Blumenthal Slams Senate Judiciary Committee Vote To Advance Blanche's Nomination For Attorney General

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – In case you missed it, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, voted against Todd Blanche’s nomination to serve as Attorney General of the United States at today’s Committee hearing. At the hearing, Blumenthal spoke out against Blanche’s nomination, raising concerns about Blanche’s lack of independence.

“‘I’m his lawyer.’ That is what Mr. Blanche told us he was. ‘I’m his lawyer.’ Namely Donald Trump’s lawyer. Maya Angelou famously said, ‘When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.’ Todd Blanche is Donald Trump’s lawyer. He will say anything, do anything, conceal anything for his boss,” Blumenthal said at the hearing.

Pointing to Blanche’s purported rescission of the so-called “Anti-Weaponization Fund” to reward the President’s political allies and violent criminals who attacked Capitol Police officers on January 6, Blumenthal continued, “Commentators have talked about loopholes. There are no loopholes here. This document itself is a sham.”

Blumenthal underscored that Donald Trump remains committed to seeing the slush fund move forward, despite Blanche’s assurances: “The President of the United States yesterday, in the Oval Office, repeated his commitment to the Anti-Weaponization Fund. We don’t need to say the quiet part out loud. The President is shouting it.”

Blumenthal continued, “The position of the United States Attorney General is a position of supreme trust. Any of us who have worked in the Department of Justice—I was the United States Attorney for Connecticut—knows that the Attorney General of the United States, like every lawyer who represents the United States, has a trust, in going to court, in making representation…Todd Blanche has betrayed that trust. And his betrayal of that trust is disqualifying for his nomination.”

“My fear is that Todd Blanche will represent Donald Trump, be his consigliere, and he will put Donald Trump ahead of the American people and the right to vote. I cannot support him. I regret that this committee will in effect betray its trust in the party-line vote that is to follow and approve Todd Blanche as Attorney General of the United States,” Blumenthal concluded.

A video of Blumenthal’s remarks is available here. A transcript is available below.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT): Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I want to join in thanking you for allowing us to speak before the vote.

“I’m his lawyer.” That is what Mr. Blanche told us he was. “I’m his lawyer.” Namely Donald Trump’s lawyer. Maya Angelou famously said, “When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” Todd Blanche is Donald Trump’s lawyer. He will say anything, do anything, conceal anything for his boss. Much as in organized crime, the consigliere would do anything, say anything, and conceal anything for his boss. That is why Mr. Blanche was held by a judge in Florida to have committed a fraud on the court. Todd Blanche is now in effect committing a fraud on Congress. The documents that he has submitted, and I will hold them up here, that purport to change some agreement are in effect a nullity. They are meaningless. They have no effect. They are non-enforceable. In just a few weeks thousands of young law school students will begin a contracts course. What they will learn is that a contract can’t be modified or changed by some outside party when there is a meeting of the minds. There was in effect and agreement, a meeting of the minds between Donald Trump and the United States of America to settle these cases. Now Todd Blanche purports to change it. This document is a sham. It is a sham and a fraud on the Congress insofar as it seeks to change our minds by representing something that is patently false.

Commentators have talked about loopholes. There are no loopholes here. This document itself is a sham. In fact, one of its statements is that it incorporates all of Todd Blanche’s testimony before this Committee. I want to hold up one part of that testimony. Todd Blanche himself says that that agreement is unenforceable—so I suppose if President Trump’s counsel sought to enforce it, potentially they could. Of course they could. Tomorrow, Donald Trump’s counsel can go to court and seek to establish that thug fund—Senator Tillis call it a payout to punks fund—if he chooses to do so. It is an enforceable agreement no matter what Todd Blanche says about it. And if you don’t believe me, you can listen to one of the most ardent advocates of that anti-weaponization fund who said the quiet part allowed on Twitter recently.

Mike Howell, who Chairman Grassley called as a witness before this committee last year retweeted Mr. Blanche’s announcement with his own commentary: “Can be undone after Tuesday. The anti-weaponization fund is great.” The President of the United States yesterday, in the Oval Office repeated his commitment to the anti-weaponization fund. We don’t need to say the quiet part out loud. The President is shouting it. The position of the United States Attorney General is a position of supreme trust. Any of us who have worked in the Department of Justice—I was the United States Attorney for Connecticut—knows that the Attorney General of the United States, like every lawyer who represents the United States, has a trust, in going to court, in making representation. There is a presumption of regularity when a government lawyer appears before the court. That is the sacred trust that a government lawyer bears. Todd Blanche has betrayed that trust. And his betrayal of that trust is disqualifying for his nomination. Todd Blanche also showed us who he was also when he, during this hearing referred to the attack on the United States Capitol on January 6 as events. They are not events. They were a riot, insurrection, and attack on the Capitol. We were there.

We know what it was. It was a violent, unlawful attack on the nation’s Capitol that cost brave members of law enforcement their lives. He purports to stand for law enforcement, and yet he is in favor of a slush fund that in effect rewards those individuals who attacked Capitol police in that insurrection and riot. And he refuses to see it for what it was and describe it accurately and truthfully. His prescribed, rehearsed lines prepared by the White House legal team are meant to protect the President’s feelings. They demonstrate an unwavering loyalty to the President. That is the throughline. He is the President’s lawyer. He showed us who he was as well when he was talking about reproductive rights. In a private call last week, Mr. Blanche again said the quiet part out loud. In fact, he shouted it, he said to the participants on the call that he would work to restrict abortion in every single state. That is not enforcing the law. That is a zealot. A warrior seeking to advocate the President's position against reproductive rights. He wants to block states enacting their own policies and laws. He wants to make abortion access follow the laws of abortion ban states. He wants to strip Americans of the right to choose and strip states of their right to govern.

The part of this agreement that purports to limit the immunity under our tax laws and protect the President against audits is in fact no limitation. It preserves all of the President’s rights to be above the law. No person is above the law, but Todd Blanche is agreeing to put the President above the law. There are more than 400,000 other Americans who suffered the same harm as Donald Trump when their private tax information was taken and released. We have in this country a principal of equal protection under the law, presumably if Donald Trump gets this deal, they would be eligible to assert their claims for the same rights. If Donald Trump is protected against paying hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes by this deal, perhaps so should they, in claims they may file. The cost to the government is staggering if this deal is approved, as Todd Blanche purports to do. And that deal is still in effect as a result of these documents.

Mr. Blanche showed us who he was when he ducked and dodged my questions about deep-sixing and killing an investigation in the possible pay-to-play commutation of an individual who was pardoned, David Gentile. He reportedly paid $2.5 million to a broker to obtain clemency which robbed his victims of nearly $16 million in restitution. When a United States Attorney tried to investigate, Mr. Blanche reportedly killed the probe. That is not the behavior of an Attorney General who upholds the trust of this position. That is the behavior of Donald Trump’s personal lawyer. Finally, the most sacred rights we have in a democracy is the right to vote. Freely and fairly. My fear is Todd Blanche will be Donald Trump’s lawyer in suppressing the vote and distorting the count. He will defend Donald Trump if the President sends militia or I.C.E. Agents or the National Guard to the polls to disrupt the elections. He will defend Donald Trump if he seeks to distort the count after the election.

My fear is that Todd Blanche will represent Donald Trump, be his consigliere and he will put Donald Trump ahead of the American people and the right to vote. I cannot support him. I regret that this committee will in effect betray its trust in the party-line vote that is to follow and approve Todd Blanche as Attorney General of the United States. And I will be introducing a resolution today rejecting this tax immunity deal as possible precedent, seeking to stop it from becoming a means of others seeking the same kind of illegal privilege that Donald Trump will have as a result of this deal. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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NEWS: Senator Blunt Rochester Slams Trump Administration Attempt to Dismantle Department of Education

“This administration’s interagency agreements will harm students with disabilities.”

Click here to watch Senator Blunt Rochester’s remarks.

