CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN, LAWMAKERS INVESTIGATE REPORTS THAT DOD FAILED TO PROVIDE SUFFICIENT CARE FOR SERVICE MEMBERS INJURED IN IRANIAN STRIKE

Survivors of Iranian attack on Port Shuaiba in Kuwait say Pentagon ignored requests for advanced medical aid, failed to provide protection from strikes, misclassified injuries

In a new letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Congressman Ryan asked him to provide clarity on the reports and DoD’s investigation into the Port Shuaiba strike

Letter follows Ryan’s public pressure on Secretary Hegseth to take accountability for failure to protect troops at Port Shuaiba

“(S)oldiers wounded in the attack concluded ‘the military’s medical system failed them.’”

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Pat Ryan – a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Iraq War veteran, and the first West Point graduate to represent the Academy in Congress – and U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Personnel, led 11 members of Congress in opening a new investigation into reports that the Department of Defense (DoD) failed to provide adequate medical care to service members injured in a March drone strike on a U.S. military post at Port Shuaiba in Kuwait. In a new letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the lawmakers asked him to provide clarity on the reports and DoD’s investigation into the Port Shuaiba strike.

“As President Trump once again ramps up his reckless war in Iran, and new reports indicate that additional American bases have come under attack, it is critical that DoD provide answers about its capacity to provide care for injured service members,” wrote the lawmakers.

“Every single one of these servicemembers is somebody’s whole world. Their son, their daughter, their husband or wife or friend. The need for this investigation goes beyond the Shuaiba attack – it's about taking accountability and protecting our servicemembers, both in any future conflict and as Trump’s war with Iran continues to rage on,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “When I asked Hegseth about his failure to protect our troops at Port Shuaiba, he refused to answer my questions and directly contradicted the firsthand accounts of brave survivors. If he’s going to continue working double-time to cover up his deadly mistakes, then it’s our job as members of Congress to force him to give us real answers and make sure something like this never happens again. That’s why I fought to secure language in the NDAA that forces an honest, public reckoning about what went wrong and why we sent this letter. We can’t learn from those mistakes by pretending they didn’t happen. The stakes are too high to sweep this under the rug.”

In April, Ryan demanded an immediate investigation into reports that Secretary Hegseth failed to take basic steps to protect troops during President Trump's war in Iran, including during a strike that killed six service members and injured dozens in Kuwait. Following new reporting revealing that service members warned of safety issues ahead of the strike, the lawmakers pressed for answers on why troops injured in the attack have not received timely access to medical care and why the Trump administration failed to prepare for attacks on troops in the Middle East.

In a House Armed Services hearing, Ryan pushed Hegseth on why he characterized the attack as a “squirter that makes its way through” and claimed Port Shuaiba’s defenses were fortified, directly contradicting firsthand accounts from survivors. Hegseth repeatedly refused to answer Ryan’s questions or take accountability.

Survivors reported facing delays and challenges in getting necessary medical care, including that injured service members who were flown to Germany for care were then told that they could only get limited treatment and had to wait in barracks as the hospital was unable to admit them. Other service members with symptoms of traumatic brain injuries were reportedly unable to get proper care for nearly a month after the strike, even after they were flown from Germany to Fort Hood in Texas.

The reports also raise serious concerns about DoD’s lack of preparation for a strike against Port Shuaiba. A soldier reportedly filed a complaint with the Inspector General stating that the lack of safety measures at Port Shuaiba were so significant that the unit’s force-protection assessments “recommended against positioning any personnel at Shuaiba Port.” Survivors of the strike reported that they believed that at least one victim of the attack could have survived if they had had proper access to care.

The Army reportedly downplayed injuries sustained during the strike, including by telling families that their loved ones were not seriously injured despite suffering extensive injuries.

“These reports are also emblematic of a broader pattern of the Trump administration’s blatant dismissal and disregard for the injuries and deaths of service members in this war,” wrote the lawmakers.

The lawmakers also called out DoD’s revision of official casualty counts from the war in Iran. Last week, DoD lowered the number of U.S. service members who had been killed in the war so far from 18 to 14, and categorized their deaths under “Overseas Operations” instead of Operation Epic Fury, in an apparent attempt to hide the growing casualty count of U.S. service members from President Trump’s war against Iran.

“This is shameful and a complete and utter disrespect to these service members, their loved ones, and those who served alongside them…It dishonors their ultimate sacrifice to attempt to hide the real costs of this war from the American people,” said the lawmakers.

“As you and President Trump continue to risk the lives of service members in this reckless war, the American people deserve answers on whether you were adequately prepared to protect service members from Iranian attacks and get them the care they needed, and whether you will be prepared to do so if the war continues and escalates even further,” wrote the lawmakers.

The lawmakers asked Secretary Hegseth to provide answers related to the reports of insufficient medical care, injury classifications, and details of the Port Shuaiba attack and ensuing investigation by August 12, 2026.

Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), all members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, along with Representatives Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.), Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Derek Tran (D-Calif.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.), and Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.), all members of the House Armed Services Committee, joined in signing the letter.

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NEWS: Pressley, Warren, Lawmakers Probe Insurance Companies on Usage of Credit-Based Insurance Scores as Costs Rise

“Insurers should not charge consumers higher premiums simply because of their personal credit history, which could have been impacted by job loss, a surprise medical bill, predatory lending, or simply inaccurate information, rather than the actual risk associated with a home.”

Letter to USAA | Letter to State Farm | Letter to Progressive | Letter to Liberty Mutual | Letter to Farmers | Letter to Allstate

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, led 18 members of Congress in a set of letters to USAA, State Farm, Progressive, Liberty Mutual, Farmers, and Allstate requesting information on the usage of credit-based insurance scores in homeowners insurance underwriting and pricing.

In the letters, the lawmakers underscored concerns that insurance companies are unfairly jacking up rates based on customer credit history:

“Property and casualty insurance products price the risk of loss due to damage to a property and its contents; and unlike debt, these products do not hinge on a customer’s ability to repay or carry the risk of defaulting on a loan. Despite this, recent reporting indicates that Americans with weaker credit history pay significantly more for homeowners insurance, all other characteristics of the policyholder and property held equal.”

“Insurers have cited increasing climate-related disasters – along with rising building and reinsurance costs – as the key sources behind rising homeowners insurance premiums. Yet recent research shows that credit scores impact homeowners insurance premiums as much, if not more than, disaster risk in many parts of the country,” continued the lawmakers.

“Insurers should not charge consumers higher premiums simply because of their personal credit history, which could have been impacted by job loss, a surprise medical bill, predatory lending, or simply inaccurate information, rather than an actual risk associated with a home,” the lawmakers wrote.

The lawmakers called on the insurance companies to provide information on how they use credit-based scoring when offering or pricing homeowners insurance policies, requesting responses from the companies by August 13.

The letters are cosigned by Representatives André Carson (D-Ind.), Sean Casten (D-Ill.), Sylvia Garcia (D-Tex.), Al Green (D-Tex.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Nikema Williams (D-Geo.), and SenatorsRichard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Mary.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

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Amata Welcomes $747,000 in DOJ Grants for Victims of Violence in American Samoa

Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming an announcement from the U.S. Department of Justice's (DOJ) Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) that the American Samoa Criminal Justice Planning Agency (CJPA) has been awarded two federal formula grants totaling $746,687 to strengthen services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Congresswoman Amata and Dr. Celestine Faumuina-Nix at IGIA 2025

The federal awards include $617,645 through the OVW Fiscal Year 2026 STOP (Services, Training, Officers, Prosecutors) Formula Grant Program and $129,042 through the OVW Fiscal Year 2026 Sexual Assault Services (SAS) Formula Program. Both grants were awarded on August 3, 2026, and will support ongoing efforts to improve victim services and strengthen public safety throughout American Samoa.

"These are important federal resources that help provide protection, support, and hope for victims and survivors while strengthening coordination among our law enforcement and service providers," said Congresswoman Amata. "Congratulations and thank you to Dr. Celestine Faumuina-Nix and everyone at the Criminal Justice Planning Agency for their continued work administering these programs and serving the people of American Samoa."

The STOP Formula Grant Program supports partnerships among law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and victim service organizations to improve the response to domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The funding helps strengthen criminal justice strategies while increasing protection and services for victims.

