Van Hollen Leads 20 Colleagues in Urging Trump Administration to Use Leverage to Prevent Further Atrocities in Sudan

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led 20 of his Senate Democratic colleagues in pressing the State Department to use its leverage to prevent further atrocities in Sudan and help bring the war to an end. To do so, the Senators urge the State Department to cease certain U.S. arms sales to external actors like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which continues to arm the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) in Sudan. The Senators’ letter notes the immediate need for the State Department to take action in light of the impending siege of the city of El Obeid and following the mass atrocities and bloodshed that occurred in El Fasher last year.

Senator Van Hollen was joined in sending this letter by Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.).

“We write with alarm regarding the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) impending siege of the city of El Obeid in Sudan, which threatens a repeat of the mass atrocities and bloodshed that occurred in El Fasher this past October. While we welcome the State Department’s expression of concern about the escalating situation in El Obeid, words are not enough. The United States must use the leverage and influence at our disposal to prevent further atrocities in El Obeid and help bring this brutal war in Sudan to an end. These actions should include ceasing certain U.S. arms sales to external actors that are fueling this war, including the United Arab Emirates, which continues to arm the RSF,” the Senators begin.

They continue, “We have already witnessed what happens when the international community fails to heed warnings of RSF atrocities. The RSF’s siege and devastation of El Fasher bore the ‘hallmarks of genocide’ according to United Nations investigators. […] The siege of El Fasher lasted for over 500 days, and the ensuing atrocities were widely foreseen and repeatedly forewarned by the United Nations, intelligence from the U.S. State Department and foreign governments, humanitarian monitors, and researchers. We remain greatly concerned by this administration’s grave failure to act despite the chorus of alarm bells. What occurred in El Fasher is a stark warning of what could unfold in El Obeid and across Sudan if this administration—and the international community—continues this current pattern of inaction.”

The lawmakers go on to warn, “And now those alarm bells are ringing once again – this time in El Obeid. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said on July 3, ‘This is not a drill. It is a red alert that needs to land on the desks of heads of state and government around the world. Their phones should be running hot in the coming days and weeks, with ideas on how to prevent atrocity crimes in El Obeid and in other places in Kordofan.’ […] The State Department has also recognized that this is a critical moment. On June 22, the State Department spokesperson warned of ‘alarming indications that mass atrocities could be imminent’ and said ‘the RSF and their allied forces must cease any actions that could endanger civilians, impede humanitarian assistance, or contribute to further atrocities and suffering.’”

“The evidence is clear – the United Arab Emirates is the primary external backer of the RSF, providing unparalleled military, financial, and technical support to the group,” the Senators note.

“Now, an estimated 500,000 civilians are at risk in El Obeid, including many who have sought shelter there after fleeing RSF attacks across the Kordofan region. The encirclement and systematic crippling of resources in El Obeid increasingly parallels El Fasher, and this administration must use its leverage and influence to prevent a repeat of El Fasher’s horrors in El Obeid before it is too late. We urge this administration to take concrete actions to prevent such mass atrocities in El Obeid, including by ceasing certain U.S. arms sales to the UAE and other external actors that are fueling this war. We also request an update on what other actions the administration is taking, beyond just words, to prevent mass atrocities in El Obeid and to help bring this war to an end,” the lawmakers conclude.

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

Secretary Rubio,

We write with alarm regarding the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) impending siege of the city of El Obeid in Sudan, which threatens a repeat of the mass atrocities and bloodshed that occurred in El Fasher this past October. While we welcome the State Department’s expression of concern about the escalating situation in El Obeid, words are not enough. The United States must use the leverage and influence at our disposal to prevent further atrocities in El Obeid and help bring this brutal war in Sudan to an end. These actions should include ceasing certain U.S. arms sales to external actors that are fueling this war, including the United Arab Emirates, which continues to arm the RSF.

We have already witnessed what happens when the international community fails to heed warnings of RSF atrocities. The RSF’s siege and devastation of El Fasher bore the “hallmarks of genocide” according to United Nations investigators. A United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission found that “the Rapid Support Forces steadily squeezed the life out of El-Fasher and surrounding displacement camps, cutting off food, water, medical supplies, and humanitarian assistance, while subjecting the city to recurring shelling and ground assaults. Civilians were increasingly trapped, as escape routes were restricted or closed, and forced to endure conditions of life progressively incompatible with human survival.” This 18-month siege culminated in a 3-day rampage in October 2025, where survivors describe the slaughter of civilians, mass executions, and crimes against humanity.

El-Fasher University “became one of the bloodiest execution sites in the city.” According to survivors, over a hundred civilians were gunned down or executed as they sought shelter or attempted to flee. Survivors described notorious RSF commander Abu Lulu, known as the “Butcher of El-Fasher", asking a pregnant woman how far she was in her pregnancy and then firing seven bullets into her abdomen when she replied that she was seven months along. He at one point said, “I was planning to kill 2000 people today, but I lost count, so I will start all over again.” In the case of El-Saudi Hospital, RSF forces stormed the hospital and “proceeded to search the wards and killing those they found, including patients, accompanying persons and medical personnel...it is estimated that over 460 patients and others present were killed.” Flight didn’t bring safety, according to survivors, as “The Rapid Support Forces pursued fleeing civilians along escape routes...where they had established ambushes and checkpoints...the perpetrators chasing people in open fields, firing at them with automatic rifles and mounted submachine guns, and running over fleeing persons with vehicles, causing mass casualties.” The horrors were visible from space, with satellite images analyzed by the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab showing bodies piled up in the streets, pools of blood on the ground, and mass burial sites.

The siege of El Fasher lasted for over 500 days, and the ensuing atrocities were widely foreseen and repeatedly forewarned by the United Nations, intelligence from the U.S. State Department and foreign governments, humanitarian monitors, and researchers. We remain greatly concerned by this administration’s grave failure to act despite the chorus of alarm bells. What occurred in El Fasher is a stark warning of what could unfold in El Obeid and across Sudan if this administration—and the international community—continues this current pattern of inaction.

And now those alarm bells are ringing once again – this time in El Obeid. Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said on July 3, "This is not a drill. It is a red alert that needs to land on the desks of heads of state and government around the world. Their phones should be running hot in the coming days and weeks, with ideas on how to prevent atrocity crimes in El Obeid and in other places in Kordofan.” Tom Fletcher, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said of El Obeid on June 30, “Too often in this brutal war, clear warnings have been ignored. Civilians have paid the price. The international community must make itself heard. We cannot say we were not warned.”

The State Department has also recognized that this is a critical moment. On June 22, the State Department spokesperson warned of “alarming indications that mass atrocities could be imminent” and said “the RSF and their allied forces must cease any actions that could endanger civilians, impede humanitarian assistance, or contribute to further atrocities and suffering.” On June 23, State Department Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos said that he spoke with RSF leadership and “strongly urged them to halt any actions that could endanger civilians in and around El Obeid.” And this Administration has repeatedly affirmed, including in July 2025, that “The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias have committed genocide.” In November 2025, you yourself said that the RSF is “clearly receiving assistance from outside” and that “something needs to be done to cut off the weapons and the support the RSF is getting as they continue their advances.”

The evidence is clear – the United Arab Emirates is the primary external backer of the RSF, providing unparalleled military, financial, and technical support to the group. In May 2026, a new report by Human Rights Watch found that the UAE trained hundreds of Colombian mercenaries who then “took part in combat in and around El Fasher and, according to media reports, provided training to RSF recruits–including child soldiers”. In February 2026, a Reuters investigation found that Ethiopia has built a secret camp to train thousands of RSF fighters, and that the UAE financed the construction of the camp and provided military trainers and logistical support. This follows U.S. intelligence from October 2025, including separate reports from the Defense Intelligence Agency and the State Department’s intelligence bureau, that “show an increase in the flow of materiel from the U.A.E. to the rebel Rapid Support Forces since the spring.” These findings are part of a large and growing body of credible evidence that the UAE is both arming and providing military support to the RSF.

Now, an estimated 500,000 civilians are at risk in El Obeid, including many who have sought shelter there after fleeing RSF attacks across the Kordofan region. The encirclement and systematic crippling of resources in El Obeid increasingly parallels El Fasher, and this administration must use its leverage and influence to prevent a repeat of El Fasher’s horrors in El Obeid before it is too late. We urge this administration to take concrete actions to prevent such mass atrocities in El Obeid, including by ceasing certain U.S. arms sales to the UAE and other external actors that are fueling this war. We also request an update on what other actions the administration is taking, beyond just words, to prevent mass atrocities in El Obeid and to help bring this war to an end.

We request a response to this letter by August 17, 2026.


After Truth API Goes Live, Warner Introduces Bill to Ban Social Media Companies from Selling Advance Access to Government Employees’ Accounts

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), a senior member of the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, introduced the No Preferential Release of Federal Information for Transactions (NO PROFIT) Act, legislation that would make it illegal for social media companies to sell prioritized access to government employees’ accounts that communicate material information. Furthermore, this legislation would make it illegal for a person to knowingly trade in securities, commodities, swaps, or prediction market contracts if the person is doing so on the basis of material information obtained through access to a prioritized account. This bill is a direct result of Truth API, Truth Social’s subscription service for advance access to the president’s posts, going live over the weekend.

