Suozzi (D-NY), Knott (R-NC), Cruz (R-TX), and Slotkin (D-MI) Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Right to Worship Act to Protect Worshippers

Washington, D.C.—Congressman Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Congressman Brad Knott (R-NC), along with Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), introduced the Right to Worship Act in the House and the Senate, to establish a 100‑foot, protest‑free buffer zone around houses of worship during religious services, making it unlawful to knowingly disrupt or impede people from attending. This law imposes civil fines for violations and authorizes individuals, the U.S. Attorney General, and state attorneys general to sue violators. Peaceful expression protected by the First Amendment is excluded from the bill’s prohibited activities.

“Exercising your right to worship should not require you to exhibit particular courage as you enter your synagogue, church, mosque, temple, mandir, or gurdwara,” said Congressman Suozzi. “I will always stand up for people’s right to protest peacefully, but attendees of religious services should not be harassed, threatened, intimidated, or targeted for practicing their faith. I am proud to lead this bipartisan and bicameral Right to Worship Act that both protects free speech and the freedom to worship.”

"Today, many Americans are unable to worship without fear of harassment, assault, or other forms of intimidation. The right to worship freely is foundational to our nation and was one of the motivations for its founding. No American should ever feel that their choice is between worshiping in fear and not worshiping at all,” said Congressman Knott. "The Right to Worship Act protects peaceful speech while restoring essential protections for Americans by empowering worshippers against those who seek to intimidate them. I look forward to this bill becoming law and appreciate the many contributions made through bipartisan, bicameral work."

The Right to Worship Act is endorsed by:

ADL (Anti-Defamation League)

Agudath Israel of America

American Jewish Committee (AJC)

BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha

Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA)

Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America

Hindu American Foundation

Islamic Society of North America (ISNA)

Jewish Federations of North America

UJA-Federation of New York

Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America (“Orthodox Union”)

UNITED SIKHS

The Right to Worship Act creates a civil prohibition against “conduct that unreasonably hinders or deters a person from entering a house of worship, or that threatens or intimidates a person, in a manner that prevents participation at a scheduled religious service.” For the law to apply, an individual or group must “knowingly” engage in this conduct, meaning “that the person is aware or reasonably should be aware that the person’s conduct will cause such disruption or impediment.” The bill explicitly protects peaceful expression through speech that does not impact one’s ability to worship freely.

The Right to Worship Act establishes a civil fine structure that increases with each offense, beginning at $2,500 and up to $10,000 per violation. To ensure impacted worshippers are able to seek appropriate recourse, the bill creates a right of action which can include injunctive relief, monetary damages, and legal costs. State Attorneys General may also pursue civil action on behalf of their constituents.

Congressman Suozzi’s introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral Right to Worship Act, alongside Congressman Knott and Senators Cruz and Slotkin, follows his earlier introduction of the bipartisan SACRED Act in the House. Rep. Suozzi’s SACRED Act would make it a federal crime to intentionally intimidate, obstruct, or harass people exercising their right to religious worship within 100 feet of a place of worship, whether by threatening them, blocking their path, or approaching them within 8 feet for the purpose of harassment or intimidation. The Right to Worship Act improves upon the SACRED Act by imposing civil fines on additional disruptive conduct that interferes with religious services not covered by Suozzi’s original legislation.


Congresswoman Tenney Releases 2026 Veterans Plan

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) today released her 2026 Veterans Plan, outlining a comprehensive agenda to strengthen support for America's veterans, improve the Department of Veterans Affairs, and ensure servicemembers and their families receive the care, benefits, and recognition they have earned.

America's commitment to those who served does not end when they take off the uniform” or “America's commitment to those who served does not end when they leave the service. Congresswoman Tenney's Veterans Plan is centered on four priorities: increasing transparency and accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs, expanding access to quality healthcare, helping veterans successfully transition to civilian life, and honoring the service and sacrifice of America's veterans. The plan advances policies to improve veterans' access to benefits and mental health services, strengthen oversight of the VA, protect veterans from fraud, and preserve the memorials and traditions that recognize those who defended our nation.

"The freedoms we enjoy every day were secured by Americans who were willing to put on the uniform and defend this country," said Congresswoman Tenney. "Our obligation to those men and women does not end when their military service is over. Veterans deserve a VA that is accountable, healthcare they can rely on, and a government that keeps its promises. This plan is about making sure every veteran receives the respect, support, and opportunities they have earned through their service to our nation."

To view Tenney's full Veterans Plan, click here.


Underwood Legislation to Rename Plainfield Post Office in Honor of Staff Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. Advances in Senate

WASHINGTON —Today, Rep. Lauren Underwood’s legislation to rename the Plainfield Post Office in honor of Staff Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. passed the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee with unanimous bipartisan support. The Senate version of the legislation is led by Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL). The House-passed bill will now be sent to the U.S. Senate Floor for a vote.

Underwood secured support from every member of the Illinois congressional delegation – Representatives Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Sean Casten (IL-06), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Bill Foster (IL-11), Mike Bost (IL-12), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), Mary Miller (IL-15), Darin LaHood (IL-16), and Eric Sorensen (IL-17) – to honor her constituent by officially designating the Post Office Building at 14855 South Van Dyke Road in Plainfield, IL as the “Staff Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. Post Office Building.”

Staff Sergeant Dueñez and three other U.S. soldiers were killed during an Army training exercise in Lithuania on March 31, 2025. His family described Dueñez as “someone who always wanted to protect people.” He was a beloved member of his community who enlisted right after high school and served his country for seven years.

“Staff Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. represents the best of our community. He was an extraordinary hero who served his country with strength and resilience,” Rep. Underwood said. “I’m honored to lead this legislation to permanently commemorate his sacrifice and service. The Plainfield Post Office will bear his name as reminder of his contributions not only to his country, but to his community and family as a father, husband, brother, and son.”

“Staff Sergeant Dueñez was deeply committed to his community and our country, and we salute his sacrifice,” said Senator Duckworth. “As we remember his legacy and service to our nation, I’m pleased to see that our legislation to rename the Plainfield Post Office in his honor has passed through the House and committee markup in the Senate, and am hopeful we can continue building on this momentum to get this bill across the finish line.”

Staff Sergeant Jose Dueñez Jr. was born on April 8, 1999, and was raised in Joliet along with his five sisters. Dueñez was promoted five times over the course of his service, ultimately reaching the rank of Staff Sergeant in November of 2020. He served in three overseas deployments—Poland in 2019, Germany in 2022, and Lithuania in 2025—and was recognized with two Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, one Certificate of Achievement, two Army Good Conduct Medals, and a National Defense Service Medal.

Full text of the legislation can be found here.

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Rep. Vasquez Warns Fight to Protect New Mexico Water From DHS is Not Over, Demands Answers on Existing Wells for Ranchers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On August 5, 2026, U.S. Representative Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) demanded answers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding high-capacity groundwater wells that have already been drilled by federal border wall contractors in Luna County, warning that the fight to protect New Mexican ranchers’ water rights is far from over.

Following concerns raised by Rep. Vasquez, local ranchers, and community stakeholders, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently directed contractors to stop drilling additional wells. However, in a letter sent to DHS Secretary Mullin today, Rep. Vasquez said the latest directive from CBP does not address ranchers’ critical unanswered questions about the wells that have already been drilled in the area and fails to bar CBP from pumping hundreds of gallons of water from the existing wells.

“U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently ordered contractors to stop drilling new wells following concerns raised by my office, ranchers, and stakeholders. However, CBP’s order does not undo the unauthorized drilling that has already occurred, provide clarity around whether the existing wells will continue to be pumped, or provide clarity on how much water will be needed for the broader project,” Vasquez said in the letter, adding, “My constituents and I support securing our border. But the federal government does not get to disregard state law, threaten private property and water rights, and expect New Mexicans to accept it without protecting their land and resources. Ranchers, landowners, and local officials continue to be left in the dark while DHS contractors move forward with a project that could jeopardize scarce groundwater resources during a severe drought.”

Following continued conversations with New Mexico ranchers, Rep. Vasquez called for an in-person meeting in Luna County with DHS and CBP officials, affected ranchers and landowners, local officials, the New Mexico Office of the State Engineer, and his office.

“New Mexico’s ranching families embrace the commitment to a secure border, but the work must be done in a way that respects private property, protects our scarce groundwater resources, and keeps affected landowners informed. Ranchers in Luna and Hidalgo Counties deserve clear answers about the scope of this project and its potential impacts. We support bringing the responsible federal officials together with local ranchers and officials to address those concerns,” said Tom Paterson, President of the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association.

Rep. Vasquez and local ranchers are seeking from DHS answers on:

Whether DHS contractors will be required to properly cap existing wells and how CBP will verify compliance

How much water has already been pumped and how much additional water the broader project will require

Whether any additional wells are planned or will be drilled in the future

What steps DHS is taking to ensure contractors comply with state law and protect New Mexico’s water and property rights

Why DHS is pursuing extensive concrete road construction in this rural area and whether less intrusive border security options have been considered

This latest push builds on Rep. Vasquez’s ongoing efforts to protect ranchers’ water rights in southern New Mexico.

On July 10, Rep. Vasquez pressed the Secretaries of the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Agriculture for answers and action, stating in a letter, “I support securing our border. But it can be done without threatening ranchers, jeopardizing local water supplies, or ignoring the Americans who have stewarded this land for generations.”

