Brown Blasts Catastrophic Loss of Health Care Coverage in Ohio

Cleveland, OH – According to the latest official federal data, over 160,000 Ohioans have lost Affordable Care Act health care coverage following cuts enacted by the Trump Administration. From February 2025 to February 2026 (the latest month with official date available) the number of Ohioans enrolled in Affordable Care Act exchange plans dropped from 497,443 to 336,058, meaning 161,385 Ohioans lost their ACA health care coverage.

The 32.4% drop in enrollment in Ohio is the largest decline for any state in the country. Nationwide, 2.6 million Americans have lost coverage. Ohio enrollment has dropped in each of the last eight monthly reports.

“Over 161,000 Ohioans have lost their health care coverage because of Donald Trump and his Republican allies. This is an absolute catastrophe. While Trump builds a ballroom to himself and hands out millions to millionaires, thousands of Ohioans can no longer get the basic health care they need. These are real people who are now one illness or one emergency away from financial ruin because Republicans chose to gut health care to pay for tax cuts for the wealthiest among us. I am worried that these numbers will only get worse as the Trump cuts cause health care costs to skyrocket. It is time for Republicans in Congress to work with us to restore the Affordable Care Act – the stakes are too high,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown.

This loss of coverage follows the implementation of President Trump’s budget bill that included cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act and allowed ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits to expire. House Democrats forced a vote on extending these credits in January, but despite the legislation passing the House, Senate Republicans have blocked the bill and President Trump threatened a veto.

Instead of making health care more affordable, President Trump’s budget bill included over $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act, provided over $300,000 in annual tax cuts to the wealthiest 0.1%, and gave ICE a $75 billion dollar slush fund – increasing the national debt by over $3 trillion.

Congresswoman Brown voted to extend ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits in 2022 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act. Last fall, Brown and Ohioans who were losing their health care coverage due to Republican cuts spoke out in Cleveland.

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Congresswoman Simon Secures Federal Funding for Laney College and College of Alameda’s Fabrication Labs, Helping Bay Area Students Develop Practical Skills and Prepare for High Demand Careers

OAKLAND, CA – Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) recently secured $250,000 in Community Project Funding (CPF) for the Peralta Community College District, specifically the Manufacturing and Fabrication Pathway Lab (FabLab) facilities at Laney College and the College of Alameda. The FabLabs serve as essential experiential learning spaces where students, local entrepreneurs, and makers utilize advanced technologies—such as 3D printers, CNC routers, laser cutters, and robotics tools—to bring their designs to life. This federal funding will be used to purchase new equipment and implement structured training programs for students to enhance their digital fabrication skills and prepare for high-demand careers in fields like manufacturing, construction, biomedical, and healthcare. The federal funding will expand educational and job training opportunities for Oakland’s young people as they enter the local workforce and prepare to give back to their communities and the local economy.

Today, the Congresswoman announced the funding at Laney College alongside Peralta Community College District (PCCD) Chancellor Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson, Laney College President Rebecca Opsata, and College of Alameda President Melanie Dixon. She also toured the FabLab facilities at both colleges to discuss the planned facilities upgrades.

This Community Project Funding (CPF) is a part of the $11.2 million dollars that Congresswoman Simon secured for 15 projects across the East Bay in Fiscal Year 2026. Each fiscal year, members of Congress can submit Community Project Funding requests for consideration with the House Committee on Appropriations.You can read about the 15 projects that Congresswoman Simon secured funding for in her first year here.

“Education is one of the most important tools we can give our young people to set them on a path to success.” said Congresswoman Simon. “It is critical our local colleges have adequate resources to provide students with the education they deserve. This funding will help prepare the next generation of Oaklanders for successful careers so they can continue to support themselves and their families and thrive in the city. I look forward to seeing the facilities and program upgrades this funding will support, and all the doors it will open for our students.”

"We are incredibly thrilled about this investment in our students, faculty, and programs," said PCCD Chancellor Dr. Tammeil Gilkerson. "Congresswoman Simon's advocacy and support directly strengthen our ability to provide top-tier, accessible technical education. This funding underscores a shared commitment to building strong, equitable pathways to career success right here in our communities, and we are deeply grateful for her partnership."

"Laney College is honored to welcome Representative Simon to our campus to witness firsthand the innovative spirit of our students," said Laney College President Dr. Becky Opsata. "The Fab Lab is a cornerstone of our career technical education, allowing students to put their classroom learning to use by making things in the lab. This vital federal funding ensures our facility remains state-of-the-art and fully equipped to prepare students for the modern workforce."

"This funding represents a major boost for student access and technological literacy at the College of Alameda," said College of Alameda President Melanie Dixon. "By investing in our Fab Lab, Congresswoman Simon is helping us break down barriers to STEM and advanced manufacturing fields. We look forward to showing her how these resources will directly uplift our diverse student body and fuel economic mobility in the region."

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Spartz Sponsors Bipartisan Bill to Honor Thomas Paine

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Victoria Spartz (IN-05), with Rep. Jamie Raskin (MD-08), introduced bipartisan legislation to direct the U.S. Department of the Interior to place the Thomas Paine Memorial in “Area 1” of the National Mall, as recommended by the National Capital Memorial Advisory Commission (NCMAC).

“As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we remember Thomas Paine’s timeless words: ‘These are the times that try men’s souls,’ which helped rally General Washington’s army before the crossing of the Delaware - a pivotal moment that changed the course of the Revolution,” Spartz said. “Their sacrifices should remind us of the price so many Americans paid to secure our freedom - a precious gift we have a solemn duty to preserve for future generations.”

“Tom Paine, the extraordinary and indispensable patriot of the American Revolution and spellbinding exponent of democratic freedom, catalyzed our emerging nation to rise up against tyranny, monarchy and taxation without representation to conceive of a new nation based on religious liberty, freedom of thought, and democratic self-governance in service of the common good,” said Rep. Raskin. “On the 250th anniversary of the publication of Common Sense, our legislation finally brings the great Tom Paine from the attics and libraries of history to a place of shining prominence on our National Mall, establishing the dazzling national memorial he deserves.”

“Thomas Paine gave this country its argument for independence and then took up a musket in the Continental Army to help win it,” said Margaret Downey, President, Thomas Paine Memorial Association. “He sold half a million copies of 'Common Sense' when the nation was still an idea, and George Washington had 'The American Crisis' read aloud to the troops before they crossed the Delaware. Paine opposed slavery, called for the education of every child, and imagined a brotherhood of free nations long before the world was ready for it. Paine was a hero to Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. For 250 years the capital he helped bring into being has had no memorial to him. We intend to correct that, and Area 1 is exactly where he belongs.”

Rep. Spartz also sponsored the 2023 law that authorized the Thomas Paine Memorial Association to establish a memorial in Washington D.C.. The Paine memorial is fully funded with private contributions from admirers of Paine and his work. Paine is best known for writing the pamphlet Common Sense in 1776 which galvanized support for the American revolution.


Steil Joins VP Vance and CMS Administrator Oz in Wisconsin to Discuss Combatting Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Government Programs

July 8, 2026

MILWAUKEE, WI. – Today, Congressman Bryan Steil (WI-01), Vice President JD Vance, and Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), highlighted their work to eliminate fraud within critical federal programs. According to US Department of Justice (DOJ), fraudsters cost Wisconsin Medicaid more than $15.5 million between 2019 and 2022 and more than $6.5 billion nationwide.

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“Inadequate fraud prevention standards have opened the door to criminal actors and harmed American families and children," said Steil. "Program resources should go to those in need, not fraudsters and criminals. I'm proud to work alongside VP Vance and the Trump Administration to protect vulnerable Americans and root out waste, fraud, and abuse.”

Background:

According to US DOJ, fraudsters cost Medicaid more than $6.5 billion including more than $15.5 million in Wisconsin between 2019 and 2022.

US DOJ filed charges against 455 defendants including:

A Milwaukee funeral home owner who is facing 14 felony counts of fraud for stealing nearly $1 million from Medicaid.

A Milwaukee prenatal care company owner who is accused of stealing more than $5.4 million from Medicaid.

Other recent WI Medicaid fraud charges include:

A Milwaukee prenatal care company owner who was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for stealing more than $2.3 million from Medicaid.

A Milwaukee business owner accused of defrauding Medicaid of more than $2 million for personal care services that were never delivered.

In July 2025, the Working Family Tax Cuts (WFTC) was signed into law. The bill helps fight waste, fraud, and abuse and strengthens critical programs like Medicaid to protect them for who they were designed to serve: children, pregnant women, and disabled Americans:

Work requirements - requires able-bodied adults without young children to work 20 hours per week to receive benefits

Eligibility integrity - Strengthens eligibility integrity to remove deceased individuals, remove duplicate enrollees, and perform eligibility verification two times per year

Increases Medicaid spending by more than $100 billion over the next 10 years

Listen to Rep. Steil's remarks here.

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Rep. Steube, Sen. Moody Secure $1.8 Billion in FEMA Reimbursements to Florida, $64 Million to Charlotte County

PUNTA GORDA, FL — Rep. Greg Steube joined Senator Ashley Moody today in Punta Gorda to announce the recovery of $1.8 billion in delayed FEMA disaster reimbursements statewide, including approximately $64 million headed to Charlotte County. This historic achievement is largely possible thanks to the Trump Administration’s efforts to clear FEMA’s disaster reimbursement backlog.