The Sexual Assault Services Formula Program provides intervention, advocacy, accompaniment, support services, and related assistance for adult, youth, and child victims of sexual assault, as well as family members and others affected by victimization. The funding also supports rape crisis centers and nonprofit organizations that provide direct services to survivors.

"Thank you to the leadership at DOJ and OVW for supporting programs that strengthen victim services and public safety in American Samoa," concluded Congresswoman Amata.

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Congresswoman Amata Congratulates Fatiatamai Puapa’e Folau on Completion of APAICS Congressional Fellowship

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata congratulates Fatiatamai “Ma’i” Puapa’e Folau of Tafuna, American Samoa, on completing the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) Congressional Fellowship, and now serving as a Legislative Correspondent in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Fatiatamai “Ma’i” Puapa’e Folau of Tafuna, American Samoa,

The daughter of Tapumanaia Elisaia Folau and Puapa’e Folau of Toamua, Upolu, Folau is fluent in English and Samoan. She earned a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and was selected as a Ronald E. McNair Scholar.

“Congratulations to Fatiatamai on this outstanding achievement,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Her dedication to public service and academic excellence reflects the remarkable talent of American Samoa. We are proud to see another Samoan serving with distinction on Capitol Hill and wish her continued success.”

APAICS is a nationally recognized, nonpartisan nonprofit organization that develops Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander leaders through congressional fellowships and leadership programs.

Folau completed the prestigious fellowship as the only Pacific Islander in her cohort. She now serves in the office of Representative Burgess Owens (Utah’s 4th Congressional District), where she manages legislative correspondence, supports constituent engagement, works on aviation policy, and leads a prayer group on Capitol Hill.

“It is an honor to serve in Congress and represent my community through public service,” said Folau. “I hope my journey encourages more young people from American Samoa to pursue opportunities in public service and leadership.”

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Salazar Leads Congressional Letter to Sec. Rubio Urging Major Non-NATO Ally Designation for Ecuador

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Chairwoman María Elvira Salazar (FL-27), joined by Congressman Carlos Giménez (FL-28), Congresswoman Carol Miller (WV-01), Congressman Vern Buchanan (FL-16), and Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17), sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the Department of State to designate Ecuador as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA). The lawmakers write that the designation would strengthen Ecuador's efforts against transnational drug cartels while advancing U.S. national security interests.

"The battle against the cartels does not stop at Ecuador's borders," said Rep. Salazar. "The United States has a strategic interest in helping democratic allies confront the criminal organizations that threaten our hemisphere. Designating Ecuador as a Major Non-NATO Ally would strengthen one of our closest security partners in the Western Hemisphere."

“The fight against cartels requires strong partnerships,” said Congressman Carlos Gimenez. “Recognizing Ecuador as a Major Non-NATO Ally will strengthen one of America’s most important democratic partners in the region and enhance our ability to confront the transnational criminal organizations that threaten the security, stability, and prosperity of the Western Hemisphere.”

“The United States must continue to strengthen partnerships with trusted allies in our own hemisphere,” said Rep. Buchanan. “As Chairman of the House Democracy Partnership, I have seen firsthand Ecuador's commitment to combating organized crime, countering narcotics trafficking and advancing democratic institutions. Recognizing Ecuador as a Major Non-NATO Ally would strengthen our strategic partnership, and I am proud to support this effort.”

The letter describes Ecuador as one of the front lines in the fight against transnational drug trafficking, with criminal organizations exploiting the country's Pacific coast as a major corridor for cocaine shipments bound for the United States and Europe. It also highlights the record levels of violence driven by these groups and the enormous security challenges confronting the country.

The lawmakers explain that Major Non-NATO Ally status would expand Ecuador's access to key security benefits, including military financing opportunities, increased training, excess U.S. defense equipment, and advanced counterterrorism technology. These tools would strengthen Ecuador's ability to confront organized crime, protect innocent lives, and stop illegal drugs before they reach the United States.

The letter concludes by urging Secretary Rubio to grant the designation and reaffirm the United States' commitment to supporting Ecuador as it continues its fight against transnational organized crime.

Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status provides enhanced opportunities for defense and security cooperation with the United States, including:

Eligibility for certain U.S. military financing and defense loans.

Expanded military training and education opportunities with the United States.

Priority access to Excess Defense Articles, including certain U.S. defense equipment.

Eligibility to participate in cooperative defense research and development projects.

Increased access to counterterrorism cooperation and technology.

Opportunities for U.S. defense industry partnerships and defense procurement cooperation.

Currently, 19 countries are designated as Major Non-NATO Allies:

Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, South Korea, Thailand, and Tunisia.

This letter builds on Rep. Salazar's longstanding advocacy for a stronger U.S.-Ecuador security partnership. In 2025, she led a bipartisan effort urging the Administration to provide additional security assistance to help Ecuador defeat the cartels.

As Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, Rep. Salazar oversees congressional efforts to strengthen U.S. engagement across the region, counter transnational criminal organizations, and confront the authoritarian regimes and security threats that undermine democratic stability.


ICYMI: Congressman Pete Sessions Launches Bipartisan Military & Veteran Housing Caucus

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) announced the launch of the bipartisan Military & Veteran Housing Caucus (MVHC), a congressional caucus dedicated to advancing policies that strengthen financial readiness, military-to-civilian transition, homeownership, economic mobility, and housing stability for servicemembers, veterans, and military families.

Congressman Sessions will serve as the caucus' Republican Co-Chair alongside Democratic Co-Chair Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03). Congressmen Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Dale Strong (AL-05), and Gil Cisneros (CA-31) will serve as Vice Chairs, creating a truly bipartisan leadership team committed to addressing the housing and financial challenges facing the military-connected community.

Military and veteran housing issues span multiple congressional committees, making it difficult for any single committee to address them comprehensively. The Military & Veteran Housing Caucus was established to provide a dedicated forum for education, collaboration, and bipartisan solutions that improve housing stability, financial readiness, and homeownership opportunities for servicemembers, veterans, and their families.

One of the caucus' main priorities is addressing the unique housing and financial challenges faced by the military-connected community. Frequent relocations, credit-building challenges, and limited awareness of earned benefits can create barriers to homeownership and long-term financial security. Although the VA Home Loan Program is one of the nation's most valuable benefits for veterans, only an estimated fifteen percent of eligible veterans utilize it. The caucus will work to increase awareness of existing resources while advancing policies that strengthen housing stability and economic mobility for those who have served.

Congressman Pete Sessions said, “America’s servicemembers and veterans have answered the call to serve our nation, and Congress has a responsibility to ensure they have every opportunity to achieve lasting financial security and homeownership. I am proud to launch the bipartisan Military & Veteran Housing Caucus alongside Co-Chair Congresswoman Susie Lee and grateful to Congressmen Juan Ciscomani, Tom Suozzi, Dale Strong, and Gil Cisneros for serving as our Vice Chairs.

This bipartisan leadership team reflects our shared commitment to advancing practical solutions that strengthen financial readiness, expand access to homeownership, improve military-to-civilian transitions, and address the unique housing challenges facing servicemembers, veterans, and military families. Together, we will work across committee jurisdictions to increase awareness of existing benefits, including the VA Home Loan Program, and develop policies that ensure those who have served our nation have every opportunity to build lasting economic security and achieve the American Dream.”

Leadership Quotes:

“I am proud to join the Military and Veteran Housing Caucus and work with a bipartisan group of lawmakers committed to ensuring American heroes have access to safe and reliable housing," said Congressman Dale Strong. "I look forward to helping address this very important issue and collaborating to offer solutions to support those who have defended and are actively serving this great nation in uniform."

“Never Forget the Vet! We owe a debt of gratitude to all of our servicemembers who put their lives on the line to protect American freedom, democracy, and security. Their sacrifice charges us to treat them with honor and dignity, both during and after their service,” said Congressman Suozzi. “I’m proud to serve as a Vice Chair of the Military and Veteran Housing Caucus to ensure our military personnel and veterans have access to the safe, stable, and affordable housing they deserve.”

“Owning a home remains a cornerstone of the American Dream, and for our military families, it represents stability after years of sacrifice and service to our nation,” said Congressman Ciscomani. “After multiple deployments and duty stations, a home gives military children the opportunity to build lasting friendships, allows families to put down roots, and creates the stability every family deserves. As Vice Chairman of the Military and Veterans Housing Caucus, I’ll continue fighting to expand access to affordable housing, strengthen the VA Home Loan program, and ensure every servicemember, veteran, and military family has the opportunity to achieve the American Dream of homeownership.”