On July 22, Rep. Vasquez raised the issue on the House floor, demanding DHS stop stealing ranchers’ water and stating, “For generations, ranching families in this border community have relied on water from the Mimbres and Hachita Basins to sustain their herds and way of life. And when the feds needed water, they bought it or trucked it in. Then they said, ‘Why buy it, when we can steal it?’ Our ranchers follow the state’s water laws. DHS doesn’t, and it appears they don’t care.”

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New Jersey Congressional Democrats Lead Letter to DHS Demanding Accountability for Medical Neglect, Deaths Connected to Delaney Hall

All nine Democratic members of the New Jersey House delegation — Reps. Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Herb Conaway (NJ-03), and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) — today sent a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting ICE Director David J. Venturella demanding immediate answers and accountability following the third death connected to Delaney Hall Immigration Detention Facility in less than a year.

For months, Members of Congress, New Jersey officials, medical advocates, attorneys, and former detainees have documented disturbing allegations of abuse and neglect inside Delaney Hall: delayed emergency care, denied prescription medications, untreated chronic illness, infectious disease outbreaks, and inadequate care for medically vulnerable detainees. The delegation's June oversight visit was meant to determine whether these were isolated incidents or signs of a deeper, systemic failure. Instead of reform, the facility has now seen a third death in less than a year.

“Three deaths, repeated allegations of medical neglect, restricted oversight, and less public transparency are a terrible track record of care for individuals in your custody,” wrote the lawmakers. “At this point, the question is no longer whether ICE knows what is happening inside Delaney Hall. It is, ‘why does ICE continue to allow the GEO Group to put lives at risk?’”

The letter states ICE quietly rescinded a longstanding policy requiring public reporting and congressional notification when a person dies within 30 days of being released from ICE custody – a change the delegation says was a deliberate rollback of transparency that makes it easier to obscure the government's responsibility for deaths connected to time spent in federal custody. The letter also highlights that the State of New Jersey was forced to sue after its own health inspectors were repeatedly denied full access to Delaney Hall, even as ICE's own inspections identified multiple deficiencies in detainee care and safety.

The delegation is requesting, no later than August 12, 2026, that DHS and ICE:

Provide a complete accounting of all three deaths connected to Delaney Hall since GEO Group assumed operations, including timelines, medical care provided, mortality reviews, and any corrective action taken

Explain ICE's current policy on detainee death reporting, including when a death is no longer considered a death in ICE custody, and identify any deaths connected to Delaney Hall excluded from public reporting under that policy

Produce all inspections, mortality reviews, audits, staffing assessments, corrective action plans, and internal communications concerning medical care at Delaney Hall since GEO Group assumed operations

Describe every contractual, financial, or administrative action ICE has taken against GEO Group in response to repeated allegations of inadequate medical care and the three deaths connected to Delaney Hall

Commit to granting members of Congress and New Jersey health officials full, unencumbered access to Delaney Hall, including housing units, medical facilities, records, surveillance footage, and relevant personnel

Click HERE to read the full letter text.

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Rep. Whitesides Introduces Legislation to Combat Wildfires and Improve Readiness

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Rep. George Whitesides (CA-27) joined Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-02), Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02), Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02), and Forestry and Horticulture Subcommittee Ranking Member Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-06) to introduce the Wildfire Response and Readiness Act, a comprehensive package of wildland fire policy that meets the moment for Americans facing increasingly active, destructive, and life-threatening wildfires.

So far this year, wildfires have burned more than 5.5 million acres across the United States. Coupled with extreme weather conditions, including record-breaking drought across the West, and communities across the country are continuing to face increasingly dangerous wildfire conditions. The Wildfire Response and Readiness Act includes practical, collaborative solutions that aim to better protect the people and places we love while ultimately saving lives.

“Wildfires are a large and growing threat that will only get worse if we do not take decisive action at the federal level,” said Rep. Whitesides. “From making our homes safer to better managing our forests to bolstering firefighter resources and pay, this package would make us more resilient and significantly improve our ability to manage the national wildfire crisis.”

“Colorado has experienced some of the most devastating wildfires in the country—and as we’ve worked together to recover and rebuild, we’ve also drawn from hard-earned lessons in the wake of these disasters to introduce this comprehensive package of policy proposals,” said Assistant Leader Joe Neguse. “The Wildfire Response and Readiness Act advances critical prevention, mitigation, and response strategies while delivering long-overdue support for our brave and heroic wildland firefighters, who risk life and limb to protect our communities and deserve fair compensation and benefits.”

“Hotter summers and drier forests mean wildfires are burning more intensely and reaching towns that never used to worry about them. President Trump watched some of the worst fire seasons this country has seen. His response? Fire the people who run toward the flames for the rest of us. He hollowed out the agencies, ignored the warnings, and left towns across the West more exposed than they’ve been in decades. Democrats see what families in fire country are up against, and we refuse to leave them on their own. The Wildfire Response and Readiness Act delivers what Americans need: fair pay and job security for wildland firefighters, real help for families fire-proofing their homes, and healthier forests that stop small fires from becoming catastrophes. This is the fight of our time, and we will not let up until every community has the protection they need,” said Ranking Member Huffman.

“Minnesotans are tired of waking up to smoky skies and of witnessing their beloved public lands, like the Boundary Waters, quite literally go up in flames. This critical legislation will help protect rural communities, restore healthy forests and fairly compensate the firefighters serving on the frontlines,” said Ranking Member Craig.

“Oregon is already experiencing one of our worst wildfire seasons on record. Families are living with smoke, farmers and small businesses are facing disruptions, and rural communities are shouldering the burden of increasingly costly fires. We owe Oregon’s firefighters the tools they need to respond safely, and we owe our communities a government that prepares before disaster strikes. The Wildfire Response and Readiness Act brings together a comprehensive plan to strengthen prevention, improve coordination, protect homes and working lands, and help communities recover. I’m proud to co-lead this effort to make Oregon and communities across the country safer and more resilient,” said Congresswoman Salinas.

The Wildfire Response and Readiness Act has three main pillars:

Resilient Lands: The bill invests in wildfire prevention and post-fire restoration and recovery so that the forests and public lands around our homes and communities stay healthy and resilient to catastrophic fires. It also requires federal agencies to develop a 10-year wildfire plan so that the federal government coordinates with the people most impacted.

Fire-Safe Communities: The bill helps families make their homes more resistant to fires and gives communities the tools to plan ahead so they are ready before a fire breaks out. It also encourages the development of new tools to spot fires faster and takes steps to address the harmful impacts of wildfire smoke, making sure we have clean air.

Wildland Firefighter Safety and Workforce Security: Wildland firefighters put their lives on the line to keep the rest of us safe. This bill honors that work with better pay, leave, and retirement benefits. It also trains the next generation of wildland firefighters and expands the workforce. And after more than a quarter of land management agency staff were fired or left their jobs since January 2025, this bill prevents any more firings and keeps key wildfire and forestry research facilities open and running.

Full bill text can be found HERE, and a section-by-section HERE.

The Wildfire Response and Readiness Act is endorsed by American Forests, Defenders of Wildlife, Earthjustice Action, Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, Megafire Action, National Federation of Federal Employees, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Trust for Public Land, and Western Fire Chiefs Association.

To view their statements of support, click HERE.

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Womack Remembers Tommy Ratzlaff, John Brown, and 28 American Servicemembers Who Perished 15 Years Ago in Extortion 17 Shootdown

ARKANSAS—August 6, 2026…Fifteen years ago, on August 6, 2011, a U.S. Army CH-47D Chinook helicopter with the call sign Extortion 17 was shot down by Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan. All 38 people on board were killed, including Special Warfare Operator Senior Chief Petty Officer (SEAL) Thomas A. Ratzlaff of Green Forest and Air Force Tech. Sgt. Pararescueman John W. Brown of Siloam Springs. The downing of Extortion 17 is the largest single-incident loss of life during the War in Afghanistan.

Remembering the tragedy, Congressman Womack said, “Today, we remember the thirty United States servicemembers aboard Extortion 17 who lost their lives in defense of our nation while aiding fellow troops under fire. I especially honor the two exceptional men from Northwest Arkansas, Thomas A. Ratzlaff and John W. Brown, who gave the last full measure of devotion for our country that day.”

Womack continued, “Ratzlaff was lauded as a skilled Navy SEAL who exhibited excellence in every mission he executed. Brown embodied the courage and precision required to be a warrior-medic in his duties as a pararescueman. These men exemplified service and duty, sacrificing their lives in devotion to something greater than themselves—a sacrifice that speaks to their extraordinary level of character and bravery.”

Womack concluded, “John Brown and Thomas Ratzlaff’s legacy of courage and selfless service endures in the young men and women—many from Northwest Arkansas—who have sworn an oath to defend the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. We are forever indebted to the sacrifices made by them and the other 28 fallen American servicemembers aboard Extortion 17, and their families, and we will never forget.”

Background:

On August 5, 2011, American intelligence determined that a senior Taliban leader, Qari Tahir, was operating in Tangi Valley, Wardak province, Afghanistan. A capture or kill order was subsequently given, and that night, a platoon of U.S. Army Rangers were deployed from a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in neighboring Logar province to execute the mission.