“Charlotte County has waited years for the money FEMA already agreed to pay. That’s not how disaster recovery is supposed to work,” said Rep. Greg Steube. “I’m grateful to President Trump, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and FEMA for helping cut through the bureaucracy and get these long-overdue dollars moving.”

“Florida has been waiting on essential disaster assistance funds for hurricane recovery since 2017— I’ve been in the Senate for less than a year and a half and have worked hard to bring nearly $2 billion of outstanding FEMA funds back home to Florida. I’ll continue fighting to deliver the federal support Floridians need while making the disaster recovery process more transparent, efficient, and accountable,” said Senator Ashley Moody.

“This reflects our ongoing partnership with state and local leaders with more than $1.2 billion to Florida communities in the last 90 days,” said Rob Ashe, FEMA Region 4 Regional Administrator. “Our FEMA team in Florida continues to fulfill President Trump and Secretary Mullin’s promise to deliver effective federal assistance to the state. Thank you to Rep. Steube for being a valued partner in supporting ongoing recovery efforts.”

The funds reimburse eligible disaster recovery projects that FEMA had already approved but left unpaid for years, forcing state and local governments to carry the costs. Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and FEMA, these long-overdue reimbursements are finally reaching Florida communities. In Charlotte County, much of the delayed funding stems from Hurricane Ian recovery projects. Some of the longest outstanding reimbursements date back to Hurricane Irma in 2017.

Today’s announcement builds on recent momentum at the federal level to accelerate disaster recovery funding for Florida communities. On July 2, FEMA announced an additional $124 million in funding for 70 disaster recovery and hazard mitigation projects across Florida, bringing the agency’s total support to the state to more than $1.2 billion over the past 90 days. That funding has supported communities recovering from Hurricanes Helene, Milton, and other recent natural disasters.

Rep. Steube will continue working with President Trump, DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, FEMA, and local leaders to ensure Southwest Florida communities receive every disaster recovery dollar they are owed as quickly as possible.


Strong announces 21 North Alabama students appointed to U.S. service academies, prep schools

WASHINGTON — Today, Representative Dale W. Strong (AL-05) announced the appointments of 21 students from Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District to attend U.S. service academies or their respective preparatory schools.

“It is my honor to nominate students across the Tennessee Valley to attend our nation’s prestigious service academies. I am confident that these young men and women will represent North Alabama well and serve our nation with distinction. The Fifth District never fails to produce skilled, patriotic student leaders, and this year’s class is no exception,” said Representative Dale Strong.

A nomination from a member of Congress is required before a student can receive an appointment to a service academy. To be considered for a nomination, candidates must meet certain academic, leadership, and character standards.

Fifth District students who have accepted appointments to U.S. service academies:

U.S. Military Academy

Mark Andrzejewski, St. John Paul Catholic High School

Stephen Case, Excalibur Christian School

Alexander Cothren, Huntsville High School

William Crocker, Randolph High School

Judd Lunsford, Marion Military Institute/Randolph High School

Jacob Plitsch, Lindsey Lane Christian Academy

Richard Raleigh, Huntsville High School

U.S. Naval Academy

Matthew Kimmett, Decatur High School

Maria Sands-Pingot, St. John Paul Catholic High School

Frank Vegerita, Huntsville High School

U.S. Naval Academy Prep School

Harrison Lockett, Bob Jones High School

U.S. Naval Academy Foundation Scholarship

Matthew Matkin, Brewer High School

U.S. Air Force Academy

Kristianna Berger, Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering

Katherine Boyer, Sparkman High School

Eleanor Dykema, Georgia Military College

Antonio Little, U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School/James Clemens High School

Isabelle Park, Bob Jones High School

Caleb Shultz, Huntsville High School

George Youngblood, Decatur High School

U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School

Jacob Parks, Bob Jones High School

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

Brennan Bowling, St. John Paul Catholic School

Representative Strong hosts an Academy Day annually with recruiters from military organizations, collegiate ROTC, and admissions representatives from each service academy.

Information for Representative Strong’s 2026 Academy Day:

WHERE: Auburn University Research and Innovation Campus

345 Voyager Way, Huntsville, AL 35806

WHEN: Saturday, August 22 from

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

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Congressman Shri Thanedar Demands Trump Opens Gordie Howe International Bridge Immediately

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Shri Thanedar (MI-13) hosted a press conference and town hall on July 7, 2026, alongside Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02) and Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46), demanding Donald Trump open the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

“The Gordie Howe Bridge is complete, ready to operate, and should be open,” said Rep. Thanedar. “It was supposed to open in June, but Matthew Moroun, the million dollar MAGA donor and owner of the competing Ambassador Bridge, met with Commerce Secretary Lutnick, and hours later, Trump said he would not let the bridge open. Now Trump is standing in the way of a bridge that would create jobs and strengthen Michigan’s economy.

This kind of corruption is the norm for President Trump. Michigan workers, small businesses, and families should not be punished because Trump wants to reward his wealthy friends. There is no reason why the Gordie Howe Bridge remains closed. Mr. Trump, open up the Gordie Howe Bridge!”

The Gordie Howe International Bridge, connecting Detroit, Michigan, and Windsor, Ontario, was originally expected to open in June 2026. Although the bridge is ready, Trump has continued to delay its opening, damaging Michigan’s economy and weakening our relationship with Canada.

Congressman Thanedar has been a vocal advocate for the bridge and its importance to Michigan’s economy. He thanks Congressman Thompson and Congressman Correa for coming to Detroit and standing with Michigan workers, businesses, and families against Trump’s corruption.

Congressmen Shri Thanedar, Lou Correa and Bennie G. Thompson host a press conference at the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

A full album of photos from the events can be accessed here.

Congressman Shri Thanedar proudly represents Michigan's 13th Congressional District, which includes Detroit, Downriver, and the Grosse Pointes. As a champion for working families, Shri is committed to advancing economic opportunities, education, healthcare access, and entrepreneurship for underserved communities. Drawing from his journey from poverty to success, he works tirelessly to uplift Metro Detroit, ensuring every resident has the resources and support they need to thrive.

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Torres, Chu, Sherman & Lofgren Lead CA Democratic Delegation in Demanding Disaster Aid for January 2025 LA Wildfires

President Trump’s June 24, 2026, supplemental request included $67.1 billion for the Iran War, ignoring the $34 billion needed by CA and the billions more desperately needed by over 30 other States, Tribes, and Territories to rebuild their communities after natural disasters.

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Norma Torres (CA-35), Judy Chu (CA-28), Brad Sherman (CA-32), and California Democratic Congressional Delegation Chair Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) led the California Democratic Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to congressional leadership urging that no supplemental funding package move forward until Congress passes long overdue federal disaster assistance for California communities devastated by the January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires and other communities across the country recovering from major disasters.

More than 100,000 Californians were displaced by the January 2025 wildfires, which destroyed more than 13,000 homes and properties, claimed more than two dozen lives, and caused an estimated $275 billion in economic damage. Despite the scale of the devastation, the Administration has not taken a single step to submit a supplemental disaster funding request to Congress. This inaction is on top of the Trump Administration delaying or denying Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) emergency aid, with FEMA’s own data showing that the Trump Administration is making it harder to access disaster aid and moving more slowly than previous Administrations to help disaster-hit communities.

In the letter, the members wrote:

"It is deeply disappointing that since January 2025, not a single step has been taken by the White House to submit a request for federal disaster aid, not just for California, but also for the over 30 States, Tribes, or Territories with major disaster declarations."

"President Trump's Administration is prioritizing the war in Iran over helping American communities recover from devastating disasters... Instead of taking up the June 24, 2026, Iran War supplemental request, we believe that Congress should immediately draft a federal disaster aid supplemental to help Americans rebuild their communities from the most deadly and costly wildfires in recent history."

The letter notes that while the Administration requested more than $67 billion for military operations related to President Trump's costly war of choice in Iran, it has failed to request the approximately $34 billion in federal disaster assistance needed for California's wildfire recovery, along with billions more needed by disaster-impacted states, Tribes, and territories across the country.

The California Democratic Congressional Delegation reaffirmed its commitment to working on a bipartisan disaster relief package that ensures American families receive the support they need to rebuild their homes, businesses, and communities.

Additional signers of the letter include: Aguilar, Pete; Barragán, Nanette; Bera, Ami; Brownley, Julia; Carbajal, Salud; Chu, Judy; Cisneros, Gilbert; Correa, J.; Costa, Jim; DeSaulnier, Mark; Friedman, Laura; Garamendi, John; Garcia, Robert; Gomez, Jimmy; Harder, Josh; Huffman, Jared; Jacobs, Sara; Kamlager-Dove, Sydney; Khanna, Ro; Levin, Mike; Liccardo, Sam; Lieu, Ted; Lofgren, Zoe; Matsui, Doris; Min, Dave; Mullin, Kevin; Panetta, Jimmy; Pelosi, Nancy; Peters, Scott; Rivas, Luz; Ruiz, Raul; Sánchez, Linda; Sherman, Brad; Simon, Lateefah; Takano, Mark; Thompson, Mike; Torres, Norma; Tran, Derek; Vargas, Juan; Waters, Maxine; Whitesides, George.

