began in Brussels, Belgium, with a meeting with the Commander of U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander, General Alexus Grynkeiwch, during which they discussed U.S. force posture on the continent, European defense spending improvements, opportunities to partner with European countries to combat Russian and terrorism threats, and the current operational situation in Ukraine. The Senators also met with the Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Belgium, Theo Francken, to discuss the defense and trade partnership between the United States and Belgium and opportunities to co-produce defense technology in Europe which would benefit U.S. companies. Additionally, CODEL Budd met with U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium, Bill White, and the U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Matt Whitaker, ahead of their meetings with various European Heads of State to discuss the U.S.-European partnership.

MOLDOVA

In Chișinău, the capital of Moldova, CODEL Budd visited the Presidential Palace to meet with President Maia Sandu. During their meeting with the Moldovan President, the Senators demonstrated support for and a commitment to strengthening U.S.-Moldovan relations. The delegation also gained a deeper understanding of Moldova’s security challenges to address Russian hybrid threats.

Additionally, the CODEL visited the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, where they met with the Speaker of Parliament, Igor Grosu, to discuss the North Carolina National Guard’s (NCNG) vital relationship with the Moldovan military, energy security vulnerabilities, and opportunities to advance the U.S.-Moldova trade partnership.

UKRAINE

In Odesa, Ukraine, the delegation toured the country’s state-owned energy substation, where they examined the country’s civilian energy infrastructure and discussed the impact of Russian strikes. Additionally, the Senators observed Ukrainian counter-drone operations in the Black Sea, including systems procured from U.S. companies, and received a war update briefing from senior Ukrainian defense officials. The delegation held a round table discussion with the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine where Senators learned about the challenges and opportunities for the 600+ U.S. businesses operating in the conflict zone.

SWEDEN

The delegation met with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard to discuss Swedish integration into NATO, the Russian threat in the Baltic Sea and Arctic, countering malign Chinese economic activities, and opportunities to expand U.S.-Sweden trade relations. Additionally, they discussed the Technology Prosperity Deal between the U.S. and Sweden to collaborate on AI innovation, biomedical research, energy leadership, and a secure quantum ecosystem.

AUSTRIA

In Vienna, Austria, CODEL Budd sat down with Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger to discuss U.S.-Austria relations, energy security, opportunities to enhance U.S.-European Union trade relations, and the extent of Russian influence and activity in the region.

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Senator Collins Announces $20 Million Award for Maine’s Forest Bioproducts Tech Hub

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced today that the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration has awarded $20 million to Maine’s Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub—an economic development initiative led by the University of Maine. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick called Senator Collins to personally inform her of the approval of this funding award.

The Department of Commerce originally announced an award for the Maine Tech Hub in January of last year but later withdrew the funding and required the Tech Hub to recompete for its funding award. Following the withdrawal of funding, Senator Collins and her staff worked closely with the University of Maine and other project leaders to make adjustments and provide clarifications to the grant application to help ensure its approval by the Department.

“This funding is welcome news for the University of Maine, Maine’s forest products industry, and the many partners working to build a stronger economic future for our state,” said Senator Collins. “I was proud to champion this forward-looking project, which will help find new and innovative ways to leverage our state’s bountiful natural resources, create good-paying jobs, strengthen domestic manufacturing, and help ensure that the forest products industry remains a cornerstone of Maine’s economy for generations to come.”

“Senator Collins has been a tireless champion of Maine’s Tech Hub Program. We are pleased to announce our intention to fund this award, which will empower Maine’s innovators to develop new and advanced forest-based bioproducts, commercialize cutting-edge technologies, and strengthen domestic supply chains,” said U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick. “President Trump remains committed to supporting the manufacturing industry and ensuring that jobs are created and remain in America.”

Led by the University of Maine in partnership with the Maine Technology Institute, the Maine Department of Labor, the Maine National Guard, industry leaders, and economic-development organizations, Maine’s Tech Hub will support the development and commercialization of wood-derived alternative aviation fuel, advanced composites for construction, and safer packaging materials. The initiative will also expand workforce training and apprenticeship opportunities in advanced manufacturing.