After the U.S. Army Rangers infiltration, support intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft reported several people leaving the compound where it was believed Tahir was located. The U.S. Army Rangers, focused on finding Tahir, did not engage this small contingent of insurgents.

ISR aircraft began noticing this group of insurgents growing, and intelligence suggested that Tahir may have escaped the compound and joined the group. This prompted American leadership to determine reinforcements were required. Their mission would be to focus on this separate contingent.

Just after midnight, a group of Navy SEALs in reserve were activated to reinforce the U.S. Army Rangers as part of an Immediate Reaction Force (IRF). SOCS Thomas Ratzlaff was one of the U.S. Navy SEALs assigned to this team. In addition, before departing the FOB, a group of non-Navy SEAL reinforcements were added to the IRF. Tech. Sgt. John Brown was a member of this non-Navy SEAL group.

The IRF set off from the FOB with two CH-47D aircraft, call signs “Extortion 16” and “Extortion 17”. Extortion 16 acted as a decoy for the duration of the flight, while Extortion 17 held the entire IRF. Before making its final approach, Extortion 16 broke off and began its return to the FOB.

At approximately 2:38 a.m. local time, Extortion 17 was making its final approach. One minute from the landing zone, the aircraft made its last radio transmission.

The group of separate insurgents, just minutes before, had broken into two separate groups. One group stayed in the trees. The other entered a building in the compound, located about 2 kilometers away from where the U.S. Army Rangers were engaged.

As the aircraft made its approach, a rocket-propelled grenade was launched at the aircraft by a group of insurgents previously unknown and unaffiliated with the splintered insurgents intelligence was tracking. Striking the aft rotor assembly, the aircraft was immediately disabled and crashed within seconds of being struck.

Two hours later, at around 4:15 a.m. local time, the U.S. Army Rangers arrived at the crash site after concluding their mission. No survivors were found.

Qari Tahir was never captured.

Days after the incident, General John Allen, the U.S. Commander in Afghanistan, stated that the militants who had shot down Extortion 17 had been tracked down and killed in a NATO airstrike.

On September 21, over a month later, the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) reported that Qari Tahir and an associate were located in a dry riverbed in Sayd Abad district. A precision airstrike was conducted, targeting Tahir.

On September 22, it was widely reported that Tahir was killed in the strike.

The Extortion 17 incident represents the largest single-incident loss of lives during the War in Afghanistan.

Photos:

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

womack.house.gov

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ALSOBROOKS LEADS SENATORS IN INTRODUCING BILL TO END TARIFFS ON BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLIES

August 6, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC – As reported in The Hill, U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) introduced the Back-to-School Supplies Affordability Act, legislation that would exempt school supplies and educational materials from tariffs, helping reduce costs for families, teachers, schools, and local governments.

According to Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation, the cost of back-to-school supplies has increased by nearly 11% this year, driven in part by President Trump’s tariffs, including the latest Section 301 tariffs affecting imports from much of the global economy. According to the study, lunch boxes are up nearly 27%, notebooks are up nearly 23%, and nearly every school item, from pens to paper, is higher than it was before the Trump Tariffs.

“Families and teachers should be focused on preparing children for a successful school year–not worrying about whether they can afford the supplies students need to learn. As parents and teachers continue to feel the strain of rising costs, this legislation provides targeted relief by eliminating tariffs on essential classroom supplies. Every child deserves the opportunity to start the school year with the tools they need to succeed,” said Senator Alsobrooks.

“The Trump Administration’s sweeping global tariffs are raising prices for working families across the country, and our students, teachers, and schools are caught right in the middle of it. This legislation will lower back-to-school costs for families and help students start the year with the tools they need to learn and succeed,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“As school districts across Nevada begin the new school year, parents are being squeezed by the high cost of school supplies thanks to Donald Trump’s reckless tariffs,” said Senator Rosen. “I am proud to help introduce this bill to repeal tariffs on school supplies and provide some financial relief for hardworking families as they prepare our children for another school year. I promise that I will continue fighting in the Senate to lower the cost of living for families all across Nevada.”

“Parents have struggled all year with the impact of Trump’s tariffs on everything from gas to groceries, cell phones to furniture, and now they have to deal with eye-watering costs for backpacks, books, lunch boxes, notebooks, and other back-to-school supplies,” said Senator Coons. “Our children shouldn’t be held back because the tools they need to learn and grow are made unaffordable by Trump’s disastrous tariffs. This bill would make it so parents and children don’t face an unfair tax on back to school.”

“Trump’s tariffs are squeezing families in all directions, and back-to-school season is already stressful enough. This bill helps give them much needed relief on classroom essentials so parents can have some peace of mind while getting their kids ready for the school year,” said Senator Kim.

“Back-to-school season is already expensive enough without tariffs making backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and other essential supplies even more costly,” said Senator Blunt Rochester, Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Education and the American Family. “The Back-to-School Supplies Affordability Act will help lower costs for families and educators by exempting school supplies from President Trump’s tariffs so students can start the school year ready to learn—not worrying about higher prices.”

“Working families have already paid a high price under President Trump’s illegal tariffs. They shouldn’t have to pay a tariff tax on their children’s back-to-school supplies,” said Hickenlooper. “This bill will help make it easier for every child to start the school year with the supplies they need.”

“Families shouldn’t have to pay a Trump tariff tax just to send their kids back to school. Senator Alsobrooks’ Back-to-School Supplies Affordability Act would help lower the cost of essentials like backpacks, notebooks, and pencils. Third Way is proud to support this commonsense legislation to deliver meaningful cost relief for families, teachers, and schools,” said Zach Moller, Senior Director of the Economic Program, Third Way.

“This back-to-school season is coming with significant sticker shock. Stocking backpacks and lockers this year will cost nearly 8% more thanks to Trump’s tariffs and war in Iran. As half of parents are forced to cut back on other expenses to make sure their children are prepared to succeed this school year, working families need relief from Trump’s reckless economic agenda,” said Elizabeth Pancotti, Vice President of Policy, Advocacy, and Research, Groundwork Collaborative.

The Back-to-School Supplies Affordability Act would exempt school supplies and educational materials from most tariffs, including the latest Section 301 tariffs raising prices on goods from much of the global economy.

The legislation directs the Secretaries of Commerce and Education to work together to create a list of tariff-free school supplies, but also specifically exempts:

Office and school supplies

Backpacks

Notebooks, memorandum pads, and similar paper products

Children’s picture, drawing, and coloring books

Calendars

Computer keyboards

Hairbrushes

Pencils, crayons, chalk, and other drawing materials

Pens, markers, and related writing instruments

The bill preserves congressional oversight by allowing Congress to disapprove the designation of specific items for tariff exemptions through a Joint Resolution of Disapproval.

Read full text of the bill here.

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ALSOBROOKS ON CNN: OUR COUNTRY IS IN A RACE TO THE BOTTOM WITH REPUBLICANS AT THE HELM

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) joined CNN News Central with Kate Bolduan to discuss the unserious witch hunt against Dr. Fauci, this President’s disastrous and costly war, and how Democrats will win back the Senate in the midterm elections.

“These Republicans have now become the masters of the Jedi mind trick. They prefer for us to focus on Anthony Fauci at a time when Cyclospora is spreading through our communities; it is surging. Where we see measles at the highest rates that we’ve seen in 35 years, where RFK Jr. has lied every single time that I have been in a hearing with him…These Republicans are so unserious,” said Senator Alsobrooks during the interview.

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ALSOBROOKS ON CNN – RFK JR. IS MAKING AMERICANS SICKER AND POORER

August 6, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) joined The Lead with Jake Tapper on CNN to discuss RFK Jr.’s continued lies and how his actions and rhetoric are endangering American families.

“[RFK Jr.] is presently causing harm to Americans. Where we see Cyclospora. People are asking why they’re in the emergency rooms. Measles [cases] are at the highest rates that we’ve seen in 35 years. The fact that we have canceled important research. And instead of focusing on what is causing harm right this second – what is making Americans sicker, and by the way, poorer – they decide instead to do the Jedi mind trick and to focus on Dr. Fauci. So these people are so unserious. This clown show today was disgraceful, and I think Americans are going to be able to see through it,” said Senator Alsobrooks during the interview.

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Baldwin Blasts Trump Administration’s Latest Attack on Head Start

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Labor, Health, and Human Services, and Education, released the following statement after the Trump Administration’s latest attack on Head Start, the pre-K and childcare program that serves nearly 800,000 children and their families. The new effort from the Department of Health and Human Services guts basic standards that keep children safe in the classroom and jeopardizes essential childcare and early learning opportunities for the most vulnerable kids. Head Start serves nearly 800,000 Americans, including over 16,000 Wisconsin children. This announcement follows the Trump Administration’s earlier efforts to dismantle Head Start, including freezing and delaying funding that shuttered Head Start centers last year. The Trump Administration’s budget would have eliminated funding for the program all together.

“Wisconsin families in every part of our state struggle to find quality, affordable childcare – with parents driving hours or simply quitting their jobs so their kids have somewhere safe to play, learn, and grow. Head Start is a lifeline for working families, but since Donald Trump took office, his administration has repeatedly threatened care for our children and their parents. This latest push puts kids’ wellbeing and safety on the line and is all part of the President’s plan to shut down Head Start entirely, and it’s shameful,” said Senator Baldwin. “For decades, Republicans and Democrats have come together to support Head Start because it is essential for not just our children’s development and Kindergarten readiness, but our workforce and economy. Parents and children need to come first – not the President’s political crusade to end this lifeline of a program.”