Full letter

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Trahan Statement on Mass General Brigham Nurses Strike

Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, issued the following statement regarding the Mass General Brigham nurses strike:

“Nurses are the unsung heroes in our broken healthcare system. The nurses and caregivers at Mass General Brigham have shown up for their patients through a pandemic, through staffing shortages, and through impossibly long shifts. They deserve a contract that respects their work and their commitment to families across our Commonwealth.”

“No one wants to see nurses on a picket line instead of at the bedside, least of all nurses themselves. It’s imperative that Mass General Brigham and the Massachusetts Nurses Association return to the table and negotiate in good faith until they reach a contract that honors the lifesaving work these nurses do day in and day out.”

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Congressman Turner Advocates for and President Trump Authorizes Patriot Missile Interceptor Licensure in Ukraine

WASHINGTON, DC — July 8, 2026. In June, Congressman Mike Turner sent a letter to President Trump, highlighting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s request for additional Patriot missile interceptors and supporting Ukraine’s production of those interceptors domestically. Today, President Donald Trump’s announced that the United States will grant Ukraine a production license to build Patriot missiles on their own soil.

In his letter, Congressman Turner said:

“Ukraine has shown extraordinary adaptability in countering Russia’s evolving aerial threats, but it does not have the domestic production capacity to replace the high-end interceptors required to defeat Russia’s most advanced missiles systems.”

“The Patriot systems, and particularly the PAC-3 interceptor, has proven to be one of the most effective capabilities available to Ukraine against Russian ballistic missile attacks. As Russia increases the scale and frequency of these strikes, Ukraine’s ability to defend its population and critical infrastructure depends on a reliable and sustained supply of interceptors.”

Speaking alongside President Zelenskyy during today’s NATO Summit in Ankara, President Trump said: “We’re going to give a license to you to make Patriots. That’s pretty cool.”

The Patriot missile system is a state-of-the-art air defense network, capable of shooting down high-speed ballistic and cruise missiles.

As Ukraine suffers from a critical shortage of air defense interceptors, domestic Patriot missile production will be pivotal for Ukraine’s defensive capabilities — especially amid intensified Russian ballistic missile attacks, including devastating recent strikes on Kyiv.

With Putin at his weakest position in years, sustained pressure and bolstered Ukrainian air defense will be key to finally ending this war.


Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne to Host Fifth North Texas Job Fair on August 6th at Globe Life Field

Addison, TX – U.S. Representative Beth Van Duyne (R-TX-24) announced her fifth North Texas Job Fair will be held on Thursday, August 6th from 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, at Globe Life Field (home of the Texas Rangers) in Arlington, TX. Since launching in 2021, the North Texas Job Fair has grown into one of the largest workforce and hiring events in the country, last year alone drawing more than 35,000 attendees. This year, over 530 employers and organizations are registered to recruit for over 30,000 positions across North Texas.

“Over the past decade, North Texas has led the nation in job growth because of our dynamic and diverse economic expansion from defense manufacturing, financial services that evolved into “Y’all Street”, healthcare, high tech, semiconductors, energy development, and virtually every other sector of the economy," said Congresswoman Van Duyne. “In 2021, we started the North Texas Job Fair as a way to help Texans get back to work following COVID shutdowns. Now, the North Texas Job Fair has become the largest single day, multi-industry hiring event in the nation. The growth and importance of this event says everything about the strength of the North Texas economy and the people and companies powering our region. Whether folks are looking for an entry-level job, a skilled trade, or a C-suite level position, opportunities will span industries and experience levels to offer better careers, stronger benefits, and a new direction for North Texans to empower their lives.”

“We're ?proud ?to ?continue growing our ?presence at this event as ?we seek ?out ?both ?new and experienced candidates to join American. We're grateful to ?Congresswoman Van ?Duyne for hosting this event and ?creating ?opportunities ?to connect job seekers with employers. Participating here reflects our ?investment ?in the people ?who live ?and ?work in our ?communities, ?and each year, it ?leads to ?new team members joining us at ?the airport, ?in our hangars and ?at ?headquarters.” – Elizabeth Nieto, Senior Vice President of Talent and Culture, American Airlines

“North Texas continues to be one of the most dynamic economies in the country, and we are proud to be growing alongside it. At Bank of America, our employees are our greatest strength, and we are committed to investing in talent and creating opportunities for individuals to build rewarding, long-term careers. The North Texas Job Fair plays an important role in connecting job seekers with employers and helping ensure our region's workforce remains strong, competitive and prepared for future growth.” – Jennifer Chandler, President, Bank of America Dallas

“Citi is proud to participate in the North Texas Job Fair once again,” said Jason Cramer, Managing Director and Citi Dallas Site Head. “As one of North Texas' largest employers, we are committed to investing in local talent and creating opportunities for meaningful careers. This event gives us the opportunity to connect with exceptional candidates and has helped us fill critical roles across our technology teams and many of the 68 Citi business groups represented in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The job fair is a powerful example of how employers and community partners can work together to strengthen the region's workforce.”

“At Global Medical Response, our mission depends on the people behind it, and that’s why we continue to hire at a strong pace. In North Texas, our organization has grown over 15% the last two years, and we expect that to continue as North Texas expands,” said GMR Chief Operating Officer Ted Van Horne. "As one of the fastest-growing regions in the country, North Texas is exactly where we want to invest—building lasting careers and strengthening the care we provide to the communities we serve. We’re proud to return for our fourth year at Congresswoman Van Duyne’s job fair to connect with the talent that powers our work every day.”

“The North Texas Job Fair is a great opportunity to meet outstanding talent and share what makes Vistra such a special place to grow your career. We’re excited to be back this year and support the continued strength of the North Texas economy.” – Rebekah Kay, Director, Government Affairs, Vistra Corp

With 530 businesses confirmed to attend and more expected to be added to the North Texas Job Fair, visit MyNTXJobs.com for updates to the list of participants. More than 100,000 North Texans have been connected with regional employment opportunities through the four previous North Texas Job Fairs. Employer registration is open until July 15th and admission is free to all North Texans.

To review the success of the 2025 North Texas Job Fair a wrap up video can be seen HERE.

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Rep. Gabe Vasquez Backs Law Enforcement Leaders from Border and Rural Communities, Working to Strengthen Public Safety Across Southern New Mexico

SUNLAND PARK, N.M. – On July 8, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) joined Sunland Park Police Chief Kiri Daines for a border ride-along and convened a regional meeting with rural law enforcement leaders to hear directly about the unique needs and challenges facing officers serving New Mexico's border communities.

The conversations focused on strengthening border security, combating cartels and fentanyl trafficking, supporting recruitment and retention for rural departments, and ensuring local law enforcement has the funding, technology, and federal partnerships needed to keep communities safe.

“Local law enforcement in border counties face unique public safety challenges that require our attention and investment,” said Vasquez. “I’ve been working with Sheriffs and local police along the U.S.-Mexico border for years, and I know firsthand the resources they need to combat cartels, drug trafficking, and human smuggling, all while working with staff shortages and limited resources. That's why I'm working across the aisle with Democrats and Republicans to make sure all New Mexico law enforcement — including those in rural and small communities — have the funding, tools, and support they need to keep both themselves and members of our communities safe.”

During the morning border ride-along, Chief Daines provided an on-the-ground look at the latest trends and realities of policing a border community, where local officers coordinate daily with federal, state, and neighboring law enforcement agencies to respond to public safety incidents, cartel activity, emergency calls, and cross-border challenges.

Following the ride-along, Vasquez met with Chief Daines, Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart, Hidalgo County Sheriff William Chadborn, Luna County Sheriff-Elect Glenn Chadborn, Chief of Police Sergio Lara of Deming, and other regional law enforcement leaders to discuss how the Congressman can best continue to support the unique needs of small and rural departments, including recruitment and retention challenges, equipment needs, information sharing, and strategies to combat fentanyl trafficking and transnational criminal organizations.

Vasquez has a long record of working across the aisle to advance legislation supporting law enforcement and strengthening public safety, including:

His bipartisan No More Narcos Act and Stop COYOTES Act, endorsed by the Sunland Park Police Department, to crack down on cartels, protect children from criminal recruitment, increase penalties for human traffickers and fentanyl smugglers, and improve coordination between federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement.

His bipartisan Secure Our Skies Drone Safety Act, endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, to help law enforcement better respond to criminal drone activity used by cartels.

The Invest to Protect Act, which expands federal funding for recruitment, retention, and training officers at small law enforcement agencies who have under 175 officers like the Deming Police Department, Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, Luna County Sheriff’s Office, and others throughout New Mexico’s 2nd district.

The Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act, which provides protective equipment for officers responding to dangerous fentanyl-related incidents.

Bipartisan efforts to strengthen High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) programs and improve information sharing among law enforcement agencies combating drug trafficking. Vasquez has condemned the Administration’s push to cut funding for HIDTA by 35 percent.