“The president’s company selling prioritized access to the president’s market-moving posts is corrupt and erodes public confidence,” said Sen. Warner. “Americans should have free and equal access to public statements made by U.S. government officials. My bill would make sure social media companies can’t sell prioritized access to government employees’ accounts and that someone can’t knowingly trade with information obtained through access to those accounts. Early access to government information should not be sold to whoever will pay the price.”

Last month, Sen. Warner sent a letter to representatives of the financial services industry explaining his concerns with the Truth API announcement and urged them to make clear that the member firms will have no part in this arrangement.

Full text of the bill can be found here. The one pager and section-by-section can be found here.

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Warner, Colleagues Press DOJ on Fair and Legal Deployment of Election Monitors During Midterms

WASHINGTON – With less than 100 days until the midterms and amid ongoing threats from President Trump to nationalize, militarize, and otherwise interfere with the administration of elections, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, led a group of his colleagues in pressing the Department of Justice (DOJ) on their compliance with federal voting laws, as well as cautioning against the misuse of any federal election monitors to target jurisdictions in a partisan manner or interfere with voting or state and local election officials’ administration of the voting process.

In a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon, the senators wrote, “Federal election monitors have been present at election sites on Election Day for decades and play a critical role in assessing if state and local elections are administered in compliance with federal civil and voting rights laws, including the laws that guarantee equal access to the polls, language assistance, and disability accommodations. The election monitors program has been implemented under Democratic and Republican administrations alike and has largely operated without incident or controversy. It is important that American voters trust that the U.S. Department of Justice’s election monitors will focus only on their statutory ambit and will not target jurisdictions in a partisan manner; discourage voter participation or interfere with the voting process; or pressure, harass, or interfere with state and local election officials as they do their jobs.”

This letter follows DOJ’s July 7, 2026, announcement that it would deploy election monitors to 15 jurisdictions across Arizona, Michigan, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Virginia during the 2026 primary election season, with plans to expand the program for the general election. While DOJ characterized the effort as “routine” and “nonpartisan,” the senators are concerned that monitors are being disproportionately assigned to jurisdictions in states led by Democrats. They also noted that the announcement comes amid ongoing threats from President Trump regarding federal involvement in the administration of free and fair elections, underscoring the need to demonstrate that the program is administered within its legal authority.

The senators reminded DOJ that election monitors remain subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including laws prohibiting voter intimidation, interference with voting, threats or harassment of election workers, and political activity while serving in an official capacity. They emphasized that the Constitution clearly assigns states and territories the primary responsibility for administering elections, and that any federal monitoring is supplemental and must respect that constitutional framework.

In light of the president’s and DOJ’s false statements, threats, and repeated election misinformation, the senators requested a staff briefing and answers to a series of questions about the Department’s election monitors program, including: the program’s legal authority and objectives; the criteria used to select jurisdictions for monitoring; how election monitors are recruited, vetted, trained, and supervised; whether political appointees are eligible to serve as monitors; what safeguards are in place to prevent voter intimidation, partisan activity, or interference with election administration; and whether the Department has changed any policies or procedures governing the program since January 20, 2025.

The senators concluded, “As demonstrated under both Democratic and Republican administrations, U.S. elections are safe, secure, and fair. The Department’s election monitors program must not be used to undermine that fact. Election monitors must carry out their responsibilities in a manner that respects and upholds voters’ rights, complies with the applicable legal requirements, and does not interfere with state and local election officials’ administration of the voting process.”

In addition to Sen. Warner, this letter is signed by U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI).

Read the full letter here and below.

Dear Acting Attorney General Blanche and Assistant Attorney General Dhillon:

We write today regarding the U.S. Department of Justice’s election monitors program and to assert our expectation that the Department will ensure that any monitors that localities choose to admit will comply with all applicable federal and state laws and will not interfere with the election processes that monitors are assigned to observe.

Federal election monitors have been present at election sites on Election Day for decades and play a critical role in assessing if state and local elections are administered in compliance with federal civil and voting rights laws, including the laws that guarantee equal access to the polls, language assistance, and disability accommodations. The election monitors program has been implemented under Democratic and Republican administrations alike and has largely operated without incident or controversy. It is important that American voters trust that the U.S. Department of Justice’s election monitors will focus only on their statutory ambit and will not target jurisdictions in a partisan manner; discourage voter participation or interfere with the voting process; or pressure, harass, or interfere with state and local election officials as they do their jobs.

On July 7, 2026, Assistant Attorney General (AAG) Harmeet Dhillon announced that the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division will be sending election monitors to 15 jurisdictions in Arizona, Michigan, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Virginia during the 2026 primary election season. In the announcement, AAG Dhillon indicated that the program will be expanded for the general election.

The announcement characterizes this effort as “routine” and “nonpartisan.” However, it would be remiss not to acknowledge concerns that monitors are being deployed disproportionately to jurisdictions in states governed by Democratic leaders or with Democratic chief election officials. Moreover, election monitors are being deployed in the context of President Trump’s ongoing threats to nationalize, militarize, and otherwise interfere with the conduct of free and fair elections.

In light of this context, it is critical that the selection criteria does not appear to be politically motivated and is instead driven by a commitment to impartially and neutrally observe federal civil and voting rights compliance. This perception is particularly important given that the implementation of the election monitors program during the primary election season will set a precedent for its use during the midterm election. Voters must have confidence that the election monitors program under your leadership is implemented in accordance with its longstanding and statutorily defined purpose, conducted within legal boundaries, and committed to non-interference in state and local election processes.

To that end, we remind you that election monitors are subject to the same federal laws that apply to all individuals at polling locations. These include laws prohibiting voter intimidation, interference with voting, and threats or harassment of election workers. Acting in their capacity as government officials does not exempt monitors from compliance with these laws, but in fact, subjects them to additional penalties, including as a result of engaging in political activity while on duty. For these reasons, it is vital that election monitors are properly trained and have the appropriate temperament and experience to serve in this capacity.

Election monitors are also equally subject to state and local laws, including laws governing the observation of the electoral process and access to polling places. The U.S. Constitution unambiguously assigns states and territories the responsibility for administering elections —any election-related efforts by the federal government, including through the election monitors program, is supplementary and may not infringe on states’ constitutional duty to administer elections.

Given the false statements, threats, and election misinformation made by the President and your offices, we request a staff briefing and responses to the following questions no later than two weeks from the date of this letter:

Please describe the Department’s election monitors program, including its legal authority and objectives.

What criteria, factors, and data does the Department use to determine if a state, county, city, municipality, or polling location is selected for election monitoring? Who makes the final decision regarding which jurisdictions receive election monitoring?

Please provide all guidance, policies, manuals, memoranda, scoring criteria, or other documents utilized by the Department to identify or prioritize jurisdictions for monitoring in the 2026 primary and general elections.

Since January 20, 2025, which jurisdictions were considered for election monitoring and ultimately not selected, and why?

Please provide all recruitment material, including emails, memoranda, or other solicitation documents used to invite individuals to serve as election monitors.

Please describe the criteria and process used to select individuals to serve as election monitors, including any qualifications, experience, training prerequisites, background investigations, or other eligibility requirements. Are Executive Branch political appointees, including presidential appointments with Senate confirmation (PAS), political appointees, political appointees as defined under 5 U.S.C. sections 513 through 5316, Political Schedule A, Political Schedule C, noncareer Senior Executive Service, limited term Senior Executive Service, limited emergency Senior Executive Service, appointees serving in a political capacity under agency-specific authority, and provisional political appointees, eligible to serve as election monitors? Are any currently slated to serve as election monitors in the jurisdictions listed in the July 7 announcement?

Please describe the training provided to election monitors, including the duration, format, educators or trainers and their qualifications, and the topics covered. Please provide all guidance, policies, manuals, presentations, handbooks, training materials, examinations, training agendas, or other instructional documents provided to election monitors.

Please explain how the Department ensures that election monitors conduct their duties in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law and Department policy, including safeguards to prevent voter intimidation, interference, or partisan activity.

Please supply all guidance provided to election monitors regarding interactions with voters, election officials, poll workers, observers not affiliated with the Department, and law enforcement.

What changes, if any, has the Department made to the program’s policies and training materials since January 20, 2025, and what prompted those changes? Please provide any communication and documentation relating to those changes.

Please describe the Department’s procedures for documenting, reporting, and evaluating election monitors’ observations related to compliance with federal civil rights and voting rights laws. Please describe the Department’s process and timeline for reviewing, investigating, and addressing potential violations identified by election monitors.

What is the Department’s process and timeline for receiving, reviewing, and investigating complaints concerning the conduct and behavior of the Department’s election monitors?

As demonstrated under both Democratic and Republican administrations, U.S. elections are safe, secure, and fair. The Department’s election monitors program must not be used to undermine that fact. Election monitors must carry out their responsibilities in a manner that respects and upholds voters’ rights, complies with the applicable legal requirements, and does not interfere with state and local election officials’ administration of the voting process.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your response.