Today, the Department of Health and Human Services announced a new proposed rule to gut quality standards and jeopardize funding for Head Start programs, including:

Eliminating class size and staff-to-child ratio requirements,?leaving them up to individual states, some of which allow far higher ratios that Head Start currently permits.

Cutting the administrative spending cap from 15 percent to 5 percent?of grant funding, without any increase in the program’s budget, jeopardizing Head Start centers’ ability to operate.

Removing required development screenings?and detailed protections for children with disabilities.

Dropping accommodations for homeless families and children in foster care.

Making parent advisory committees optional?rather?than required

Eliminating guidance on suspension and expulsion, including the current ban on corporal punishment.

Adding new documentation and reporting burdens, requiring programs to verify immigration status, retain eligibility records, and report staff for violations.

Mandating English-only instruction, except for Native American tribes.

Since the start of 2025, the Trump Administration has leveled illegal attacks on Head Start that have left Wisconsin children and their families in the cold without the care they count on. Last year, following an illegal funding freeze that cut off funding for the program, Senator Baldwin visited a Head Start facility in Waukesha, Wisconsin that was forced to close their doors. The Trump Administration and Senate Republicans also refused to release funding for at least 17 programs in 12 states caring for over 6,600 children which were closed, including in Wisconsin, during a government shutdown. In June, a report from the influential conservative Heritage Foundation called on the administration to deregulate the program and eventually eliminate it.

Senator Baldwin has continued to speak out against these attacks on Head Start and worked to secure strong funding as the lead Democrat on the subcommittee that funds Head Start. In the Fiscal Year 2026 budget that passed last year, Senator Baldwin worked with her Republican colleagues to increase the program’s budget by $85 million over the previous year.

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Banks Introduces Amendment Protecting Female Athletes

Amendment would prevent federal legislation from overriding state protections for female athletes

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) offered an amendment to the Protect College Sports Act alongside Senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) that would prevent the legislation from preempting state laws protecting women’s sports.

Indiana has enacted protections for female athletes at every level of education. In 2022, the Indiana General Assembly passed legislation to prohibit biological males from competing in girls’ K-12 sports. In 2025, Governor Mike Braun signed a second law extending those protections to women’s collegiate athletics.

The senators’ amendment would ensure that Indiana and other states’ laws cannot be weakened or overridden by the federal government.

Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “Indiana has one of the strongest laws in the country that keeps biological men from competing in women’s sports. As a father of three daughters, I can’t support any legislation that would preempt Indiana’s law. This amendment would make sure the Protect College Sports Act protects female athletes.”

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO): “Biological men should never be allowed in women’s sports or women’s locker rooms. We’ve got to make sure state laws protecting women stand.”

Sen. Tommy Tubberville (R-Ala.): “Protecting girls and women’s sports is the civil issue of our time. Democrats have proven again and again they don’t give a rip about protecting women from mentally ill men who wake up one day and decide to dress like a girl. I’m proud to stand with Senators Hawley and Banks in introducing this commonsense amendment to protect millions of female student athletes.”

Read the amendment text here.

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Sen. Banks Recommends Oversight of Unreleased AI Models

Encourages the Trump administration to consider steps to improve visibility into unreleased AI models and protect American AI from foreign adversaries

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent sharing new questions about federal oversight of AI models that have not been publicly released.

The letter follows reports of multiple incidents involving unreleased AI models from frontier AI developers. In one incident, an OpenAI model accessed Hugging Face without human instruction and was not identified as responsible until several days later. In another instance, Anthropic disclosed that its models inadvertently accessed systems belonging to three outside organizations.

In the letter, Banks suggests that unreleased models may fall outside existing oversight frameworks. He recommends that the Administration close potential gaps, strengthen the security of unreleased models, and protect advanced American technology from theft by China and other foreign adversaries.

Read the full letter here:

Dear Secretary Bessent:

I am writing about the recent incidents involving OpenAI and Anthropic models and their implications for AI policy. Reporting recently revealed that an OpenAI model gained unauthorized access to Hugging Face while attempting to complete a task. The model appears to have determined, without direction from a human operator, that compromising Hugging Face was the most effective way to achieve its objective. OpenAI did not realize its agent was responsible for the intrusion until several days after Hugging Face had detected it. In a separate incident disclosed last week, Anthropic reported that its models had inadvertently accessed systems at three outside organizations.

The recent incidents highlight a unique aspect of AI: threats can emerge during internal testing and deployment, even for models that are not publicly released. Most notably, both incidents involved AI models that were not released to the public. The OpenAI incident involved an unreleased model used internally by the company, while one of the three models involved in the Anthropic incidents was also an internal research model. This raises a strategic consideration that does not emerge in other industries. For most products, we can rely on testing that takes place before the technology is publicly released. But for AI, effective oversight must account for powerful internal or undisclosed models, not just publicly available systems.

A recent report by the America First Policy Institute described this challenge as the undisclosed-models loophole: “The best AI models in the world are not those that the public is familiar with… They are those that the top AI companies have just finished training and are available and known only to their staff. We call these ‘undisclosed models’… Existing policy does not address undisclosed models.”

Undisclosed models also have important implications for your upcoming engagements with the PRC on advanced AI. I previously proposed a simple heuristic: if it is in America’s national interest to adopt a policy unilaterally, it is worth engaging the Chinese on the possibility of reciprocal action. Even if China cheats, the United States is no worse off because it would have pursued the policy regardless. The risks posed by undisclosed models and autonomous agents offer an opportunity to apply this approach. I recommend considering raising these risks with PRC counterparts, examining how the PRC assesses these risks, and exploring whether there are mutually beneficial approaches to oversight, incident prevention, or risk reduction.

As you consider new oversight ideas and prepare to engage the PRC on various AI topics, I recommend considering the following topics:

Closing the “undisclosed models loophole”. How would a “FINRA for AI” or other oversight structure address risks from undisclosed or internally deployed models? What information about these models is most critical to national security and public safety?

Threats posed by undisclosed models. What unique considerations apply to threats posed by undisclosed models? How do AI developers plan to keep systems controlled and contained as their capabilities improve? What scenarios should the U.S. prepare for if the next generation of advanced AI systems attempts to circumvent its safeguards or escape containment in a manner similar to the recent OpenAI and Anthropic incidents?

Security of undisclosed models. To what extent are undisclosed models protected from theft from the PRC and other adversaries? How difficult would it be for the PRC to steal the model weights of the most powerful undisclosed models?

AI R&D from undisclosed models. When do companies expect AI systems to become capable of substantially accelerating AI research and development? How can the federal government work with industry to understand and prepare for risks posed by undisclosed or internally deployed AI R&D agents?

Engagement with the PRC. How is the PRC conceptualizing risks from highly capable AI agents? Has the PRC considered oversight or risk reduction approaches for non-public PRC models? Are there any areas where mutual action would be beneficial (even if China cheats) or verifiable (such that China cannot cheat)?

Your work on these topics will be essential for achieving enduring AI leadership, countering threats from our adversaries, and addressing novel risks from this fast-moving technology. To support your work, I request a staff-level briefing within 60 days to discuss these topics.

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Sens. Banks, Booker Introduce Prescription Information Modernization Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced the bipartisan Prescription Information Modernization Act to allow drug manufacturers to distribute prescribing information electronically while preserving the option to receive paper copies.

Under current law, prescribing information—including dosing instructions, drug interactions, precautions for pregnant women, pediatric guidance, and other critical safety information—must be printed and included in paper form with every medication. The bill would allow physicians, pharmacists, and pharmacies to access this information digitally while continuing to provide paper copies to those who prefer them.

Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “Doctors and pharmacists shouldn’t have to sort through stacks of paper to access information that’s already available digitally. My bill would eliminate waste, lower costs, and give healthcare providers faster, easier access to the prescribing information they rely on to keep their patients safe.”

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.): “Every unnecessary administrative burden in our healthcare system is time stolen from patients and their providers. This bipartisan bill cuts the red tape on an outdated process and makes sure providers have the information they need, right when they need it.”

Key Provisions of the Prescription Information Modernization Act:

Allows drug manufacturers to provide prescribing information electronically to health care providers and pharmacies.

Preserves the option for providers and pharmacies to receive paper prescribing information if they choose.

Modernizes access to prescribing information while reducing unnecessary printing, packaging, and paper waste.

Background:

Prescribing information contains essential safety and usage instructions that physicians and pharmacists rely on to prescribe and dispense medications, including drug interactions, dosing recommendations, age- and sex-specific guidance, pregnancy precautions, pediatric instructions, and other clinical information. Under current law, this information must be distributed on paper, often requiring dozens or even hundreds of printed pages for each medication.

Many physicians and pharmacists already prefer accessing prescribing information electronically because it is easier to search, more readable, and more efficient. The Prescription Information Modernization Act updates federal law to reflect modern clinical practice by allowing electronic distribution while ensuring paper copies remain available for those who want them. The legislation is also expected to eliminate millions of pages of unnecessary paper waste each year.

The legislation is supported by the Alliance to Modernize Prescribing Information, the American Pharmacists Association, the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy, the Healthcare Distribution Alliance, the Indiana Life Sciences Association, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, the National Association of Chain Drug Stores, and dozens of other health care, patient advocacy, and life sciences organizations.