Vasquez has also championed Community Project Funding requests to bring millions of dollars of federal investment home to help local police departments modernize facilities, purchase patrol vehicles and public safety technology, and improve emergency response capabilities across southern New Mexico. In FY26 alone, Vasquez secured over $1.8 million for public safety priorities from Albuquerque to Carlsbad.

“I appreciate Chief Daines and the border sheriffs and local police who took the time to meet with me and share the latest on conditions on the ground, challenges they’re up against, and stalled federal funding,” Vasquez said. “Since taking office, I’ve always had a proactive stance when it comes to strengthening public safety, listening and taking action to provide the funding and tools our law enforcement officers need to protect New Mexico families, stop organized crime, disrupt drug trafficking, and keep our communities safe. That work will continue.”

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Vindman Introduces Legislation to Cut Red Tape and Lower Housing Costs for Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Abe Hamadeh (Ariz.-08) today announced the introduction of their bipartisan legislation to protect veterans’ hard-earned housing benefits and expand access to affordable homeownership for those who have served our nation.

The Affordable Homes for Veterans Act would modernize and streamline the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan assumption process, helping veterans, homebuyers, and lenders complete transactions more efficiently while reducing costly delays that can put home purchases at risk

“Owning a home is dream that has become unaffordable for far too many military families,” said Vindman. “As a 25-year Army veteran, I will always fight for veterans to get the benefits they have earned without delay. I’m proud to lead bipartisan legislation that would cut red tape, strengthen accountability, and help make homeownership more accessible and affordable for veterans and military families across Virginia and the United States.”

By establishing clear processing timelines, strengthening accountability, and cutting unnecessary red tape, the Affordable Homes for Veterans Act would make it easier for families to take advantage of assumable VA loans, helping lower housing costs and providing greater certainty for veterans, military families, and homebuyers nationwide.

Specifically, the Affordable Homes for Veterans Act would:

Codify into federal law the VA’s existing guidance requiring lenders to complete loan assumption processing within 45 days, transforming a non-binding standard into an enforceable requirement;

A loan assumption allows a prospective homebuyer to take over the seller’s existing mortgage with its current interest rate, balance, and terms. With loans from the VA, the benefit of an assumption is often greater than private loans as original rates are often much lower than the current market rate, giving veteran sellers an advantage in the market. Additionally, assumption fees are typically lower than the fees associated with a new mortgage.

Protect veterans and homebuyers from unnecessary delays that can jeopardize home sales and increase costs; and

Require the VA Inspector General to assess lender and servicer compliance with the law and provide findings and enforcement recommendations to Congress.

BACKGROUND

Vindman has long been working to lower costs for veterans, service members, and military families in Congress.

In May 2026, Vindman introduced the MISSION Rx Act, a bill that would lower prescription drug costs for service members, military families, and veterans while saving taxpayers billions.

He also introduced the Military Family GI Bill Promise Act in July 2025. This bipartisan bill would fix an outdated Department of Defense (DoD) policy that prevents many service members from transferring their earned Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to dependents — particularly children born or adopted later in their military careers.

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ALSOBROOKS, SCHRIER DEMAND ACTION ON INFANT MORTALITY DUE TO RISING RATE OF VITAMIN K REFUSAL

July 8, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC – As reported today in the New York Times, Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) and Congresswoman Kim Schrier (D-Wash.-08) demanded immediate action to address a growing and preventable public health crisis: the rising rate of vitamin K refusal at birth and resulting vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) among newborns in a letter to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya.

“RFK Jr. has spewed lies and dangerous rhetoric about vaccines, and now we are seeing the devastating consequences. Newborns are dying because their parents are refusing to give them a shot of vitamin K, an essential nutrient. We need leadership and action right now. Rep. Schrier and I are calling on the CDC to monitor and understand the burden of vitamin K refusal rates, and the related deaths – and then to make that information publicly available. This is objective information that the public deserves to see,” said Senator Alsobrooks.

“The vaccine misinformation and confusion that RFK Jr. has championed for years has now created a ‘spillover effect’ that is causing parents to refuse the vitamin K shot and other routine care, putting their babies at risk of life-threatening hemorrhage,” said Congresswoman Kim Schrier. “As a pediatrician and member of Congress, I am focused on doing all I can to hold RFK Jr. accountable for every preventable death and illness of our nation’s children. That is why I am proud to join Senator Alsobrooks in this effort to demand the CDC follow and publicly release data on the burden of vitamin K refusal rates.”

“More than 60 years ago, scientists discovered that a simple injection of vitamin K administered shortly after childbirth could protect newborn babies from potentially deadly bleeding disorders. This was a game changer and is why the American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended a vitamin K injection as part of a newborn “safety bundle” since the 1960s. But false and misleading claims have led to increased rates of refusal, putting the youngest and most vulnerable babies at unnecessary risk, and now we’re seeing the devastating impacts,” said AAP President Andrew D. Racine, MD, PhD, FAAP. “I want to thank Representative Schrier and Senator Alsobrooks for bringing attention to this important issue and calling on HHS to take action to protect children, and I encourage parents with questions about vitamin K or any aspect of newborn care to speak with their child’s doctor.”

Read full text of the letter here or below:

Dear Dr. Bhattacharya:

We write to urge the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to take immediate action to address a growing and preventable public health crisis: the rising rate of vitamin K refusal at birth and resulting vitamin K deficiency bleeding (VKDB) among newborns. Specifically, we call on the CDC to establish ways to monitor and understand the burden of vitamin K refusal rates, VKDB and VKDB-related deaths, and to make that information publicly available.

Vitamin K is an essential nutrient which helps blood clot. Because infants are born with very low levels of vitamin K, they are at high risk for developing dangerous bleeding disorders, including internal bleeding. A single vitamin K shot is a highly effective newborn intervention to help prevent bleeding until babies can absorb sufficient vitamin K when they typically begin eating solid foods containing the nutrient and their gut microbiomes develop. Without it, babies are 81 times more likely to develop late VKDB, which can cause bleeding in the brain. According to CDC data, 1 in every 5 babies who develop VKDB will die. There are no warning signs in most cases of VKDB: a baby can be bleeding into their intestines or brain before their parents know anything is wrong. Some parents are requesting oral vitamin K instead, which is not recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) or CDC. Babies don’t absorb oral vitamin K consistently, and research shows oral drops are ineffective.

Unfortunately, as medical misinformation grows, it appears that more American parents are declining the vitamin K shot for their newborns. A December 2025 study of more than 5 million births found that more than 5 percent of U.S. babies did not receive the vitamin K shot at birth in 2024, a 77 percent increase from 2017. Recent informal pulse surveys of pediatricians across the country also show that doctors are seeing parents and caregivers refuse routine preventative care for newborns, including vitamin K shots, erythromycin eye ointment, and hepatitis B vaccination, according to AAP. Pediatricians are also reporting that vitamin K refusal often occurs alongside vaccine hesitancy.

Recent reporting from ProPublica has highlighted a major problem: the federal government does not currently track vitamin K shot refusal, vitamin K deficiency bleeding, or the preventable deaths related to vitamin K deficiency.

Without a good understanding of the scope of these issues, we cannot assess the true toll of refusal, identify trends, or develop targeted public health campaigns. Since vitamin K became a part of standard newborn care in 1961, there was previously no need for robust monitoring systems to track incidences of VKDB in infants. However, rising vitamin K refusal rates justify investing in modern diagnostic tests to better assess the scope and impact of VKDB in babies who do not receive the vitamin K shot. This will help clinicians gain the information they need to effectively counsel families. The CDC has the tools to better understand the burden of vitamin K shot refusal, VKDB, and VKDB-related deaths. We urge you to use them, and to share that data with the public, so that we can prevent tragic illness and death in infants and VKDB-related deaths. We urge you to use them, and to share that data with the public, so that we can prevent tragic illness and death in infants.

Sincerely,

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ICYMI: Sen. Banks and Sec. Collins Join Bianca Across the Nation on Newsmax

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, joined Bianca Across the Nation on Newsmax to discuss Steak ‘n Shake’s new public-private partnership to promote VA benefits and services and make it easier for veterans to become business owners.

Click the image above for full discussion.

Key Excerpts:

Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “Right now we have the most pro-veteran president that we’ve ever had in the White House with Donald Trump. And I think Steak ‘n Shake, what they have done here today, they made a historic, national announcement and commitment to veterans right her in my hometown in Fort Wayne, Indiana about what they are doing to bring veterans more opportunities to work here but also to own and operate their own business. I too hope that other business will follow suit. Steak ‘n Shake is the most pro-Veteran business in America.”

“Secretary Collins and I are both veterans, ourselves. So, knowing what our fellow veterans are going through, what they experienced when they served and life after service, I something we both take very seriously. What Secretary Collins and President Trump have done to address veteran suicide and those rates is really historic in so many ways. Theres always more that we can do but I am very proud of what the Trump administration has done to support our veterans in big ways.”

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Sen. Banks Joins Sec. Collins, Steak ‘n Shake to Announce New Opportunities for Veterans

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) joined Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins, Steak ‘n Shake, and Northeast Indiana veterans to announce a new public-private partnership to promote VA benefits and services and make it easier for veterans to become business owners.