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Warner, Norton, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Give Lifetime Protections to Federal Workers Whose Information Was Stolen in Cyberattacks

WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced the Reducing the Effects of the Cyberattack on OPM Victims Enduring Response and Protecting Identifiable Information Act (RECOVER PII Act), bicameral legislation to provide lifetime identity protection coverage to federal employees whose personal information was compromised in the 2015 Office of Personnel Management (OPM) cyberattacks. More than a decade later, much of the stolen data has never publicly resurfaced, raising ongoing national security concerns that foreign adversaries may be retaining sensitive information for future intelligence or cyber operations. This legislation would also reimburse affected federal employees and contractors for privacy software and other eligible tools used to reduce their personal information online.

“More than ten years after the OPM data breach exposed the personal information of millions of federal employees, the threat remains. The data stolen included workers’ most sensitive and personal information – from Social Security numbers to security clearance records – and once that information is in the hands of a bad actor, you don’t get it back,” said Sen. Warner. “We have a responsibility to stand by the federal workers who were put at risk through no fault of their own. This legislation will ensure those affected continue to receive the identity protection they need, while helping better safeguard personal information from future exploitation.”

“Lifetime identity protection is the only solution that will give the workers whose data was compromised the peace of mind they deserve,” Congresswoman Norton said. “Because there is no limit on how long personal information can be exploited, Congress must protect these federal employees and contractors in perpetuity. Thank you to Senator Warner for working with me to secure this vital protection for those affected.”

This legislation is cosponsored in the Senate by U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). In the House of Representatives, this bill is cosponsored by U.S. Reps. Don Beyer (D-VA-08), James Walkinshaw (D-VA-11), and Steny Hoyer (D-MD-05).

In 2015, OPM identified two separate cybersecurity breaches that compromised the personal data of approximately 22.1 million federal government employees and contractors, as well as the personal data of members of Congress. The malicious cybersecurity invasions, which are believed to have been state-sponsored intrusions by China, resulted in the exposure of about 4.2 million federal government employees, including their Social Security numbers, addresses, financial details, and security clearance files, and background investigation records of about 21.5 million individuals. The dangers related to these breaches will continue to pose significant risks to the affected individuals and our national security in a manner that cannot be remedied, only mitigated.

Sen. Warner has long led efforts to strengthen cybersecurity and protect Americans whose personal information has been exposed in major data breaches. In 2015, he introduced the RECOVER Act to better protect federal workers and all those potentially affected by cyberattacks on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) data system. The bill spurred Congress to include a provision in the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 that provided identity protection coverage to victims for ten years, but it is set to expire September 30, 2026, making the need for lifetime protecting urgent. In 2025, as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was purging federal programs, Sen. Warner cautioned OPM Acting Director Ezell against prematurely eliminating government contracts that protect the millions of federal employees whose personal information was compromised in the 2015 data breaches.

Read the full bill here. Read a one pager of the bill here.

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ICYMI: New Warnock Report Finds Required School Supplies Can Cost Georgia Families $130 Per Child

Last week, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock unveiled a new report examining the rising cost of school supplies as families prepare for back-to-school shopping

Senator Warnock’s new report shows how expanding the Child Tax Credit could help Georgia families manage back-to-school costs

The report found that Georgia families can expect to pay more than $130 per child for required school supplies

Common school supplies like colored pencils and lunch boxes increased in price by 31% and nearly 27% in only one year

Senator Reverend Warnock: “Expanding the Child Tax Credit is not only the right thing to do morally, but the smart thing to do economically. I will keep fighting to get this done”

Washington, D.C. – Last week, Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness, held a press call to highlight the release of his new report, which found that Georgia families can expect to pay more than $130 per child for required school supplies. Additionally, the report examines how expanding the Child Tax Credit (CTC) could help Georgia families manage back-to-school costs and other everyday expenses. As families prepare to send their children back to school, they face rising costs for school supplies thanks to President Trump’s reckless tariff policies.

The report reviewed 4th grade school supply lists from five schools across Georgia and reveals that common school supplies like colored pencils and lunch boxes increased in price by 31% and nearly 27% in only one year, respectively.

More media coverage of Senator Reverend Warnock’s press conference below:

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: As the new school year begins in metro Atlanta, U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., is calling for the passage of the American Family Act, which he says will help families with the cost of school supplies and other child-related expenses.

WABE: It’s back-to-school time! And preparing for the upcoming school year is getting more expensive for Georgia families. That’s according to Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock, who says tariffs are putting additional pressure on Georgia’s families. A new report from his office shows that Georgia families are spending more to fill up their kids’ backpacks compared to last year.

Cobb County Courier: At a press conference called by Senator Rev. Raphael Warnock, Liz Pancotti with Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation noted that many of these products are produced overseas, and that companies are passing on costs to protect their bottom line. Moreover, “healthy foods cost more, and there have been cuts to government assistance for food security.”

WUGA: U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock says tariffs imposed by the Trump administration mean Georgia families will spend more on school supplies. During a press call on Thursday, Senator Warnock cited a new report by his office which states Georgia families will spend more than $130 per child on fourth grade school supplies.

11Alive: Senator Warnock’s report shows fourth‑grade supplies can exceed $130, with items like pencils and lunch boxes rising 31% and 27% in a year.

WRDW: Hours earlier, Democratic U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock painted a different picture, releasing data on the rising cost of back-to-school shopping. According to the report, a basic fourth-grade supply list now tops $130 per child, with staples like lunch boxes and pencils spiking in price. Warnock blamed the administration’s tariff policies for squeezing household budgets.

WGXA: Are tariffs driving up back-to-school costs? U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock unveiled a new report that found Georgia families could spend more than $130 per child on school supplies. Now, he is introducing legislation to expand the Child Tax Credit.

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Senate Judiciary Courts Subcommittee Democrats Blast Cruz’s Hearing Targeting the Muslim Community

Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Peter Welch (D-VT), Democratic members of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on the Federal Courts, today issued the following statement ahead of Chairman Ted Cruz’s hearing this week titled, “Hidden in Plain Sight: Confronting the Muslim Brotherhood Network in America.” Democrats on the subcommittee will not attend the hearing.

“Scapegoating Muslims may be a Texas Republican strategist’s idea of ‘solid gold’ to whip up their voters, but Democrats have no intention of indulging this political creepshow, particularly after the recent violence targeting places of faith. Our focus is the costs families face thanks to rampant, non-stop Trump corruption.”


Young Introduces Bill to Increase American Scientists and Engineers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Mark Warner (D-Va.) introduced the Promoting High-skilled Doctoral Talent (PHD Talent) Act, legislation to strengthen America’s pipeline of scientists and engineers by helping universities establish accelerated bachelors-to-Ph.D. pathways in critical and emerging technology fields.

The legislation would create a Department of Energy (DOE) program to support partnerships among universities, National Laboratories, and industry that prepare more American students for doctoral-level careers in strategically important fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum science, advanced manufacturing, biotechnology, cybersecurity, robotics, and advanced computing.

“To remain the world’s technological leader, we need more American scientists and engineers,” said Senator Young. “Our legislation creates more direct pathways for U.S. students to earn advanced degrees, connects them with our National Laboratories and industry, and ensures taxpayer-funded support goes to American citizens. Prioritizing American talent is vital as China and other global competitors race to dominate critical technologies.”

Specifically, the legislation would:

Establish a five-year DOE pilot program, including Ph.D. fellowships, to help universities create accelerated bachelors-to-Ph.D. pathways in critical and emerging technology fields.

Support partnerships among universities, National Laboratories, and industry to provide students with hands-on-research, mentorship, and workforce training in strategically important technologies.

Reduce the time required to earn a STEM Ph.D. by supporting programs that shorten the traditional pathway while maintaining rigorous academic and research standards.

Target funding to fields where DOE identifies a demonstrated need for additional domestic doctoral talent and avoid duplicating existing federal programs.

Strengthen America’s domestic STEM workforce by reserving taxpayer-funded student support for U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents rather than temporary visa holders.

The PHD Talent Act builds on Science: A New Golden Age, a report released July 21 by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, which calls for investing directly in American researchers, expanding graduate fellowships, and rebuilding the domestic pipeline of advanced STEM talent.


Smith Announces Upcoming Mobile Office Hours for Furnas and Gosper Counties

Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03) announced today that his staff will hold a mobile office hour for constituents in Furnas and Gosper Counties on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. These office hours are an opportunity for constituents to meet directly with a member of Smith's staff about federal issues, receive assistance with a federal agency, or take advantage of the services available through his office.