Full bill text can be found here.

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Sens. Banks, Padilla Introduce Accountable Produce is Medicine Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) introduced the Accountable Produce is Medicine Act, legislation to expand access to Food is Medicine programs that help Americans prevent chronic disease through healthy nutrition. Poor diet is the leading risk factor contributing to obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and certain cancers. According to the CDC, obesity accounted for $173 billion in direct medical costs in 2019. The bill directs the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a pilot bundled payment model supporting programs that provide regionally sourced healthy foods, nutrition counseling, and care coordination.

Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “The best way to lower health care costs is to help Americans stay healthy in the first place. This bill invests in Food is Medicine and nutrition programs that are proven to work.”

Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.): “Our bill would connect families to locally grown produce, providing them with better access to fresh whole foods that prevent chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. Good food is preventative care, and we owe it to our communities to ensure they can access healthy food that supports their health and well-being.”

Key Provisions of the Accountable Produce is Medicine Act:

Directs CMS to establish a pilot bundled payment model for qualifying Food is Medicine programs.

Supports programs that provide regionally sourced healthy foods, nutrition counseling, and care coordination.

Provides funding for Food is Medicine programs, allowing hospitals and health departments to expand existing initiatives and encourage new programs nationwide.

The legislation builds on successful Food is Medicine initiatives already operating in hospitals, health systems, state Medicaid programs, and public health agencies. These programs have demonstrated improved health outcomes, reduced hospitalizations, and lowered health care costs by integrating nutrition into patient care.

The legislation is supported by MAHA Action, National Produce Prescription Collaborative, Coalition for Metabolic Health, Kellyn Foundation, International Fresh Produce Association, School of Global Health, Healthcare Partnerships, Hunger Free Kansas, Texas Health Resources, Fresh RX Oklahoma, National Alliance to Impact Social Determinants of Health, Mosaic Life Care, and the Sunflower Foundation.

Full bill text can be found here.

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Sens. Banks, Warner Introduce Bill to Eliminate Medical Errors and Reduce Healthcare Costs

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Jim Banks (R-Ind.) and Mark Warner (D-VA) introduced the Patient Matching in Certified Health IT (MATCH IT) Act, bipartisan legislation that would improve patient identification and health record matching. According to the American Health Information Management Association, patient-matching errors cost the average hospital $2.5 million and the U.S. healthcare system nearly $7 billion annually. The MATCH IT Act would standardize patients’ demographic data entered into electronic health records to reduce misidentification and help eliminate medical errors and waste.

Sen. Jim Banks (R-Ind.): “Patient matching errors are a hidden tax on the healthcare system. This bipartisan bill would make sure doctors have the right patient’s records and reduce medical errors, speed up care, and reduce healthcare costs.”

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA.): “Patient misidentification is a serious problem that has led to medical mistakes and even patient death. My bipartisan bill would improve the interoperability between health care systems and decrease patient misidentification, while protecting patient privacy and leading to better patient care.”

Key Provisions of the MATCH IT Act:

Direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish uniform demographic data standards and definitions to improve patient matching accuracy.

Create a standardized minimum patient data set to support a national patient matching rate of at least 99.9 percent.

Require Certified Electronic Health Record Technology (CEHRT) systems to adopt these standardized data elements.

Establish a voluntary Medicare bonus for providers who meet a patient matching rate of 90 percent.

Background:

Patient matching—the ability to correctly link a patient with their medical records—is a foundational component of safe, efficient healthcare. Yet inconsistent demographic information across electronic health record (EHR) systems continues to result in duplicate records, treatment delays, unnecessary testing, billing errors, and in some cases patient harm.

According to the American Health Information Management Association, patient-matching errors cost the average hospital approximately $2.5 million annually and nearly $7 billion across U.S. healthcare systems. As artificial intelligence and digital health technologies become more integrated into clinical care, accurate patient identification is increasingly essential to ensuring these tools are safe, reliable, and effective.

The legislation is supported by the Patient ID Now Coalition, American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), American Heart Association, Becton Dickinson (BD), College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME), Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, Inc. (HIMSS), Intermountain Health, 4medica, Alliance of Community Health Plans (ACHP), American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Alliance of Orthopaedic Executives (AAOE), American College of Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Baptist Health, Civitas Networks for Health, Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), DirectTrust, e4health, Harris Data Integrity Solutions, Imprivata, Medical Group Management Association, MyLigo, Inc, Nemours Children’s Health, OrthoVirginia, Parkland Health, Parkview Health, Robert Wood Johnson Barnabus Health, SynchroLink AI, Valley Children’s Healthcare, and Verato.

“Every patient deserves the certainty that the right information reaches the right provider at the right time. The MATCH IT Act is about making that expectation a reality. As a national healthcare leader, Indiana has one of the largest vested interests in ensuring our patients receive safe, high-quality care. The MATCH IT Act will strengthen patient identification, reduce the risk of medical errors, and improve the secure exchange of health information across providers. By advancing this legislation, we can help ensure every patient receives the exceptional level of care they deserve—no matter where they seek treatment.” — Lisa DesNoyers, MPH, RHIA, SME, President, Indiana Health Information Management Association.

“AI has the potential to transform healthcare, but its effectiveness depends on accurate, trusted patient data. As providers manage a historic volume of health information, the need for a national patient matching standard has never been more urgent.The MATCH IT Act will strengthen patient safety, protect patient privacy, and improve interoperability by ensuring health information is accurately matched to the right individual. By reducing duplicate records and eliminating costly, manual reconciliation processes, this legislation will create new efficiencies across the healthcare system while laying the foundation for safe and effective AI adoption.” — Russ Branzell, CEO of College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME).

“On behalf of HIMSS (Healthcare Information Management System Society), I applaud Senators Mark Warner and Jim Banks for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the MATCH IT Act in the Senate. Accurate patient identification is fundamental to safe, interoperable, and high-quality care. By addressing the persistent challenge of patient misidentification, the MATCH IT Act will help improve patient safety, strengthen privacy protections, and ensure providers have access to complete and accurate information for delivering informed care. We now urge Congress to advance this critical legislation.”— Hal Wolf, President and CEO of HIMSS.

“Medical care begins with the information found in a patient’s health record. However, patient misidentification within the healthcare ecosystem continues to threaten patient safety and privacy, which can lead to dire outcomes. With the introduction of the MATCH IT Act, we are one step closer to ensuring patients’ health information is complete and accurate. The American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) commends Senator Warner and Senator Banks for leading the effort to address this critical issue.”— David D. Cella, CEO of American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

Full bill text can be found here.

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Barrasso: Republicans are the Party of Results. Democrats are the Party of Radicals.

“Under the extreme Democrat manifesto, the American people would be forced to pay more, earn less, and be less safe and secure.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) today contrasted the Republican agenda of safety and prosperity to the radical, extreme, dangerous, and scary Democrat manifesto.

Click HERE to watch Senator Barrasso’s remarks.

Sen. Barrasso’s remarks as delivered:

“I come to the Floor today because yesterday I heard the Minority Leader on the Floor speaking about the economy. He sounded upset. Sounded upset to hear that Americans were keeping more of their hard-earned money. He actually called it ‘disastrous.’

“Ninety-seven percent of Americans benefited from the Working Families Tax Cuts law. This is a benefit. This is not a ‘disaster.’ What I see as disastrous is the Democrats’ demand to raise taxes. They want to raise taxes on hardworking Americans all across the country. Democrats continue to think that they know how to spend your money better than you do. I think it’s been a lifelong obsession with them. It’s part of their DNA. Been going on for years.

“Tax rates fell significantly this past year. And it’s because Republicans cut taxes. So who are the people that benefited the most? Well, they’re people, families that made less than $200,000 a year. That’s where the benefits really hit home. It happened all across the country from Connecticut to California. Even though those states are represented by Democrats. People all across the country benefited.

“Families kept more of what they earned, and then they can make their own decisions about what to save, what to spend, what to invest. You know who knows it? People on Social Security know it. They got to keep more of their hard-earned money. People who work overtime know it because of no tax on overtime. People who work for tips know it because their tips weren’t taxed. People understood and felt the improvement. One resident of Nevada recently said, ‘I received the largest tax return in my entire life this year.’ Why? No tax on tips.

“Every single Democrat in this chamber voted against these things. They wanted people who earn tips to pay more in taxes. Democrats wanted people on Social Security to pay more in taxes. Democrats wanted people who work overtime to pay more in taxes. And that’s a defining difference.

“The American people clearly understand this. The American people were tired and sick of seeing their money – their taxpayer money – wasted on fraud, abuse, and corruption. And we’re seeing those things across the country. People want to keep more of what they earn, and they know they’re the best to judge how to spend it.

“That’s what Republicans are fighting for. We’re going to continue fighting for that. That’s the direction our country is headed. And in November of 2024 people made a clear choice. They chose to vote for Republicans because they wanted America to be safer, stronger, and more prosperous. And we are today. Over the past 18 months Republicans have upheld that commitment. We’ve delivered for the American people. We’re making sure people keep more of what they earn. More than 60 million Americans benefited from the new tax benefits since Republicans passed the Working Families Tax Cuts law.