“Our servicemembers and veterans should always have a roof over their heads,” said Congressman Cisneros. "Yet, critical servicemember housing infrastructure is routinely neglected while many of our veterans face housing insecurity. Communities across the country have invested in creating supportive housing opportunities for homeless veterans, including Mercy Village in El Monte, that serve as shining examples of the care we should be providing federally. As a Navy veteran and former Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, I'm honored to serve as a Vice-Chair of the Military & Veteran Housing Caucus and further my commitment to addressing this issue and securing reliable and safe housing for all our heroes.”

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Rep. Tlaib introduces bill to stop data sharing between TSA and ICE

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (MI-12) introduced the No TSA Data for ICE Act, a new bill that would prevent the two agencies from coordinating to enforce the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda. In a dramatic violation of privacy rights, the Transportation and Security Administration is sharing passenger names, birth dates, and other data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, leading to a surge of arrests at airports. ICE agents are targeting immigrants in the process of changing status, including those waiting for visa extensions, with employment authorization documents, or recently married to a U.S. citizen.

A Freedom of Information Act lawsuit obtained an information-sharing agreement between TSA and ICE from May 2025, exposing that acting TSA Administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill lied in her testimony before Congress.

“TSA is complicit in ICE expanding its chaos and cruelty to target our communities in our airports and has been openly lying about it,” said Tlaib. “Through an information-sharing agreement signed in 2025, TSA is readily offering up our immigrant residents to suffer at the hands of ICE agents so they can fulfill their daily arrest quota. One source from ICE even said it makes for ‘easy targets’ at airports—a disgusting exploitation of immigrants in status limbo. Immigrants should be able to safely fly in this country without the fear of arrest or deportation.”

The bill would also prevent the Department of Homeland Security from retaliating against critics of ICE and the Trump Administration by revoking their status in trusted traveler programs, including TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. DHS is currently being sued by three U.S. citizens who lost Global Entry status after filming ICE activity.

“When people fly, they should be able to trust that TSA won’t divulge their sensitive information or use it for political retaliation,” said Tlaib. “TSA has broken that trust in a gross violation of people’s First Amendment rights. This data sharing should terrify all of us. It does nothing to make us safer, but rather endangers the basic rights of all Americans and worsens our mass surveillance crisis.”

“Handing travelers’ private information over to immigration agents isn’t about safety or security. It’s about turbocharging the already violent and deadly immigration enforcement happening in real time across the country that has claimed the lives of neighbors and fathers like Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Johan Sebastian Guerrero,” said Juliana Macedo do Nascimento, Deputy Director of Advocacy and Campaigns at United We Dream. “As immigration enforcement exploits databases, expands surveillance, and targets travelers across the country, Congress has a mandate to protect the safety and rights of the American people from the administration’s growing overreach and put an end to the cycle of tragedy that follows when communities are forced to live under fear. We urge Congress to pass the No TSA Data for ICE Act now.”

“The Trump administration continues to expand and entrench its mass deportation campaign against non-citizens with near zero concern for existing laws, including constitutional rights and obligatory international norms,” said Brad Parker, Associate Director of Policy at the Center for Constitutional Rights. “The No TSA Data for ICE Act is a simple, practical measure to protect non-citizen asylum seekers and block the targeting of individuals because they oppose authoritarian policies of the Trump administration.”

The No TSA Data for ICE Act is cosponsored by 25 members of Congress: U.S. Reps. Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), André Carson (IN-07), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Adelita S. Grijalva (AZ-07), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), John B. Larson (CT-01), Summer L. Lee (PA-12), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Christian Menefee (TX-18), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Nikema Williams (GA-05).

It is also endorsed by 66 organizations: African Bureau for Immigration and Social Affairs, African Communities Together, African Human Rights Commission, Alianza Nacional de Campesinas, American Friends Service Committee, Amnesty International USA, Arab American Heritage Council, Arkansas Community Organizations, Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, Borderlands Resource Initiative, Center for Constitutional Rights, Center for Law and Social Policy, Church World Service, Climate Refugees, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, Communities United for Status & Protection, Construyamos Otro Acuerdo, Detention Watch Network, Fight for the Future, Flint Alliance for Immigrant Rights, Franklin County Continuing the Political Revolution, Get Free, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Immigrant Guide, Immigration Justice Action Team of Indivisible Mass Coalition, Indivisible Easthampton, Indivisible Marin, Just Detention International, Justice Is Global, Kino Border Initiative, LGBT Detroit, Louisiana Advocates for Immigrants in Detention, MADRE, Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, Migrant Support Collective, Mississippi Immigrants Rights Alliance, Movement for Black Lives Action Fund, MPower Change Action Fund, Muslims for Just Futures, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, National Network for Arab American Communities, National Partnership for New Americans, Never Again Action, New Disabled South, NM Comunidades en Accion Y de Fe, No Concentration Camps US, No Detention Centers in Michigan, NorCal Resist, Oasis Legal Services, Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans, Peace Action, Public Citizen, Restore The Fourth Action, ReThinking Foreign Policy, RootsAction, Statewide Indivisible Michigan, UndocuBlack Network, United We Dream Network, Voices for Utah Children, We are CASA, Western MA Immigration Legislative Advocacy Network, Whistleblower & Source Protection Program at ExposeFacts, X-Lab, and National Immigration Law Center.

Read the full bill text here.

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Representatives Torres and Fitzpatrick Reintroduce Bipartisan Resolution Celebrating National Night Out

Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-1) reintroduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing August 4, 2026, as this year's National Night Out, the annual nationwide event celebrated on the first Tuesday of August that brings together neighbors, law enforcement, firefighters, emergency dispatchers, and first responders to strengthen community partnerships and promote safer neighborhoods.

For decades, National Night Out has helped build trust between public safety professionals and the communities they serve. This year, 38 million neighbors are expected to participate in events across 17,000 communities nationwide, fostering stronger neighborhood connections, increasing crime prevention awareness, and encouraging collaboration to keep communities safe.

"As a former 9-1-1 dispatcher for more than 17 years, I know that public safety begins with trust. And as the proud mother of a police officer, I know the sacrifices our officers and first responders make every day, and I also know how important it is for them to have the support of the communities they serve," said Congresswoman Norma Torres. "National Night Out is one of my favorite traditions because it brings neighbors, law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders together, not just to build safer communities, but to build lasting relationships. I am proud to once again lead this bipartisan effort to celebrate National Night Out and encourage families across the country to come together in support of those who work every day to keep us safe."

“A strong relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve is the cornerstone of public safety and the foundation of a healthy democracy,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “I’m proud to represent some of the finest officers in the nation here in PA-1, and deeply grateful for the way they serve—not only with courage and professionalism, but with compassion and connection. National Night Out celebrates that spirit. It strengthens the bonds between neighbors and those sworn to protect them, and reminds us unity and trust are essential to keeping our communities safe. I’m honored to join Congresswoman Torres in recognizing this meaningful and enduring tradition.”

National Night Out is observed annually during the first Tuesday of August through neighborhood gatherings, community events, safety demonstrations, youth activities, and opportunities for residents to engage directly with local law enforcement and first responders. The bipartisan resolution formally recognizes the importance of these efforts in strengthening public safety and fostering lasting community partnerships.

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Kelly, Guest, and Ezell Back President Trump's Defense, Farm Aid, and Election-Security Priorities

August 4, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases

Tags:
National Defense / Veterans,
              Agriculture

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Trent Kelly (R-Miss.), Michael Guest (R-Miss.), and Mike Ezell (R-Miss.) sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump expressing their strong support for his legislative efforts to address critical national defense, agricultural, and election-security priorities.

“The threats facing our nation require the Department of War to have the resources… Read more »

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Trent Kelly (R-Miss.), Michael Guest (R-Miss.), and Mike Ezell (R-Miss.) sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump expressing their strong support for his legislative efforts to address critical national defense, agricultural, and election-security priorities.

“The threats facing our nation require the Department of War to have the resources necessary to defend the United States and protect American interests,” the lawmakers wrote. “Our brave men and women in uniform deserve the equipment, munitions, and support needed to carry out their missions and return home safely.”