As part of the public-private partnership the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Steak ’n Shake have signed a memorandum of understanding under which:

Steak ‘n Shake will waive its $10,000 fee under its Franchise Partner Program for veterans seeking to run their own Steak ‘n Shake franchise.

Steak ‘n Shake restaurants across the nation will promote awareness of the VA healthcare and benefits through in-restaurant signage and on its website.

Steak ‘n Shake will prioritize hiring veterans, their family members, caregivers, and survivors for leadership positions across the country.

Click image above to watch full speech

Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “We are making national news right here in Fort Wayne, Indiana today. Steak ‘n Shake is the most pro-veteran restaurant here in America. And they have proven it with this announcement that they’ve made to waive their franchise fees so that veterans, our American heroes, get the chance to start a business, own a business and be a part of this great company: Steak ‘n Shake, which is headquartered here in Indiana. As Hoosiers, we can be very proud.”

Background:

The partnership builds upon ongoing efforts by the Trump administration and the VA to improve access to healthcare, benefits, and economic opportunity for veterans. Since January 2025, VA has opened 38 new healthcare facilities, reduced the disability claims backlog by 74%, enrolled more than 180,000 new veterans in VA healthcare, and delivered record levels of direct care and community care.

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Blackburn, Smith Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Prevent Veteran Suicide by Victims of Military Sexual Trauma

U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.) introduced the Improving Personal Risk Assessments to Prevent Suicide Act to help save veterans’ lives by requiring a federal study to examine the relationship between service members and veterans’ experiences of military sexual trauma (MST) and suicide risk:

“It is absolutely unacceptable that veterans are 50% more likely to die by suicide than the civilian population, and we must do everything in our power to protect and care for those who have risked their lives for this country,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Improving Personal Risk Assessments to Prevent Suicide Act is an important step in saving service members’ lives and supporting them as they heal from unimaginable trauma.”

“It is our solemn duty to provide the highest quality care for those who serve our country,” said Senator Smith. “That includes making sure servicemembers who endured military sexual trauma have access to the best clinical care and suicide prevention tools available as they work to heal. I’m proud to introduce this bill to incorporate what we know about the relationship between experiencing military sexual trauma and the risk of suicide into clinical practice, improving the care that helps save lives.”

BACKGROUND

MST refers to the sexual assault or threatening sexual harassment service members may experience during service. Many service members choose not to report MST until after their service because they fear retaliation or threats from their superiors.

Veterans are around 50% more likely to die by suicide than civilians, and the link between service members who experienced MST and higher risk of suicide is well-established, making this bill essential to overall veteran suicide prevention efforts.

The Improving Personal Risk Assessments to Prevent Suicide Act would require the U.S. Department of War and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to publish a study on the links between MST, intimate partner violence, and the risk of suicide.

The bill would also require the Departments to incorporate those findings into clinical assessments for identifying and treating patients at risk of suicide – the first time military sexual trauma has been included in those official clinical tools. This would improve clinical risk assessment for patients and help the Department of War, VA, and clinicians recognize MST-related risk factors before someone attempts or dies by suicide.

Click here for bill text.


Blumenthal, Murphy, Larson, Courtney, & DeLauro Statement on White House Helipad Project

[Hartford, CT] — U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, U.S. Representative John Larson, U.S. Representative Joe Courtney, and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro today released a statement following reports that Sikorsky is building a new helipad at the White House.

“The men and women of Sikorsky produce the world’s finest helicopters, and their top-notch craftsmanship and innovation deserve to be celebrated. The issue of Marine One engine exhaust burning the White House South Lawn goes back years and must be addressed to bring Sikorsky’s next-generation Marine One helicopters into service. But once again, President Trump is rushing to complete yet another White House project without providing the American people with the transparency they deserve. It’s a slap in the face to workers who’ll have to work overtime and the taxpayers who may end up footing the bill,” the delegation said.

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OP-ED: U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Tommy Tuberville – ‘President Trump Is Delivering for Alabama and the Gulf Coast’

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, AL.com published a column penned by U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) celebrating President Trump’s steadfast commitment to complete the critical Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project.

In the op-ed, the Senators outline how crucial this infrastructure project is for Alabama’s economy, workforce, and transportation routes, along with the project’s impact to the entire Southeast. Thanks to President Trump, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, Susie Wiles, and Governor Kay Ivey’s leadership, the Senators announce this major breakthrough for the Mobile River Bridge and how this Administration cleared the final obstacles to complete the project.

Excerpts from the column are below, and you can read the full piece here.

“Now, in his second term, President Trump is delivering again in the same city where that historic movement found its earliest and strongest support. Thanks to his leadership, we can inform the people of Alabama that the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project is finally moving toward construction after 30 years of discussion, delay and doubt.”

…

“The Wallace Tunnel and Bayway are part of one of the most important transportation corridors in America, touching a major port, airport, naval shipbuilding facility and hundreds of thousands of workers, families, visitors, businesses, military assets and supply chains across the Gulf Coast and the entire country.

“Major infrastructure projects are complex, and this one has been the most challenging in Alabama’s history. Over the years, the project was burdened by rising costs, changing plans, bureaucratic red tape and unnecessary extras. All made it harder to deliver the core infrastructure Alabama actually needs.”

…

“He knows infrastructure is about building roads and bridges that serve the American people, not funding wish lists that just make projects more expensive and harder to complete. So, his administration is stepping in, cutting through red tape and helping Alabama clear the final obstacles standing in the way of this transformational project.

“Let us describe what the White House is committing to do:

“First, the Trump administration is selecting the Mobile River Bridge and Bayway as the first project to ever qualify for the Interstate System Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Pilot Program. This is a major breakthrough. It gives Alabama the ability to use toll revenue in the most effective and responsible way possible to help finance the project, ensuring it moves forward as a complete solution.

“Second, President Trump is clearing mounds of red tape surrounding the previously awarded $550 million Bridge Investment Program grant. That flexibility will allow Alabama to use those funds more quickly as the state prepares to begin construction.

“Third, President Trump’s administration is cutting unnecessary bureaucratic requirements and commitments from the project scope, creating hundreds of millions of dollars in cost savings. That is exactly the kind of common-sense leadership taxpayers deserve.

“None of this happens by accident. It follows months – even years – of serious, high-level discussions among Alabama’s congressional delegation, local leaders from Mobile and Baldwin counties, Gov. Kay Ivey, the Alabama Department of Transportation, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and senior federal transportation officials – all with the active participation and support of President Trump.”

…

“There will be more details to share in the weeks ahead as the final pieces are completed, and we look forward to inviting President Trump to the groundbreaking ceremony and a triumphant return to Mobile.

“Alabama is ready to build this bridge. The finish line is now in sight and President Donald J. Trump, state officials and the local MPOs deserve enormous credit for getting us here.”

This announcement is the culmination of years of support from Senator Britt. She repeatedly used her role on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development to advocate for the I-10 Mobile River Bridge and Bayway project and received commitments from Secretary Duffy to prioritize this important infrastructure project. Earlier this year, she sent a letter to Secretary Duffy requesting the Department’s continued partnership in seeing this project completed. Outside of committee hearings, Senator Britt also met with Secretary Duffy several times to discuss Alabama infrastructure priorities, including the Mobile Bay Bridge and Bayway.

Last year, Senator Britt applauded Secretary Duffy’s announcement finalizing the $550 million in federal funding. “This strategic investment is exactly how federal transportation and infrastructure funds should be spent, and I am proud we worked together to bring these Alabama taxpayer dollars home,” she stated in part.

In the 118th Congress, Senator Britt twice led the entire Alabama Congressional delegation in advocating on behalf of investing federal funds in this project.

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Cramer Attends 91st Missile Wing Change of Command Ceremony at Minot Air Force Base

***Click here for media resources.***

MINOT, N.D. – Defense leaders and U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), chair of the Senate Armed Services Airland Subcommittee, joined Airmen and families today at Minot Air Force Base for a 91st Missile Wing change of command ceremony. During the ceremony, Col. George Chapman assumed command of the 91st Missile Wing, succeeding Col. Jimmy Schlabach.

As commander, Chapman will lead more than 1,800 Airmen and civilians responsible for the nation’s land-based nuclear deterrence mission. The wing operates, maintains, and secures 150 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) across 15 missile alert facilities and 150 remote launch sites spanning roughly 8,500 square miles in central North Dakota. It is one of three operational ICBM wings in the U.S. Air Force.

“The 91st Missile Wing is at the heart of America’s nuclear deterrent, standing watch every day to keep our nation safe,” said Cramer. “The Airmen who serve this mission perform one of the most crucial jobs in national defense. Thank you, Col. Jimmy Schlabach, for your dedicated service to our country. Your leadership has strengthened the 91st Missile Wing and left a lasting mark on Minot, our state, and the men and women you have led. It’s also great to welcome Col. George Chapman back home to the 91st Missile Wing. He knows this mission, he knows these Airmen, he knows this incredible Minot community, and I have every confidence he’ll continue the wing’s tradition of excellence while serving North Dakota and our nation with distinction.”