“Let me remind you about the Trump Accounts. More than seven million American children are now signed up this year for this special new investment account. It’s an astonishing thing. Families, friends, community groups, and even businesses are already investing in them. This is clearly strengthening the American dream for the next generation.

“I also want to talk about the border because today our nation’s immigration laws are being strongly enforced. National security begins with border security. Absolutely zero illegal immigrants have been released in our country in over 14 months. Absolutely zero because Republicans have ended the reckless Joe Biden catch-and-release program. And what a disaster that was. Hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrant criminals have now been arrested and deported since President Trump took office. And we’re seeing the most secure border and the most successful deportation operation in all of American history.

“This year Republicans also passed the Secure America Act. This law ensures that immigration officials have the resources that they need to keep our country safe and to keep our communities safe for years to come.

“I also want to mention affordability because today Congress is making it easier to build and easier to innovate. The largest housing reform bill in history is now the law of the land. We eliminated burdensome regulations. Regulations that made it too costly to build a new home in America. And we’re unlocking the American dream of homeownership for a new generation of Americans.

“Congress also passed the first major digital asset bill in American history. It’s called the GENIUS Act. My colleague Cynthia Lummis from Wyoming has been a leader on the issue. It’s time for the Senate to build on that by passing the CLARITY Act. America is safer and stronger when we innovate.

“I also want to talk about some of the things we’re doing here to make sure the president has his team fully in place, and that’s confirmations. Today Republicans are getting the president’s team fully in place. Very soon we will confirm an additional 74 nominees. Well this will be clearly 600 people confirmed in the second Trump administration. That’s 60 more nominees than he had at this point in the first Trump administration. And we’ve done it in the face of historic obstruction by the Democrats.

“Now we see these same Democrats are trying to tear down our country, and they are trying it all across the nation. The Democrats’ agenda is not for a better America. Not for a better future for our children. No, no. It’s not even an agenda. It’s a manifesto. The Democrats have come up with a manifesto. That’s their label for it – not mine. Their label. The Democrats – the manifesto. And I see it as a roadmap to destroy America from people that hate America. When you listen to many of their candidates, it certainly doesn’t seem like the thing that most Americans would want to see in their future. These people and their manifesto, it’s radical, it’s extreme, it’s dangerous, it’s scary. That’s what our nation is facing today.

“The Democrats – every one of them – wants to raise taxes on American families. The Democrat mantra calls for opening the borders. Their manifesto wants to defund the police. The manifesto wants to abolish prisons. The manifesto wants to release convicted criminals into our communities all across the country. The Democrat manifesto wants to eliminate Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Under the extreme Democrat manifesto, the American people would be forced to pay more, earn less, and be less safe and secure. That’s what we’re facing now.

“Democrats have turned in from a party of the extremists now to a party of radicals. Republicans are going to continue to be the party of results. That is the choice people are facing. What do you want? Results? Safety? Security? Prosperity? Radicals? Opening the prisons? Opening the borders? Raising your taxes?

“Republicans work fiercely to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous. Republicans are going to continue to fight for freedom, for liberty, and a continuation of American greatness. Because that’s the future that I believe the American people want and deserve.”

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Bennet, Hickenlooper Introduce Legislation to Mitigate Mountain Pine Beetle Outbreaks In Response to Colorado Wildfires

Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a senior member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and John Hickenlooper introduced the Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response and Coordination Act to mitigate the growing mountain pine beetle outbreak in Colorado.

Colorado faces warming weather and prolonged drought, creating the perfect conditions for the spread of the mountain pine beetle in Ponderosa pine forests across the state. Recent surveys from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Colorado State Forest Service show a large and growing outbreak of mountain pine beetle on Colorado’s Front Range.

While pine beetles and wildfire are part of the natural ecology of Colorado forests, climate conditions and decades of fire suppression have made this outbreak severe, increasing hazardous fire conditions and putting watersheds and recreational assets at risk. The outbreak is especially concerning given its close proximity to highly populated areas.

“As we face extreme drought and historic high temperatures, Colorado must work together to keep our forests healthy,” said Bennet. “This legislation will provide new tools and resources for partners at every level to work together to address the growing outbreak and protect communities on Colorado’s Front Range.”

“Record drought, devastating wildfires, and a new outbreak of mountain pine beetles are pushing Colorado forests to the brink,” said Hickenlooper. “If we want to protect forest health, we need an all-in approach that puts resources where they’re needed and brings partners together at every level. Protecting our forests means protecting our communities.”

The Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response and Coordination Act will provide grant opportunities to local partners working in coordination with the Forest Service to mitigate mountain pine beetle threats on National Forest System land. This legislation will also create a Mountain Pine Beetle Emergency Response Program within the USFS.

In addition, the legislation includes measures to prevent, monitor, and respond to mountain pine beetle outbreaks through cooperative agreements with states directed by the Forest Service. These efforts will provide localities with increased resources and a framework that focuses on responding to developing outbreaks before they cause widespread and extensive damage.

“Colorado is taking swift action to combat the impacts of the mountain pine beetle outbreak, and we need strong federal partnerships to protect our communities, forests, critical water supplies, and infrastructure,” said Governor Jared Polis. “This bill would strengthen state opportunities and partnerships and bring additional resources to high-priority needs, helping to protect our communities, forests, critical water supplies, and infrastructure. I thank Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper and Congresswoman Pettersen for working together to support our efforts to combat the Mountain Pine Beetle, protect Colorado communities, and help us meet this growing challenge with the urgency it demands.”

“Colorado’s forests have faced years of extreme drought leading to an extensive mountain pine beetle outbreak along Colorado’s front range in areas with some of the highest wildfire risk and population densities.” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “The introduced legislation, the Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response and Coordination Act, will enable close coordination between federal, state, Tribal, and local governments and provide critical funding resources to get on the ground work complete. We appreciate Senator Bennet and Senator Hickenlooper for leading the introduction of these bills in the United States Senate and we also extend gratitude to Representative Pettersen for leading this effort in the U.S. House. It’s vital we work together and are coordinated in our responses to reduce the impact of the mountain pine beetle outbreak with a focus on protecting property, reducing wildfire risk, and restoring our forests so future generations can enjoy our iconic ponderosa pine forests.”

“Mountain pine beetles are a natural part of Colorado’s forests, but the current outbreak is affecting some of our state’s most populated areas,” said Matt McCombs, Colorado State Forester and director of the Colorado State Forest Service. “Forests in these areas already have a high wildfire risk, and an abundance of beetle-killed trees can further threaten homes, watersheds and recreation areas and complicate emergency response. We’ve been here before in Colorado, so this is not cause for panic. It is cause for vigilance, preparation and action.”

“That preparation starts with acknowledging that mountain pine beetles don’t recognize ownership boundaries, and neither can our response. I am committed to working alongside our federal partners to address this outbreak and want to thank Senator Bennet, Senator Hickenlooper, and Representative Pettersen for their continued leadership and dedication to the future of Colorado’s forests. These bills invest in the partnerships, workforce and wood utilization capacity needed to restore forest health, reduce wildfire risk and support Colorado communities.”

As Ranking Member of the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources, and Biotechnology, Bennet has been a champion of Colorado’s forests for years. In February 2025, Bennet reintroduced the Protect the West Act, to make a $60 billion investment in forest health and watershed restoration. In March 2025, Bennet and John Curtis (R-Utah) reintroduced the Watershed Protection and Forestry Recovery Act and the Making Access to Cleanup Happen (MATCH) Act. These bipartisan bills improve and expedite emergency watershed recovery efforts by removing bureaucratic barriers that delay disaster response and by empowering local partners to initiate forest and watershed recovery measures. In September 2025, Bennet reintroduced the Headwaters Protection Act to invest in America’s forests and watersheds by expanding two key USFS programs. The two programs together prevent water pollution at the source, improve the health of our watersheds, and ensure investments benefit downstream communities.

Bennet has also consistently pushed USFS to respond to drought, prioritize hazardous fuels reduction, and reduce wildfire risk. In March 2026, Bennet urged USFS Chief Tom Schultz to prioritize proactive wildfire mitigation efforts in the West. In December 2025, Bennet urged Schultz to address persistent staffing shortages and mounting setbacks to wildfire risk reduction efforts across the West and the country.

Colorado Representatives Brittany Pettersen (D-Colo.) and Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) led companion legislation for this bill in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The text of the Emergency Mountain Pine Beetle Response and Coordination Act is available HERE.

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Bennet Statement on Farm Bill Markup

Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a senior member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement after voting against the 2026 Farm Bill in Committee:

“I am disappointed we could not get to a bipartisan Farm Bill today. Colorado’s farmers, ranchers, and families across the state need support now more than ever, and this bill fails to deliver. At a time when families are already struggling to afford groceries, Republicans are working to make SNAP even more inaccessible, all while placing the financial burden on states and the backs of hardworking families. For Colorado, this bill would be a devastating blow to our already strained budget. It also does little to meet the increasing demands caused by historic drought and worsening fire seasons across the West, and fails to make any meaningful investments in nutrition, conservation, specialty crops, forestry, or Western agriculture.

“Current Farm Bill policies are not working for today’s agricultural economy and are simply reinforcing a broken status quo. We need to examine why that is, rather than just polishing around the edges. The Committee must deliver a comprehensive multi-year bill ensuring certainty not just among agriculture producers, but for the people who rely on this legislation to put food on the table.