U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, today participated in a spotlight hearing on the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle the Department of Education and efforts to move the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) and Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Blunt Rochester questioned witnesses on how these attempts will harm students with disabilities.

In a recent HELP Committee Executive Session, Blunt Rochester offered an amendment to prevent the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) of the Department of Education from being transferred to another Federal Agency. Republicans blocked consideration of the amendment.

Witnesses:

Laurie VanderPloeg – Associate Executive Director for Professional Affairs, Council for Exceptional Children

Katy Neas – Chief Executive Officer, The Arc of the United States

Valerie C. Williams – Former Director, Office of Special Education Programs, U.S. Department of Education

Seth Galanter – Senior Fellow, Edley Center on Law & Democracy

Elizabeth Tang – Senior Counsel for Education and Workplace Justice, National Women’s Law Center

Stephanie Smith Lee – Co-Director of Policy and Advocacy, National Down Syndrome Congress

Senator Blunt Rochester’s questions can be found here, and a key excerpt can be found below:

Senator Blunt Rochester: “Can you compare OCR’s model to how the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division processes discrimination cases and say why that difference matters, and specifically why it matters for students with disabilities?”

Mr. Galanter: “Both the roles that DOJ and OCR play are incredibly important, but they are quite distinct. The special role that OCR plays is particularly valuable for parents and students who don’t have access to resources, who don’t have access to lawyers, or who simply have a complaint and need help, and the OCR complaint process is one of the few places in the federal government that they can go in an education setting and get an individualized response.

“DOJ performs an incredibly valuable function at a systems level. They look and they get lots of complaints, and they sift through them, looking for patterns, looking for you know great great facts or you know novel questions of law that they want to establish a new rule on, and they work aggressively to vindicate the rights of kids.

“But they do it at a macro level. They do it in cases that takes years that lead to settlements that say 90% of kids should get X within you know two years, or you know we want substantial compliance with this by 2030, and that’s great for the system. But for an individual parent who’s part of the 10% who’s not getting the immediate relief, they could always come to OCR.

“There’s no plan that they’ve revealed to explain how they’re going to transfer these functions, which requires hundreds of investigators and attorneys experienced in education law, and move it to an agency that, as we know, has already itself been depleted of a lot of its existing expertise, and bringing in a whole new function with a whole different mindset, a different culture that’s needed to reach these individual resolutions in so many individual fact-specific cases.”


Booker Statement on Judiciary Committee’s Vote to Advance Todd Blanche’s Nomination for Attorney General

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and Ranking Member of the Antitrust, Competition Policy, and Consumer Rights Subcommittee, issued the following statement after the Committee voted to advance Todd Blanche’s nomination for Attorney General:

“Today, the Judiciary Committee advanced a nominee for Attorney General who has made his loyalties clear — and they aren’t to the American people.

“Todd Blanche’s record speaks for itself: he has shown neither independence nor integrity, and he is unfit to serve as our nation’s chief law enforcement officer. His only qualification is his unwavering loyalty to President Trump and his political allies — at the expense of the American people and the mission of the office he is charged to uphold.

“The Judiciary Committee has advanced a nominee whose motives are plain for the world to see: he is willing to subordinate justice to serve one man, at the peril of everyone else. Don’t take my word for it — listen to the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, his former DOJ colleagues, and legal experts across both parties.

“Todd Blanche engineered a $1.776 billion slush fund to reward the people who attacked the Capitol on January 6, on behalf of his forever-client, Donald Trump. This is a man who refused to meet with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell survivors until a Republican colleague threatened to withhold his vote.

“And when he finally did meet with the survivors, they described the encounter as demoralizing, condescending, and gaslighting — a meeting where their voices were minimized and their pain dismissed.

“Todd Blanche couldn’t find time for survivors, yet made time to travel to Florida to meet with a convicted child sex trafficker for the specific purpose of extracting testimony to exonerate Donald Trump after his name appeared in the Epstein files hundreds of times. convicted child sex trafficker. Days later, he rewarded her with a transfer to the federal government’s lowest-security prison camp—a facility where people convicted of child sex crimes are not even permitted to be housed.

“A vote for Todd Blanche is a vote to co-sign a collusive settlement and immunity deal, to applaud retaliation against career prosecutors and public servants, to reward the stonewalling of survivors, and to subordinate the rule of law to one man's personal and political interests.

“The American people are watching, and they will remember this vote.

"I will continue to use every oversight tool available to hold Todd Blanche and the Department of Justice accountable — to insist on transparency, to defend the independence of career prosecutors, and to fight for the principles of justice, fairness, and the rule of law that our democracy depends on."


Boozman, Cotton Resolution Honoring Fulbright Program’s 80th Anniversary Passes Senate

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Senate has passed a bipartisan resolution led by Senators John Boozman (R-AR), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tom Cotton (R-AR) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) recognizing eight decades since the establishment of the Fulbright Program by former U.S. Senator for Arkansas James William Fulbright on August 1, 1946.

The cultural exchange initiative, which promotes U.S. higher education abroad and remains a valuable diplomatic tool, operates in more than 160 countries. Its alumni include 63 Nobel Prize laureates, 94 recipients of the Pulitzer Prize, 44 heads of state, 17 Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients, 11 members of the United States Congress, a former Secretary-General of the United Nations, a former Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and an Astronaut who set foot on the moon.

“Senator Fulbright believed that greater understanding between people and nations could help create a more peaceful world. Whether we are welcoming students to America or sending our nation’s brightest abroad, this strong tradition reflects the very best of Senator Fulbright’s vision of enriching lives and showing the world the best of the United States. I am proud to lead this resolution acknowledging this significant milestone and celebrating its effectiveness in fostering good will that ultimately serves our national security interests,” Boozman said.

“For eighty years, the Fulbright Program has shown that some of America's strongest partnerships begin when people come together across cultures in pursuit of knowledge,” said Booker. “Fulbright has sparked discoveries, forged lifelong friendships, and prepared generations of leaders with the empathy to see the world through another's eyes. This resolution honors the profound impact of the Fulbright Program and its enduring legacy of strengthening American leadership through education, service, and the belief that our common humanity is greater than the borders that divide us.”

“Eighty years ago, Senator William Fulbright of Arkansas, began the Fulbright Scholars program. Throughout the years, this program has created thousands of scholarship opportunities for Americans to travel abroad and return with knowledge to benefit our country,” Cotton said.

“For decades, the Fulbright Program has helped hundreds of thousands of American scholars build lasting relationships, advance groundbreaking research and strengthen ties between the United States and countries around the world,” said Shaheen. “As we celebrate the Fulbright Program’s 80th anniversary, this bipartisan resolution underscores our commitment to one of our nation’s most effective diplomatic tools, strengthening American leadership, promoting mutual understanding and helping to build a more peaceful and secure world.”

The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State.

Boozman and Booker co-founded the Congressional International Exchange Caucus earlier this year along with Congressman Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and Congressman Ami Bera (D-CA).

“For eighty years, Fulbright has shown the world what American leadership looks like at its best — not only in what we accomplish at home, but in the relationships we build around the world. Generations of Fulbright participants from every corner of the United States have advanced scientific discovery, strengthened our national security, expanded economic opportunity, and forged trusted partnerships rooted in mutual respect and shared purpose. As we mark this historic anniversary, we honor the enduring bipartisan vision that has made Fulbright the world’s premier international exchange program and reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that its extraordinary legacy continues to serve the United States and our global partners for generations to come,” Institute of International Education President & CEO Jason Czyz.

“For 80 years, the Fulbright Program has created life-changing opportunities for students while strengthening relationships between the United States and people around the world. Its commitment to education, cultural exchange and international understanding remains vitally important today. We are grateful to Senators Boozman, Cotton, Booker and Shaheen for recognizing this historic milestone and the program’s enduring impact,” University of Arkansas Chancellor Charles Robinson.


U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Marsha Blackburn, Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Keep Biological Men out of Daughters of the American Revolution

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) joined Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) in introducing the Daughters of the American Revolution Membership Integrity Act, which would amend the Daughters of the American Revolution’s (DAR) federal charter by adding a membership eligibility requirement to bar biological men from becoming members. The DAR has made headlines for adding a “non-discrimination” clause that allows biological males to become members.