Maine’s Forest Bioproducts Advanced Manufacturing Tech Hub was designated by the Department of Commerce in 2023 as one of 31 Tech Hubs nationwide. Tech Hubs bring together businesses, educational institutions, government agencies, and other regional partners to accelerate technological innovation, expand regional economies, and create jobs.

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Senators Coons, Murkowski, Representatives Peters, Salazar reintroduce bipartisan bill to reinforce federal response to climate hazards

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Scott Peters (D-Calif.), and María Salazar (R-Fla.) reintroduce the National Coordination on Resilience for Security (NCRS) Act of 2026. The NCRS Act establishes a federal response to climate hazards that threaten communities, businesses, and national security.

“We can’t leave Americans to face extreme weather events – from winter storms to weeks of record-high heat – alone,” said Senator Coons. “As the lowest-lying state in the nation, Delaware is no stranger to how climate change can impact homes and businesses. This bill will create a national, coordinated strategy to bring together government and the private sector to protect communities, our economy, and our national security from the potentially devastating effects of climate change.”

“Alaskan communities continue to face an increasing number of damaging natural disasters, including catastrophic flooding, coastal erosion, severe storms, landslides, wildfires, earthquakes, volcanic activity, and permafrost thaw. Over the past year alone, communities across our state have endured multiple disasters that damaged critical infrastructure, disrupted essential services, and put lives at risk,” said Senator Murkowski. “I’m glad to once again partner on bipartisan, bi-cameral legislation to develop and implement a unified National Resilience Strategy, with input from federal, state, Tribal, local, and private-sector partners. Alaska’s unique geography and exposure to every type of natural hazard underscore the need for a coordinated federal approach that helps communities prepare for, adapt to, and recover from disasters more effectively.”

“San Diegans know first-hand the consequences of climate change, from destructive wildfires and prolonged drought to dangerous heat waves and rising seas that threaten our coastline. My constituents can’t afford more delays,” Representative Peters said. “The NCRS Act would streamline resources, improve coordination, and hold agencies accountable so we can better prepare for and respond to the growing climate threats our communities face. I’m glad to once again have bicameral, bipartisan support as we move this commonsense legislation forward.”

“Miami is ground zero for rising waters, and our neighborhoods cannot afford more delay. Every year we wait to plan for natural disasters, the costs go up and the damage gets worse,” said Representative Salazar. “That’s why I’m proud to co-lead the National Coordination on Resilience for Security (NCRS) Act. This legislation will help us build stronger infrastructure, improve coordination across the federal government, and keep our people safe for generations to come.”

The NCRS Act would:

Implement a national adaptation and resilience strategy and an implementation plan with federal, state, local, private sector, and non-profit partners

Establish a Chief Resilience Officer in the White House to enforce the plan

Create interagency working groups to streamline efforts and ensure accountability

Institute a federal information hub to streamline resilience resources to communities

This legislation is in response to the increasing prominence of weather-related catastrophes in Delaware and across the nation. Since 1980, Delaware has recorded 35 climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion dollars each.

In the United States, a reported $217.8 billion was spent in 2024 responding to natural disaster damages. 2024 was the 14th consecutive year with 10 or more separate billion-dollar-related disaster events. As the climate crisis continues, these numbers are only expected to continue rising.

According to FEMA, each dollar invested in resilience saves roughly six dollars when disaster strikes. Delaware’s shorelines are especially vulnerable to slow-onset climate hazards like sea level rising and coastal floodings. Especially during the summer months, we must be prepared to respond to weather-related disasters.

Senator Coons has been a stark advocate for making Delaware a hub of new, clean energy technology that will create jobs and keep costs down for families while reducing emissions. In 2023, Senator Coons secured $750 million for the Mid-Atlantic Clean Hydrogen Hub that produces cleaner and cheaper energy for Delaware. Senator Coons also founded the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation in 2022 to accelerate innovative clean energy technology to combat the climate crisis.

This bill was also introduced in 2023 and 2022.