Smith, who has offices in Grand Island, Scottsbluff, and Nebraska City, will provide a staff member at the following times and locations:

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Furnas County Courthouse

912 R Street

Beaver City, NE 68926

11:00 am - 12:00 pm CT

Gosper County Courthouse

507 Smith Avenue

Elwood, NE 68937

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm CT


Barrett Builds on MAHA Agenda, Helps Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Require Clear Gluten Labeling

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Tom Barrett (MI-07) joined Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13) and colleagues from both sides of the aisle in introducing the Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research (FASTER) Act of 2026. This bill would amend the Food and Drug Administration’s major food allergen labeling requirements to include barley, rye, and oats alongside wheat, closing a gap in federal law that leaves millions of Americans with celiac disease and gluten intolerance exposed to hidden sources of gluten.

“Families deserve to know exactly what’s in the food they serve themselves and their children,” said Barrett. “Clear labeling gives parents and consumers the transparency they need to make informed decisions and stay healthy. This bipartisan bill will help millions of people with celiac disease and gluten intolerance avoid hidden sources of gluten — giving families real peace of mind.”

This action comes amid growing concern over the health risks posed by accidental gluten exposure. An estimated 25.7 million Americans have celiac disease, gluten intolerance, or an IgE-mediated wheat allergy with potential cross-reactivity to barley, rye, and oats.

“I actually have a gluten intolerance myself, and it’s terrifying when labels aren’t clear because that can have serious medical consequences,” said Luna. “Millions of Americans are affected by celiac disease or gluten intolerance; it’s a real and serious issue, and it’s time the food industry respected that. We need transparent labeling so Americans can make informed decisions and safeguard their health.”

The legislation has also been championed by 13-year-old Jax Bari, known as the “MAHA Kid” and co-founder of Celiac Journey, whose advocacy has helped bring national attention to the gaps in federal gluten-labeling requirements.

“I’m grateful to Congresswoman Luna and the original co-sponsors for introducing the bipartisan FASTER Act of 2026 which will require the labeling of barley, rye, and oats as Major Food Allergens,” said Jax Bari. “My goal is to eat without fear because celiac is every bite, every day — constant questioning, constant worrying. Just a crumb of gluten is like kryptonite to me. 87 other countries require the labeling of wheat, barley, rye and oats, including in Canada, in the United Kingdom and across the European Union. We’re really behind in the United States, and the FASTER Act will help close the gap and better protect 729,000 kids like me with Celiac.”

The FASTER Act is also cosponsored by Reps. Randy K. Weber Sr. (TX-14), Paul A. Gosar (AZ-09), Daniel Meuser (PA-09), Jefferson Van Drew (NJ-02), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), and Michael Rulli (OH-06).

Click here to read the bill.

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Beyer Introduces Bill to Reinforce Legal Options Against Illegal Impoundments

U.S. Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) today announced his introduction of the Restoring Accountability in Appropriations Act, which would empower private parties and the U.S. House of Representatives to prevent illegal delays and cancellations of federal grants.

The Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (ICA) put in place clear guardrails to safeguard the Congressional "power of the purse," enshrined in Article I of the Constitution. Under the ICA, the Comptroller General of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) is granted authorities to investigate illegal withholdings and impoundments of federal funds and sue to end those illegal delays.

Unfortunately, President Trump, Administration officials, and Congressional Republicans have repeatedly attacked GAO. Threats to defund the watchdog agency, refuse to lawfully cooperate with investigations, and direct federal agencies to "pay no heed whatsoever to [its] conclusions" are a serious threat to its ability to fully enforce the ICA.

That situation is untenable for the countless federal grantees and partners who have lost hundreds of billions of dollars due to illegal impoundments of taxpayer dollars, and the millions of Americans who benefit from services those organizations provide. Over the past few months alone, the Trump Administration has withheld funding for community programs to reduce poverty, public health services, and more than 20 education programs.

“Donald Trump's repeated refusal to follow the law and fully fund medical research, education programs, immigration services, foreign assistance, anti-poverty programs, and much more is a disaster for the American people and the American economy," said Congressman Beyer. “The Constitution gives Congress the power of the purse. Faced with repeated attacks on that power and on the watchdogs already empowered to enforce it, every impacted party should have the express opportunity to seek legal remedies and prevent disastrous consequences for our constituents and for the countless Americans helped every day by federally-funded programs.”

GAO has found that the current Trump Administration has already violated the ICA at least seven times, while opening at least 39 further investigations. One of those investigations was opened pursuant to a request from Congressman Beyer to investigate the illegal impoundment of Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality grants to improve the quality and delivery of critical health services.

Others include investigations into the impoundment of more than 1,800 National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants, delays affecting more than 2,500 projects funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and President Trump’s rescission of billions of dollars in foreign assistance appropriated for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

“When Congress passes an appropriations law and the president signs it, it is no longer a suggestion, it's a requirement,” said AcademyHealth’s President and CEO Aaron Carroll, M.D., M.S. “For over a year, thousands of taxpayer-invested research grants that were tackling the biggest problems in our country have been thrown in disarray due to illegally withheld funds. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality has been functionally wiped out entirely by unlawful impoundments. Unfortunately, the pathway for grantees to seek redress has been incredibly steep. This legislation is a key step in ensuring stability and accountability in taxpayer investments by those that are harmed by violations of budget laws.”

Specifically, the Restoring Accountability in Appropriations Act would:

Add to the Impoundment Control Act an express right of action for any private parties impacted by illegal impoundments of federal funds to seek legal redress, with federal courts empowered to make funds available as required by law.

Create a pathway for Members of the House of Representatives to, in the absence of an existing lawsuit by the Comptroller General, compel the House to bring its own suit to make funds available as required by law.

This legislation continues Congressman Beyer's legislative work to reassert Constitutional powers vested in Congress. Last year, Congressman Beyer introduced the Congressional Trade Authority Act to take back powers, given expressly to Congress under the Constitution, that the Trump Administration has used to raise costs and unleash economic chaos worldwide.

Full text of the Restoring Accountability in Appropriations Act is available here.


CONGRESSWOMAN LAUREN BOEBERT’S OFFICE RELEASES AUGUST STAFF HOSTED MOBILE OFFICE HOURS

Highlands Ranch, CO - Congresswoman Lauren Boebert’s Office announced staff hosted Mobile Office Hours in the coming weeks.

Congresswoman Boebert stated: “Our Congressional Staff Hosted Mobile Office Hours provide an opportunity for constituents in remote parts of the 4th District to get the assistance they need from our staffers who can help them in a variety of ways. Meeting Coloradans where they are is a critical part of the work our office does and I know our Mobile Office Hours will continue to be a huge help to rural constituents.”

Staff from Congresswoman Boebert’s office will be available to help constituents who aren’t getting answers from federal agencies, like veterans seeking to get the care they earned from the VA, travelers that need expedited assistance to receive a passport on short notice, taxpayers being harassed by the IRS, and senior citizens having issues with the Social Security Administration or Medicare. Additionally, constituents are invited to come to the office hours to express their viewpoints on legislative issues or request special Congressional Recognition from the Congresswoman recognizing outstanding public achievements.

Congresswoman Boebert’s office has hosted Mobile Office Hours in every county in the district and returned over $14,696,714.70 to constituents.

Staff hosted Mobile Office Hours will be available at the following times and locations:

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26, 2026

Baca County Mobile Office Hours

Town Hall, Trustee Meeting Room

748 Main St

Springfield, CO

12:30-1:30 pm

Morgan County Mobile Office Hours

NECALG, Board Room

231 Main St

Fort Morgan, CO

2:00-3:00 pm


U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor Fights to Protect 700+ TPA Security Officers’ Jobs, Pay & Earned Benefits

TAMPA, Fla. — Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) urged Tampa International Airport (TPA) CEO Michael Stephens and Hillsborough County Aviation Authority (HCAA) Chair Chip Diehl to reverse plans to privatize the airport’s passenger-screening workforce through the Transportation Security Administration’s TSA Gold+ initiative. The change would replace more than 700 federal Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) at TPA with a private contractor responsible for passenger screening and checkpoint equipment and technology.

“Every day, TPA TSOs greet and protect 70,000 passengers—neighbors, friends, and visitors—ensuring that each journey begins and ends with security and care. Their professionalism is not just a job requirement; it is a commitment to the well-being of our community. To replace these federal officers with a private contractor is to risk public safety, place profit above people and jeopardize the livelihoods of those who have served us faithfully,” said Castor in her letter.

"Twenty-five years after the 9/11 attacks, where terrorists exploited lax airport security screeners, TPA should not weaken its safety framework. TSOs are vital to operating safely and smoothly, protecting tens of thousands of passengers every day. TPA TSOs continued reporting for duty through government shutdowns—even when their paychecks did not arrive. During those difficult periods, the vast majority of TPA’s TSOs stood by TPA and the traveling public. Now, TPA leadership must stand by them and reverse the plan to eliminate more than 700 federal officers and put their pay, health coverage and earned retirement benefits at risk in favor of a private for-profit contractor.”

If TPA continues on this track, it will be among the first airports in the country to weaken the post 9/11 security framework by entering into TSA Gold+, with the transition expected to be fully implemented by May 2027. Castor warned that privatization would create uncertainty for hundreds of Tampa Bay Veterans and longtime officers who have built careers serving the traveling public. TPA TSOs risk losing federal retirement benefits, health coverage and accrued vacation time they have earned over their years of federal service.