“The Daughters of the American Revolution are called ‘Daughters’ for a reason—this organization is meant to honor the legacy of American women and their ancestors, not pander to a distorted sense of reality manufactured by far-left radical Democrats,” said Senator Britt. “Whether in women’s locker rooms or time-honored organizations like DAR, it is our job to protect women and girls in spaces that are rightfully theirs. I’m proud to cosponsor this commonsense legislation.”

“The Daughters of the American Revolution was founded by women for women, and its founders would be appalled that the organization is now allowing biological males to become members and undermine the legacy of real women who helped build our nation,” said Senator Blackburn. “The Daughters of the American Revolution Membership Integrity Act would amend the DAR’s federal charter to stop the organization from erasing biological reality and ensure it is reserved for the real daughters of the American Revolution.”

The DAR adopted a non-discrimination provision that its current leadership has misconstrued to allow biological men to become members.

This bill would amend the DAR’s federal charter to add an eligibility requirement that limits membership to an individual who is a woman and otherwise satisfies the genealogical and membership qualifications established by the corporation.

This legislation is supported by Heritage Action, Concerned Women for America Action Committee, American Principles Project, Senior Legal Counsel of Independent Women, and the Alliance Defending Freedom.

Senator Britt is a long-time champion of protecting the rights of women, previously introducing the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act and the ‘American Girls in Sports Day’ resolution.

You can read the full text of the bill here.

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Budd, Welch Bill to Crack Down on Foreign Robocall Scammers Targeting Americans Passes the Senate with Unanimous Support

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.), member of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) released the following statements after their Foreign Robocall Elimination Act passed the Senate floor with unanimous support. The bill brings together government and private sector experts to eliminate unlawful robocalls originating abroad and prevent them from entering the U.S. to target Americans. The Foreign Robocall Elimination Act is now headed to the House of Representatives for consideration.

“Too many American households have been targeted by foreign scam calls that threaten to steal identities and defraud innocent victims. We cannot allow these criminals to continue preying on Americans without consequence. I am proud this timely legislation passed the Senate with unanimous support, and I urge my House colleagues to swiftly pass it so we can strengthen international cooperation to crack down on foreign robocall scammers,” said Senator Budd.

“Vermonters have received 27 million robocalls so far in 2026. And it’s not only our state—folks in red and blue states alike are sick and tired of picking up the phone and wondering if they’re being scammed. As foreign robocallers step up their efforts to exploit and prey on vulnerable people, we need to do more to combat this unlawful practice and protect Americans from scams. I’m proud to work with Senator Budd on this bipartisan legislation and am grateful for the Senate’s support. I urge the House to join us in sending it to the president’s desk,” said Senator Welch.

“Illegal robocalls and other abuses of our phone networks are not just a nuisance – they are tools scammers around the world use to target Americans here at home. Thanks to strong partnerships between the Industry Traceback Group and federal, state, and local law enforcement, we’ve made measurable progress in combatting these bad actors, but there is much more work to be done. The Foreign Robocall Elimination Act builds on this success to empower industry and law enforcement to use what works to advance the fight against the bad actors overseas preying on Americans. Thanks to Senators Budd and Welch for their leadership in advancing this legislation that will help protect consumers – we urge the House to quickly pass the bill and send it to the President’s desk,” said Josh Bercu, Senior Vice President, Policy at USTelecom and Executive Director of the Industry Traceback Group.

BACKGROUND

Last year, Senators Budd and Welch first introduced the Foreign Robocall Elimination Act to establish an interagency task force comprising key representatives from the Federal Communications Commission, Federal Trade Commission, and Department of Justice, as well as experts in voice service and analytics, telecommunications technology, marketing organizations, and consumer advocacy.

This task force will evaluate foreign robocalls and determine the most effective strategies to combat them, with the goal of enhancing international cooperation to reduce illegal robocalls. The task force will also help ensure that the Department of Justice is adequately equipped to address and prosecute criminals behind the influx of foreign robocalls.

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Amid Devastating Wildfires, Cantwell Calls for Better Wildfire Preparedness in Roundtable with Fire Chief, Other Experts

Cantwell at Senate roundtable forum on extreme weather: “We just have to move faster”; Bob Roper, Western Fire Chiefs Association: “Fires don't respect jurisdictional lines.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – With 16 large, active wildfires burning in Central and Eastern Washington, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and senior member of the Senate Finance Committee, spoke today about wildfire preparedness at a Senate extreme weather roundtable.

“My heart goes out to the people of Washington who are dealing with this across our state, particularly in Spokane, and in the Lake Chelan area as well,” said Sen. Cantwell. “Between Washington and Oregon, we've hit a record for the amount of acreage that has been burning.”

“Technology can play a big role,” continued Sen. Cantwell. “We have to show people that the connection between the information that we can get, and then the actual action plan that we can put into place, that's where that's where the gaps are.”

Bob Roper, former fire chief of the Ventura County Fire District and current Senior Policy Advisor for the Western Chiefs Fire Association, said in response: “We have found that across the country … that we don't have good data standards. We're not sharing data widely, and that there's not an orchestrated plan on what to do with the data and intelligence.”

Added Roper: “The fires don't respect jurisdictional lines. We need to make sure that federal, state, tribal, and public and private are all working collectively together as far as one entity.”

On Sunday, Sen. Cantwell visited county and city command centers in Spokane and took part in a press briefing about the devastating fires there.

In September 2025, Sen. Cantwell’s Fire Ready Nation Act passed the U.S. Senate unanimously. The bipartisan Fire Ready Nation Act would formally establish a permanent Fire Weather Services program within NOAA and authorize funding for new technologies to forecast weather conditions that cause and impact wildfires.

A background document detailing Sen. Cantwell’s work to bolster wildfire preparedness is available HERE.


Cantwell Calls Out Critical Gaps in Fatal Accident Data Involving Large Trucks and Buses

ProPublica/WBUR investigation found FMCSA undercounting bus and large truck crashes, injuries, and fatalities; FMCSA enforcement actions against carriers down 65% under Trump; FMCSA data may be missing crashes in WA

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Edward Markey (D-MA) sent a letter to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Administrator Derek Barrs requesting information on the agency’s tracking of large truck and bus crashes following a ProPublica/WBUR investigative report that crash data is not being properly received and recorded. This lack of accurate data makes it difficult for FMCSA to appropriately sanction companies that put the public at risk.

“According to the most recent data available, nearly 5,000 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks and buses in 2024,” wrote the Senators. “The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) uses information from these crashes to identify specific truck and bus companies for targeted enforcement, which can range from a warning letter to being placed out-of-service. On June 8, 2026, ProPublica and WBUR reported their investigation found that FMCSA is missing critical crash data for a company that operates school buses, making it impossible for the agency to accurately identify and target high-risk motor carriers like these.”

The ProPublica/WBUR investigation centered on an April 2025 school bus accident in Boston that killed a kindergartner after he was dropped off on the wrong side of the street. The driver was hired and trained by transnational bus company Transdev, and the investigation found that 42 fatal crashes involving Transdev over the past 10 years were missing from FMCSA records. ProPublica and WBUR also found that FMCSA’s own instructions to law enforcement about the attribution of a crash to a particular company was left to the discretion of the individual police officer, directly contributing to highly variable and unreliable records.

“This raises serious concerns that FMCSA may be undercounting crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses, and thus jeopardizing its mission to reduce such incidents and protect the safety of Americans,” continued the Senators.

FMCSA data includes two recent fatal crashes involving large buses in Washington state:

October 2024 in Tacoma: 32-year-old woman Brittanee Parker was run over by a school bus full of elementary-school children. The driver drove off. Harlow’s School Bus Service, a privately-owned interstate carrier that works in five states, operates the service. The driver had four previous driving violations in King County and had a Commercial Driver’s License at the time, but they had previously been cited for speeding and driving without insurance.