The Mississippi lawmakers also emphasized the urgent need to provide relief to struggling farmers.

“Family farms across Mississippi are going out of business, while many others are struggling to survive from one crop year to the next,” they wrote. “This assistance would provide a critical lifeline, helping our farmers remain in operation, meet their obligations, and continue producing the food and fiber our nation depends upon.”

Kelly, Guest, and Ezell also expressed support for expanding access to voter identification, encouraging strong state election practices, and accounting for the SAVE America Act in the Senate budget resolution.

“You can count on our support as we urge the Senate to act and work to send the subsequent reconciliation package to your desk without delay,” the lawmakers concluded.

Read the full letter below.

Dear Mr. President,

As members of the Mississippi congressional delegation, we write to express our strong support for your efforts to address critical national defense, agricultural, and election-security priorities through the budget reconciliation process. We urge the Senate to support your requests and move expeditiously to finalize and pass a budget resolution.

The threats facing our nation require the Department of War to have the resources necessary to defend the United States and protect American interests. Our brave men and women in uniform deserve the equipment, munitions, and support needed to carry out their missions and return home safely. We fully support your request to meet these immediate defense needs.

We also strongly support your request for farm aid. Family farms across Mississippi are going out of business, while many others are struggling to survive one crop year to the next. This assistance would provide a critical lifeline, helping our farmers remain in operation, meet their obligations, and continue producing the food and fiber our nation depends upon.

Finally, Americans deserve elections they can trust. We support your efforts to expand access to voter identification, encourage state election practices, and account for the SAVE America Act in the Senate budget resolution.

Thank you for your leadership on these priorities. You can count on our support as we urge the Senate to act and work to send the subsequent reconciliation package to your desk without delay.

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Vindman Statement on H.R. 8595 Amendment Vote

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today released the following statement after...


Vindman Opposes Terrible Deal to Hand Over Virginia’s Energy Grid to NextEra, Jack Up Virginians’ Utility Costs

Vindman: “High energy bills already top the list of concerns for Virginians, and families across the Commonwealth will not be able to endure record-setting rate hikes on top of their existing burdens”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today sent a letter to members of the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) urging them to reject the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra energy. In the letter, Vindman warned that the deal would put Wall Street profits ahead of Virginia families, weaken local accountability, and increase costs for consumers.

In the letter, Vindman wrote, “I write to express my strong opposition to the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy. This deal is not right for my constituents nor Virginians at large, and I urge you to do everything in your power to stop its approval.”

Vindman argued that Virginia’s energy system should remain accountable to the communities it serves — not distant corporate executives or investors. He raised concerns that the transaction would reduce transparency, erode state oversight, and leave customers with higher bills while delivering significant financial benefits to shareholders.

“High energy bills already top the list of concerns for Virginians, and families across the Commonwealth will not be able to endure record-setting rate hikes on top of their existing burdens,” Vindman continued. “To be specific, the merger proposes an ownership structure where three-quarters of the board is Florida-controlled. Virginians deserve a utility that is accountable to them, and they will not stand for price increases that are dictated from outside their borders.

“I will oppose any backroom deal to hand over our state’s energy grid to NextEra, and I implore you to do everything in your power to block this merger and ensure that the electricity bills of Virginians are not increased,” he concluded.

Full text of the letter can be found here and below.

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Dear Chair Bagot and Commissioners Hudson and Towell:

I write to express my strong opposition to the proposed merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy. This deal is not right for my constituents nor Virginians at large, and I urge you to do everything in your power to stop its approval.

NextEra is well-known for having implemented what many recognize as the largest residential electricity rate increase in history at the end of 2025. High energy bills already top the list of concerns for Virginians, and families across the Commonwealth will not be able to endure record-setting rate hikes on top of their existing burdens. Between May 2021-May 2026, Floridians who rely on NextEra’s subsidiary, Florida Power & Light, have seen their utility bills rise by 33 percent. For Virginians, this merger can only mean one thing: rate increases. In their investor presentation slide deck, NextEra boasted that the merger would accompany a projected 11 percent rate base growth through 2032 underpinning an opportunity to “deliver a compelling long-term shareholder value proposition.” I will not stand for Wall Street investors making a windfall when my constituents struggle to keep the lights on. A company with a demonstrated record of imposing excessive rate increases on its customers is simply not one Virginians can afford to welcome.

Over the last year, the Virginia General Assembly and this Commission have worked to shift costs of data centers away from customers and back onto the data centers themselves. However, NextEra has also told investors that this merger attempts to capture the 130 gigawatts of large-load data center demand growth. In short, whether investors see high returns is dependent on NextEra maximizing data center growth. This means NextEra’s incentives will align with keeping costs low for data centers rather than ensuring they pay their fair share. In the end, consumers will see these costs shifted to them. What’s more, NextEra is not only the largest single energy provider in the country, but it is also headquartered hundreds of miles away in Florida. This merger will hand over control of our local energy infrastructure to bureaucrats far removed from the communities they serve. To be specific, the merger proposes an ownership structure where three-quarters of the board is Florida-controlled. Virginians deserve a utility that is accountable to them, and they will not stand for price increases that are dictated from outside their borders.

Lastly, there is a significant trail of news articles and allegations surrounding the company’s seemingly underhanded and suspicious conduct. These allegations include funding ghost candidates, offering jobs to public officials, and spying on journalists. In fact, in 2025 NextEra paid a $150 million settlement in response to allegations that it had engaged in “fraud and deceit.” Virginians deserve to trust their local utility and their regulators, and welcoming a shady organization with a concerning reputation for impropriety is not right for the state.

Given the concerns expressed above, I will oppose any backroom deal to hand over our state’s energy grid to NextEra, and I implore you to do everything in your power to block this merger and ensure that the electricity bills of Virginians are not increased.

BACKGROUND

NextEra is well-known for having implemented what many recognize as the largest residential electricity rate increase in history at the end of 2025. High energy bills already top the list of concerns for Virginians and Vindman has heard from hundreds of families who will not be able to endure record-setting rate hikes on top of their existing burdens.

Between May 2021-May 2026, Floridians who rely on NextEra’s subsidiary, Florida Power & Light, have seen their utility bills rise by 33 percent.

As a founding member of the Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus, Vindman has been a champion for bringing down utility costs.

In May, he introduced the Home Energy Affordability Act, legislation thatwould help protect consumers from repeated utility rate hikes by limiting electric utilities to one rate increase request every 365 days. This bill is based on a proposal that has received overwhelming support from constituents across Virginia’s Seventh District and would amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require states to consider policies restricting how often regulated electric utilities can seek rate increases.

He also introduced the Utility Hikes Transparency Act,legislation that would create the first comprehensive, machine-readable federal database of retail utility rate changes in the United States. The tracker would be updated quarterly which would include approved and effective electric and natural gas utility rate changes for investor-owned utilities, cooperatives, and municipally owned utilities nationwide.

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Wasserman Schultz Joins Constituent Released from ICE Facility

Sunrise, FL – Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) joined her constituent Claudia Carolina Rodriguez Caglianone after she was released from the ICE Broward Transitional Center in Pompano Beach last night.

Click here to watch the full press conference.

Click here for video of Claudia and Wasserman Schultz meeting.

“I’m so grateful and relieved that Claudia is with her family again. I was proud to help put a spotlight on her case, but there are 300,000 Florida families who had TPS ripped away just like Claudia, and they are just as vulnerable to the kind of cruel arrest and detention that she and her family just went through,” said Wasserman Schultz. “She’s clearly no threat to our community. And the atrocious pain and uncertainty that she and her family were put through, and all the immense, wasteful expense it costs taxpayers, are just appalling. The end of TPS means more and more of our neighbors will be targeted by ICE. I’ll keep fighting to keep families like Claudia’s together, and to put an end to Trump’s racist cruelty. There are still too many Claudias going through this same horror.”

“Today, my heart is also with the many people in detention without the same support and visibility, and also the opportunity to have shared their stories and also be heard,” said Claudia. “I hope this moment also shines a light on them, because this journey is just the beginning.”