Chapman previously served as deputy commander of the 91st Missile Wing from June 2023 to June 2025 and as deputy commander of the 20th Air Force at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, where he helped oversee another portion of the nation’s ICBM force and sustain global nuclear deterrence operations. A career missile officer, Chapman was commissioned in 2003 through ROTC at Brigham Young University and has held key operational, instructional, and staff roles across the nuclear enterprise, including assignments at U.S. Strategic Command, U.S. Central Command, the Air Force Warfare Center, and the Pentagon’s Joint Staff.

Schlabach relinquished command after assuming leadership of the wing in 2024. A Purdue University graduate, Schlabach has held multiple operational and command roles within the ICBM community, including command of the 319th Missile Squadron and the 91st Operations Group. His career includes extensive nuclear operations experience and more than 7,000 hours of strategic alert duty. Highlights of his major operations service include Operation Olympic Rampart during COVID-19 and post-9/11 deterrence posture operations.


DOT Awards $24 Million for Red River Bridge Replacements

BISMARCK, N.D. – The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced an award of $24 million to replace three bridges over the Red River of the North through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program.

These bridges span North Dakota and Minnesota, linking the two states. This cooperative project will include replacing three Parker steel high truss bridges with clear-span designs and 850-foot abutments. These bridge replacements will ensure safety, remove barriers and increase economic competitiveness and opportunity, and improve quality of life for residents in nearby rural communities.

“The Red River divides North Dakota and Minnesota, and the bridges joining them are essential to these rural sister communities,” said U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure. “After years of local work this investment will help replace three aging bridges to keep communities safe and ensure the efficient transportation of goods and services across state lines.”

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


Daines Lauds $3 Million DOT Grant to Repair the Glacier Creek Bridge

Daines Sent Letter of Support for Grant in 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Steve Daines today applauded a recent announcement from the U.S. Department of Transportation on the “Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development” (BUILD) Grant that was awarded to Missoula County to repair the Glacier Creek Bridge in Condon.

“Big news for Missoula County- the U.S. Department of Transportation has granted over $3 million to repair the Glacier Creek Bridge in Condon. Safe and reliable infrastructure is a necessity, which is why I sent a letter to Secretary Duffy urging this action. This is a huge win and I’m grateful to see the administration prioritizing the needs of Montanans,” said Daines.

Daines wrote a letter of support for the grant in February 2026 – read it HERE.

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Duckworth Joins Hickenlooper, Colleagues in Urging White House to Rescind Political Rule That Hurts American Science, Research

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and nine of their Senate colleagues in submitting public comment to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought to demand OMB rescind a proposed rule, broadly titled “Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance”, that could alter how nearly all federal agencies administer grants and financial agreements. The proposed change would give more political control over these awards by the White House, which could enable corruption, undermine U.S. scientific investments and competitiveness and block funding for critical life-saving research and collaboration.

“The proposed changes solidify federal grant-making as an unprecedented partisan power-grab that eliminates transparency of how taxpayer dollars are spent,” wrote the Senators. “This rule would derail American innovation and competitiveness at the local and national levels, kill good-paying American jobs, drive up costs for families, and halt essential projects in local communities. Instead of supporting data-driven investments that pay dividends for the American people, this guidance facilitates partisan ideals and cronyism, leaving Americans in the dark.”

The Senators continued: “We share the goals of improved transparency, accountability, and oversight; clarification of regulatory structure; and reducing recipient burden–all in pursuit of continuing America’s global leadership in science and innovation. However, these regulations would act in opposition to these goals. They would undermine our country’s competitiveness, erode our scientific ecosystem, increase unwanted bureaucracy, enable corruption, and perpetuate uncertainty across our local communities. We strongly urge you to withdraw this proposed rule.”

OMB has proposed sweeping changes to the rules governing how federal agencies award and administer grants and cooperative agreements. These are the primary mechanisms through which the country funds basic research, applied science and scientific workforce development. These agencies also fund a wide array of grants for local projects including but not limited to infrastructure, public health, resource conservation and rural development. The proposed rules formalize an August 7, 2025, Executive Order that directed OMB to expand political oversight over all federal awards.

In addition to Duckworth and Hickenlooper, the public comment was joined by U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Angus King (I-ME), Chris Coons (D-DE), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY).

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Bipartisan Codel Statement After Meeting With Ukrainian President Zelenskyy

ANKARA, TÜRKIYE – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mike Rounds (R-SD), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chris Coons (D-DE), and U.S. Representative Mike Turner (R-OH) issued the following statement after their meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the 2026 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit:

“Meeting with President Zelenskyy was a powerful reminder of what is at stake as Ukraine continues to defend its people, its sovereignty, and the principles that underpin transatlantic security.

“It is abundantly clear that Russia is not winning this war. 35,000 Russian soldiers are being killed or wounded each month for no territorial gain, the Russian economy is showing huge economic strain, and successful Ukrainian strikes deep into Russian territory underscore both Russia’s weakness and Ukraine’s aptitude on the battlefield.

“Putin is at his weakest position in years and real sustained pressure can finally bring this war to a close. It is critical that the United States follows through on the commitments President Trump agreed to as part of the G7 Leaders Summit communique last month, including providing additional security assistance to Ukraine—particularly air defense interceptors—and tightening sanctions on Russia’s war machine.

“We couldn’t agree more with President Zelenskyy: Putin is not acting in good faith. In our meetings with Allied officials this week, there is widespread agreement that Putin is negotiating for time, not negotiating for peace, while Ukraine has consistently demonstrated a willingness to advance President Trump’s efforts to bring an end to this brutal war. On a bipartisan and bicameral basis, Congress is prepared to help President Trump apply the necessary pressure on Putin to get him to the negotiating table and end the killing once and for all.”

Photos of the meeting can be found here.

Durbin is part of a bipartisan, bicameral congressional delegation to the NATO Summit in Ankara, Türkiye. The purpose of the summit is to discuss congressional support for the transatlantic relationship as President Trump continues to weaken our foreign relationships abroad, the war in Iran, as well as continued Russian aggression and interference in western democracies. Following the NATO summit, Durbin will travel to Budapest, Hungary to discuss bilateral opportunities and mutual defense challenges in the region.

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Durbin Attends Launch Of Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry’s Mobile Meals Program

Durbin secured a $700,000 earmark for the food pantry to purchase a mobile van to deliver hot meals

AURORA – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today joined Aurora Mayor John Laesch at the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry for the launch of its Mobile Meals Program. Durbin played an instrumental part in launching the program by securing $700,000 in federal funding through Congressionally Directed Spending in the Fiscal Year 2023 government funding bill for the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry. With this funding, the food pantry was able to add a commercial kitchen to prepare hot meals, in addition to purchasing a mobile van to expand their services to deliver hot meals to those in need. The mobile van will deliver meals to seniors without access to transportation and immigrant communities that are fearful of visiting the food pantry as a result the increased presence of federal agents during the President’s cruel mass deportation campaign.

Further, more Illinoisans are relying on food pantries due to the increased cost of groceries, utilities, and gasoline during the Trump Administration. This includes vulnerable families, children, seniors, and people with disabilities, who need help from food pantries after congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration slashed $200 billion from the USDA Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) through the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) in what was the largest cut to the program in history. As a result of the Republican legislation, up to 150,000 Illinoisans already are believed to have lost their SNAP benefits because of OBBBA’s new work requirements. Additionally, 23,000 Illinoisans who are unhoused, veterans, or youth aging out of foster care will lose assistance, and roughly 16,000 lawfully present asylees, refugees, and visa-holding victims of torture, trafficking, and domestic violence, lost benefits as of April 1 because of OBBBA.

“Today, the number of Americans experiencing hunger is higher than it was during the worst point of the pandemic. Our communities are relying on our food banks even more,” Durbin said. “In a time of need, the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry has stepped up to feed our neighbors and friends because serving a hot meal really does make a difference.”

Photos of the event can be found here.

Founded in 1981, the Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry is one of the largest food pantries in northern Illinois—serving nearly 1,500 families a week and annually distributing about four million pounds of food. In addition to weekly food distributions, the pantry expands its reach through several programs, including door-to-door food deliveries to seniors, a dedicated pantry at a nearby middle school for students, and an emergency clothing program that provides gently used clothing to families in need.

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Gallego Attends OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in The Hague

Senator Introduces Amendment on AI & Autonomous Weapons

THE HAGUE – U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), a member of the Helsinki Commission, participated in a congressional delegation (CODEL) trip to the 33rd Annual Session of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (OSCE PA) in The Hague, Netherlands.

On Monday, Senator Gallego introduced an amendment to setting international standards for the responsible military use of artificial intelligence and autonomy.

“I served as an infantry Marine in Iraq. I know firsthand what it’s like to be on a battlefield where life-and-death decisions have to be made in a split second,” said Senator Gallego. “War is inherently chaotic, but it requires human judgment, conscience, and accountability. We must ensure that human beings—not algorithms—remain fundamentally accountable for lethal decisions.”

Click here for a full video of his remarks.