July 2024 in Lacey: An Intercity Transit bus and a car collided in a roundabout. While initial articles reported only injuries, the final FMCSA data recorded a fatality at this crash.

The Senators requested information on crashes that may not be in FMCSA’s database, including those involving Transdev.

In addition to the impacts of the lack of good data, the Senators also highlighted the overall lack of enforcement actions taken under the Trump Administration.

“More broadly, FMCSA enforcement actions have declined since President Trump took office,” they wrote. “According to its own data, FMCSA completed approximately 1,400 enforcement cases against motor carriers in 2025, compared to nearly 4,000 in 2024—a 65 percent decrease.”

The text of today’s letter can be found below and HERE.

Dear Administrator Barrs,

According to the most recent data available, nearly 5,000 people were killed in crashes involving large trucks and buses in 2024, including 67 in the state of Washington and 20 in the state of Massachusetts. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) uses information from these crashes to identify specific truck and bus companies for targeted enforcement, which can range from a warning letter to being placed out-of-service.

On June 8, 2026, ProPublica and WBUR reported their investigation found that FMCSA is missing critical crash data for a company that operates school buses, making it impossible for the agency to accurately identify and target high-risk motor carriers like these. For example, in April 2025, a Boston Public Schools bus driver who was hired and trained by the multinational company Transdev, ran over and killed a kindergartener after dropping him off on the wrong side of the street. ProPublica and WBUR identified this as one of 42 fatal crashes involving Transdev that occurred in the last 10 years that was missing from FMCSA’s records. This raises serious concerns that FMCSA may be undercounting crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses, and thus jeopardizing its mission to reduce such incidents and protect the safety of Americans.

More specifically, in some instances, FMCSA’s database listed Transdev crashes under the names of the government agency that hired Transdev or the name of a company Transdev acquired. Reportedly, FMCSA’s instructions to law enforcement officers completing crash investigations do not clarify which company should be listed, but instead instruct the officer to “determine which entity ‘controls’ or ‘directs’ the bus.” As a result, whether each crash was attributed to Transdev depended on how the individual law enforcement officer completing the crash form interpreted those instructions, leading to highly variable and unreliable records.

Without accurate and complete data, it is impossible for FMCSA to properly target enforcement on unsafe companies, because the agency lacks the critical data needed to conclude they are unsafe. According to FMCSA, Transdev has been involved in 187 crashes in the last 24 months, seven of which have been fatal. And yet, FMCSA has not targeted Transdev for any enforcement actions in this time period, and the carrier’s safety rating is marked as “Satisfactory.”

More broadly, FMCSA enforcement actions have declined since President Trump took office. According to its own data, FMCSA completed approximately 1,400 enforcement cases against motor carriers in fiscal year 2025, compared to nearly 4,000 in fiscal year 2024—a 65 percent decrease.

Accordingly, to better understand how FMCSA is addressing limitations of its crash data and keeping the traveling public safe by targeting high-risk motor carriers for enforcement, please provide the following documents and information no later than August 12, 2026.

Description of FMSCA’s mechanisms to monitor the safety performance of commercial motor carriers operating school buses or otherwise transporting children or students, including for intrastate operations;

Documents sufficient to demonstrate how FMCSA works with NHTSA or other DOT offices to monitor and ensure the accuracy of safety records of all motor carriers transporting students—including intrastate school bus operators;

All FMCSA or other DOT guidance provided to state law enforcement on the processes for recording the name of the motor carrier involved in a crash, including for intrastate motor carriers;

Documents sufficient to demonstrate FMCSA’s internal processes to verify the accuracy and completeness of state law enforcement records of motor carrier crashes, including for intrastate motor carriers;

A list of all inspections and crashes involving Transdev-operated vehicles, including those in which Transdev or its subsidiaries provides contracted services, such as for school districts or transit agencies;

All documents sufficient to demonstrate why FMCSA’s database did not capture the 42 crashes involving Transdev that ProPublica and WBUR reported;

Documents sufficient to demonstrate why the number of FMCSA closed enforcement cases declined in fiscal year 2025;

A list and description of any changes FMCSA has made to its processes or thresholds for pursuing enforcement actions against high-risk motor carriers from January 20, 2025, to present; and

The number of FMCSA staff that were responsible for analyzing inspection and crash data to identify high-risk carriers in calendar year (CY) 2024, CY 2025, and January 2026 to present, respectively.

We appreciate your prompt response to this request, and continued collaboration to improve safety on our roads.

Sincerely,


Senator Collins’ Statement on Nomination of Todd Blanche to Serve as Attorney General

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins issued the following statement on the nomination of Todd Blanche to serve as United States Attorney General:

“I have carefully reviewed Todd Blanche’s qualifications to be Attorney General. This includes his record and responses to questions from Senators at the Department of Justice Appropriations hearing, his confirmation hearing, and in the weeks that followed.

“While I believe Mr. Blanche is a capable lawyer, the Department of Justice has become increasingly political.

“Mr. Blanche has taken several actions that have further eroded the Department’s independence, and that is the basis for my vote to oppose his confirmation:

“Mr. Blanche approved an order to shield the President, his sons, and the family business from IRS audits, protections unavailable to other American taxpayers.

“He approved the creation of a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund.

“He promised an anti-abortion organization that he would seek to prohibit the mailing of abortion medication to women nationwide.

“Under his leadership, the Department attempted to indict Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin over their ill-advised, but constitutionally protected, videos encouraging resistance to unlawful orders.

“More than 1,200 former Department of Justice employees have opposed his nomination, arguing that he has undermined the institution.

“For these reasons, I will vote against this nomination.”

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Senator Coons, colleagues introduce legislation to remove asset limits blocking working families from public assistance

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.) and seven of his Democratic colleagues introduced the Allowing Steady Savings by Eliminating Tests (ASSET) Act of 2026, which would protect low-income Americans from losing access to programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other government assistance programs because of arbitrary asset limits by increasing their access to essential public assistance programs. Representative Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

As inflation skyrockets due to the Trump administration’s harmful policies, government assistance programs are becoming more important than ever. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), SNAP, and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) help low-income families, particularly those with children, meet basic needs like food and heating. Social Security’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program reduces extreme poverty among the elderly and people with disabilities. Families’ eligibility for these programs is often limited by both income and assets.

The ASSET Act would prohibit states from applying asset tests for TANF, SNAP, and LIHEAP, and raise the asset limits for SSI from $2,000 to $10,000 for an individual and from $3,000 to $20,000 for a couple, with both limits indexed to inflation. Income limits would remain allowable. A delay in implementation is permitted for states that need to pass legislation to adjust to new regulations.

Asset limits penalize Americans who have built savings for education, emergencies, and retirement, or have bought transportation that they need to get to work and earn enough to get out of these programs. Removing asset limits on SNAP alone increases the odds that lower-income adults have at least $500 in their savings by 8% and have a bank account by 5%. It also reduces the number of individuals cycling on and off the program by 26%. Nine states have eliminated TANF asset limits, 37 states and Washington, D.C. have eliminated SNAP asset tests, and only two states have LIHEAP asset tests. SSI is administered by the federal government, and the asset limit has not been updated or adjusted for inflation since 1989. Inconsistencies in how asset eligibility is determined among these programs and across the states can confuse eligible recipients, deterring them from saving or stopping them from accessing assistance programs that they’re entitled to.

“Asset limits on public assistance programs prevent working families from saving for the future or accessing the benefits they rightfully deserve. A savings account or a car are not assets, they’re necessities in every home,” said Senator Coons. “As President Trump and Republicans in Congress are making it harder to access essential public assistance programs, we need to fight back, and I’m proud to introduce this bill that will help more working families access the social safety net when they need it.”