“For these reasons, and for the first time in my career, I voted against advancing a Farm Bill. We have to go back to the table and engage in true bipartisan negotiations in order to serve the best interests of farmers and families in Colorado and across the country.”

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Blumenthal & DeLauro Call on Yale to Reject Settlement with Trump Administration

[WASHINGTON, DC] – Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) wrote Yale University President Maurie McInnis requesting records and information regarding the University's ongoing negotiations with the Trump Administration, following reports that Yale has submitted two proposed settlement agreements amid an investigation by the Department of Justice into its admissions process. The lawmakers urged Yale to reject any settlement and warned that capitulating to the Administration's demands would compromise the University's independence.

“Acquiescing to a bully does not make that bully go away, it encourages them to come back for more and to expand their overreach to weaker targets. Yale’s settlement here would show the Trump Administration that its tactics are working. It would also send the wrong message to Yale’s alumni, its students, and the world,” Blumenthal and DeLauro wrote. “What we admire about Yale is exemplified by its own motto, ‘Lux et Veritas,’ light and truth. That is why we urge Yale, in the strongest possible terms, to consider the lasting consequences of a decision not rooted in light and truth.”

The letter follows a roundtable held earlier this month on Yale’s campus, where Blumenthal and representatives from DeLauro’s office met with Yale students and faculty, including international students, to hear firsthand how a potential settlement could affect them. The roundtable was followed by a press conference at which students, faculty, and Connecticut state and local elected officials called on Yale to reject any deal with the Trump Administration.

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

Dear President McInnis:

We write to express our deep concerns that Yale University (“Yale” or “the University”) may be contemplating a settlement with the Trump Administration amidst troubling reports that the University has preemptively submitted two proposed settlement agreements. We are concerned that Yale has taken these steps and that such a storied and admired institution would consider bowing to the authoritarian impulses of the Trump Administration. Capitulating at this critical moment would be a retreat from Yale’s independence as a deeply respected educational institution and would raise serious concerns about its compliance with civil rights law. Accordingly, we urge you to take a stand for your students and staff, your alumni, and Yale’s legacy and fight this toxic, politicized enforcement action by the Trump Administration. We further request that you provide records and information about Yale’s ongoing negotiations with the Trump Administration privately with our delegation.

We have all watched as the Trump Administration has engaged in an unprecedented attack on America’s premier educational institutions while at the same time, decimating public education in this country. Some of these institutions have steadfastly resisted these attempts. Indeed, Harvard’s ultimate decision to fight similar claims—even when faced with aggressive threats to its research funding demonstrates that rejecting such abusive government overreach is not only possible but sends an important signal to others that might be targeted.

Acquiescing to a bully does not make that bully go away, it encourages them to come back for more and to expand their overreach to weaker targets. Yale’s settlement here would show the Trump Administration that its tactics are working. It would also send the wrong message to Yale’s alumni, its students, and the world. What we admire about Yale is exemplified by its own motto, “Lux et Veritas,” light and truth. That is why we urge Yale, in the strongest possible terms, to consider the lasting consequences of a decision not rooted in light and truth.

Additionally, and to shed light on the troubling actions of the Trump Administration that has led to this point, we request records and information regarding the University’s interactions with the Administration since January 20, 2025, regarding Title VI compliance and any recent or ongoing negotiations. This information will be useful to understand the scope of government overreach by this Administration and as we consider potential reforms to Title VI and federal higher education grants and programs.

1. All records referring or relating to any proposed settlement agreement between Yale and any federal agency; including but not limited to all settlement agreement proposals and supporting memoranda.

2. All communications, between Yale and any federal agency (including the Department of Justice and the Department of Education and Department of Justice) concerning compliance with Title VI and/or the possibility of revocation of federal funds from Yale.

3. Has Yale been asked, formally or informally by the Trump Administration, to modify its policies or practices related to admissions, faculty hiring, academic programs, and any program relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Please describe the nature of those requests including:

a. Were any of these requested changes framed as conditions for avoiding investigation, enforcement action, litigation, or loss of federal funding?

b. Did any federal officials reference potential financial penalties, settlement amounts, or other consequences in connection with these discussions?

4. Has Yale preemptively made any commitments, policy changes, or personnel decisions, that were made in anticipation of an investigation by the Administration—before discussion began—or directly in response to the Administration’s demands?

5. Has the Trump Administration communicated a desire for a settlement agreement, or any consequence for declining to reach such an agreement? Please describe any such statements, who made them, when they were made, and in what form.

6. Has the Trump Administration given any insight as to the consequences of a failure to reach a settlement?

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

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Blumenthal Hosts Passport, TSA Precheck, & Global Entry Enrollment & Renewal Event in Hartford

[Hartford, CT] – On Friday, August 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal will host a Passport Day in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State and IDEMIA, a TSA PreCheck authorized enrollment provider, to assist individuals with passport renewals, first-time passport applications, TSA PreCheck enrollment, and Global Entry applications.

The event is open to the public and will take place at Connecticut’s Old State House at 800 Main Street from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except between the hours of 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. The TSA PreCheck program is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents.

Passport applications and renewals provided by the CT Passport Agency:

First-time passport applicants will be required to complete a Passport Application Form and present a valid photo ID and proof of U.S. citizenship, such as an original birth certificate or naturalization certificate.

For passport renewals, a completed Passport Application Form, an old passport, and a recent passport photo will be required, along with the passport renewal fee.

For new and renewed passports, a 2-inch x 2-inch passport photo taken in the last 6 months is required. If you require a passport photo on the day of the event, Camera Bar, a local business located at 75 Asylum Street, is about two blocks away from the Passport Day event and can provide a passport photo for $10.62 day of.

RSVP to apply for or renew a U.S. passport here. Fill out and print your passport application here.

U.S. citizens can apply for both U.S. passport books and U.S. passport cards at Passport Day.

U.S. Passport Books: Valid for international travel by air, sea, or land

Validity: 10 years for adults (age 16 & older)

5 years for minors (under age 16)

Cost for First-Time Applicants: $165 for adults (age 16 & older)

$135 for minors (under age 16)

Cost for Renewal Applicants: $130 for adults (age 16 & older)

U.S. Passport Cards: Valid when entering the U.S. from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land or seaports-of-entry. Not valid for international travel by air.

Validity: 10 years for adults (age 16 & older)

5 years for minors (under age 16)

Cost for First-Time Applicants: $65 for adults (age 16 & older)

$50 for minors (under age 16)

Cost for Renewal Applicants: $30 for adults (age 16 & older)

TSA PreCheck enrollment provided by IDEMIA:

TSA PreCheck enrollment requires that applicants provide proof of identity, proof of citizenship, fingerprints, and a photo. IDEMIA offers TSA PreCheck enrollment for $76.75 and if approved, travelers get a five-year membership with the program.

TSA PreCheck was created in December 2011 as a way to provide low-risk travelers with a smoother experience through airport security. Enrolled members have access to TSA PreCheck dedicated screening lanes at over 200 participating U.S. airports nationwide and 99% of members wait 10 minutes or less in a screening lane. TSA PreCheck passengers travel with ease and keep their shoes, belts, and light jackets on and keep laptops, 3-1-1 liquids, and food items in their bags.

Apply for TSA PreCheck new enrollment or renewal with IDEMIA here.

Global Entry provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection

For the first time, this Passport Day will include the opportunity to interview for Global Entry. Global Entry is a program that allows pre-approved travelers to skip long lines when returning to the U.S. from international travel using automated kiosks.

Applicants for Global Entry must be “conditionally approved” for an interview appointment at Passport Day. Without conditional approval, applicants will be unable to interview for Global Entry. If your approval is still pending prior to Passport Day, contact Senator Blumenthal’s office at Passport_Day@blumenthal.senate.gov for assistance.

To interview for Global Entry, a CBP Officer will determine eligibility and collect biometric information (e.g., fingerprints, a photo). The applicant will be asked to provide all valid travel documents, including passport(s) and U.S.-issued visa(s) if applicable. If the applicant is a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., they must provide their permanent resident card. The applicant will also need to provide proof of their residence address, such as a driver’s license or ID card.

If approved, membership is valid immediately and remains active for five years, expiring on the applicant’s birthday.

Apply to be conditionally approved for Global Entry here. RSVP for your Global Entry interview here.

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NEWS: Senator Blunt Rochester Presses OpenAI and Anthropic on Recent Autonomous Hacking Incidents

Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today sent letters to Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, and Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, regarding recent cybersecurity incidents in which the companies’ models gained unauthorized access to the internet, autonomously hacked third party systems, and even launched direct attacks on people and real-world targets.

The letters seek clarity on the cybersecurity breaches, development of testing environments, future capabilities of advanced AI models, and the companies’ internal safeguards to prevent additional incidents.

“These incidents mark the first publicly confirmed instances of a frontier AI model autonomously launching unauthorized attacks on real people and companies, underscoring the urgent need for federal oversight of frontier AI systems,” wrote Senator Blunt Rochester in a letter to OpenAI. “OpenAI models’ repeated attacks on third parties with no knowledge of, or role in, the company’s internal evaluations demonstrate an alarming pattern of malicious behavior. We cannot wait for a more consequential incident before establishing federal testing standards, containment requirements, and disclosure obligations for frontier model evaluations. Left unaddressed, these gaps could allow a future model, potentially one with greater capability or less oversight, to compromise critical infrastructure, financial systems, or sensitive data.”