Claudia Carolina Rodriguez Caglianone was held at the Pompano Beach facility after being detained for eight days at the ICE Field Office in Miramar, where Wasserman Schultz recently conducted oversight and put a spotlight on inhumane conditions. Claudia lawfully moved from Venezuela to the United States in 2017 on a tourist visa, and within six months applied for asylum. She received Temporary Protected Status in 2023, and her asylum case is pending. Earlier in July, she was arrested by ICE agents at Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Last year, she earned her master’s degree from St. Thomas University.

When she spoke to Claudia last week, Wasserman Schultz says she described being held for eight days in the Miramar ICE facility, significantly longer than the 72 hours allowed by law. Claudia had no access to a shower or change of clothes for the entirety of her time in Miramar. She also described women sleeping on the floor and limited light.


Reps. Whitesides, McClain-Delaney, and Salinas Introduce Bill to Help Study Impact of Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. George Whitesides (CA-27), April McClain-Delaney (MD-06), and Andrea Salinas (OR-06) introduced the Understanding AI in the Classroom Act. The use of artificial intelligence in the classroom has expanded greatly, yet very little research is being done to understand the real effects it has on students. As teachers and administrators evaluate if and how to permanently integrate AI into their classrooms, more data is needed to understand how it could affect students and their learning. The Understanding AI in the Classroom Act directs the National Science Foundation (NSF) to examine our knowledge of AI’s impact on the classroom and determine what gaps in our understanding need further research.

“Artificial intelligence is already reshaping the way students learn, but without concrete data, it is nearly impossible to create sustainable policies that protect students’ development,” said Rep. Whitesides. “This bill is a step towards increasing our ability to research and understand AI’s role in our children’s education, and what measures we need to implement to make sure schools are deploying technology responsibly.”

“As a mom of four and a longtime advocate for children’s online safety and well-being, it’s vital we study how artificial intelligence can impact our kids’ learning and development before it becomes embedded in their classrooms,” said Rep. McClain-Delaney. “While AI holds great potential, it also poses risks when its impact is not well vetted or understood. Our country owes it to our children to study how integrating AI in schools impacts them cognitively, socio-emotionally, and physically. A few years ago, the Children and Media Research Act (CAMRA) authorized NIH to study the impacts of social media on our kids, and I’m proud to co-lead this similar effort with Rep. Whitesides to ensure innovation in the classroom is guided by science and accountability.”

“AI is already changing how students learn, but we still have serious questions about how it affects their attention, development, and reliance on technology,” said Rep. Salinas. “Parents and teachers deserve clear, evidence-based answers before these tools become even more common in classrooms. The Understanding AI in the Classroom Act takes a practical first step by bringing experts together to identify gaps in the research, without imposing new mandates on schools. We need to understand how AI affects children of different ages and needs so educators can make informed choices that help every student succeed.”

The Understanding AI in the Classroom Act specifically creates a pathway for NSF to convene experts that can help us to understand what research needs to be done on AI in the classroom, and how it could impact students. It directs NSF to study childrens’:

Attention span and learning independence.

Cognitive, social, emotional, or behavioral development.

Over-reliance or undue trust on artificial intelligence.

Response to AI based on:

Age.

Learning disabilities, English as a Second Language (ESL) learners, and socioeconomic disadvantages.

The AI’s traits and characteristics, such as over-flattering or praise.

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Rep. Wilson to Host Free Federal Job Fair for South Florida Job Seekers

MIAMI GARDENS, FL — Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) will host a free Federal Job Fair with Commissioner Oliver Gilbert III on Thursday, August 13, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Miami Dade College, 11380 Northwest 27th Avenue, Building 3.

The event comes as recent teacher layoffs and federal workforce reductions have left many experienced workers searching for new employment opportunities. The Department of Government Efficiency’s federal workforce cuts have disproportionately affected Black women and other federal employees, disrupting careers and creating uncertainty for families throughout South Florida.

“After DOGE firings disproportionately impacted Black women and other federal workers, we are stepping up to connect our community with new opportunities, resources, and a path forward,” said Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24). “Recent teacher layoffs have also displaced dedicated educators who have spent their careers serving our children. This job fair will bring employers and job seekers together so qualified workers can explore open positions and take the next step in their careers.”

Job seekers attending the fair will have the opportunity to meet directly with recruiters, interview for full-time and part-time positions, explore careers across multiple industries, and access on-site employment and professional development resources.

Attendees are encouraged to bring several copies of their résumés and dress professionally, as participating employers will be prepared to meet and recruit qualified candidates.

The Federal Job Fair is free and open to the public. Attendees may scan the event QR code to RSVP.

WHO

U.S. Rep. Frederica S. Wilson, Florida’s 24th Congressional District

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Oliver G. Gilbert III

Miami Dade College

CareerSource South Florida

5000 Role Models of Excellence Project

Participating employers and recruiters

WHEN

Thursday, August 13, 2026

11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

WHERE

Miami Dade College, North Campus

Conference Center

11380 NW 27th Avenue

Building 3, Room 3249

Miami, FL 33167

VISUALS

Congresswoman Wilson engaging with job seekers and participating employers; recruiters meeting with prospective applicants; on-site interviews and networking; employment and professional development resources.

RSVP

Press RSVP required. Members of the media planning to attend are asked to RSVP to Kailyn McBride at kailyn@mail.house.gov.

For additional event information, call 305-690-5905.

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ICYMI – ALSOBROOKS ON MS NOW: AMERICANS ARE DONE SETTLING FOR THE STATUS QUO

August 4, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) joined MS NOW’s The Beat with Melissa Murray to discuss the Trump Administration’s continued attacks on the American people, this President’s disastrous war, and how Democrats plan to win back the Senate in the midterms.

“The truth is this president took our country into a war without a strategic aim, and he had no idea how to get our country out of this war. We voted here 13 different times to end the war. And what we know, as a matter of fact, is while this war is going on, our kids are dying at the same time that this President’s children are getting rich. The cost of the war is being borne by working-class people in our country, the ones who are not only being killed but those who are injured. We see the gas prices, the utility prices, the grocery prices. The cost of the war is being borne by working-class people in our country, and so it’s beyond a point of being concerned; it absolutely must end,” said Senator Alsobrooks during the interview.

“Fighting for the status quo is over. Nobody wants the status quo. I think that everyone is hungry at this point for tremendous change… we need a change in our country for everyday hardworking people who do everything right and still cannot make it. That’s the message,” continued Senator Alsobrooks.

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ICYMI: Sen. Banks Joins the Ingraham Angle on Fox News Channel

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) joined the Ingraham Angle on Fox News Channel to discuss the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) influence on the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and anti-American billionaire Neville Roy Singham’s funding network of pro-CCP groups.

Click the image above for the full discussion.

Key Excerpts on the DSA’s Pledge to the CCP:

Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “This is what they want to do to America, turn it into Communist China, and this letter by the leadership of DSA makes that very clear. They stand with socialist communist China, and they want the rest of the world to take a page from China’s playbook and become that. I hear people in America complain about surveillance, Flock cameras; you know what the Chinese government does with surveillance cameras? They round up weaker Muslims and put them in detention camps…that’s what the DSA wants to turn America into that. And we all know that communism is shared poverty for everybody.”

Key Excerpts on the State of the Democratic Party:

“It might be too late; it feels like the Democrats have turned over their entire party over to the DSA, which we all know is owned and controlled by the Chinese Communist Party and those interests. What a dangerous path to take our country down. What they want to happen is a revolution in America to turn our country into something that is very different.”

Key Excerpts on Neville Roy Singham:

“Finally, the FBI is investigating him; he has used his billions he made in the tech companies from Communist China and funneled it into our political system. He already bought off Code Pink; he’s married to the co-founder, now you see these billions of dollars out of China going into our political system… Thanks to Fox Digital for uncovering most of these links, we are finally seeing this investigation occur.”

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Barrasso Calls on Senate Democrats to Avoid Another Painful Shutdown

“Senator Schumer has said he wants to avoid a shutdown. It’s time to prove it. The question is: Do Democrats in this body have the courage to stand up to the extremists who have taken over their party?”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today urged Senate Democrats to vote to keep the government open instead of causing another painful shutdown.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.

Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as prepared:

“The American people deserve a government that is open and is functioning. The American people know that government shutdowns cause significant pain to them personally and harm to our nation.

“There have been two painful shutdowns in the last year. Democrats in this body caused them both. Democrats have proven they are willing to make life harder and America less safe. They think it helps them politically.