“Burdensome eligibility rules make it harder for families to get ahead. The ASSET Act removes outdated savings limits from programs that help families afford food, utilities, and other basic needs. It also updates the savings limit for people with disabilities and the elderly, which hasn’t changed since 1989. That means families can save for an emergency or build toward a better future without losing the support they need,” said Representative Gomez . “I grew up in a family where both my parents worked multiple jobs to make ends meet, we couldn’t even afford health insurance. The idea that federal social programs can punish a family like mine for trying to build savings goes against the core values of these programs.”

In addition to Senator Coons, the ASSET Act of 2026 is also cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.).

The bill is endorsed by Prosperity Now, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Alliance to End Hunger, the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, National Association of Disability Representatives (NADR), UnidosUS, The Arc, Grantmakers in the Arts, Americans for the Arts.

“The ASSET Act recognizes a simple but important reality: families should not have to choose between building a modest emergency fund and accessing the public benefits that help them through difficult times,” said Marisa Calderon, president & CEO of Prosperity Now. “For decades, Prosperity Now has worked to help families build savings, strengthen financial security, and build long-term financial stability. Yet outdated asset limits continue to penalize responsible saving and leave households more vulnerable to financial shocks. By preserving income eligibility while eliminating outdated asset tests, the ASSET Act ensures that public benefits no longer undermine families’ efforts to build financial stability. No family should be penalized for doing the responsible thing. This legislation brings public policy in line with the basic principle that saving for the future should be encouraged, not punished.”

“For more than 20 years, LISC has supported a national network of Financial Opportunity Centers® to enable working families to build prosperity through personalized financial coaching paired with employment and wrap-around support services, including help accessing public benefits. We know from experience that communities thrive when families are empowered to build financial resilience and pursue long-term goals, and that asset tests unfairly penalize low-income homeowners and can discourage savings. We applaud Senator Coons for addressing this issue by introducing the ASSET Act to ensure low-income families can continue to receive the support needed to achieve financial self-sufficiency,” said Matt Josephs, senior vice president of policy, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC).

“No one should have to choose between keeping food on their table today and saving for an emergency tomorrow. By removing outdated asset penalties, the ASSET Act gives our nation’s artists the financial dignity to build a stable future without risking the vital public safety net they need to survive,” said Erin Harkey, CEO, Americans for the Arts.

Read the full text of the bill here.


VIDEO: Cornyn Votes to Advance Blanche Nomination for Attorney General in Judiciary Committee

WASHINGTON – Today in the Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) delivered the following remarks before voting to advance the nomination of Todd Blanche to be U.S. Attorney General out of committee and to the Senate floor. Excerpts of Sen. Cornyn’s remarks are below, and video can be found here.

“I’ve been very clear, as others have, that in order to support Mr. Blanche’s nomination, I needed specific assurances in writing about a release signed by the Acting Attorney General last May.”

“While this may sound like nitpicking to some, it’s critically important, not only to me but to other members of the Senate.”

“This past Sunday, Senator Tillis and I came to an agreement after numerous meetings with the Department of Justice and Mr. Blanche on an agency-interpretative guidance document that reaffirms what Mr. Blanche said in his sworn testimony in front of the committee. This document will help limit the substance and scope of the audit protection to the defendants in the lawsuit, the IRS and the Treasury, and it limits the parties to the audit settlement to the plaintiffs – the people who brought the lawsuit – and no one else.”

“The DOJ has repeatedly said that this is their legal position and interpretation.”

“Given this agreement with Mr. Blanche, I expect the Department to live up to this in future litigation, and I will vote to advance him out of the committee today.”

“We need a stabilizing force at the Department of Justice, and Mr. Blanche deserves the opportunity to provide that.”

“President Trump needs someone in this role, as well, with a strong legal mind, but who also is close enough to him to give him confidential legal advice, to tell him hard truths.”

“I would advise Mr. Blanche not to be afraid to capitalize on that earned trust when necessary for the good of the country.”

“I’m glad we could address these issues here in committee so that this nomination can move forward.”


Cortez Masto Introduces Bill Package to Lower Costs for Families, Take Advantage of Emerging Technology

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced three bills to make electric vehicles (EVs) and other clean transportation technologies more accessible to consumers throughout the country.

Under the Trump Administration, Nevada families have spent $2,216 more on goods and services, and gas prices have jumped. Since the start of Trump’s war in Iran, Nevadans have spent $514,215,668 more on gasoline, or $460 more per household. Senator Cortez Masto’s bill package supports the adoption of more cost-effective clean transportation technologies, which have expanded dramatically in recent years and are creating good-paying, union jobs. Putting more zero-emissions vehicles on the road will reduce American reliance on oil and gas from the Middle East and lower costs across the board.

“During the Trump Administration, Nevadans have been struggling with skyrocketing costs. Whether you’re driving to work, shopping for groceries, or traveling to visit family in another town, everyday life has become more expensive,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “By helping more American families and businesses access clean transportation technology, we can bring costs down for everyone, reduce our dependency on foreign oil, and create jobs – all while becoming more economically competitive with China.”

Senator Cortez Masto’s bill package includes three pieces of legislation:

Cleaner Transportation Access for All Act – This legislation restores and extends tax credits and grant programs passed in the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for consumers who purchase new or used EVs and supports the construction of EV-friendly infrastructure, especially along travel and tourism corridors. It also contains a fuel conservation program to encourage federal government fleets to reduce their fuel use when consumers are paying increased prices. The Cleaner Transportation Access for All Act is cosponsored by Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.). The text of this legislation can be found here, and a one-pager can be found here.

Clean Transportation Jobs and Development Act – This legislation strengthens the clean energy and transportation supply chain by supporting battery manufacturing and recycling, strengthening the domestic critical mineral supply chain, and investing in research and development to lower the cost of low-emission vehicles. The Clean Transportation Jobs and Development Act is cosponsored by Senators Padilla, Rosen, Van Hollen, and Bennet. The text of this legislation can be found here, and a one-pager can be found here.

Deploying Revolutionary and Innovative Vehicle Energy-supply (DRIVE) Across America Act – This legislation would establish the Cleaner Transportation at Recreational Areas to Improve our Landmarks and Sites (TRAILS) Initiative. This comprehensive initiative would facilitate the adoption of zero-emission technologies in tourism corridors, by adding fueling infrastructure at National Parks and U.S. Forest Service sites and near airports and other tourist destinations. The Cleaner TRAILS Initiative will make it easier and cheaper for tourists to travel in their EVs and reduce emissions in the country’s most pristine sites.The bill is cosponsored by Senators Padilla, Rosen, Van Hollen, Bennet, and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii). The text of this legislation can be found here, and a one-pager can be found here.

Senator Cortez Masto has led efforts in Congress through her Innovation State Initiative to increase adoption of clean transportation and energy across Nevada. She has developed numerous legislative packages to help advance a national strategy on zero-emission vehicles and has passed multiple bills to support clean transportation into law. Cortez Masto has also secured funding for EV charging ports and low-emission public transportation throughout Nevada. She is leading on bipartisan legislation to strengthen the domestic supply chain for rare-earth magnets, which are critical components of cell phones, computers, defense systems, and electric vehicles, increase critical mineral production in the American West, and strengthen America’s electric energy supply chain.

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Cortez Masto, Rosen Introduce Bill to Overturn Law Establishing Yucca Mountain as Nuclear Waste Repository, Consider New Uses for Site

Washington, D.C. – Today,U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) re-introduced legislation to ensure Yucca Mountain will never be used as a repository for nuclear waste and require the U.S. government to consider other uses for Yucca Mountain that would create jobs and stimulate Nevada’s economy. The Jobs, Not Waste Act follows the Trump Administration’s proposal to scrap Yucca Mountain as the nation’s sole nuclear waste repository and instead allow states to willingly host such facilities.

“Nevadans have been clear from the beginning that our state cannot and will not house the nation’s nuclear waste,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “While I welcome the Trump administration’s recent move to leave the unworkable Yucca Mountain proposal behind, we cannot take anything for granted. It’s time to pass our Jobs, Not Waste Act to explore other uses for the Yucca site and allow states who want to store nuclear waste to do so.”