In a letter to Anthropic, Blunt Rochester wrote, “I appreciate Anthropic’s voluntary review of its cybersecurity evaluations and public disclosure of the findings, and I encourage other companies to follow suit. However, these incidents demonstrate the potential risks of deploying pre-release models internally, particularly when safeguards are reduced, even when strictly for testing and evaluation.

“In each scenario, without specific tasking direction, the models gained internet access and independently planned and executed an attack on a live third-party system. This is precisely the kind of emergent, autonomous behavior and offensive cyber capability that Congress, the intelligence community, and experts have repeatedly warned could outpace existing safeguards and could pose a severe threat to the safety and security of all Americans.”


Booker, Kim Seek Unanimous Consent to Pass Bill Requiring Closure of Delaney Hall ICE Detention Facility

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Andy Kim (D-NJ), sought unanimous consent to immediately pass the Delaney Hall Closure Act, legislation requiring U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to permanently close the Delaney Hall ICE detention facility in Newark within 90 days.

Senator Booker took to the Senate floor to call for the closing of Delaney Hall following the death of Edwin Lopez-Cornejo, who died on Saturday, August 1, while in ICE custody. Mr. Lopez-Cornejo is the third person in the past nine months to die while or immediately after being detained at Delaney Hall and his death comes amid mounting evidence of dangerous and inhumane conditions, inadequate medical care, and systemic failures at the privately operated facility.

Senator Booker has conducted multiple oversight visits to Delaney Hall, where he witnessed firsthand degrading conditions, insufficient medical care, and spoke directly with detainees about repeated failures to protect their health and safety. At least 56 people have died in ICE custody during President Trump’s second term, and more than 70 percent of people detained by ICE have never been convicted of a criminal offense.

“Three people have now died at Delaney Hall, and unless Congress acts, there will be more. I have inspected this facility myself and seen the dangerous conditions with my own eyes. No one should die because the government failed to provide basic care to those in custody. Delaney Hall has become a symbol of neglect, abuse, and a failed detention system, and every day it remains open puts more lives at risk,” said Senator Booker.

“What I have seen and heard inside Delaney Hall over the last year is absolutely unacceptable and highlights why private prisons like GEO group have no place in New Jersey,” said Senator Kim. “The treatment of those inside is unjust and cruel; I’m cosponsoring this bill because it’s time to shut down Delaney Hall for good before anyone else is harmed.”

Senator Booker has repeatedly pushed for stronger oversight and accountability across the immigration detention system. Earlier this year, he introduced the Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act, comprehensive legislation that would ban private detention centers, end family detention, and strengthen detention standards, improve oversight, and better protect the health, safety, and civil rights of people in ICE custody. He also introduced legislation to restore the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO), strengthen accountability for private immigration detention contractors, and the Governors’ Right to Inspect Act, which would authorize governors and state public health and safety officials to inspect immigration detention facilities within their states.

SEE ALSO:


Booker, Warnock, Van Hollen, Colleagues Demand HUD Reverse Changes Gutting Fair Housing Program

WASHINGTON, D.C. —U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) led U.S. Senators Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and 29 Senate colleagues in demanding the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rescind a series of proposed changes that would fundamentally undermine implementation of the Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) — a federal program that funds nonprofit organizations on the front lines of combating housing discrimination and enforcing fair housing protections nationwide.

In a letter to HUD Secretary Scott Turner, the Senators warned that HUD's Fiscal Year 2025 and Fiscal Year 2026 funding notices threaten to strip funding from organizations that handle more than 74 percent of housing discrimination complaints in the country. The Senators blasted the new funding notices for bypassing the intent of Congress and fundamentally reshaping the program — locking out experienced fair housing organizations, prioritizing first-time applicants over groups with proven track records protecting Americans from discrimination, and abandoning the organizations that have carried out this work for decades.

“Dedicated local fair housing organizations, functioning on small budgets, provide an indispensable service for so many Americans: disabled veterans who require reasonable accommodations in housing, seniors and people with disabilities who need accessible housing, families with children turned away illegally from renting a home, women who are experiencing sexual harassment from landlords, survivors of domestic violence who have been improperly evicted, and victims of racial and other forms of unlawful discrimination,” the senators wrote.

The Senators noted that this latest move is part of a pattern: the Trump Administration has repeatedly tried to dismantle fair housing protections, including failed attempts to terminate FHIP grants and proposing to eliminate the program's funding altogether — despite strong bipartisan support in Congress.

The Senators are calling on Secretary Turner to immediately rescind and reissue the FY25 and FY26 FHIP funding notices in line with federal law and longstanding program standards. They also demanded HUD turn over information by August 10, 2026 on how the new funding process was developed and implemented, including internal analyses, communications with potential recipients, and any future changes planned for fair housing policy.

In addition to Booker, Warnock, and Van Hollen, the letter is signed U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Angela D. Alsobrooks (D-MD), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tina Smith (D-MN), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Christopher A. Coons (D-DE), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Patty Murray (D-WA), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jack Reed (D-RI), Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Richard J. Durbin (D-IL), Jeffrey A. Merkley (D-OR), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Michael F. Bennet (D-CO), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ).


Boozman: Farm Bill Markup is Choice Between Voting to Help Farmers or More Rhetoric

The following is the Chairman’s opening statement as prepared for delivery:

“Good morning. I call to order today’s business meeting of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry to consider an original bill, the Agricultural Act of 2026, or what I like to call Farm Bill 2.0.

“Before I begin my formal comments, I would like to recognize my friend and colleague, Senator Mitch McConnell, who continues his recovery and is unable to join us for today's business meeting.

“I spoke with Senator McConnell yesterday. I know how much he would have wanted to be here to advocate for Kentucky's farmers and rural communities. Throughout his career, Senator McConnell has been a steadfast champion for the Bluegrass State's agricultural producers, advancing policies that expand opportunity, strengthen rural America, and enhance the competitiveness of American agriculture.

“He’s served on this committee his entire tenure in the Senate, and this is the eighth farm bill he has helped shape. Few members bring the depth of experience and institutional knowledge that he does or better understand how important this legislation is to America’s farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

“His leadership has helped deliver meaningful solutions for the men and women who work every day to feed, fuel, and clothe our nation. We wish him a full and speedy recovery, and we look forward to welcoming him back to the committee soon.

“During this journey of drafting a new farm bill, I have visited many states. While I was in North Dakota with my good friend Senator Hoeven, a woman told me that we needed to put more 'farm in the farm bill'. That statement stuck with me and has served as a mantra during this process.

“Last year we answered the call for more farm in the farm bill through the Working Families Tax Cuts.

“Those improvements delivered meaningful support to producers by strengthening commodity programs, expanding access to affordable crop insurance, improving disaster assistance, investing in animal health programs and making farm programs more responsive to the risks farmers face every today.

“The bill before you today, Farm Bill 2.0, is a sincere attempt to finalize our work for the farmers, ranchers, producers, and rural communities that are the backbone of our nation and give them the five-year farm bill they deserve. Beyond that, this legislation, once we adopt the en bloc amendment, represents the best and final offer I can make to address the concerns the minority has raised on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

“I want to be clear a two-year delay does not have the support of the majority in Congress or of the White House. The offer before you is the best and final offer. Should this legislation be defeated today, current law will remain in effect and states with poorly administered SNAP programs will begin to pay for a portion of benefit costs next year.

“We have worked very hard to provide a one-year extension. In return, we have gotten: 'It’s two years or nothing. And by the way, we don’t want to even discuss the farm bill until you give us two years.'

“How is that taking care of hardworking families trying to make a living in farm country? In the last year, Arkansas has had more farm bankruptcies than the last four and a half years combined.

“Finally, thanks to the efforts of Senators Fischer, Thune, Capito, and Daines we have included year-round E15. Today, senators will have an opportunity for the first time to advance out of committee, legislation that will authorize the blending of E15 year-round.

“I’m proud of the bill we put together. It builds on the House-passed Farm Bill. This is the best opportunity to do good things for our farmers, rural communities and the future of agriculture.

“This bill incorporates more than 100 bipartisan bills and priorities from my colleagues with feedback from farmers, ranchers, and rural community leaders.

“We took great effort to craft a bipartisan product that reflects the needs and ideas of producers from every region of the country.

“In Arkansas, producers are facing extraordinarily difficult circumstances. I’ve heard firsthand from farm families whose roots in agriculture stretch back generations. Today, many are being forced to decide whether to continue operating at a loss or close their operations for good.

“I know every member of this committee has heard similar stories from farmers back home. These are families who rise before dawn every day to grow the food, fuel and fiber that sustain our nation.

“They aren't asking for special treatment—they're asking for the certainty and support they need to keep farming.

“They're looking to us to act. They're looking to us for hope.

“This Farm Bill provides that hope. It gives producers the tools and confidence they need to keep farming, keep investing, and keep feeding America.

“This legislation is about far more than agricultural policy. It's about ensuring family farms remain viable, rural communities remain strong, and future generations have the opportunity to carry forward America's proud agricultural tradition.

“We have built a farm bill for the people who feed America and today we’ll see who talks about supporting farmers and who is voting to help farmers.

“I now recognize the Ranking Member for any comments she may have.”