Senator Gallego’s amendment calls on participating states to ensure that all deployment of military AI capabilities remain fully consistent with international humanitarian law. The measure mandates that autonomous capabilities remain subject to a human chain of command and requires appropriate legal reviews, rigorous testing, and proactive safeguards to mitigate the risks of civilian harm.

The amendment passed and was included in The Hague Declaration in chapter 1, #46.

Senator Gallego also met with senior European leaders and reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to transatlantic security and the defense of democratic allies. He met with the Dutch Prime Minister, Rob Jetten; the Ukrainian delegation, including Head of Delegation Mykyta Poturaiev and Deputy Head Artur Gerasymov; the Norwegian delegation; the Moldovan delegation; the Polish delegation; and the OSCE PA President Pere Joan Pons Sampietro and OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu.


Gallego Backs Legislation to Protect Firefighters from Harmful Chemicals

WASHINGTON – Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) is backing the Protecting Firefighters and Advancing State-of-the-Art (PFAS) Alternatives Act, legislation to support the development of next-generation, PFAS-free protective gear to better protect firefighters from the dangers of their work.

“Firefighters run towards danger to keep Arizonans safe – the gear they wear and the equipment they use should never put them at risk,” said Senator Gallego. “I’m proud to back this bill to ensure we’re doing everything we can to protect our brave first responders from harmful forever chemicals.”

Firefighters are exposed to carcinogens when they respond to virtually every type of fire or incident. This includes PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, which can be found in firefighters’ turnout gear, firefighting foams, and in the smoke and air firefighters breathe. Exposure to PFAS is linked to an array of health problems, including various cancers, kidney disease, reduced immune function, and reproductive challenges.

Tragically, cancer is the leading cause of line-of-duty death in the fire service. Because of their occupational exposure to carcinogens, including PFAS chemicals and other toxins in their own protective gear, firefighters are nearly 10% more likely to develop cancer and almost 15% more likely to die from cancer than the general population. And despite advances in research and materials science, there is no protective gear currently available to firefighters that is proven to be completely hazard-free.

The PFAS Alternatives Act helps address this by creating a new grant program dedicated to the research, development, and testing of turnout gear that maintains effectiveness while improving firefighter safety.

Specifically, the PFAS Alternatives Act will:

Establish a grant program within the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) to fund the research, development, and testing of next-generation, toxin-free turnout gear;

Ensure that such research is done by, and in collaboration with, firefighters and entities that understand the unique demands that firefighters face;

Authorize up to $25 million in Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) through FY31 for that research, development, and testing; and

Authorize an additional $2 million for FY28-FY32 for the development and dissemination of best practices and trainings to ensure that firefighters are equipped with the knowledge to ensure that the next-generation turnout gear is as effective as possible at reducing their risk of potentially harmful exposures.

The PFAS Alternatives Act is led by Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Peter Welch (D-VT), and John Curtis (R-UT).

The PFAS Alternatives Act is endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).

“The science is clear. Toxic PFAS chemicals are contributing to alarming rates of cancer in the fire service, and we must do everything we can to reduce fire fighters’ exposure to these carcinogens – including in the gear we wear that is supposed to keep us safe. The PFAS Alternatives Act will accelerate the development of next-generation, toxin-free gear, and make sure fire fighters – not corporate interests – are at the center of research into the products we rely on for our safety. The 366,000 members of the IAFF are proud to support this bipartisan legislation, and we thank Sens. Curtis, Welch, Fischer, and Heinrich for their leadership on this critical issue,”said Edward Kelly, General President, International Association of Fire Fighters.

A one-page summary of the bill is HERE.

The full text of the bill is HERE.


Gallego, Colleagues Push Trump Administration to Release Affordable Housing Construction Funds

WASHINGTON – As President Trump continues to slow-walk a bipartisan housing affordability bill that already passed through Congress, Senator Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), a member of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee and the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, joined a group of colleagues in urging the president to unlock community development tools and promptly release$750 million in federal housing construction funds.

Last month, Congress passed the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to boost the nation’s housing supply, improve housing affordability, and strengthen oversight and efficiency of federal housing programs and regulators. Instead of signing the law, which passed with veto-proof majorities, President Trump is sitting on it.

With housing prices near record highs, the Trump administration is also sitting on approximately $750 million in housing construction funds available under the Capital Magnet Fund (CMF), Housing Trust Fund (HTF), and Housing Production-Financial Assistance Awards (HP-FA) programs. These federal funds can be leveraged by state and local organizations to develop, preserve, rehabilitate, and increase the supply of affordable housing. Together, these programs strengthen communities, revitalize neighborhoods, create jobs, and ensure more Americans can afford a high-quality home at a decent price that fits their budget.

The housing affordability crisis is compounded by the fact that President Trump’s policies – including his reckless tariffs and war with Iran – have increased the cost of construction and slowed the pace of building new affordable housing units nationwide.

Senator Gallego and 22 of his colleagues, led by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), sent a letter to White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought demanding that the Trump Administration release housing construction funds without further delay.

“We write to urge you to immediately direct the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of the Treasury to release approximately $750 million in housing construction funds available under the Capital Magnet Fund (CMF), Housing Trust Fund (HTF), and Housing Production-Financial Assistance Awards (HP-FA) programs,” the Senators wrote, noting that release of the funds could help build or rehabilitate over 63,000 homes at no cost to American taxpayers.

“Today, Americans are suffering through a housing affordability crisis. Single-family home prices and the average age of first-time homebuyers hit record highs last year, while more households are paying unsustainable amounts of rent than ever before. This crisis is nationwide: home prices have surged 40% in Texas, 43% in Iowa, 54% in Georgia, and 65% in Maine over the past six years – far outpacing wages and overall inflation. You have the ability to increase our nation’s housing supply and help address this crisis. With that in mind, we urge you to direct the release of these funds without any further delay,” the letter continued.


Biden DOJ Personnel Exposed Classified Materials While Special Counsel Jack Smith Prosecuted Trump, Records Show

BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – Messages obtained by U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) show personnel at the Biden U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), including personnel assigned to Jack Smith’s Special Counsel Office (SCO), potentially mishandled classified materials themselves amid Smith’s own investigation into President Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents.

The messages, provided by DOJ in response to Grassley’s oversight requests, reveal:

An individual was given access to classified materials without confirming they had the requisite “need to know.”

There was at least one instance in which the potential movement of classified materials housed in a DOJ sensitive compartment information facility (SCIF) was unaccounted for.

A “violation and incident” occurred when a SCIF accessible to SCO personnel was left open at least overnight and potentially longer.

“Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. According to these messages, Biden DOJ personnel may have committed the very offense for which Jack Smith was prosecuting President Trump,” Grassley said. “These records expose yet another double standard of justice. While Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden escaped accountability for mishandling highly classified information, Jack Smith and the Biden DOJ set out to paint President Trump as a felon and ruin him politically. These and other records I’ve made public show the Biden Justice Department was unquestionably careless, not to mention highly hypocritical.”

Read Grassley’s letter HERE and view the messages below.

A. Concerns that individuals were provided access to classified materials without confirming they had the appropriate “need to know,” and material housed in a SCIF may have been moved.

CVR - Carli Rodriguez-Feo; JAE - Julie Edelstein:

B. A SCIF accessible to SCO personnel was left open overnight and potentially longer, creating “a violation and incident,” and there was limited help with oversight to secure the SCIF.

WGO - William O’Neil; CVR - Carli Rodriguez-Feo:

C. SLV - Stephanie Van Buskirk was identified in the messages above as opening the SCIF “the day before,” resulting in the “violation and incident,” and she appears to have been an assistant to Jack Smith.

MGG - Molly Gaston; TPW - Thomas Windom


Capitol Hill Report, 7-08-26

Audio from this morning’s call is available HERE.

Topics include: Sen. Grassley’s 99 county meetings, the Farm Bill, $71 million to improve Iowa bridges, recent FEMA relief to Iowa and Sen. Mitch McConnell.


Grassley Welcomes Stars of Valor Veterans Fellow to U.S. Senate Staff

BUTLER COUNTY, IOWA – U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) announced Johnathon Remster of Marshalltown has joined his state staff as a veterans fellow under the U.S. Senate’s Stars of Valor Veterans Fellowship program.

Remster, an Iowa Army National Guard veteran is based out of Grassley’s Des Moines office. He works directly with Iowa veterans and serves as a liaison with Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs) and other veterans service providers. In addition to attending local events, Remster helps Iowa veterans navigate federal agencies and facilitates connections with healthcare services, employment opportunities and other community resources.

Clayton Brown of Bondurant served as Grassley’s first veterans fellow and the Senate’s first-ever participant of the program.

“At my 99 county meetings, I hear from veterans who are facing challenges as they reintegrate into civilian life or try to access the services they’ve earned. That’s why the Stars of Valor program is such an important resource for Iowans. With a dedicated community outreach officer like Johnathon, my office can better support the needs and concerns of Iowa veterans,” Grassley said. “I’m thankful to have Johnathon join my team to help ensure the government fulfills its promises to those who have honorably served our nation. Deployed under Operation Spartan Shield, Johnathon served as a mechanic for seven years and brings an important perspective to this new role as he honors Iowa’s hometown heroes.”