“In October 2025, Senator Schumer and Senate Democrats chose to shut down the entire government. The shutdown lasted for 43 days. That’s a record. Senator Schumer infamously boasted, ‘Every day gets better for us.’ Every day did not get better for American people. American families were collateral damage in Democrats’ dangerous political games.

“Service members were unable to pay their mortgages. Their families went without vital services. Flights were canceled. Airport screening lines stretched for hours. Park rangers and TSA agents missed paychecks. Government employees struggled to make ends meet. Many stood in lines around the block at food banks across the country. Forty-two million Americans missed food assistance. Our economy lost billions and billions of dollars.

“Less than four months later, Democrats did it again. That time, they blocked funding for the Department of Homeland Security. That shutdown lasted for 75 days for the Department of Homeland Security.

“Democrats voted to defund American law enforcement agencies. That seems to be their mantra. Defund the police. Get rid of ICE. Get rid of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Open the borders. Let anybody in. That’s who that party is now. And we’re seeing it even today in the Michigan primary where they have radical, extreme, dangerous, scary people running and who may win primaries and have been winning Democrat primaries across the country.

“These are people who put the safety and security of the American people at risk. They do it because they think it may give them a political advantage. It doesn’t help the American people.

“Recall that, during that shutdown, our nation faced multiple terrorist attacks. In Texas, a man wearing clothing that said ‘Property of Allah’ shot into a crowded restaurant. Several people were killed. In Michigan, a man whose family member was tied to Hezbollah rammed a truck filled with explosives into a synagogue. Over a hundred children and their teachers were inside. That is the threat we face.

“By shutting down the Department of Homeland Security, Democrats put the safety of illegal immigrant criminals over the safety of law-abiding citizens.

“Will Democrats now choose to shut down the government a third time? Time will tell. The onus is on them. Right now, Democrats are stonewalling every single appropriations bill in committee. It is shameful.

“Senator Susan Collins continues to work to fund the government. Bipartisanship and integrity define her leadership. Democrats rejected every good faith offer she has made.

“Recall that when Joe Biden was President and Democrats controlled Congress, Senator Schumer blocked 11 of 12 appropriations bills from even coming to the Floor. Republicans are determined to repair the damage done by Senator Schumer and the Democrats.

“Senator Collins has carefully crafted a reasonable continuing resolution. It keeps the government open. Last night, the United States Senate took the first step to pass it.

“Here is the choice facing every Senate Democrat this week. Vote to keep the government open or force the nation into yet another painful shutdown.

“Americans have already lived through two Schumer Shutdowns. They should not have to live through a third. Americans have suffered enough.

“Senator Schumer has said he wants to avoid a shutdown. It’s time to prove it. The question is: Do Democrats in this body have the courage to stand up to the extremists who have taken over their party?”

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Bennet Joins Legislation to Hold Putin Accountable for Religious Persecution in Ukraine

Washington, D.C— Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, joined the Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to expose and punish Russia’s systematic persecution of religious communities in Ukraine, including territory Russia illegally occupies. Senators John Kennedy (R-La.) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) lead the Senate bill, while Congressmen Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) lead the House counterpart.

The legislation requires the Secretaries of State and Defense to jointly report to Congress on Russia’s efforts to persecute, suppress, and violate the religious freedoms of faith communities in Ukraine and Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine. It also directs the President to impose sanctions on individuals found to have engaged in those abuses.

“Vladimir Putin’s war on Ukraine is not just about changing borders by force – it’s a war on the Ukrainian people and their faith,” said Bennet. “His troops have jailed and tortured clergy, bombed churches and synagogues, and forced the faithful to worship in secret. The United States must call out Putin’s abuses in Ukraine and hold perpetrators accountable.”

Bennet has fought relentlessly to support the Ukrainian people and impose more pressure on Putin to end his war of aggression against Ukraine.

Earlier this month, Bennet led seven colleagues in a letter to Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent urging the Trump Administration to crack down on a Russian state-backed cryptocurrency sanctions evasion network funding Russia’s war. He also voted to advance major bipartisan legislation he co-sponsors to impose sanctions on Putin’s inner circle and his enablers across Russian industry and financial institutions, the Russian shadow fleet, and firms supporting Russia’s defense industrial base. Bennet also co-sponsors bipartisan bills to impose sanctions on specific Russian oil ships and entities trading in Russian oil, respectively.

Earlier this year, Bennet wrote an op-ed in EURACTIV urging the United States and like-minded allies to form a coalition to cooperatively and immediately wield Russian sovereign assets on Ukraine’s behalf. In December 2025, Bennet led a bipartisan letter to Belgian Ambassador to the U.S. Frédéric Bernard, expressing support for European efforts to leverage Russian sovereign assets to finance a loan for Ukraine. Bennet also co-sponsors bipartisan legislation to repurpose frozen Russian sovereign assets held in the United States to support Ukraine. This would build on the Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act, which Bennet co-sponsored and which President Joe Biden signed into law in April 2024.

Additionally, Bennet leads legislation in the Senate defense and intelligence bills, both of which have passed their respective committees, to bolster drone and intelligence cooperation with Ukraine.

In addition to Bennet, Kennedy, and Wilson, Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and David McCormick (R-Pa.) co-sponsor this legislation.

The text of the bill is available HERE.

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Bennet, Murray, Heinrich, Colleagues Demand Trump Administration Restore Funding for Illegally Canceled and Politically Targeted Energy Projects

Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, ranking member of the Finance subcommittee on Energy, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure, joined U.S. Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Vice Chair of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, to lead 36 senate colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought demanding that the Trump Administration restore funding for the 223 energy projects canceled in October 2025. The Trump Administration has since admitted to illegally canceling energy grants because those projects were in states that did not vote for President Trump in the 2024 election.

“Now that court documents have confirmed what we knew to be true, we write to demand that you restore previously awarded funding that the Trump Administration has weaponized in an attempt to punish perceived political enemies,” wrote the senators.

“Once an administration begins punishing Americans for how they vote, the threat extends far beyond these projects: no state, community, business, or worker can trust that the federal government will apply the law fairly. This is not only an attack on jobs, affordable energy, and America’s economic competitiveness. It is an attack on the rule of law and the basic democratic principle that the federal government serves the entire country—not merely those who support the President,” continued the senators.

“At a time when energy prices are skyrocketing, the administration is hell-bent on political retribution instead of working to bring down costs for millions of Americans. The American people deserve to have a government that works for them—not one that is willing to push energy prices even higher and put the country’s energy security at grave risk. For the good of our country, the rule of law, and the American people, we demand that you change course and restore the previously awarded funding,” concluded the senators.

Bennet has continuously fought to protect funding for Colorado’s energy projects and condemned partisan project reversals under the Trump Administration. In July 2026, Bennet joined Murray, Senator Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and the entire Senate Democratic caucus in demanding that Director Vought immediately rescind the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) proposed power grab over federal grants and awards. In May 2026, Bennet joined Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Schumer, and 18 of his Senate colleagues in introducing legislation to protect public scientific research and reports from the influence of political and special interests.

In October 2025, Bennet issued a statement following the Trump Administration’s targeted cancellation of billions of dollars in funding for energy projects across the country. That same week, Bennet led the Democratic Colorado Delegation in demanding answers from Secretary Wright on the Department of Energy’s abrupt cancellation of $7.56 billion in energy project funding, including over $600 million in funding for 38 Colorado-affiliated projects. Additionally, Bennet joined Murray, Heinrich, and 34 Senate colleagues in sending a letter demanding that Secretary Wright and Director Vought restore funding for all 223 energy projects in Democrat-led states that were unlawfully canceled. In November 2025, Bennet also demanded answers from U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum on the Department’s recent order requiring Secretary Burgum’s personal approval for routine wind and solar energy project permitting decisions.

In addition to Bennet, Murray, and Heinrich, U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif,), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Mazie K. Hirono (D-Hawaii), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), and Angus King (I-Maine) signed the letter. All 36 Democratic Senators from states with canceled grants and funding signed the letter.

The text of the letter is available HERE and below.

Secretary Wright and Director Vought:

Now that court documents have confirmed what we knew to be true, we write to demand that you restore previously awarded funding that the Trump Administration has weaponized in an attempt to punish perceived political enemies.