Castor challenged the argument that privatization is necessary to accelerate the deployment of modern screening technology, citing increases authorized by Congress for TSA’s technology funding to support the deployment of advanced screening equipment. The potential transfer of control of checkpoint technology to a private, for-profit contractor would put taxpayer dollars and travelers’ sensitive personal data at unnecessary risk, including through data breaches or misuse.

Castor’s letter is available here and below.

Re: Support for Tampa Airport TSA Security Officers and Opposition to TSA Gold+

Dear Mr. Stephens and Mr. Diehl:

I write not just as a representative, but as a member of the Tampa Bay community who deeply values the dedication and integrity of our Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) at Tampa International Airport (TPA). The proposal to privatize the workforce of over 700 TSOs and outsource passenger screening under the TSA Gold+ program will profoundly affect the lives of hundreds of families, the safety of millions of travelers and the reputation of the best airport in the country.

Every day, TPA TSOs greet and protect 70,000 passengers, neighbors, friends, and visitors, assuring that each journey begins and ends with security and care. Their professionalism is not just a job requirement; it is a commitment to the well-being of our community. To replace these federal officers with a private contractor is to risk public safety, place profit above people and jeopardize the livelihoods of those who have served us faithfully, including the many veterans and long-serving officers in the TSO ranks.

I have heard directly from TPA TSOs, who have expressed their deep concern and opposition to privatization. Their sense of duty, pride and belonging cannot be replicated by a private entity. Tampa International Airport deserves world-class security, rooted in experience and dedication, not instability and uncertainty.

This proposal arrives as we approach the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks—a painful reminder of what happens when airport security is left to private firms with high turnover and inconsistent training. The Transportation Security Administration and federal TSOs were created by Congress after 9/11 to prevent another terrorist attack and ensure that our airports would never again be vulnerable to such tragedy. To weaken aviation security now is to forget the lessons learned at great cost and the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

Privatization threatens not only security but also the economic stability of hundreds of Tampa Bay area families. TSOs face the loss of federal retirement benefits, health coverage and accrued vacation time. Even if offered comparable salaries initially, there is no guarantee of long-term financial security. At a time when inflation and living costs are high, this change would bring hardship to those who have given so much to our community.

TPA TSOs have shown unwavering dedication, maintaining low call-out rates during government shutdowns and high service standards. Their commitment has been inspiring. To discharge them now under TSA Gold+ would be a betrayal of trust and gratitude.

I understand that TSA proposes to allow TSA Gold+ contractors to ease deployment of screening technology. While modern screening technology is important, Congress already has provided TSA with increased funding to deploy these advancements. There is no need to risk taxpayer dollars or passenger data by handing over control to a private contractor whose primary motivation is profit, not public safety. The risks of data breaches and misuse are simply unacceptable.

Private contractors may cut corners on training, wages and benefits, leading to fatigue and reduced vigilance. Unlike federal officers, whose mission is public safety, contractors’ financial incentives may conflict with the imperative to protect lives. TPA TSOs should not be defunded.

For all of these reasons, I implore you to reject the change to TSA Gold+. Let us honor the memory of the Americans lost and injured on 9/11 by upholding the commitment to vigilance and security that has kept us safe for a quarter-century. Let’s also stand with our TSOs, local families, and our community. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Kathy Castor

United States Representative

Florida – District 14


Castro Statement on Release of Emely Suaza and Dad from Dilley Trailer Prison

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement on the release of 16-year-old Emely Charloth Suaza Chambo and her dad, Fernando Suaza Ortiz from ICE detention:

“Emely Suaza and her dad have been released from the Dilley Trailer Prison! I am glad that she is back with her mom, little brothers, and the rest of her family.

“When ICE detained Emely on her way to church, they asked her dad to come pick her up. When he showed up, they locked him up too.

“Our congressional delegation met with Emely during our visit to Dilley last week. She was depressed and missed her family.

“They should've never been locked up, and we won't stop until every child is free.”

Background:

On July 12, 2026, ICE detained Emely and her friend on their way to church in San Antonio. ICE asked her dad to come pick her up or she would be sent out of state. When he showed up, they detained him too.

Congressman Castro, joined by members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus—Reps. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), and Luz Rivas (CA-29)—met with Emely during their oversight visit to Dilley on July 28, 2026.


Rep. Chu’s Statement on Confirmation of Eaton Fire Cause

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Los Angeles County Fire Department released their official investigation concluding that the January 7, 2025 Eaton Fire was caused by out-of-service equipment managed by Southern California Edison.

Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), who has led efforts in Congress to secure federal disaster assistance, tax relief, and long-term recovery resources for Eaton Fire survivors, released the following statement:

“Today’s findings from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Los Angeles County Fire Department confirm that out-of-service equipment managed by Southern California Edison sparked the Eaton Fire. This official determination is an important step toward accountability and justice for the survivors, their families, and our communities who have endured unimaginable loss over the past nineteen months. Southern California Edison must take every step necessary to help Altadena and Pasadena rebuild, and to ensure a tragedy like this never happens again.

While today's findings bring long-awaited clarity, they do not change the reality facing thousands of families who are still struggling to rebuild. Nineteen months later, two out of every three Eaton and Palisades survivors still have not returned home. That is why it is so important that President Trump and congressional Republicans immediately fulfill Governor Newsom's disaster supplemental funding request in full—and with no strings attached— so survivors can finally complete the long road to recovery. The Senate must also immediately pass the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act so survivors are not taxed on the settlements they receive from Southern California Edison as they rebuild their homes and lives."


Ciscomani Touts Preliminary $4.2 Million for Oro Valley Police Department to Strengthen Public Safety

Oro Valley, AZ - Congressman Juan Ciscomani today visited the Oro Valley Police Department to highlight $4.2 million in preliminary federal funding he secured through the House Appropriations Committee to equip the Town’s new Police Department headquarters with the technology and equipment needed to support law enforcement and enhance public safety across Southern Arizona.

The funding cleared its first major legislative hurdle during the House Appropriations Committee’s consideration of the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations bills. Congressman Ciscomani is the only member of Arizona’s congressional delegation serving on the House or Senate Appropriations Committee.

Ciscomani’s continued advocacy to Southern Arizona was applauded by local Oro Valley leaders.

"The Oro Valley Police Department and the Town of Oro Valley are grateful to Congressman Ciscomani for his continued support of our public safety priorities," said Oro Valley Police Chief Kara Riley. "Investments such as this strengthen not only a single agency, but the entire region serving residents across Southern Arizona by ensuring our officers have the modern technology and equipment necessary to protect our community."

"This funding is a big step forward to complete the new Oro Valley Police Headquarters and addresses a long-standing public safety need of our community," said Oro Valley Town Manager Jeff Wilkins. "Congressman Ciscomani’s leadership is instrumental in securing the funding, and without his support, Oro Valley would not likely receive this much-needed funding. We’re grateful for his support and for the impact this has for our Town."

"We are very grateful for the efforts of Congressman Ciscomani on behalf of Oro Valley. He has been instrumental in helping our Town obtain federal funding for critical projects such as bridge repairs," said Oro Valley Vice Mayor Melanie Barrett. "Now, as the Town is moving forward with the purchase of a new police station to assist our officers, the Congressman is again assisting us in seeking funding for technology and other remodeling. Providing this expanded and modern space to our Oro Valley police will help us maintain our position as one of the safest cities in Arizona and keep taxes as low as possible for our residents. We appreciate the collaborative relationship we have been able to build as well as federal assistance offered, and the positive impact it has had on Oro Valley."

"Public safety has always been one of the Town Council’s highest priorities. Congressman Juan Ciscomani’s support in securing $4.2 million for the technology needed for modern policing in our new police headquarters is a significant investment in the safety and well-being of our community and surrounding region," said Oro Valley Mayor Joe Winfield."We are deeply grateful for his leadership and advocacy. His efforts will help ensure our officers have the resources they need to serve our residents effectively while being good stewards of taxpayer dollars."

With this new federal investment, Oro Valley’s Police Department will be powered by cutting-edge technology, ready to respond faster and smarter, and positioned to keep the community safer than ever before. From state-of-the-art communications to advanced crime-solving tools, these upgrades will help officers protect Oro Valley’s families and meet the demands of a growing community.

"Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe, and they deserve to have the equipment and technology needed to do their jobs effectively," said Congressman Ciscomani. "As Arizona’s only member of the House Appropriations Committee, I’m committed to bringing federal resources back home to strengthen public safety. This targeted investment will help the Oro Valley Police Department better protect families, improve emergency response, and ensure officers have the modern tools they need to serve our community. Public safety starts with making sure our officers have the resources they need to protect the people they serve."

This investment builds on Congressman Ciscomani’s continued commitment to the Town of Oro Valley. In Fiscal Year 2024, he secured $7 million, which was signed into law, for the Town’s Bridge Replacement Project to address critical maintenance and repair needs to strengthen the community’s long-term infrastructure.

The Oro Valley Police Department project is one of 20 Community Project Funding requests totaling $42.7 million that Congressman Ciscomani secured in this year’s appropriations bills for projects across Arizona’s Sixth Congressional District.