The bill is supported by the Woodwell Climate Research Center, the Alliance for Global Water Adaptation, the American Flood Coalition Action, the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, the American Public Works Association (APWA), the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, City Parks Alliance, the Environmental Council of the States, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), the Federation of American Scientists, the Geos Institute, the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, the International Code Council, Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative, the National Association of Counties, the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, the National Recreation and Park Association, the Reinsurance Association of America, Taxpayers for Common Sense, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), The Pew Charitable Trusts, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Union of Concerned Scientists, World Wildlife Fund.

Read a one-pager of the bill here.

Read a section-by-section summary of the bill here.


Cornyn, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Sanction Russia, Honor Senator Graham’s Legacy

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) joined more than 60 of his Senate colleagues in introducing bipartisan legislation to hold major purchasers of Russian oil and gas accountable for supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. This bill was made possible by an agreement negotiated by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and the White House prior to Sen. Graham’s passing:

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

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) is leading this legislation.

Background:

The Sanctioning Russia Act would impose primary and secondary sanctions against Russian officials and other actors supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine. The sanctions target Russian officials, oligarchs, their family members, foreign persons, and Russian banks and financial institutions, as well as the Shadow Fleet that Russia assembled to evade sanctions. The legislation also directs the President to impose tariffs on imported goods from countries that buy the largest volume of Russian oil or natural gas and enable Russian sanctions evasion. The new text limits these tariffs to the five largest importers of Russian crude oil or natural gas and the five largest facilitators of Russia’s sanctions evasion.

Senator Lindsey Graham met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the effort and secured an agreement with the White House before his death.


Cornyn, Cotton, Moolenaar Introduce Stop PRC Economic Espionage Act

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Tom Cotton (R-AR), and Chairman of the House Select Committee on China John Moolenaar (MI-02) introduced the Stop PRC Economic Espionage Act, which would amend current law to help ensure Chinese companies – which are inherently controlled by the Chinese Communist Party – and those committing economic espionage to their benefit are held accountable for their crimes:

“There are no ‘private’ companies in China because they are – by law and design – beholden to the Chinese Communist Party,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This bill is a commonsense fix to reflect that reality, account for the PRC’s state-sponsored efforts to cheat and steal their way ahead in emerging tech, AI, and defense, and enable our government to prosecute without the burden of proving the obvious.”

“Communist China treats every business as an arm of the state. Anyone stealing trade secrets to benefit a Chinese business does so for the benefit of their government,” said Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Cotton. “Our bill accepts that reality in law and would remove the requirement to show that a Chinese company is controlled by the Communist Chinese government.” “The Stop PRC Economic Espionage Act will update our nation’s espionage laws and make it harder for spies and intelligence assets to escape justice based on the technicality of what counts as a ‘foreign instrumentality.’ In China, everything is an instrument controlled by the state, there are no private companies. The CCP’s sweeping national security law empowers its strategy of military-civil fusion and the pursuit of its military ambitions across all industries,” said Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar.

Background:

Under the current economic espionage statute, one needs to intend or know the offense will benefit a foreign government or agent, or a “foreign instrumentality.” Foreign instrumentality is defined in the statute as “any agency, bureau, ministry, component, institution, association, or any legal, commercial, or business organization, corporation, firm, or entity that is substantially owned, controlled, sponsored, commanded, managed, or dominated by a foreign government.” Given the national security laws of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), any business organization there is effectively an arm of the state and U.S. law should reflect that reality.

The Stop PRC Economic Espionage Act would define any such organization that is based in a “covered country” – China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea – as a foreign instrumentality. The current standard for showing that an organization is “substantially” owned or controlled by the foreign government would apply to all other countries.


Cornyn Op-Ed: Closing Texas’ GOP Primary Would Be a Costly Mistake That Would Hurt Voters

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) authored the following op-ed in the Austin American-Statesman arguing that closing the Texas Republican primary would be a mistake for the party and our nation’s democratic republic and could risk silencing the voices of those who are disillusioned with the current government:

Closing Texas’ GOP primary would be a costly mistake that would hurt voters

Senator John Cornyn

Austin American-Statesman

July 16, 2026

https://www.statesman.com/opinion/columns/article/texas-gop-closed-primary-mistake-22345520.php

Texas is among a majority of states with open primaries where any eligible registered voter can vote in the primary election, regardless of their party affiliation.