“Nevadans have always been clear that we will not allow nuclear waste to be stored at Yucca Mountain – and that any proposal to establish a nuclear waste repository needs to be centered on the consent of the surrounding community,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m encouraged by the recent proposal from the Trump Administration that acknowledges Yucca Mountain is not an option for nuclear waste storage, which is why I hope they will support this legislation to ensure Yucca remains dead. We have an opportunity to consider the benefits of other uses for the Yucca Mountain site to create jobs for Nevadans and grow our economy.”

The Jobs, Not Waste Act would repeal the law that established Yucca Mountain as a repository for nuclear waste, require the Department of Energy (DOE) to withdraw and terminate the licensing proceeding for Yucca Mountain at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, require DOE to reclaim and mitigate any adverse environmental impacts to the site, and require the Office of Management and Budget to conduct and submit a study to determine the viability and benefits of other uses for the site.

Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen have been leading the fight against storing nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain. During the first Trump Administration, they were part of successful efforts to stop the Administration’s attempts to restart the Yucca Mountain licensing process by preventing funds for the failed site from being included in every final appropriations bill. At the beginning of this Congress, the Senators introduced a bill to guarantee state, tribal, and local officials are given a meaningful voice in the decision-making process when a nuclear waste repository is proposed in their community.

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Working Families Tax Cuts Encourage Broad-based Charitable Giving

Washington, D.C.—In addition to delivering tax relief and fueling economic growth for families and businesses, the Working Families Tax Cuts include policy victories for charitable giving and educational opportunity. By making key charitable giving provisions permanent, the legislation provides greater certainty for individual donors while helping more Americans to support philanthropic organizations, religious institutions and the communities they serve. Additionally, through the new Education Freedom Tax Credit and Trump Accounts, the law helps children build a stronger foundation for lifelong success.

“Americans are among the most generous people in the world, and the Working Families Tax Cuts’ support for charitable giving strengthens that identity,” said U.S. Senate Finance Chairman Mike Crapo (R-Idaho). “The law’s treatment of contributions to nonprofit organizations gives many Idahoans additional incentives to support worthy causes in our communities, and new programs for children give them increased access to the resources they need to succeed.”

Key wins:

Permanently allows non-itemizers to claim a deduction of up to $2,000 per couple for eligible charitable donations

Makes permanent the increased contribution limitation for cash gifts to qualified charities

Creates Trump Accounts, allowing families, employers and philanthropists to help children save for the future

Creates the Education Freedom Tax Credit, incentivizing support for scholarship funds that help families afford costs connected to K-12 education

What they are saying:

“The [Working Families Tax Cuts] keep more money where it belongs—in the hands of hardworking Americans and the communities they care about. By unleashing economic growth, President Trump is strengthening the engine of generosity, which empowers local, private solutions to challenges that our government cannot and should not provide.” – Philanthropy Roundtable CEO Christie Herrera

“The American Dream belongs to every child. [Trump Accounts] are equipping the next generation to claim their rightful share.” – U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent

Click HERE to learn more about the Finance Committee provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts.

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Sens. Cruz, Shaheen, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Supporting Free and Fair Elections in Venezuela

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy, and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced a resolution reaffirming America's support for free and fair elections in Venezuela. The resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).

Sen. Cruz said, “The people of Venezuela deserve free, fair, and transparent elections, and it is vital to the national security interests of the United States that those elections occur expeditiously. A legitimately elected government would create the foundation for freedom and prosperity in Venezuela and establish the basis for a deep and long-term partnership with the United States, including security, counternarcotics, and economic cooperation. This resolution reiterates that such elections require the release of all political prisoners, while any serious harm suffered by any individual seeking public office, including María Corina Machado, would delegitimize those elections and that the U.S. will presume that the Venezuelan government was complicit in that harm. The United States stands with the Venezuelan people and their right to determine their own future.”

Sen. Shaheen said, “A credible democratic transition is only attainable when the Venezuelan people are free to decide Venezuela’s future, yet the Delcy Rodríguez regime has failed to take meaningful actions toward holding elections and restoring democratic order. As international bodies have affirmed time and again, the regime has not taken serious steps to dismantle the Maduro-Rodriguez repressive apparatus that has long terrorized the Venezuelan people. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan resolution with my colleagues restating the United States’ demand for concrete progress toward elections in Venezuela. The authorities in Caracas must immediately and unconditionally release all remaining political prisoners and guarantee that all political actors, including María Corina Machado, can safely return and freely participate in political activity. Every day that passes without progress toward these key objectives represents a step back for the Venezuelan people and their broader struggle for a free, safe and democratic future.”

Read the bill text here.

BACKGROUND


Duckworth, Durbin Join Colleagues to Demand Trump Administration Restore Funding for Energy Projects That Were Politically Targeted and Illegally Cancelled

The letter follows an admission from the Trump Administration that the decision to cancel energy project grants in states that did not vote for Trump was “based solely” on politics

[WASHINGTON D.C.] — U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Patty Murray (D-WA) to send 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 rather than any cost-reduction factors. As a result, the Trump Administration cancelled $583 million in federal grant funds designated for Illinois projects on domestic energy production, lowering energy costs and improving grid reliability.

“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,” the Senators began.

“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,” the Senators continued. “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,” the Senators concluded. “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.”

Alongside Duckworth, Durbin, Heinrich and Murray, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mazie K. Hirono (D- HI), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tina Smith (D-MN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA.), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jack Reed (D-RI), Angus King (I-ME). All 36 Democratic Senators from states with canceled grants and funding signed the letter.

Full text of the letter is available on Senator Duckworth’s website and below:

July 30, 2026

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.

Sincerely,

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Duckworth, McCormick Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Low-Cost Financing for Transportation Infrastructure

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Dave McCormick (R-PA) introduced the Transit for Urban Renewal and Business Opportunities Act (TURBO Act), legislation that would expand and modernize a key federal financing tool used by state and local governments to deliver critical transportation infrastructure through public-private partnerships.

“Far too often, roads that need repaving and transportation facilities that need revamping are left unfixed because states and towns don’t have the funding they need,” said Duckworth. “Our bipartisan bill would help state and local governments supercharge their infrastructure financing—enabling them to deliver faster on projects, replace old buses, improve inter-city passenger rail and more. It’s critical we build on the incredible progress of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and this commonsense legislation would help us do just that.”

“America’s transportation needs are growing, and we should be making it easier, not harder, for states and communities to finance the projects that keep goods and people moving,” said McCormick. “The TURBO Act modernizes a proven, low-cost financing tool critical so highway, transit, and rail projects in Pennsylvania can move forward. By expanding capacity and cutting outdated red tape, we can unlock more private investment in Pennsylvania and across the country.”

“Public transportation is essential to connecting Illinois residents with jobs, education, healthcare, and economic opportunity. Private Activity Bonds have helped make transformational transportation investments possible, and increasing the federal authorization cap is critical to ensuring that these financing tools remain available for future projects. The Illinois Public Transportation Association is grateful to Senators Duckworth and McCormick for advancing the TURBO Act, which will help meet growing infrastructure needs and support safe, reliable, and modern transit service for the communities we serve,” said Laura Calderon, Executive Director, Illinois Public Transportation Association.

Private Activity Bonds (PABs) are tax-exempt bonds that state and local governments issue on behalf of private entities to finance projects that serve a public purpose. Administered by the Build America Bureau within the U.S. Department of Transportation, PABs are a critical tool for attracting private-sector investment in highways, transit and freight infrastructure. But the national volume cap for qualified highway and surface freight transfer facilities has been exhausted, with the current $30 billion cap fully allocated.

Beyond the cap, outdated rules also prevent communities from using these bonds for many of today's transportation needs. Current law generally allows the bonds to finance the construction of rail and bus infrastructure, but not the purchase of rolling stock. It also limits eligibility for passenger rail projects to those capable of reaching 150 miles per hour, leaving many modern rail projects that operate on shared freight corridors ineligible for this low-cost financing.