In October 2025, we wrote to you to express strong opposition to the Administration’s callous decision to unlawfully terminate $8 billion in federal investments for 223 energy projects. You not only acted outside the bounds of the law, but canceled projects that would have provided jobs, onshored manufacturing, and lowered skyrocketing energy prices. Congress authorized those projects and appropriated funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, and annual appropriation bills. At the time of the termination of those projects, we expressed outrage that the terminations appeared politically motivated and confined to states that then-Vice President Kamala Harris carried in the 2024 presidential election. The Administration has now admitted in federal court what it denied to Congress and the American people.

On July 24, 2026, citing court filings, The New York Times reported that the Trump Administration acknowledged that it terminated more than $7.5 billion of grants due to political motivations. In a two-step process, the Department of Energy (DOE) first recommended more than 600 grants for potential termination, including grants in states represented by both Republicans and Democrats. It appears the Office of Management and Budget then selected all the grants in “Blue States” for cancellation, which DOE executed. In court filings, DOE’s lawyers conceded that the cancellations occurred “based solely on the political identity of the grant recipient’s state.” Specifically, as the court filings stated, “[w]ith one exception, the 284 terminated grants had a recipient location and/or at least one place of performance in a state that awarded its electoral votes to Kamala Harris in the 2024 election and has two Democratic-caucusing Senators (“Blue State” grants).” Similar grants in Red States, however, remained intact and were not the subject of termination. What’s more, DOE lawyers conceded that the decision to terminate these blue state grants was not “based on any programmatic, statutory, cost-reduction, or performance-based factor.”

Once an Administration begins punishing Americans for how they vote, the threat extends far beyond these projects: no state, community, business, or worker can trust that the federal government will apply the law fairly. This is not only an attack on jobs, affordable energy, and America’s economic competitiveness. It is an attack on the rule of law and the basic democratic principle that the federal government serves the entire country—not merely those who support the President.

At a time when energy prices are skyrocketing, the Administration is hell-bent on political retribution instead of working to bring down costs for millions of Americans. The American people deserve to have a government that works for them—not one that is willing to push energy prices even higher and put the country’s energy security at grave risk.

For the good of our country, the rule of law, and the American people, we demand that you change course and restore the previously awarded funding.

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Blackburn Leads Colleagues in Introducing Bill to Permanently Restore Biological Sex Standard in Title IX

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Jim Justice(R-W.Va.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) introduced the Title IX Clarification Act, which would ensure Title IX anti-discrimination requirements tied to federal education funding are based on biological sex and not “sexual orientation or gender identity:”

“The Biden administration weaponized Title IX to force women to compete with men in sports and allow men to invade women’s spaces,” said Senator Blackburn. “Thankfully, President Trump restored common sense in Title IX, and now Congress must codify these protections for women into law to prevent future abuse. The Title IX Clarification Act would ensure that common sense, not leftist ideology, governs federal education funding tied to Title IX requirements to protect young women.”

“President Trump has taken decisive action through executive orders to protect young women on campuses across the country. Now, we must ensure these protections are codified into federal law,” said Senator Britt. “We saw the Biden-Harris Administration cave to the woke mob and allow Title IX to be abused in ways that permitted biological men to infringe on girls’ sports and spaces. We cannot let that happen again, and this legislation will restore regulatory clarity to ensure it does not.”

“I’ve been blessed to spend many years coaching young ladies in West Virginia, and I can tell you this: they work their tails off and earn every opportunity they get. At the end of the day, they deserve a fair shot. That’s exactly what the Title IX Clarification Act is about. It puts common sense back into the law, protects the opportunities Title IX was meant to guarantee, and stands up for our girls and young women. Fighting for our female athletes is a fight I’ll take every single day,” said Senator Justice.

“We cannot allow the radical left’s campaign to succeed in undermining Title IX protections. While far too many activists refuse to acknowledge the differences between biological men and women, I am proud to join Senator Blackburn and my colleagues in this common-sense effort to ensure women and girls continue to receive equal access to educational opportunities,” said Senator Budd.

“Even after Idaho’s historic win to keep men out of women’s sports at the U.S. Supreme Court, the rights promised in Title IX remain under threat,” said Senator Risch. “The Title IX Clarification Act further guards these protections, clearly defining the biological differences between men and women, so that generations of young girls can continue participating in sports and other educational opportunities on a level playing field.”

“The original intent of Title IX was to protect women’s educational and athletic opportunities,” said Senator Crapo. “In a recent decision on Idaho’s first-in-the-nation law to ensure these opportunities do not go to biological males, the Supreme Court of the United States correctly ruled Title IX allows states to apply a biology-based understanding of maintaining separate sports categories. The Title IX Clarification Act preserves the existing framework of the law while making clear its protections are based on the biological definition of sex.”

“Title IX exists for a simple, obvious reason: women deserve their own spaces and proper protection under the law. That has been clear for all of human history, and we only need to clarify it now because of Democrats’ radical gender ideology,” said Senator Scott. “I’m grateful my daughters had Title IX protection; we shouldn’t make it meaningless to appease the radical left. I’m proud to join Senator Blackburn on this commonsense bill.”

“We need to protect fairness and opportunity for women. For 50 years, Title IX has leveled the playing field. Democrats continuously undermine these protections in their attempts to redefine biology. The Title IX Clarification Act would clearly define an individual’s sex is based solely on biology. President Trump reaffirmed this commonsense reality by executive order and now Congress must codify these protections. Passing this bill would keep men out of women’s sports, restrooms, and locker rooms,”said Senator Ricketts.

“The left is weaponizing their radical gender ideology to undermine Title IX, which goes against its entire purpose: to protect women and girls. It’s critical we codify President Trump’s Title IX protections and match biological reality rather than the left’s dangerous gender identity beliefs. I’m proud to work alongside Senator Blackburn to protect women’s sports and set the record straight,” said Senator Daines.

“Boys are boys, and girls are girls - it’s common sense. Title IX was created to protect women and girls, and that’s exactly what this bill does by making clear that federal law is rooted in biological reality - not political ideology. We owe it to current and future generations to ensure opportunities under Title IX are protected,” said Senator Sheehy.

House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) led introduction of companion legislation in the House of Representatives. Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) also co-sponsored this legislation.

BACKGROUND

For more than 50 years, Title IX has protected equal educational opportunities by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex. In recent years, however, woke ideology has sought to redefine the law beyond Congress’ original intent, creating uncertainty for schools and undermining protections for women and girls.

At the beginning of his second term, President Trump revoked a Biden-era Executive Order that directed the U.S. Secretary of Education to interpret Title IX anti-discrimination language “on the basis of sex” to cover “discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.”

TITLE IX CLARIFICATION ACT

The Title IX Clarification Act would clarify that the term “sex” refers only to an individual's biologically determined status as male or female where Title IX prohibits discrimination based on sex in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance.

Specifically, this legislation would:

Restore Title IX's original meaning by affirming Congress’ original intent to protect women's educational opportunities;

Address concerns raised by the Supreme Court during the January 2026 oral arguments regarding transgender participation in women's sports. During those arguments, Justice Neil Gorsuch noted that Congress has not clearly defined Title IX's requirements for states accepting federal funds and suggested that any departure from the historical understanding of "sex" as biological sex raises Spending Clause concerns unless Congress acts explicitly; and

Establish clear statutory definitions of "male" and "female" within Title IX, eliminating ambiguity and preventing taxpayer dollars from being used to support ideological redefinitions of sex.

Click here for bill text.

ENDORSEMENTS

This legislation is supported by the Family Research Council (FRC); Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF); American Principles Project (APP); Family Policy Alliance (FPA); Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee (CWALAC); and Heritage Action.


Blackburn Statement on Senate Judiciary Committee Advancing Todd Blanche Nomination for U.S. Attorney General

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) released the following statement after voting in the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance President Trump’s nomination of Todd Blanche to serve as U.S. Attorney General:

“As Acting Attorney General, Todd Blanche has already proven he will hold fraudsters accountable for stealing billions of taxpayer dollars, crack down on violent crime in cities like Memphis, and restore a one-tiered system of justice after four years of the Biden DOJ’s corruption under Merrick Garland,” said Senator Blackburn. “The American people sent President Trump back to the White House to return the DOJ to its core mission of enforcing the rule of law, and I am confident Todd Blanche will continue to deliver on that mandate once he is confirmed as Attorney General.”