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Rep. Ben Cline Reintroduces Legislation to Increase Opportunities for Veterans

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) reintroduced the Veterans Entrepreneurship Act of 2026, which would allow veterans the opportunity to pursue their small business and entrepreneurial aspirations by giving them access to resources through their federal government benefits. Congressman Cline issued the following statement.

“Veterans often face significant challenges as they transition from military service back to civilian life,” said Rep. Cline. “Throughout my time in public service, it has been a top priority to serve those who served and sacrificed for our Nation. My legislation will empower them to achieve the American Dream while creating jobs and strengthening our economy. Expanding pathways for veterans and providing the support they need to start small businesses is just one of the ways we can give back to the brave men and women who defended our freedoms.”

The key components of the Veterans Entrepreneurship Act are:

The establishment of a 3-year pilot program overseen by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration that will enable up to 250 GI Bill benefit-eligible veterans to pursue an educational entrepreneurial training program;

The pilot program includes a thorough application process and requires participation in an approved entrepreneurial training program;

Veterans are required to develop a business plan to be approved by their training program advisor and the SBA's Associate Administrator for Veterans Business Development;

The grant available to veterans participating in this pilot program may be equivalent to the GI Bill maximum amount of 36 months of educational assistance at the rate in effect for each veteran through the GI Bill benefit program; and

If approved, the grant can be used by a veteran to open their own business or purchase a franchise.

Read the full text of the bill HERE.


RELEASE: Congressman Cloud Introduces the Permanent CBDC Ban Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Michael Cloud (TX-27) introduced the Permanent CBDC Ban Act, legislation that would permanently prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing or creating a Central Bank Digital Currency. A CBDC would expose Americans to unconstitutional financial surveillance and give the Federal Reserve unchecked power over individual finances.

The Permanent CBDC Ban Act is a direct response to a critical shortcoming in the 21st Century Road to Housing Act. That legislation restricted the Federal Reserve from issuing a CBDC but only temporarily, with the restrictions set to expire on December 31, 2030. The Permanent CBDC Ban Act would strike that expiration date and permanently prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a CBDC.

“A Central Bank Digital Currency is the ultimate tool of surveillance and control. It is antithetical to the values of liberty and financial freedom that define this nation,” said Rep. Cloud. “The Federal Reserve should never have the power to monitor, restrict, or expire a single American’s money. A CBDC would hand them exactly that power. Congress must make sure that never happens,” concluded Rep. Cloud.

Original Cosponsors: Representatives Don Bacon, Sheri Biggs, Lauren Boebert, Eric Burlison, Buddy Carter, Ben Cline, Andrew Clyde, Eli Crane, Warren Davidson, Byron Donalds, Paul Gosar, Harriet Hageman, Pat Harrigan, Diana Harshbarger, Clay Higgins, Nancy Mace, Rich McCormick, Addison McDowell, Mark Messmer, Barry Moore, Riley Moore, Andy Ogles, Scott Perry, Chip Roy, Keith Self, Greg Steube, Marlin Stutzman, Dave Taylor, Matt Van Epps, Derrick Van Orden.

View more information on the bill here.

Cosponsor Quotes:

Congressman Keith Self: “I’m proud to join Congressman Michael Cloud as an original cosponsor of the Permanent CBDC Ban Act. A Central Bank Digital Currency is the ultimate threat to financial privacy, the final tool for total government surveillance and control. It would give the unelected Federal Reserve unprecedented power to track every transaction, restrict what you can buy, freeze your accounts, and even expire your money at will. The temporary ban that sunsets in 2030 is not enough. This one-sentence bill makes the ban permanent, as it should be. BAN CBDC—FOREVER!”

Congressman Byron Donalds: “Central Bank Digital Currency would give unelected bureaucrats in our federal government absolute control over your money. This is not just wrong; this is a dangerous and direct threat to our freedom and sovereignty. I’m proud to join this effort and defend liberty for all Americans.”

Congressman Chip Roy: “Unelected bureaucrats should never have the power to track, monitor, or control Americans’ private financial transactions under the guise of a government-run digital currency. We must protect financial privacy, preserve the freedom to use cash, and ensure that government never erodes our constitutional liberties. That is why I am proud to co-sponsor Rep. Cloud’s legislation to permanently ban a central bank digital currency and keep government out of Americans’ wallets.”

Congressman Eric Burlison: “A central bank digital currency would give the government the power to make someone disappear from economic life without ever convicting them of a crime. Turn off their money, and the rest takes care of itself. We have already seen what debanking can do; a CBDC would put that power directly in Washington’s hands. America must never build an economic kill switch.”

Congressman Barry Moore: “The federal government has proven time and again that it cannot be trusted with more power. Central Bank Digital Currency would create the infrastructure for financial surveillance and government control unlike anything we’ve ever seen. We must stop it before it starts. That’s why I’m proud to support Rep. Cloud’s Permanent CBDC Ban Act and ensure Americans, not Washington bureaucrats, remain in control of their own money.”

Congressman Buddy Carter: “Americans shouldn’t have to worry that the federal government could track or control how they spend their hard-earned money. That’s why I’m proud to support the Permanent CBDC Ban Act to safeguard financial privacy and ensure a government-issued digital dollar never becomes a reality.”

Congressman Clay Higgins: “I support personal freedoms and liberty, including every American’s right to financial privacy. The Permanent CBDC Ban Act would prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency that could be used to track every monetary transaction a citizen makes.”

Congressman Eli Crane: “A Central Bank Digital Currency threatens personal privacy and opens the door to totalitarian control over our finances. Americans overwhelmingly reject this idea, yet under current law, the Federal Reserve could still implement one as early as 2031. Thankfully, Rep. Cloud has introduced legislation to permanently prohibit its creation. I’m grateful to be an original cosponsor and will keep fighting to block this dystopian system.”

Congressman Paul Gosar: “Americans don’t want a government-controlled digital dollar that can be used to monitor purchases, restrict transactions, or punish political dissent. A CBDC is incompatible with a free society. This bill permanently closes the door on that dangerous idea and protects Americans’ financial freedom from future abuse.”

Congressman Addison McDowell: “A central bank digital currency (CBDC) directly undermines the civil liberties and financial freedom of Americans. The United States does not need to follow in the footsteps of Communist China and implement unconstitutional financial surveillance. We do not need the federal government putting its nose into how hardworking Americans spend their money.”

Congressman Warren Davidson: “A temporary CBDC ban is like building the Death Star and promising not to turn it on until 2030. The infrastructure for unprecedented financial surveillance is being built right now and will be waiting for someone to flip the switch when the current ban expires. I am proud to support this legislation to permanently prohibit the Federal Reserve from creating a government-controlled digital currency.”

Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger: “Americans’ financial freedom should never be at the mercy of an unelected Federal Reserve. A Central Bank Digital Currency would open the door to unprecedented government surveillance of Americans’ financial transactions and give Washington far too much control over how people spend their own money. That’s a line our country should never cross. I’m proud to join Congressman Cloud in introducing the Permanent CBDC Ban Act to ensure this prohibition never expires and to permanently protect Americans’ privacy, financial freedom, and constitutional liberties.”

Congressman Pat Harrigan: “The federal government has no business creating a tool that could be used to monitor, influence, or restrict how Americans spend their own money. Once that authority exists, it will never stay limited for long. I’m proud to be an original cosponsor of the Permanent CBDC Ban Act because protecting individual liberty means stopping dangerous ideas before they become permanent institutions. The Federal Reserve should focus on maintaining a sound monetary system, not building the infrastructure for financial surveillance.”

Congressman Ben Cline: “A Central Bank Digital Currency would give the Federal Reserve an alarming surge of unchecked power to violate the Fourth Amendment rights guaranteed in our Constitution. Under federal control, CBDCs become a dangerous tool for unelected bureaucrats to spy on and potentially restrict how Americans spend their hard-earned dollars. I am proud to cosponsor Congressman Cloud’s legislation to make the ban on CBDCs, passed in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, permanent.”


Dean, Davidson Reintroduce Bill to Protect Servicemembers from Predatory Debt Collection Practices

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Madeleine Dean (PA-04) and Warren Davidson (OH-08) reintroduced the Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act (H.R. 10018), bipartisan legislation to address abusive debt collection practices affecting members of the military.Congresswoman Dean’s bill previously passed the House in the 116th Congress.

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Office of Servicemember Affairs, 13.8% of complaints filed by servicemembers concern debt collection — as compared to only 6.6% by non-servicemembers. Debt collectors threaten the rank and security clearances of U.S. troops. And unfortunately, debt collectors also target military spouses, unfairly burdening our military families.

“Our service members are the very best of us, sacrificing their very lives for our protection and freedom — they should not fear that their careers will be marred by manipulative debt collectors,” Rep. Dean said. “Our bipartisan bill is a commonsense measure to protect U.S. troops, and our military families, from unfair debt collection practices.”