The TURBO Act would:

Raise the national volume cap for qualified highway and surface freight transfer facilities from $30 billion to $45 billion, ensuring that critical transportation projects can continue to access low-cost financing through public-private partnerships.

Expand the eligibility of mass commuting facility bonds to explicitly cover the acquisition of rolling stock — such as buses, railcars and ferries — lowering the cost of modernizing transit fleets and letting local communities determine their own infrastructure needs.

Lower the speed threshold for high-speed intercity rail facilities from 150 miles per hour to 110 miles per hour, opening PAB financing to a far wider range of passenger rail investments, including projects that operate on shared rights-of-way with freight railroads.

Congress created this financing category in the 2005 Surface Transportation Authorization (SAFETEA-LU), which set the national cap at $15 billion and doubled it to $30 billion on a bipartisan basis in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). With nearly all of that expanded capacity now committed, communities risk losing access to affordable financing for major projects at a time when infrastructure demands continue to grow.

Full text of the bill is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.

Duckworth has been a leader in securing federal funding for infrastructure projects in Illinois and making public transportation more accessible for all. Last month, the Senator introduced legislation to reauthorize her All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP), which was included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and for the last five years has been making public transit stations across the nation more accessible and inclusive for all Americans, including people with disabilities.

Because of ASAP, Illinois received $185 million in funding for job creating Chicago Transit Authority and Metra projects to build ramps, install elevators and make other improvements to make the region’s public bus and rail system accessible.

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Duckworth, Rounds Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Cyber Operations in Indo-Pacific Region

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)—a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)—and Mike Rounds (R-SD) introduced bipartisan legislation to close strategy and resource gaps in the Department of Defense’s (DoD) cyber cooperation activities in the Indo-Pacific region. The Indo-Pacific Cyber Cooperation Strategy would require the Office of the Secretary of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to institutionalize cyber cooperation between DoD and the United States’ allies in the region.

“Cybersecurity is key to a free and open Indo-Pacific, strengthening our national security and keeping us all safe,” said Duckworth. “As a Pacific nation, we must ensure we’re strategically engaging with our regional partners across all fronts to make sure they can protect critical infrastructure and effectively operate in cyberspace. Our bipartisan bill would enhance American cyber cooperation with Indo-Pacific allies and partners to better protect our economy and security from shared adversaries and hostile actors.”

“Modern warfare is now fought in five domains: air, land, sea, space and cyberspace,” said Rounds. “As our cyber capabilities continue to advance, so do those of our adversaries. As China grows increasingly capable in the cyber domain, the United States must leverage the capacity of our partners and allies, who are crucial for securing a free and open Indo-Pacific. Our legislation would require the Department of War to close any existing cyber operations gaps that exist between our nation and our allies in the Indo-Pacific Region.”

Full text of the bill is available on Senator Duckworth’s website.

Duckworth continues to be a proven leader when it comes to strengthening coordination with our Indo-Pacific partners to promote security in the region. Last week, she introduced bipartisan legislation to improve our nation’s capabilities to counter the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) “gray-zone” intimidation and coercion tactics in the Indo-Pacific. Last month, Duckworth became first U.S. Senator to visit Taiwan since the disastrous Trump-Xi summit where Donald Trump kowtowed to People’s Republic of China (PRC) President Xi Jinping and waffled on delivering a critical bipartisan arms package to Taiwan. Upon her arrival, Duckworth penned an op-ed underscoring that the United States’ commitment to Taiwan is steadfast—regardless of who is in the White House. She also made an official visit to Japan during the same trip to strengthen economic ties between our nations, specifically in Illinois, so our nations’ trade ties can remain resilient despite PRC gray-zone activities.

Duckworth is leading numerous additional pieces of legislation that would help our military readiness with Indo-Pacific partners, including through her bipartisan Strategy for Crisis Management Act and South China Sea Strategy Act that both recently passed committee and now await a full Senate vote. Her Strategy for Crisis Management Act was one of several provisions she secured in this year’s committee-passed NDAA to enhance our readiness and coordination with partners in the Indo-Pacific region. This provision would help deescalate consequential crises short of war in the South China Sea. Among Duckworth’s other wins are provisions that would drive cooperation with Indo-Pacific allies and partners on asymmetric operations and improve medical preparedness and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

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Durbin Advocates For Protecting Consumers’ Privacy During Opening Statement In Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing

Durbin also pushed for the passage of his bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act to bring down the cost of swipe fees for consumers and small businesses

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement in a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing entitled “Your Data, Their Profit: The Consumer Cost of AI Surveillance Pricing.” During his opening remarks, Durbin raised concerns about the collecting, tracking, and selling of consumer data online. In advocating for consumers, Durbin also pushed for the passage of his bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act, which would put an end to the Visa-Mastercard duopoly that is squeezing small businesses and consumers.

Key Quotes:

“Every click we make on the internet leaves a trail of personal data. We know that. That data is collected, tracked, and sold. Congress can address it.”

“There’s another thing Congress can do right now for consumers and small businesses: pass the Credit Card Competition Act—a bipartisan bill I sponsor with Senator Marshall of Kansas. This bill would bring down the cost of swipe fees that Visa and Mastercard take out of every purchase we make with a credit card.”

“For some small businesses, these swipe fees become their second or third largest expense, and many of them have been forced to raise prices as a result.”

“Americans pay the highest swipe fees anywhere in the world. The Credit Card Competition Act would bring these down, leading to savings for businesses and lower prices for consumers.”

Video of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s opening statement is available here.

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

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Durbin, Duckworth Join Colleagues To Demand Trump Administration Restore Funding For Energy Projects That Were Politically Targeted And Illegally Canceled

The letter follows an admission from the Trump Administration that the decision to cancel energy project grants in states that did not vote for Trump was “based solely” on politics

WASHINGTON —U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Patty Murray (D-WA) to send 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 rather than any cost-reduction factors. As a result, the Trump Administration cancelled $583 million in federal grant funds designated for Illinois projects on domestic energy production, lowering energy costs, and improving grid reliability.

“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,” the Senators began.

“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,” the Senators continued. “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,” the Senators concluded. “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.”

Alongside Durbin, Duckworth, Heinrich, and Murray, the letter was signed by U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Alex Padilla (D-CA), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Peter Welch (D-VT), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Mazie K. Hirono (D- HI), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Chris Coons (D-DE), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tina Smith (D-MN), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD ), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA.), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jack Reed (D-RI), Angus King (I-ME). All 36 Democratic Senators from states with canceled grants and funding signed the letter.

Read the full text of the letter here and below:

July 30, 2026

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.

Sincerely,

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Durbin Joins Cassidy On The Senate Floor & Calls To Address Social Security Solvency Before The End Of The Year

Durbin: “The longer you wait, the more expensive it becomes to save Social Security. And we absolutely, positively have to save it. Too many people are counting on it.”

WASHINGTON – In a speech on the Senate floor today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) joined U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) to raise alarms about the Social Security Trust Fund facing insolvency in 2032 unless Congress acts. Durbin and Cassidy have introduced the Protecting Retirement Opportunities and Maintaining Income Security for Everyone (PROMISE) Act to initiate Congressional action on extending Social Security’s solvency.

“What a treat it is to be on the floor of the Senate with a colleague on the Republican side of the aisle working together to try to solve a problem. It doesn’t happen much around here. You see these empty desks. They’re empty almost all of the days—week in, week out, month in, month out. We do important things like nominations—there’s nothing that’s trivial about that. But we don’t tackle the issues that really affect people at home with their families. Here’s one: Social Security,” Durbin said.

The Social Security Board of Trustees’ annual report found that the Social Security Trust Fund will only be able to cover 78 percent of benefits in 2032—meaning that Americans who rely on the program will have their benefits reduced by 22 percent. In just six short years, the 70 million Americans who rely on Social Security will see their monthly benefits cut by an average of $450. Many beneficiaries have no other source of income and they depend on Social Security.