Nevertheless, there has been a recent movement among some Texas Republicans to close our Republican primary to only those who register as a Republican. At best, this would be a mistake that has the potential to harm our party in the long run as we hamper our appeal by narrowing our coalition of voters. At worst, it would limit our voters’ ability to have their voices heard in primary elections and undermine the American system of self-government.

The right to vote is essential to our democratic republic: voting is one of the most fundamental ways ordinary citizens participate, and the mechanism by which the people consent to be governed. When Texans fail to exercise this right, as a large majority have done by not turning out to vote in this past spring’s elections, they are giving up the opportunity to have their voices heard and to influence the direction our state and country take. They are ceding to others to decide who should govern. For the party to close the primary, we would exacerbate an already worrying trend.

When fewer people participate in our elections, our very system of self-government is undermined. If only 7% of registered voters choose our nation’s leaders, as was the case in Texas’ recent U.S. Senate run-off election, our government becomes less like a democratic republic and more like an oligarchy, where the leaders are chosen by a select few. As our country continues to see increasingly low trust in government and low participation in elections, closing the primary elections would be a grave mistake, furthering these existing problems.

By closing the primary, we risk taking away the voices of those who are disillusioned with the current government. With 93% of registered voters sitting on the sidelines, we find ourselves in a vicious cycle. Low voter participation means that those nominated represent the views of the few. Then those who are not represented feel neglected and don’t feel the need to turn out and vote in the general election, because they don’t like the options on the table. Closing our primaries would take this trend a step further by actively cutting more Texans out of the electoral process.

The right to vote is one that our heroic fallen have literally bled and died to secure for us, but it is not one that Americans have always universally enjoyed. It was first available to only white male property owners, but slowly but surely expanded. In the 1800s, most states eliminated property requirements. In 1920, the franchise was extended to women by the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, then to Native Americans with the Indian Citizenship Act in 1924. In 1964, artificial barriers like poll taxes were banned. Our nation had to endure a Civil War to guarantee equal rights to all citizens, including African Americans, culminating in the historic Voting Rights Act of 1965. But we didn’t stop there: the 26th Amendment in 1971 lowered the voting age to 18 years. Now, many in the United States take this foundational right for granted.

If we want to restore trust in the government, the answer is more participation from voters, not less. While closing the primary may seem like an easy and painless way to score political points with the most vocal in our party, it could result in costly legal battles only to ultimately be thrown out in the courts. Political parties are coalitions of people with different interests who come together over shared common goals to create a governing majority. They become stronger when more people participate. Our state is blessed with a wide diversity of people, with views that do not square neatly into a cookie-cutter mold. If we limit primaries to only those whose views are in lockstep with the party line, we will only diminish voter turnout and harm the Republican party’s ability to bring people into our tent.

While some contend that closing the primaries will ensure there is no foul play occurring from the other side of the aisle, that is a solution in search of a problem. There is no data to back up the idea that Democrats are voting in Republican primaries or runoffs in a meaningful way, but there is also little logic in that argument. Data does show that registered Democrats want to vote in their own primaries and are not willing to give that up in order to meddle in ours, and I’d argue that committed Republicans feel similarly.

For the parties to accurately reflect the views of the nearly 32 million people who call the Lone Star State home, we ought to give them as many choices as possible in elections, including primaries. The Republican Party can and must be a wide-tent party if it is to continue growing and last for generations. But closing the primary will be futile to that end.


Sen. Cramer: FEMA Awards $682,494 to North Dakota

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced a $682,494 investment to support repairs across North Dakota following severe storms, tornadoes, and straight-line winds which struck the state June 20 to 21, 2025. The funding will support the following projects and recovery initiatives across the state:

$348,287 to Northern Plains Electric Cooperative to fund wooden poles and electrical sub-assemblies repair or replacement.

$334,207 to Nodak Electric Cooperative to fund conductor, insulator, and poles repair or replacement.

U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and the North Dakota delegation wrote a letter to President Donald Trump requesting he approve a major disaster declaration submitted by Governor Kelly Armstrong. The disaster declaration was approved, and funds are being distributed by FEMA.