“Debt collectors have no business attempting to interfere with the military’s chain of command,” Rep. Davidson said. “I’m proud to support this bill to protect service members by ensuring they cannot be coerced by false threats to their rank or security clearance.”

The Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act strengthens protections for servicemembers by prohibiting a debt collector from conveying any threats to a servicemember or commanding office:

To have the servicemember’s rank reduced; or

To have the servicemember’s security clearance revoked.

The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to report the impact of this act on military readiness and national security, including the extent covered members with security clearances would be impacted by uncollected debt.

The Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act is endorsed by the Military Family Advisory Network and the National Military Family Association.

“Military families already navigate financial pressures unique to military life, including frequent moves, disruptions to spouse employment, and unexpected out-of-pocket costs. No servicemember, recently separated veteran, or military family member should face collection tactics that exploit their connection to military service by threatening rank, security clearance, or prosecution. MFAN is proud to support the Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act, which provides important protections for military families while recognizing that their financial well-being is directly connected to military readiness and national security,” Shannon Razsadin, CEO, Military Family Advisory Network said.

Read the full text of the bill here.

Rep. Madeleine Dean is a mother, grandmother, attorney, professor, former four-term member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and U.S. Representative for the Fourth District of Pennsylvania.


DeLauro Calls for Shutdown of Delaney Detention Center

Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) called for the shutdown of Delaney Detention Center following news that a Salvadoran immigrant, Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, had died in custody. Mr. Lopez-Cornejo is the second Delaney Hall detainee to have died in the past 8 months.

“Delaney Hall must be shut down. Edwin Lopez-Cornejo is the second detainee to die at the facility in 8 months. The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies are failing. Now, a man is dead, and a family is ripped apart forever.

“According to reporting, Mr. Lopez-Cornejo’s mother said he had been prescribed medications for diabetes and on Friday, had lost feeling in his face and hand. We need answers on whether officials at the detention center were notified of his health issues and whether he died because of medical neglect.


ICYMI: Ezell Pens Op-Ed, 236 Years of Standing Watch: Honoring the Coast Guard's Past and Investing in Their Future

Congressman Mike Ezell (MS-04), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, recently published an opinion piece recognizing the 236th Anniversary of the United States Coast Guard and highlighting the service's enduring role in protecting America's maritime borders, supporting national security, and safeguarding Mississippi's Gulf Coast.

In the op-ed, Ezell reflects on the Coast Guard's deep roots in Mississippi—from Coast Guard Air Station Biloxi's anti-submarine operations during World War II to lifesaving search and rescue missions following Hurricane Katrina. He also outlines the Coast Guard's modern missions, including securing the nation's maritime borders, combating illegal drug trafficking, protecting America's fisheries, and defending critical infrastructure.

Ezell also discusses recent investments to modernize the Coast Guard, including new cutters, aircraft, facilities, and infrastructure that will strengthen the service for generations to come while supporting Mississippi's shipbuilding industry and workforce.

"The Coast Guard has faithfully protected our nation for 236 years, and Mississippi has proudly been part of that legacy. As Chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, I remain committed to ensuring these brave men and women have the resources they need to defend our nation, protect our waterways, and save lives. Their mission has never been more important, and neither has our commitment to supporting them."

Ezell's full opinion piece, "236 Years of Standing Watch: Honoring the Coast Guard's Past and Investing in Their Future," is available here: Read the full op-ed.


RELEASE: Rep. Friedman Drops By Local Black-Owned Plant Nursery and BBQ Joint

Above: Friedman talks to Shawna Christian, owner of Tansy in Burbank.

LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, August 4, 2026, U.S. Congresswoman Laura Friedman (CA-30) toured two Black-owned businesses in California’s 30th District to start National Black Business Month. Friedman stopped by Tansy in Burbank and Bludso’s BBQ in Melrose to talk to the owners, operators, and staff members about the wins and challenges of operating a small business.

“Small businesses go beyond providing quality services or delicious food, they give Angelenos job opportunities and reinvest in the people that make up their community like Tansy and Bludso’s,” said Congresswoman Laura Friedman. “That’s why it’s important to me to make these visits and listen to their needs, so that I can advocate for them better in Congress.”

Tansy is a local Black woman-owned and family-operated plant nursery and home goods store that first opened in Burbank in 2019, and the only such store with that distinction in Los Angeles County. Owner Shawna Christian is one of five Black business owners in Burbank. Bludso’s BBQ is a California BBQ restaurant owned by television personality, James Beard Award Winner, and two-time Steve Harvey Hoodie Award Winner Kevin Bludso. Both businesses give back to their communities. Bludso’s BBQ runs a scholarship program to support Black students in the Compton School District where Kevin Bludso was born and raised, and Tansy hosts their Teen Titan internship program to help young girls gain skills that teach them how to run a business effectively.

Friedman is a champion of small businesses in her district and in Los Angeles as a whole. She has visited Dialog Cafe and Lou The French on the Block to talk to the owners of these eateries about the challenges of running a small businesses. Friedman also visited the Port of Los Angeles early last month to see first-hand how the Trump administration’s economic policies are impacting the flow of goods coming in and out of the U.S., and its impact on connected jobs.

Below: Friedman talks to owner Shawna Christian inside her store Tansy.

Below: Friedman meets Kevin Bludso, owner of Bludso’s BBQ.

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Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost and Florida Democrats Press DeSantis Administration for Answers on Planned Use of AI in SNAP Eligibility Determinations

Lawmakers Raise Alarm Over Florida's Rush to Use AI in SNAP Program

ORLANDO, FL — Today, Congressman Maxwell Alejandro Frost (FL-10) and members of the Florida Democratic Congressional Delegation—Kathy Castor (FL-14), Lois Frankel (FL-22), Jared Moskowitz (FL-23), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Darren Soto (FL-9), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24) sent a letter to Florida Deputy Secretary Williams and Governor Ron DeSantis demanding answers about the state's plan to use artificial intelligence (AI) to reduce Florida's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) error rate.

"We understand that the state must act urgently to address the impending budgetary crisis created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. However, we are concerned with one of the state's proposed solutions: the appropriation of $4 million in state funds for the new and relatively unproven technology of AI to identify the SNAP error rate," wrote the Members.

"The state is moving on an extraordinarily accelerated timeline to procure an AI vendor by September 1, yet Floridians have received little information about how that vendor will be selected or what safeguards will be in place," continued the Members. "We are seeking answers about the vendor's qualifications, the accuracy of its AI tools, protections against bias, human oversight of AI decision-making, transparency, appeals for affected SNAP recipients, and whether the state has contingency plans if it fails to meet its procurement deadline."

For a copy of the letter, please click here.

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ICYMI: Garamendi, Markey, Merkley, Beyer Pen Op-Ed on Trump’s Saudi Arabia Nuclear Deal in MS NOW

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In case you missed it, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08), alongside Senators Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA-08), published an op-ed in MS NOW warning that the Trump administration’s proposed nuclear cooperation deal with Saudi Arabia threatens to ignite a nuclear arms race across the Middle East.

The four lawmakers, who co-chair the bicameral Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control Working Group, write that the deal would allow Saudi Arabia to produce its own weapons-grade uranium and plutonium without requiring the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Additional Protocol, the strongest international inspection standard.

Garamendi, Markey, Merkley, and Beyer also note Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s reversal from his position as a senator, when he called for the United States to suspend nuclear negotiations with Saudi Arabia unless the kingdom accepted “gold standard” restrictions. The lawmakers call on Congress to reject any agreement that gives Saudi Arabia access to sensitive nuclear technologies without the strongest possible safeguards.

Read the full op-ed HERE. See key excerpts below:

On Secretary Rubio abandoning his previous position:

“There was a time when Marco Rubio understood that handing Saudi Arabia the technology to produce nuclear weapons was a terrible idea.

“As a U.S. senator during President Donald Trump’s first term — serving alongside two of us — Rubio declared that America should ‘suspend all talks’ with Saudi Arabia on a nuclear agreement until the kingdom accepted what nuclear nonproliferation experts consider ‘gold standard’ provisions: a commitment to forgo producing weapons-grade uranium or plutonium, backed by the toughest international inspections.

“He was right. In fact, in 2019 then-Sen. Rubio and Sen. Ed Markey introduced bipartisan legislation requiring those protections. In the years since, Markey and Sen. Jeff Merkley reintroduced that legislation in the Senate, and all four of us have worked to advance those principles.

“Meanwhile, Rubio became secretary of state — and he apparently abandoned those principles, helping Trump pursue one of the most reckless nuclear deals in U.S. history.”

On the agreement’s dangerous lack of nuclear safeguards:

“This deal is the starting gun for a Middle East nuclear arms race. Congress must reject it.

“The deal reportedly allows Saudi Arabia to produce weapons-grade uranium and plutonium — the essential ingredients for nuclear weapons. Yet it does not require the agreement to include the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Additional Protocol, the strongest international inspection standard.

“If the president were serious about preventing Saudi Arabia from acquiring nuclear weapons, he would insist on the gold standard. If Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman truly had no interest in a bomb, he would gladly accept it.

“Neither is happening.

“Instead, Trump is giving Saudi Arabia what it wants while demanding almost nothing in return.”