“If this is your only source of income, imagine for a moment the $2,400 just lopped off $400 or $500 from the monthly payment. How does it affect you paying your rent, paying your mortgage, paying your utility bills, paying what it might take at the grocery store to get by? It’s going to be a real hardship, as Senator Cassidy said. For the senior citizens of America, it means that those under the poverty level will increase by 50 percent. We can’t let that happen. We have to do something about it,” Durbin said.

That’s why Durbin introduced the bipartisan PROMISE Act—legislation that would create a transparent, fair, and bipartisan process to ensure Congress finally debates—and votes—on the future of Social Security. Under the bill, the independent Social Security Advisory Board would collect public input and send a proposal to Congress that would keep the Trust Fund solvent for the next 50 years, at least. That would begin a process in both the House and Senate to hold Committee hearings, offer germane amendments, debate competing proposals, and ultimately vote on them.

“The bill that I’ve introduced with Senator Cassidy basically doesn’t pick a solution… it just says, don’t waste any time. Start talking about it, start debating it. Let the American people engage in this conversation with you and vote on some alternatives,” Durbin said. “Now, I’ve been a little disappointed, but not surprised, that some of my colleagues that I’ve talked to about this said they thought it was a good idea. But on reflection, they’ve decided it’s too risky—that we’re moving things too fast. The Senate’s never been accused, successfully, of moving too fast on almost anything. We take our time. That’s why we’re here… So, to my colleagues who oppose this approach, who say we need more time to do it, I want to back up Senator Cassidy. It costs money over time. It costs benefits over time—the solution becomes more expensive over time. The longer you wait, the more expensive it becomes to save Social Security. And we absolutely, positively have to save it. Too many people are counting on it.”

Durbin concluded, “It is a great day in the Senate when a Democrat and a Republican stand on the floor and don’t criticize one another, but actually talk about working together. It’s been a real pleasure for me… We’re both ending our Senate careers on January 3rd of next year. We hoped that this would be one of the things we could achieve before we left. I’m still not giving up completely. Miracles do occur. But I had to step up and make a proposal with Senator Cassidy to get my colleagues in the conversation. The conversation about Social Security has increased dramatically since we started this effort, and I think it should. The sooner the better. The more expensive it becomes, the longer we wait.”

Video of Durbin’s floor speech is available here.

Audio of Durbin’s floor speech is available here.

Footage of Durbin’s floor speech is available here for TV Stations.

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Durbin Questions Witnesses On Protecting Consumers’ Privacy During Senate Judiciary Subcommittee Hearing

Durbin calls for the passage of his bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act, which would crack down on swipe fees

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today questioned witnesses during a Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism hearing entitled “Your Data, Their Profit: The Consumer Cost of AI Surveillance Pricing.” Today’s hearing examined how companies can use consumers’ personal data to set a personalized price for individual customers by estimating how much or how little they are willing to pay for a product.

Durbin began his questioning by asking Hillary Caron, policy counsel at the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), about the Norwegian government’s crackdown on grocery store chains that were found to be price fixing.

Ms. Caron explained that the Norwegian Competition Authority found that three major grocery store chains in the country were colluding by constantly monitoring each other’s prices. Because these stores were using electronic shelf labels, management could quickly raise prices, sometimes several times a day, on products in high demand. The Norwegian Competition Authority fined the three Norwegian grocery store chains a combined $466 million for breaking antitrust rules. Ms. Caron underscored that the United States should learn from Norway’s example by more vigorously enforcing competition laws.

Turning to Dr. Z. John Zhang, professor of marketing at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, Durbin asked about what recourse consumers have to push back against surveillance pricing.

“I don’t think we give consumers have a fighting chance. The information that is being gathered about us involuntarily is hard to describe in terms of any limitations…It’s all designed in terms of measuring and influencing consumer behavior. Does the consumer have a chance?” Durbin asked Dr. Zhang.

Dr. Zhang explained that companies collect individuals’ data so they can understand their consumers as a whole in order to make marketing and price setting decisions. Dr. Zhang noted that companies collect far more information from consumers when they make online purchases than they do when customers purchase products in store.

Durbin continued his questioning by asking Robert Hedges, former Chief Data Officer at Visa, about swipe fees. Durbin has long advocated for cracking down on swipe fees, which is the aim of his bipartisan legislation, the Credit Card Competition Act.

“Many years ago, I walked into this room and sat down at the corner over there for [then-Senator] Arlen Specter’s hearing on swipe fees, interchange fees. I’d never heard of them. I listened and understood that if I had a business or restaurant in Springfield, Illinois, and I wanted to accept Visa and Mastercard, I had to pay a swipe fee—a percentage of a dinner I’m going to serve. The consumer still doesn’t know how much that is, yet that fee continues to be charged. Most retailers will tell you it’s a big piece of their profit. Is that fair?” Durbin asked.

Mr. Hedges explained that clarity and transparency on pricing should be a core principle of business.

Durbin concluded his remarks by asserting that Visa and Mastercard should be required to disclose what these swipes fees cost Americans every time they use their credit card.

“Our hearing is about information being gathered and consumers paying a higher price because of it. That is our concern. I think the Chairman [Senator Josh Hawley] has illustrated that pretty effectively. I think the same thing applies when it comes to Visa and Mastercard. I think there ought to be disclosure to the consumer about what you [Visa and Mastercard] are charging,” Durbin said.

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

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

Footage of Durbin’s question in Committee is available here for TV stations.

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Durbin, Senate Democrats Sound Alarm On Proposed ATF Rule On Transporting Firearms

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led a group of Senate Democrats in sounding the alarm on a proposed federal gun regulation that would allow individuals to circumvent state laws regarding possession or carrying of firearms and ammunition.

In a letter to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Director Robert Cekada, the Senators wrote: “As members of Congress, we are committed to protecting the safety of our constituents and the Nation. For this reason, we submit this comment opposing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ proposed rule, Clarifying Interstate Transportation of Firearms Under the Gun Control Act.”

“Congress enacted 18 U.S.C. § 926A to provide qualifying people with a defined safe harbor for the interstate transportation of firearms. The statute offers limited legal protection to a person transporting an unloaded firearm between places where that person may lawfully possess and carry it, provided that both the firearm and ammunition are not readily or directly accessible at any point during transportation. ATF’s Proposed Rule, however, would dramatically expand this protection to include overnight lodging, food and fuel stops, vehicle maintenance, medical treatment, transfers between modes of transportation, passenger pickups and drop-offs, and ‘any other activity incidental to the original transportation.’ It would also extend the safe harbor to a nonexclusive list of attachments, accessories, and other items, including: magazines, feed strips, stabilizing braces, weapon-mounted lights, optics, slings, holsters, and firearm cleaning kits. As a whole, the Proposed Rule would transform § 926A into a wider federal preemption regime than Congress ever intended, and, in doing so, would create serious risks to public safety both on its own and as it vitiates critical state and local gun violence prevention laws,” the Senators continued.

Specifically, the Senators cited the following reasons for ATF to withdraw the proposed rule in its entirety:

ATF’s limited rulemaking authority does not permit the Agency to alter or enlarge § 926A;

The Rule ignores that Congress repeatedly considered, but did not enact, materially similar expansions of § 926A;

The Rule’s accessory provision is overbroad;

The Rule would displace state law without adequate consultation; and

The Rule does not adequately address burdens on law enforcement or provide clear standards for responsible owners.

“The Rule exceeds ATF’s implementation authority, expands the reach of § 926A, and treats distinct firearm accessories as if they present identical legal and public safety issues. The Rule risks displacing legislation such as Illinois’s Protect Illinois Communities Act without adequate assessment of state firearm laws, public safety impacts, or law enforcement burdens. The Rule also introduces solvent-trap and trafficking risks while leaving responsible firearm owners to interpret vague standards. These are not defects that minor revisions can fix. We urge ATF to withdraw the Proposed Rule in its entirety,” the Senators concluded.

In addition to Durbin, the letter is signed by U.S. Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

For a PDF of the letter to Director Cekada, click here.

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