RELATED


Blumenthal Introduces Resolution Blocking Trump Tax Amnesty and January 6 Slush Fund

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced a resolution blocking: the corrupt settlement agreement in President Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS); the so-called “Anti-Weaponization Fund” to reward the President’s political allies and violent criminal who attacked Capitol Police officers on January 6; and the tax amnesty agreement for the Trump family and their business associates.

“Our Constitution affords all people equal treatment under the law, but in Trump’s America, he and his family members are above the law. Likewise, his political allies, criminal cop-beaters who attacked the Capitol at his behest, and corrupt cronies. The corrupt IRS settlement, tax amnesty agreement, and the slush fund all amount to a multibillion-dollar piggy bank for the Trump family and their friends – while taking money out of your pocket,” Blumenthal said. “If this “settlement” were allowed to stand, our Constitution’s equal protection principles could enable tens of thousands of others whose returns were revealed to make an argument for the same benefit. The total costs to taxpayers—which could be in the hundreds of millions or even billions of dollars— would be staggering. This Presidential self-dealing must be stopped.”

The full text of the resolution is available here and copied below.

Expressing the sense of the Senate that President Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service, the resulting settlement from that lawsuit, the purported “Anti-Weaponization Fund”, and the purported grant of immunity from tax investigations to the plaintiffs in President Trump’s lawsuit, should be rejected, equal protection arguments by others with similar claims should be forestalled, and this settlement should not serve as a precedent and should never be repeated.

Mr. Blumenthal submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on:

Whereas, between 2019 and 2020, an Internal Revenue Service (referred to in this preamble as the “IRS”) contractor disclosed the tax information of hundreds of thousands of individual and other tax entities, including President Donald Trump;

Whereas, on January 29, 2026, President Trump, his sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump, Jr., and the Trump Organization filed a lawsuit based on these disclosures against the IRS and the Department of the Treasury, both of which Trump, as the sitting President, controls;

Whereas President Trump sought $10,000,000,000 in damages in his lawsuit, even though the other individuals who sued the Federal Government for the same reason generally received no monetary compensation, such as Kenneth Griffin, who received only an apology from the IRS;

Whereas President Trump was free, during the statute of limitations period when he was a private citizen, to bring an improper tax disclosure lawsuit seeking a reasonable remedy;

Whereas President Trump did not pursue this lawsuit until well after the 2-year statute of limitations period for such improper tax disclosure claims had expired;

Whereas, on May 18, 2026, President Trump and the Department of Justice that he controls announced that they had agreed to a purported “settlement” of the lawsuit, under which the Federal Government would establish an “Anti-Weaponization Fund” to provide nearly $1,800,000,000 in taxpayer payouts to individuals who President Trump deemed to have “suffered weaponization and lawfare”, including rioters who stormed the Capitol and attacked law enforcement on January 6, 2021;

Whereas, on May 19, 2026, the day after the announcement of the settlement, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche issued a unilateral “addendum” to the settlement that purported to immunize President Trump, his family, his companies, and his “affiliates” from IRS investigations, audits, or claims pertaining to any of their previous tax returns or other tax-related actions;

Whereas our Constitution affords all people “equal protection of the laws”;

Whereas there is no reason that President Trump and the other plaintiffs in his lawsuit are entitled to special treatment different from others harmed in the same illegal disclosure of tax information;

Whereas, if the purported settlement with President Trump is allowed to stand, the principle of equal protection of the laws would give all victims of the same illegal tax disclosure an argument to claim the same immunity over retrospective tax audit investigations of their own filings;

Whereas affording such immunity to hundreds of thousands of individuals and other tax entities would likely cost the Federal Government millions, and perhaps even billions, of dollars in lost revenue;

Whereas there is no credible argument that all victims of the illegal disclosure should receive immunity covering all retrospective tax audit investigations; and

Whereas the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida held that President Trump’s lawsuit was “non-adversarial, collusive, and jurisdictionally improper” and thus “was brought for an improper purpose” because “the [L]ead Plaintiff, President Trump, directs and controls the Defendants”, the IRS, and the Treasury Department within the executive branch of which he is the head: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that President Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service and the resulting settlement, the purported “Anti-Weaponization Fund”, and the purported grant of immunity from tax investigations to the plaintiffs in President Trump’s lawsuit, should be rejected, equal protection arguments by others with similar claims should be forestalled, and this settlement should not serve as a precedent and should never be repeated.

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Blumenthal Joins Sweeping Legislation to Counter Trump's Authoritarian Takeover of U.S. & Defend our Democracy

[Hartford, CT] — Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal joined Senators Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) in introducing the For Our Republic Act, a comprehensive legislative package to fight back against President Trump’s aggressive authoritarian takeover of American democracy.

The brand-new For Our Republic Act includes provisions to directly oppose Trump’s authoritarian playbook, including defending independent government watchdogs, protecting non-partisan civil servants, reasserting Congress’ power of the purse, fighting government corruption, strengthening free speech and civil liberties, and safeguarding free and fair elections.

“Donald Trump has led a brazen, unprecedented campaign of corruption—growing his power while ignoring the needs of the American people.” said Blumenthal. “The For Our Republic Act installs critical guardrails against Trump’s relentless attacks on our democracy, promoting government transparency and accountability while preserving Americans’ rights and liberties. This legislation fights against Trump’s slide towards tyranny and protects our country’s democratic values.”

“Authoritarianism isn’t down the street or around the corner—it is here right now,” said Merkley. “We have all three ingredients of a strongman state in the United States: a rubber-stamp Congress doing the President’s bidding; a deferential Supreme Court finding ‘invisible ink’ in the Constitution to enhance the President’s powers; and a power-hungry President behaving like a king, breaking the law and violating the checks and balances of our Constitution.

Merkley continued, “The For Our Republic Act lays out a clear roadmap of the actions Congress can take to fight back against Trump’s authoritarian takeover and reassert our authority. Together, let’s fight back and save our republic!”

“In a clear conflict of interest and gross abuse of power, Trump fired 17 Inspectors General within his first days in office so he could tap political allies to conduct oversight of his own Administration—leaving these watchdogs to answer to the President before the American people,” said Duckworth. “First and foremost, Senate Democrats’ For Our Republic Act includes my legislation that would prevent stone-cold corruption like this, which have too often become the norm in the Trump Administration. It’s clear that the current checks on the President are not enough, and our legislation would not only help us restore good government—it will also empower Congress to prevent any more wanna-be kings from bending our Republic to its breaking point.”

To fight back against the known playbook of authoritarian governments, the For Our Republic Act includes new provisions to counter the rise of authoritarianism and erosion of our democratic government under the second Trump Administration, as well as existing legislation from Blumenthal, Merkley, and Duckworth, along with Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.).

The For Our Republic Act outlines ten principles to protect our democracy:

Defend the Referees

Protect the Independent, Non-Partisan Civil Service

Celebrate One Nation, Indivisible

Reaffirm Equal Justice Under Law

Strengthen Free Speech

Reassert Congress’ Power of the Purse

Fight Government Corruption

Ensure Liberty and Justice for All

Prevent Authoritarian Policing Tactics on America’s Streets

Safeguard Free and Fair Elections

A detailed outline of the For Our Republic Act can be found by clicking here.

The For Our Republic Act is supported by Public Citizen, Project on Government Oversight (POGO), Refugees International, and Common Cause.

"It is stunning how the Trump Administration, empowered by an obedient congressional Republican caucus, has empowered the federal government to intrude and impose upon our daily lives. The separation of powers, and the checks and balances against over-reach by the president, have largely been vanquished. America has fallen into dangerous times. Sen. Merkley's For Our Republic Act seeks to restore those critical checks and balances and re-affirm the democratic principles upon which America was founded. Public Citizen heartily endorses this very necessary measure,” said Craig Holman, Ph.D., Public Citizen.

"With so many attacks on our country’s core values, the For Our Republic Act is a critical step in restoring our democratic principles," said Carol Evans, Common Cause’s Vice President of Policy. "This legislation takes the power back for the people. It ensures that our government serves the public rather than answering to the whims of one person in charge."

Full text of the For Our Republic Act can be found by clicking here.

A section-by-section summary of the For Our Republic Act can be found by clicking here.

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