On corruption benefiting Trump’s family and political allies:

“Maybe we should ask Jared Kushner, who accepted a $2 billion investment from a Saudi sovereign wealth fund after leaving the White House at the end of the first Trump administration. Maybe we should ask Westinghouse Electric, which stands to make tens of billions of dollars if this agreement moves forward.

“There is no evidence at this point that Mr. Trump’s friends or family helped orchestrate the Saudi nuclear deal,’ the Times noted. But the pattern is painfully familiar: Another Trump initiative hurts America’s national security while benefiting the financial interests of his family and political allies.

“That is corruption dressed up as diplomacy.”

On the risk of a regional nuclear arms race:

“The consequences of this nonproliferation failure will not stop with Saudi Arabia. If Riyadh gains the capability to produce bomb fuel, why would, say, Egypt stand aside? Why would Turkey, or any other country in the region? The result will be an intensifying nuclear competition in a region currently on the verge of a wider war.

“Trump launched that unwinnable war against Iran claiming it was necessary to stop Tehran from enriching uranium. Yet his administration is now preparing to give Saudi Arabia access to the very technologies it says Iran must never possess. That contradiction doesn’t make America stronger. It makes American policy impossible to take seriously and undermines any chance of reaching a durable agreement with Iran.”

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Gillen Visits USCG Station Jones Beach, Joins Crew for Patrol

JONES BEACH, NY – Yesterday, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04), Vice Ranking Member of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, visited U.S. Coast Guard Station Jones Beach. During her visit, Gillen spoke with the Coast Guardsmen about their work, healthcare access for service members and affordability on Long Island.

"As Long Islanders enjoy the summer months, the brave Coast Guard officers at Station Jones Beach are patrolling our waterways and keeping us safe,” said Rep. Gillen. “From search and rescue to enforcing maritime laws, these fearless men and women safeguard our shores. I will continue working to ensure they have the resources they need to help protect our communities."

“The crew is proud to host Congresswoman Gillen here at Station Jones Beach,” said Chief Petty Officer Alexander Dumont, officer in charge of Station Jones Beach. “Her visit allowed our men and women to showcase the skills and capabilities we use to keep the public and community safe.”

As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Gillen has been a leader in Congress working to ensure the Coast Guard and their operations on Long Island are fully funded. Earlier this year, she secured a commitment from the Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, to prioritize restoring Station Jones Beach's full capabilities following a 2024 reduction due to recruitment and funding shortages.

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Rep. Gillen Announces $250,000 in New Federal Funding to Help the Floral Park Fire Department Purchase a New Hook-and-Ladder Fire Truck

A video of the press conference is available HERE.

FLORAL PARK, NY — Today, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) joined Floral Park Mayor Kevin Fitzgerald and Floral Park Fire Department Chief Eric O’Connor as well as members of the Floral Park Fire Department to announce $250,000 in new federal Community Project Funding (CPF) she secured through the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations process. The funding will help purchase a new hook-and-ladder fire truck for the Floral Park Fire Department, enhancing the department's emergency response capabilities and improving public safety for residents throughout the village.

“I am proud to have secured $250,000 in new federal funding to help Floral Park purchase a much-needed hook-and-ladder truck,” said Rep. Gillen. “This funding is a direct investment in the safety of Floral Park residents and will ensure the Fire Department has the equipment it needs to meet the community’s growing needs. I look forward to seeing the new truck in service, helping keep residents and firefighters safe for years to come.”

“Thank you, Congresswoman Gillen, for getting this important funding for us, for Floral Park and our fire department,” said Mayor Fitzgerald. “These trucks do cost a lot of money. This one in particular is over $2.7 million, and every dime that we can get that doesn't cost the taxpayers here in Floral Park is important to us. Thank you once again for doing that.”

“This is an investment in the safety of my members and the safety of this community as a whole” said Chief O’Connor. “So on behalf of the chiefs, officers, and members of Floral Park Fire Department, I want to thank Mayor Fitzgerald and the Village Board and Congresswoman Laura Gillen. This will help us out tremendously.”

The Village of Floral Park currently relies on an aging, used truck that frequently requires repairs. Purchasing a new truck will replace the existing 30-year-old vehicle, which no longer meets current operational and safety standards. As the Village has grown, the increasing number of multi-story residential buildings has created a greater need for a hook-and-ladder truck to respond effectively to emergencies.

In addition to serving Floral Park's 16,000 residents, the Floral Park Fire Department provides mutual aid assistance to communities with a combined population of more than 130,000 residents. The department is also the only fire department in the Four Villages area equipped with a hook-and-ladder truck, making it a critical regional resource for emergency response.

This project received calls for support from a bipartisan group of leaders, including State Senator Patricia Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages, Nassau County Legislator Scott Strauss and Floral Park Village Trustee Jennifer Stewart.

The funding for Floral Park is part of more than $13 million in Community Project Funding that Rep. Gillen secured for Nassau County to invest in community infrastructure, enhance public safety, and improve the quality of life for residents across the district.

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Rep. Gillen Joins Garden City Police for a Patrol Ride-Along

GARDEN CITY, NY — Today, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) met with Village of Garden City Police Commissioner Gerard Kneisel, Mayor Ed Finneran and joined Officer Stephen Danisi on a patrol ride-along. Rep. Gillen got to see the Garden City Police Department’s work firsthand and discuss how she can further support local police departments. The officers briefed Rep. Gillen on the challenges facing the department and discussed ways the federal government and Congress can provide stronger support.

“It was valuable to see firsthand the critical work done by the Garden City Police Department and discuss how I can continue advocating for our police departments in Washington,” said Rep. Gillen. "I will continue doing all I can in Congress to support our law enforcement officers and the families they protect."

“It is important for our elected officials to have opportunities to experience firsthand the realities of policing. A ride-along provides valuable insight into the complex decisions our officers make every day, the challenges they face, and the unwavering commitment they demonstrate in protecting our community,” said Police Commissioner Gerard Kneisel, Garden City Police Department. “This firsthand perspective helps foster a greater understanding of the public safety issues confronting law enforcement and the resources necessary to continue providing the high level of service our residents expect.”

This visit follows Rep. Gillen’s meetings and ride-alongs with the Malverne, Hempstead, Freeport and Lynbrook Police Departments and continues her efforts to meet directly with first responders across New York’s Fourth Congressional District.

Since taking office, Rep. Gillen has been a strong advocate for law enforcement, bringing millions in new federal public safety funding to Nassau County. As a member of the bipartisan Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus, Gillen introduced the Officer Wellness and Peer Support Act and has cosponsored the Protect and Serve Act, Invest to Protect Act and the HERO Act, which aims to improve the detection, prevention, and treatment of mental health issues among public safety officers.

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Rep. Gillen Tours Two Local, Small Businesses, Celebrating Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Watch Video of Rep. Gillen’s visit here.

ISLAND PARK, NY — Last week, Congresswoman Laura Gillen (NY-04) toured Fresh Fizz Sodas, meeting with owners Rebecca and Yoni Schwartz to hear firsthand about the business’ operations and the significant role small businesses play in strengthening Long Island's economy.

“Small businesses like Fresh Fizz and Frippery are the backbone of Long Island’s economy,” said Rep. Gillen. “Their success shows what’s possible when a great idea, hard work and innovation come together.”

During the visit, Rep. Gillen toured the facility, spoke with the owners and employees and discussed the opportunities and challenges facing small businesses on Long Island, including rising operating costs and how she can support local job growth.

Following this visit, Rep. Gilllen also stopped by Frippery in Long Beach to meet with the boutique owner Rachel Bernstein and hear about how Rep. Gillen can best support small businesses in Congress.

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Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez joins paper industry leaders to discuss labor support at AWPPW Hall

LONGVIEW, WA — Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez joined a group of pulp and paperworkers and union leaders at the Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers Hall in Longview. She was joined by friend and fellow appropriator Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA-33). The Representatives spoke to workers about ongoing efforts to support the pulp and paper industry and deliver safe durable jobs for millworkers across Southwest Washington.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez meets with paper workers at the AWPPW Hall

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez has been deeply involved in economic stability and job safety for pulp and paperworkers since arriving in Congress. Recently, her focus has intensified after a chemical tank failure at the Nippon Dynawave Papermill in Longview took the lives of 11 workers.

“This is an industry with a workforce built on generational skill and renewable resources. It’s the kind of skill you only get when you do the long work of investing in people. These workers need to know that their jobs are secure, safe, and that they’re going to be able to put food on the table and come home every night” Said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez, “I’m so proud to be here–talking with the people on the shop floors and in the mills, doing the work–about what I can do to support their livelihoods.”

The Congresswoman has been working to support the natural resource economy, including paper mills across Southwest Washington, for her entire career in Congress. In 2025, she introduced the Jobs in the Woods Act aimed at investing in education for a new generation of skilled labor. More recently, she added over $5 million dollars in appropriations to fully fund the Chemical Safety Board (CSB), and independent government watchdog responsible for ensuring chemical safety at facilities like paper mills.

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