“Coming from the Iowa Veterans Home, I gained a new appreciation for why we take care of our veterans. I am honored to be able to serve our veterans and grateful for the opportunity to represent Senator Grassley,” Remster said.

Background:

More than a decade ago, Grassley created veterans fellow positions to strengthen the process of representative government and focus on Iowa veterans’ unmet needs. Grassley’s office was the first in the U.S. Senate to utilize the Stars of Valor Veterans Fellowships program authorized in the 117th and 118th Congresses.

The Stars of Valor Fellowship Program provides two-year, paid fellowship opportunities in the U.S. Senate for qualifying veterans, eligible wounded or disabled veterans, active-duty military spouses and Gold Star families.


Heinrich, Luján, Bennet, Colleagues Reintroduce Bill to Help Small Farms Access Federal Support

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and nine Senate colleagues reintroduced legislation that will help small farms access federal conservation programs delivered through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

“Small farms are the backbone of our rural communities, but they often struggle to compete with big farms in accessing important USDA conservation funding. We need to do all that we can to ensure that small farms have the resources they need to build soil health, conserve natural resources, and sustain their way of life,” said Heinrich. “This legislation aims to provide much-needed support for small farmers in New Mexico and across the country by unlocking financial resources, all while growing our economy and protecting our environment. As the Senate Agriculture Committee moves forward with marking up a new Farm Bill, policies that support small farms must be included.”

“Growing up on my family’s small farm in Nambé, I saw firsthand the hard work it takes to keep a farm running,” said Luján. “Farmers and ranchers deserve access to federal conservation programs that work for them, especially as the climate crisis worsens. This legislation will help ensure that small farms have the support they need to strengthen their operations and protect New Mexico’s land and water.”

“After hearing from farmers and ranchers across Colorado, especially those who are just getting started or facing barriers to accessing federal resources, it is clear our conservation programs are falling short of their promise. By making these programs more accessible to smaller operations, we can help producers adopt soil health practices, strengthen local food systems, and protect our environment,” said Bennet.

USDA’s EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that offers farmers and ranchers financial cost-share and technical assistance to implement conservation practices on working agricultural lands. Small farms and ranches often find it difficult to navigate federal conservation programs and, because payment rates are based on acreage, they face meaningful pay discrepancies compared to larger agricultural operations. Small farmers who wish to undertake soil health practices have to dedicate the same time and effort as larger farms to access EQIP while only receiving a fraction of the benefit.

The Small Farm Conservation Act modifies EQIP to create a new subprogram dedicated to helping small farmers and ranchers access and receive adequate financial and technical assistance.

Specifically, the Small Farm Conservation Act would:

Create a subprogram within EQIP tailored to support small farms and ranches;

Establish a national subprogram coordinator and one in each state;

Streamline the application and approval processes for small farmers and ranches;

Create a bonus payment for farms under 50 acres employing soil health practices;

Allow small farms to enroll on a continuous basis instead of waiting for the annual ranking period; and

Require the Natural Resources Conservation Service to train field staff on conservation tailored for small-scale agriculture and to conduct outreach to small-scale farmers and ranchers.

In addition to Heinrich, Luján, and Bennet, U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-Pa.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Angus King (I-Maine) cosponsored this legislation.

The text of the bill is available HERE.

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Ranking Members Heinrich and Huffman Lead Call for Investigation into Trump Admin’s Plan to Merge Offshore Energy Agencies

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, and U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Ranking Member of the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, sent a letter to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), urging the agency to investigate whether a proposed agency consolidation within the Department of the Interior (DOI) would undermine the independent offshore safety oversight Congress established after Deepwater Horizon and leave workers, communities, and taxpayers at greater risk.

The letter follows an announcement from the Trump administration in April that DOI is consolidating the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (OEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) to create the new Marine Minerals Administration (MMA), while proposing draconian cuts to the Interior in its Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget request.

“The April 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster was one of the worst environmental catastrophes in our nation’s history, killing 11 workers and releasing millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico... In response, in October 2011, the Department of the Interior dissolved MMS and established the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) to separate offshore leasing and resource development responsibilities from independent safety and environmental enforcement functions. The reorganization was intended to address the very regulatory failures that contributed to the Deepwater Horizon disaster by ensuring that offshore safety and environmental protection would not be subordinated to industry pressure or revenue generation,”the lawmakers began.

“Sixteen years later, offshore oil and gas development has only increased. U.S. oil production remains near record highs, with approximately 95 percent of offshore production now occurring in deepwater environments that present substantially greater technical, operational, and environmental risks... At the same time, the Trump administration and congressional Republicans are aggressively pursuing expanded offshore leasing, opening additional areas to drilling, and reducing royalty rates that shortchange taxpayers while incentivizing further fossil fuel extraction,” the lawmakers continued.

“Interior’s April 2026 announcement that it intends to reconsolidate BOEM and BSEE into a new Marine Minerals Administration (MMA) raises serious concerns about whether Interior is collapsing the firewall between resource development and independent safety oversight that was established after Deepwater Horizon,” the lawmakers noted. “These concerns are compounded by the fact that Interior is pursuing this reorganization amid significant workforce reductions, including staffing losses resulting from the 2025 Deferred Resignation Program and additional proposed cuts in the fiscal year 2027 budget request. The Department is simultaneously expanding the scope of its responsibilities to include offshore critical minerals leasing and other new activities.”

The lawmakers concluded the letter by requesting GAO to investigate the creation of the new Marine Minerals Administration, and the steps that the Trump administration is taking to ensure that the agency can properly oversee deep-sea mining efforts to prevent another disaster like Deepwater Horizon.

The letter, led by Heinrich in the U.S. Senate and Huffman in the U.S. House of Representatives, is also signed by U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and U.S. Representative Luz Rivas (D-Calif.).

Read the full letter here and below:

Dear Ms. Brown,

The April 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster was one of the worst environmental catastrophes in our nation’s history, killing 11 workers and releasing millions of barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. In the aftermath of the spill, multiple investigations identified regulatory failures and deeply entrenched ethical issues and conflicts of interest within the former Minerals Management Service (MMS), which simultaneously prompted offshore development, collected royalties, and conducted oversight. In response, in October 2011, the Department of the Interior (Interior) dissolved MMS and established the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) to separate offshore leasing and resource development responsibilities from independent safety and environmental enforcement functions. The reorganization was intended to address the very regulatory failures that contributed to the Deepwater Horizon disaster by ensuring that offshore safety and environmental protection would not be subordinated to industry pressure or revenue generation.

Sixteen years later, offshore oil and gas development has only increased. U.S. oil production remains near record highs, with approximately 95 percent of offshore production now occurring in deepwater environments that present substantially greater technical, operational, and environmental risks. New frontier projects, including the recently approved Kaskida development, are pushing into ultra-deepwater conditions characterized by extreme pressures, temperatures, and operational complexity. At the same time, the Trump administration and congressional Republicans are aggressively pursuing expanded offshore leasing, opening additional areas to drilling, and reducing royalty rates that shortchange taxpayers while incentivizing further fossil fuel extraction. Interior has also expanded its focus on cataloging offshore critical mineral deposits in anticipation of future seabed mining activities that carry poorly understood, but likely significant, environmental risks.

Against this backdrop, Interior’s April 2026 announcement that it intends to reconsolidate BOEM and BSEE into a new Marine Minerals Administration (MMA) raises serious concerns about whether Interior is collapsing the firewall between resource development and independent safety oversight that was established after Deepwater Horizon. Interior has asserted that the reorganization will improve coordination, but the Department has provided little detail explaining how combining these functions would strengthen independent environmental review and safety enforcement, particularly at a time when offshore development activities are becoming increasingly complex and risky.

These concerns are compounded by the fact that Interior is pursuing this reorganization amid significant workforce reductions, including staffing losses resulting from the 2025 Deferred Resignation Program and additional proposed cuts in the fiscal year 2027 budget request. The Department is simultaneously expanding the scope of its responsibilities to include offshore critical minerals leasing and other new activities. Together, these developments raise significant questions about whether the proposed consolidation would undermine the independent oversight and institutional capacity necessary to protect offshore workers, coastal communities, marine ecosystems, and taxpayers from another preventable disaster.

To help Congress better understand the potential implications of establishing MMA, we request that GAO examine the following:

To what extent has Interior defined specific, measurable objectives that support its broader goals for reconsolidating BOEM and BSEE into MMA?

To what extent has Interior engaged in transition planning to ensure that MMA meets its specific objectives while also maintaining the resources needed to maintain the oversight functions currently managed by BOEM and BSEE?

To what extent has the agency taken steps to ensure it will have the needed resources and capacity, including the scientific expertise, for effective oversight of the development of the nation’s offshore energy and marine mineral resources?

To what extent did Interior take steps to ensure that the new agency’s processes and decision-making—including as they pertain to permitting—will be based on sound science that is independent of undue outside influence?

What steps did Interior take to ensure the new agency has developed a framework for consultation and stakeholder engagement, specifically, on the agency’s expanded scope of authorities for offshore minerals leasing? How will MMA’s processes uphold Tribal trust responsibilities and states’ authorities for consistency review under the Coastal Zone Management Act?

Sincerely,